Enjoy the fabulously funny fable “The Emperor’s New Clothes” when it opens this week at the Pickwick Theatre. Your whole family will relish this clever and witty adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s story of the famous and fashionable emperor who discovers all that glitters often turns out to be fool’s gold. The production offers vivid costumes and settings, delightful music and dance and captivating characters to spin the story of the pitfalls of vanity and greed. Tickets $6.75, advance mail purchase $5.75. Group rates available. “The Emperor’s New Clothes” opens Wednesday and runs on selected dates through May 26. Show times 10:30 a.m. weekdays, noon Saturdays. The Pickwick Theatre, Touhy Avenue and U.S. Highway 14, Park Ridge. 773-989-0532.
This is as sweet as it gets. Bring the family out for the annual “Festival of the Sugar Maples” at Coral Woods Conservation Area. Spring is coming and the sap is flowing. Learn all about maple sugaring and taste the end product of this incredible process. All ages welcome. Registration required for groups of 10 or more. Free. “Festival of the Sugar Maples,” 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and March 18 and 19. Coral Woods Conservation Area, between Illinois Highways 23 and 20, east of Marengo. 815-678-4431.
Catch the spirit of the green. The “Mayer Dance School Irish Dancers,” of West Dundee, will join the Celtic Aires for a spirited show of song and dance Sunday at Spring Hill Mall. Fifty dancers, ages 4 to 16, will perform Irish step dancing to the Celtic Aires’ live music. Free. “St. Patrick’s Day the Blarney Way,” 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday. Spring Hill Mall center court, Illinois Highways 72 and 31, West Dundee. 847-428-0303.
Old-fashioned fun awaits you when you gather around the radio. The Barrington Area Arts Council presents “Theatre at the Gallery, Old Time Radio Show” Friday and Saturday. Enjoy the old-time charm and excitement of live radio theater with two comedy classics, “Junior the Mean Widdle Kid,” a Red Skelton sketch, and the witty and original “Our Miss Brooks,” starring Eve Arden. Tickets $14 for BAAC members; $16 non-members; $12 students and seniors. “Theatre at the Gallery, Old Time Radio Show,” 7:30 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday. Barrington Area Arts Council, 207 Park Ave., Barrington. 847-382-5626.
Math makes for fun as area Zany Brainy stores present “24-Game Math Mania” this weekend. Think you’re a math whiz? Then take your skills to new heights with the Zany Brainy math challenge. Free. “24-Game Math Mania,” 2 p.m. Saturday for students in 1st and 2nd grades; 2 p.m. Sunday for students in 3rd and 4th grades. Zany Brainy stores, 150 Barrington Ave., and Woodfield Mall, Illinois Highway 53 and Golf Road, Schaumburg. 847-798-7737.
Devote next week to the arts. Celebrate Illinois Arts Education Week with the DuPage Children’s Museum. The museum has planned a wide range of activities for arts discovery including weaving, pattern rubbings, dry point etching, exploring patterns and creating crayons from recycled crayon pieces. The activities are designed to encourage children’s imagination and creativity and challenge their critical thinking skills. Call museum for program details and times. Admission $4.50 per person age 1 and up. “Arts Education Week Activities,” Tuesday through March 19. DuPage Children’s Museum, 1777 S. Blanchard Rd., Wheaton. 630-260-9907.
