RICHARD THOMPSON:
This guitar hero’s songs are lustrous little gems. 7:30 p.m. Monday, Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave. $28.50; 312-559-1212.
THE NERVES:
The Nerves are the essence of pure rock and roll. 10 p.m. Saturday, Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave. $10; 773-276-3600.
JAGUARES:
Jaguares is arena rock grandeur and punk fury. 9 p.m. Wednesday, House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St. $37.50; 3412-923-2000.
ROLLINS BAND:
Think of a beat poet backed by Black Sabbath. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Metro, 3730 N. Clark St. $15.50, $25 for both nights; 312-559-1212.
ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO ACOUSTIC TRIO:
Alejandro Escovedo unplugged is still a dazzling musical mix. 10 p.m. Saturday, Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. $14 and $18; 773-728-6000.
THEATER
“ANOTHER AMERICAN: ASKING AND TELLING”:
A one-man tour de force about the military’s “don’t ask-don’t tell” policy. Through March 10 at the About Face Theatre, 3212 N. Broadway. $22-$25; 773-549-3290.
“AND SO I MAY RETURN”:
Plasticene Physical Theatre presents a trio of power plays. Through March 16 at the Viaduct Theater, 3111 N. Western Ave. $15-$20; 773-296-6024.
“HAMLET”:
Guy Adkins gives a commanding performance. Through March 31 at the Court, 5535 S. Ellis Ave.; $28-$40; 773-753-4472
“43 PLAYS FOR 43 PRESIDENTS”:
This entertaining gavotte resembles a high school civics class project gone bad. Runs through March 30 at the Neo Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. $8-$12; 773-275-5255.
“AS YOU LIKE IT”:
By and large a crisply told, well cast production of the classic Shakespeare comedy. Through March 9 at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave. $40-$52. 312-595-5600.
