Here’s your fair warning that tickets for music, dance and an array of theater performances are still available for shows on New Year’s Eve. You don’t want to be the dolt who forgot to make plans for that special person in your life. Maybe going to the same party for the last (fill in the number) years has gotten old. Or maybe you want to get out with the kids and ring in the new year. So, the On the Town staff offers these recommendations for your entertainment pleasure.
All performances are Dec. 31 unless otherwise noted.
THEATER
“The Addams Family”: With a ways to go before its Broadway opening, this premiering musical starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth is a creature of Chicago for a little while longer. 7:30 p.m. at the Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St. $32.50-$92.50; 800-775-2000, broadwayinchicago.com
“American Buffalo”: Tables are turned, and not in the usual David Mamet way. Tracy Letts wrote a once-in-a-lifetime, sleep-depriving role for Amy Morton in “August: Osage County.” Now she gets to direct him in the Mamet play about three crooks in a Lincoln Avenue junk shop. Steppenwolf also is partnering with nearby Vinci Restaurant for pre- and post-show dinners, dancing and champagne. Curtain is 7:30 p.m. at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 1650 N. Halsted St.; $55; 312-335-1650, steppenwolf.org. For the dinner package ($90-$120), call 312-335-1650.
“A Christmas Carol”: Ebenezer Scrooge’s story can always bring inspiration no matter the time of year. This Marriott Theatre production features new music by Alan Menken (“Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid”). 8 p.m. at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. $45-$55; 847-634-0200
Blue Man Group: They’re big, they’re loud and they’re blue. When this thing first opened, I didn’t like it and figured it wouldn’t last. Ha! That was 12 years ago. In the here and now, the extravaganza of sight and sound by blue-faced dudes is still going strong. 4, 7 and 10 p.m. at Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted St. $49-$69; 773-348-4000, ticketmaster.com — K.W.
“Funny Girl”: The musical story of Ziegfeld Follies comedian Fanny Brice will have you ringing in the new year Roaring ’20s style. 5:30 and 9 p.m. at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. $40-$45; 630-530-0111 or ticketmaster.com
“In the Heights”: As the red-hot Broadway creator of “In the Heights,” Lin-Manuel Miranda is an artist who understands the complexities of urban pride and the struggles of immigrants who want both community and a chance for escape. 7:30 p.m. at Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St.; $15.50-$117.50; 800-775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com
“Jersey Boys”: Featuring the music and story of the Four Seasons and their rise from Newark to the top of the pop-music charts, “Jersey Boys” has been rocking the Loop for years — but the music stops Jan. 10. Dominic Scaglione Jr. is the current, terrific Frankie Valli. 7:30 p.m. at the Bank of America Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St.; $30-$125; 800-775-2000 or ticketmaster.com
“Million Dollar Quartet”: Make an early New Year’s resolution to shake your nerves and rattle your brain before this rock ‘n’ roll cast heads to Broadway in early 2010. “Million Dollar Quartet” is based on an actual night in 1956 when Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis gathered at Sam Phillips’ Sun Studios in Memphis for a jam session. 6 and 10 p.m. at the Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave.; $75-$80; 773-935-6100 or ticketmaster.com
“Second City’s Exceedingly Dysfunctional Holiday Revue”: If you’ve had it up to here with the holidays, this New Year’s Eve is for you. The late show at the Metropolis becomes a big, welcome-to-2010 bash, with a champagne toast, balloon drop and party favors. 6 and 10 p.m. at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights; $50-$60; 847-577-2121, metropolisarts.com
ART
“Heartland”: This eclectic group show was organized in conjunction with The Netherlands’ heralded Van Abbemuseum, and presents recent work by an incredibly diverse group of artists — from the Detroit Tree of Heaven Workshop to Kerry James Marshall. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 2-3 at Smart Museum of Art, 5550 S. Greenwood Ave. Free; 773-702-0200, smartmuseum.uchicago.edu
“On The Scene: Jason Lazarus, Wolfgang Ploger, Zoe Strauss”: With the opening of the Modern Wing, the historically patriarchic Art Institute of Chicago has softened its edge and appears to be warming up to works by young, emerging artists like those mentioned above. Programmed by the School of the Art Institute’s Department of Photography, On the Scene showcases the work of up-and-comers, each unique studies in set frames of time. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave. $18, $12 for seniors, free admission 2-5 p.m.; 312-443-3600, artic.edu
COMEDY
Damon Williams’ annual comedy bash: Local funnyman Damon Williams always brings in the New Year with a laugh at his annual bash, which features national and local comedians. This year’s lineup includes Tony Roberts, Honest John, Hope Flood and Corey “Zoo” Miller. 8 p.m. at Star Plaza Theatre, 8001 Delaware Place, Merrillville, Ind. Ticket packages vary. Go to ticketmaster.com for details
Kevin Hart: The “Grown Little Man” comedian — who will scream like a girl at the sight of gnats — not only laughs at his shortcomings but will have you laughing with, and at, him too. 8 p.m. at Arie Crown Theater, McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive. $35.50-$75.50; 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com
MUSIC
The Black Keys: The two-piece, soul-tinged rock group has been around for nearly a decade and continues to churn out the kind of fuzzy, low-fi rawk that can be born only in places like Akron, Ohio. The duo’s two-night stint at the Riv is in support of “BlakRoc,” which features cameos from hip-hop and rap legends Q-Tip, Mos Def, RZA, Ludacris and others. 10 p.m. at Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine Ave. $49; 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com
Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance”: Rudy Hogenmiller directs and choreographs Light Opera Works’ sparkling new production of the ever-popular G&S operetta with the dashing Pirate King and stuffy Major-General Stanley (the very model of a modern major-general). 8 p.m. Jan. 2, 2 p.m. Jan. 3 at Cahn Auditorium, Northwestern University, 600 Emerson St., Evanston. $30-$88; 847-869-6300, light-opera-works.org
Chris Isaak: Um, wow. Here’s the thing about Mr. Isaak: He’s a lot more than his immense song, “Wicked Game.” It’s American rock music, played with verve and virtuosity by a man who is an underrated guitar picker. Yes, his most famous music videos feature supermodels. Duh. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 1 at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St. $56.50-$58; 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com
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R. Kelly: Lift your drinks in the air and ring in the new year Chicago-style with the king of R&B. It’s bound to be a stepper’s delight with “Chocolate Factory” and “Happy People.” But don’t expect a full-blown concert: Kelly is billed as the host of the evening. 8 p.m. at Adrianna’s Club and Ballroom, 16300 S. Dixie Highway, Markham. $100-$200; 866-468-3401, ticketweb.com
The Polkaholics: If you’ve never caught a set by the Polkaholics, the local three-piece punk-polka band (or polka-punk, take your pick) that delivers happy, upbeat beer-stein swig-a-longs in flashy vests, experiencing the madness at DANK-Haus’ elegant Marunde Grand Ballroom might be the perfect initiation. The crowd-pleasing trio has rung in a handful of new years there and continues its tradition for 2010. 8 p.m. at DANK Haus, 4740 N. Western Ave. $4.99 for first 200 guests, $9.99 thereafter; 773-561-9181
Roy Hargrove Quintet: A high-profile trumpeter since the early 1990s, Hargrove brings considerable excitement and technical acumen to his shows, making him a fitting attraction for New Year’s Eve festivities. But there’s also a poetic side to Hargrove’s art: When he picks up a flugelhorn to play ballads, he shows a tenderness and melodic grace few of his contemporaries can match. He’ll lead a quintet that includes alto saxophonist Justin Robinson and pianist Sullivan Fortner. 9 and 11 p.m. at Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Court. Covers vary; 312-360-0234
“Salute to Vienna”: Music by the Viennese waltz king, Johann Strauss Jr., and his contemporaries will be performed by the Strauss Symphony of America under Austrian conductor Hans Richter, with singers Anita Lukacs and Zsolt Vadasz, and dancers from the Vienna City Ballet. Expect the Schmaltz and Schlag to flow freely. 2:30 p.m. Jan. 3 at Symphony Center , 220 S. Michigan Ave. $27-$115; 312-294-3000, cso.org
Supersuckers: The evil powers of rock ‘n’ roll have never been more in evidence than in the hands of this now-iconic band. Punkers claim them, alt-country folks claim them, honky tonkers claim them — all of which speaks to the magic of their roadhouse rock. It’s guitars, bass and drums … and cowboy hats. Nothing fancy, but the person who sees a bad Supersuckers show will be seeing a first. 8 p.m. at Reggies Rock Club, 2109 S. State St. $30; 312-949-0121, reggieslive.com