Things to do in Chicago Sept. 12-18: The Mix

Theater

Henry Godinez directs a new production of Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee’s iconic drama “Inherit the Wind.” In a fictionalized account of the 1925 Scopes “Monkey” Trial, two powerful lawyers (portrayed by Harry Lennix and Alexander Gemignani) face off in a battle of creationism vs. Darwinism as a small-town teacher goes to trial for teaching the theory of evolution. From Sept. 14-Oct. 13 at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn. Tickets: $25-$95. Visit goodmantheatre.org.

“Noises Off” is Michael Frayn’s classic comedy about a theater troupe preparing for opening night as lines are flubbed, props are post and cues are missed. Audrey Francis, Francis Guinan, Ora Jones and James Vincent Meredith lead the cast; Anna D. Shapiro directs. From Sept. 12-Oct. 27 at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted. Tickets: 20+. Visit steppenwolf.org.

The Lyric Opera season opens with “Rigoletto,” Giuseppe Verdi’s acclaimed opera featuring Russian baritone Igor Golovatenko (Rigoletto), Armenian soprano Mané Galoyan (Gilda) and Mexican tenor Javier Camarena (Duke of Mantua). From Sept. 14-Oct. 6 at Lyric Opera, 20 N. Wacker. Tickets: $42+. Visit lyricopera.org.

The Gift Theatre presents “Topdog/Underdog,” Suzan-Lori Parks' darkly comic fable of brotherly love and family identity that tells the story of two brothers, Lincoln (Martel Manning) and Booth (Gregory Fenner), who are haunted by the past and come to know their true history. Shanésia Davis directs. From Sept. 12-Oct. 20 at Filament Theatre, 4041 N. Milwaukee. Tickets: $35. Visit thegifttheatre.org.

Steep Theatre stages Omar Abbas Salem’s “Happy Days Are Here (Again),” a drama that explores how people in power abuse their systems and the resilience that fighting them requires. Azar Kazemi directs. From Sept. 13-Oct. 27 at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theater, 1700 N. Halsted. Tickets: $10-$40. Visit steppenwolf.org.

The Second City and Dunkin’ present a new improv show, “Ring Lights and Lattes,” featuring new material. From Sept. 18-Oct. 24 at 1616 N. Wells. Tickets: $15+. Visit secondcity.com.

“Light Switch” is Michael D. Graham’s play about an autistic gay man and his journey toward love and acceptance. From Sept. 13-29 at Open Space Arts, 1411 W. Wilson. Tickets: $25. Visit openspacearts.org.

Jackalope Theatre presents its annual Living Newspaper Festival featuring five one-act plays inspired by recent news headlines. From Sept. 13-16 at Broadway Armory Park, 5917 N. Broadway. Tickets: $15-$30. Visit jackalopetheatre.org.

Comedy

Comedian Hannah Gadsby, whose acclaimed stand-up shows, “Nanette,” “Douglas” and “Something Special” ignited conversations about homophobia, misogyny and autism, performs their new show, “Woof!,” at 7 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State. Tickets: $43+. Visit ticketmaster.com.

Dance

A performance by Joffrey Ballet and members of the Joffrey Academy Studio Company includes Houston Thomas’ new piece, which salutes the music and life of jazz artist Ramsey Lewis, plus works by Gerald Arpino and Andrew McNicol (7:30 p.m. Sept. 13, $45-$130). The Studio Company also performs “Rita Finds Home,” a family-friendly piece about a young artist who goes on a journey that helps her redefine “home” (10 a.m. Sept. 14, $20). At Ravinia, 201 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. Visit ravinia.org.

Music

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves tours behind her new album, “Deeper Well,” which was recorded at Manhattan’s West Village landmark Electric Lady Studios, where Musgraves found new inspiration and a different energy than what she feels Nashville offers at the moment. Also on the bill: Father John Misty and Nickel Creek. At 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim, Rosemont. Tickets: $119+. Visit ticketmaster.com.

The Buena Vista Social Orchestra, under the direction of Jesus “Aguaje” Ramos, the original bandleader of The Buena Vista Social Club, continues to highlight the legacy of Cuban arts, music and culture in a show featuring a repertoire of greatest hits. At 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield. Tickets: $39.50-$89.50. Visit jamusa.com.

Jazz artist Esperanza Spalding’s new album, “Milton + Esperanza,” is a collaboration with Brazilian musical icon Milton Nascimento. Rolling Stone calls it “an episodic, strikingly impressionistic album.” Spaulding is sure to talk about the experience when she performs at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets: $70+. Visit ticketmaster.com.

The annual Mexican Independence Day fest, El Grito, is expected to draw 12,000 people per day. Music is provided by Banda Las Sebastianes, Gerardo Coronel, Sonora Santanera, Los Kbros, Esteban Gabriel, Los Sementales de Nuevo Leon, Grupo Vanguardia and more. From 2-10 p.m. Sept. 14-15 in Grant Park’s Butler Field. Admission: $10, free for kids 10 and under. Visit elgritochicago.com.

English alt-rock band Keane celebrates the 20th anniversary of its debut album, “Hopes and Fears,” at 8 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State. Tickets: $80+. Visit ticketmaster.com.

Senegalese singer and percussionist Sidy Samb, whose unique sound, Afroflamenco, reconnects flamenco to its African roots, makes his Chicago debut with his band at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at Instituto Cervantes, 31 W. Ohio. Tickets: $30. Visit latinoculturalcenter.org.

Check out the joyful, soul-shaking folk-rock sound of Dustbowl Revival (Damn Tall Buildings opens) at 8 p.m. Sept. 13 at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln. Tickets: $35. Visit oldtownschool.org.

Museums

“Radical Craft: Arts Education at Hull-House, 1889-1935” celebrates the work of immigrant artists and reformers at the social settlement. Showcased are Hull-House’s rarely exhibited textile collection, handbound books from Ellen Gates Starr’s bookbindery, newly restored paintings by Alice Kellogg Tyler and a selection of ceramics from the Hull-House kilns. To July 27 at Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, 800 S. Halsted. Admission is free. Visit hullhousemuseum.org.

The Rebuild Foundation presents “Theaster Gates: When Clouds Roll Away — Reflection and Restoration from the Johnson Archive,” which features a suite of new works inspired by and sourced from the Johnson Publishing Co. archive. For the past decade, Gates and the foundation have been stewarding the collection and this is the first time objects will be exhibited. From Sept. 13-March 16 on all three floors of the Stony Island Arts Bank, 6760 S. Stony Island. Admission is free. Visit rebuild-foundation.org.

Movies

What better way to ramp up to Halloween than with a “Friday the 13th Marathon” on an actual Friday the 13th. From noon until the late night on Sept. 13, eight films from the deadly franchise will be screened. Plus there will be horror vendors, themed drinks, food trucks, trivia quiz, photo ops and more. At Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport. Tickets: $25. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.

Festival Fun

Ravenswood Art Walk features open studios and galleries, pop-up performances, an art market, music, a beer garden, food trucks, children’s activities and more. From 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 14-15 on Ravenswood from Lawrence to Irving Park. Admission is free. Visit ravenswoodchicago.org.

Oaktoberfest, Oak Park’s annual celebration of the changing seasons, features music (Bette Smith, Cracker, Finom, Reilly Downes, Nasty Snacks and more), food from area restaurants and a children’s area. From 4-10 p.m. Sept. 13 and noon-10 p.m. Sept. 14 at Marion and North. Admission is free. Visit oaktoberfest.net.

Lakeview East Festival of the Arts features more than 150 juried artists plus art demonstrations, music, children’s activities and more. From 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 14 and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 15 on Broadway from Belmont to Hawthorne. Admission: $5 suggested donation. Visit lakevieweastfestivalofthearts.com.