THEATER
`2′
A provocative character study by Romulus Linney of the Nazis’ No. 2 man, Hermann Goering, during his 1945-46 trial for war crimes in Nuremberg, Germany, galvanized by Steven Fedoruk’s volcanic central performance; through Dec. 16 by Eclipse Theatre at the Athenaeum Studio 3, 2936 N. Southport Ave.; $12-$15; 312-902-1500.
`AH, WILDERNESS!’
Pleasantly produced revival of Eugene O’Neill’s sunny view of family life, set in a small town in Connecticut on July 4,1906; through Dec. 9 at Griffin Theatre, 5404 N. Clark St.; $18; 773-769-2228.
`EMBRYOS ON ICE!’
The Second City’s 87th satirical revue presents a crackerjack cast offering a welcome rush of laughter; 1616 N. Wells St.; $17; 312-337-3992.
`INCOGNITO’
An extraordinary one-man show by Michael Fosberg in which a journey into his personal history becomes a mind-opening experience for all of us; through Dec. 23 at Bailiwick Theater Studio, 1229 W. Belmont Ave.; $20-$25; 773-883-1090.
`THE LARAMIE PROJECT’
An eight-actor ensemble, flawlessly orchestrated by director Kate Buck, presents a docudrama on the brutal 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student, in Laramie, Wyo.; through Dec. 16 at Next Theatre, 927 Noyes St., Evanston; $20-$28; 847-475-1875.
`MY FAIR LADY’
Ray Frewen and Cory Goodrich pleasingly take on the roles of Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle in a brisk, well-cast production of the beloved musical; through Jan. 6 at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook; $19-$25; 630-530-0111 or 312-902-1500.
`PACIFIC OVERTURES’
An intimate, elegant, imaginative presentation of the ambitious 1976 musical about the opening of Japan to the West, with a small orchestra and a 10-male cast giving glorious voice to Stephen Sondeim’s superb score; through Jan. 6 upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave.; $35-$45; 312-595-5600.
`A PHOENIX TOO FREQUENT’
Short, sweet romantic verse drama of 1946 by Christopher Fry, in which a love affair blossoms in a tomb; through Dec. 9 at Writers’ Theatre, Books on Vernon, 664 Vernon Ave., Glencoe; $38; 847-835-5398.
— Richard Christiansen
ROCK
RALPH STANLEY AND THE CLINCH MOUNTAIN BOYS
The patriarch of mountain-soul has gone mainstream, thanks to his contributions to the “O Brother Where Art Thou?” soundtrack; Sunday at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave.; $20-$25; 773-525-2508.
SASHA & DIGWEED
The trance-electronic deejay tandem has split off for solo successes; this marks a rare and pricey reunion; Monday at Congress Theatre, 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave.; $40-$60; 312-923-2000.
SEAN O’HAGAN
A rare solo show by O’Hagan, the resident Brian Wilson guru in the U.K. pop band the High Llamas; Tuesday at Schubas; $8; 773-525-2508.
SLAYER
Still the world’s greatest heavy metal band, Wednesday at the Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., $27-$30; 312-559-1212.
STEVE WYNN
The singer-guitarist, keeper of the Velvet Underground-Television flame, will play sets devoted to his recent double-CD and his old Dream Syndicate days; Saturday at Schubas; $12-$14; 773-525-2508.
— Greg Kot
DANCE
THE JOFFREY BALLET OF CHICAGO
The company’s Americana-rich version of “The Nutcracker” returns for its annual holiday engagement Friday through Dec. 23 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy.; $29-$69; 312-902-1500.
— Sid Smith
JAZZ
ROY HARGROVE
The dynamic young trumpeter plays his annual Thanksgiving-week engagement; Tuesday through Sunday at the Jazz Showcase, 59 W. Grand Ave.; $20; 312-670-2473.
ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY
The former Chicagoan has matured from promising cabaret artist to top-notch jazz singer; 7 p.m. Saturday at the Black Orchid in Piper’s Alley, 230 W. North Ave.; $55; 312-944-2200.
— Howard Reich
CLASSICAL
PIERRE BOULEZ
Modernism’s main man leads musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in the season’s second MusicNOW contemporary chamber concert, at 3 p.m. Sunday in Buntrock Hall, Symphony Center. Two of Boulez’s own works, “Derive” I and II, Peter Eotvos’ “Intervals-Interiors” and the world premiere of Stephen Andrew Taylor’s “Quark Shadows” make up the program; 220 S. Michigan Ave.; $10-$25; 312-294-3000.
NEWBERRY CONSORT
The splendid early music ensemble presents “Puzzles and Perfect Beauty,” a program of early Renaissance French and Italian songs and instrumental pieces that sound surprisingly modern for music dating from the turn of the 15th Century. Among the performers are countertenors Drew Minter and Mark Rimple; Lutkin Hall, Northwestern University, 700 University Pl., Evanston; $10-$37; 312-255-3700.
CHICAGO YOUTH SYMPHONY
Allen Tinkham makes his downtown Chicago debut as music director of this fine youth training ensemble in a concert at 2 p.m. Saturday in Symphony Center. The program includes Robert Moran’s “Points of Departure,” Webern’s “Im Sommerwind,” Respighi’s “The Pines of Rome” and Bartok’s Viola Concerto, Lisa Steltenpohl soloist; $10-$35; 312-939-2207, ext. 29.
— John von Rhein
