Charo, Monty Python, Peter and Paul, Illinois Philharmonic Create Magic on Southland Stages

Chicago (South Side)

ArtCraft Theatre Projects presents The Music of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and playing in Beverly, a tribute to the late Belgian singer-songwriter and a takeoff on the mid-1960s and '70s production Jacques Brel is Alive and Well that played in cabaret settings across the country. Though not particularly famous in the United States, Brel and his music are the stuff of legend in Europe.

The ArtCraft production, set in a French coffeehouse, includes a cast of eight who musically reminisce about Brel, singing his songs about life, war and of course, love and hope.

When: 7 p.m., May 14 and 3 p.m., May 15
Where: Bethany Union Church, 1750 W. 103rd St., Chicago
Cost: $12 adults, $9
Tickets and information: 708-421-1296 

Chicago Heights

On May 14, the dazzling Union Street Gallery exhibit, , closes following an afternoon presentation, Your Guide to Bhutan, a talk about the tiny nation nestled in the Himalayas. This is the final chance to experience the wonders of Bhutan via the photos by Cecily Hunt and artwork of Nancy Frazier. The local artists traveled to Bhutan in 2010 and the works came out of that adventure.

In Harmony, an exhibit of works by many other professional gallery artists, also closes Saturday. 

When: Your Guide to Bhutan takes place from 12 to 3 p.m., May 14 
Where: , 1527 Otto Blvd., Chicago Heights.
Cost: Everything is free.
Information:  708-754-2601 and www.unionstreetgallery.org 

Chicago Heights

A group of striking art works in a variety of media, created by 22 graduating Prairie State College students, remain on display in the Christopher Art Gallery on campus.

When: Through May 19. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.- 3 p.m Monday through Thursday; 5- 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and by appointment.
Where: Christopher Art Gallery, , 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights
Cost: Free
Information:  708-709-7801 and http://prairiestate.edu/artgallery/

Frankfort

When Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra Maestro Carmon DeLeone steps to the podium on May 21, he will do so for the last time as the symphony's music director. Almost two years ago, DeLeone announced the 2010-2011 season would be his final one as IPO maestro, although he will return next season as a guest conductor.

The season finale, 25 Years with Carmon, will feature vocalist Benjamin Warschawski, piano soloist Kevin Cole and the South Suburban Chorale in a program focused on two giants in the line of American composers, Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) and George Gershwin (1898-1937).

Musical selections will include Bernstein's Overture and Make Our Garden Grow from Candide and his extraordinary Mass.

Gershwin compositions, Cuban Overture and of course, Rhapsody in Blue, will close the concert and 25 glorious years with Maestro DeLeone.

When: 8 p.m., May 21
Where: , 19900 S. Harlem Ave., Frankfort
Cost: $30-50, $15 students 18 and younger
Tickets and information: 708-471-7774 and www.ipomusic.org 

Joliet

Legendary does not begin to describe the power of folksinger-songwriters Peter Yarrow and  Noel Paul Stookey who, for decades, performed with the late Mary Travers as Peter, Paul and Mary.

Although Yarrow and Stookey perform together "very little since Mary's death," Yarrow said, each has developed a project geared toward creating "a more just world." Anyone who followed the trio, from the 1960s until Mary's death in 2009, knows their songs were much more than music; they carried messages of peace, justice, equality, love and the dream of a better world.

"I loved the performances we had with Peter, Paul and Mary. But it was not about us but the continuation of music that has great validity, no matter who sings it," Yarrow said. "Mary is still in our hearts," Yarrow said.

"Our performances now (Yarrow and Stookey) are much more informal. There's more spontaneity and more improvisation. It's more personal with only the two of us as there is a different dynamic. 

"For those people who want to know (about the Rialto show), they will still hear many favorites including Puff the Magic Dragon, If I Had a Hammer and Leaving on a Jet Plane. The songs live on with validity, no matter who sings them."

Read more from SouthScene's interview with Yarrow in next Friday's column.

When: 8 p.m., May 21
Where: Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet
Cost: $29.50 to $68
Tickets and information: www.rialtosquare.com and 815-726-6600 

Joliet

Broadway's hit musical comedy, the 2005 Tony Award-winning Monty Python's Spamalot, the sealed, stamped and official takeoff of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, heads to the Rialto for one night only.

Totally wacky, the show will thrill Monty Python fans who have yearned for something new from the Brit TV comedy group. 

When: 8 p.m., May 16
Where: Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet
Cost: $22 to $52
Tickets and information: www.rialtosquare.com and 815-726-6600 

Mokena

Local artist Sherie Sloane's exhibit, Chicago-Downtown Destination, remains on view throughout the summer.

When: Through August
Where: , 11116 Front St., Mokena
Cost: Free unless you want to eat at the gourmet spot.
Information:  and 708-479-2333

Oak Lawn

Anyone know the area code for Pennsylvania 6-5000? The answer might turn up when hot weather meets hot classic jazz with the Swing Dogs at Oak Lawn Public Library. Hear sounds of Glenn Miller and other Big Band favorites at a 1930s jam session, great music for young and young of spirit alike. 

When: 2-4 p.m., May 14
Where: , 9427 S. Raymond Ave., Oak Lawn
Cost: Free
Information: 708-422-4990 and www.oaklawnlibrary.org 

Orland Park

Laugh it up at the Orland Park Comedy Improv Group's final show of the season. We're guessing the improv performers might have been saving the best for the last so this should be one night of big chuckles. Suggested minimum age, 18.

When: 8 p.m., May 20
Where: , 14413 Beacon Ave., Orland Park
Cost: $6
Tickets and information: 708-403-7275 and www.orland-park.il.us 

Orland Park

 A young Mike Royko, the legendary Chicago-based author and Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper columnist, can be found in love letters to his wife Carol, the mother of author David Royko. Mike Royko died April 29, 1997. He was 64.

In Royko in Love: Mike's Letters to Carol, the young Royko reveals the letters from 10 months of Mike's and Carol's blossoming relationship.

David Royko will talk about the book and sign copies (which will be available for purchase) at a special author event at the Orland Park Public Library.

When: 7 p.m., May 25
Where: , 14921 Ravinia Drive, Orland Park
Cost: Free
Information: 708-428-5151 

Palos Hills

An energetic and funny Charo brings her signature "Cuchi-Cuchi" talents, including her mastery of the flamenco guitar, to the Dorothy Menker Theater. Married for years to the late bandleader Xavier Cugat, Charo has carved out her own career with a dynamic stage show since Cugat's 1990 death.

So yes, Charo is still around and she's on her way to Palos Hills!

When: 7:30 p.m. May 15
Where: , 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills.
Cost: $35, $30 seniors and $25 students.
Tickets and information: 708-974-5500, www.morainevalley.edu/fpac and at box office 

Palos Park

In 1944, Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews starred in an often edge-of-the-seat murder mystery now viewed as a film noir classic. Laura centered around the murder of a beautiful woman whose disappearance confounds an investigator who falls in love with her photo as more and more information surfaces about the missing woman.

Palos Village Players bring this classic to the stage under the direction of David Groebe of Lemont.  Oak Forest resident Chris Demian plays the detective and Meghan Sterling of Palos Park steps into the role of Laura.

When: 7:30 p.m. May 13, 14, 20 and 21; 2 p.m., May 15; lunch theater package available on May 15.
Where: , 8901 W. 123rd St., Palos Park; May 14 lunch at .
Cost: $15, $12 students and seniors
Tickets and information: 877-7878497 and www.pvp.org; Hackney's lunch reservations at 708-448-8300.

Palos Park

Outdoor concert season is here, and The Center kicks it off with its 19th annual outdoor jazz concert in the Pine Forest. The Darlene Baresch Quarter returns to the outdoor stage, located in the grove of pine trees on the Northeast corner on The Center's farm property.

Guests are invited to park in the Children's Farm lot and ride the haywagon to the concert site, along with their chairs and blankets. Yes, picnic suppers are allowed and encouraged but alcoholic beverages are not permitted. The Center will serve punch and cookies.

When: 5:30 p.m., May 15
Where: , 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park.
Cost: Free
Information: 708-361-3650 and www.thecenterpalos.org

Park Forest

The Park Forest Public Library closes its free Jazz on Mondays and Tuesdays Full of Blues series with vintage performance footage of the legendary John Coltrane on May 16 and from blues diva Etta James' Burning Down the House tour on May 17. Fans will devour these rarely seen and heard treasures. The programs are open to anyone interested. Park Forest residency is not required.

When: Coltrane at 6:30 p.m. May 16; James at 6:30 p.m. May 17
Where: Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Blvd., Park Forest
Cost: Free
Information: 708-710-9860

Park Forest

Shouts and Whispers: a lifetime in photography restrospective exhibition by Donald W. Kouba, opens this month at Tall Grass Gallery.

In his artist's statement, Kouba says, "A shot is a public proclamation, an emphatic call to a mass audience, a bold outburst of emotion...

"A whisper, on the other had, is intended as an intimate, private communication between two friends...."

When: Opening reception 7-9 p.m., May 20: Exhibit runs through July 17, and gallery hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Where: Tall Grass Gallery, 367 Artists Walk, Park Forest
Cost: Free 
Information: www.tallgrassarts.org and 708-748-3377 

South Holland

South Suburban College closes its spring concert season with a May 21 performance with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra. See listing under Frankfort.