Adler and Sullivan’s dazzling landmark Auditorium Theatre turns 125 this year, and part of the celebratory programming is a welcome “Made in Chicago” music and dance series. Melissa Thodos’ company will perform on the Auditorium Theatre’s boards for the first time—an apropos choice seeing as Thodos is Chicago-made herself: Evanston-born, training, performing and founding her own company in the city by the lake. Thodos Dance reprises their acclaimed hour-long theatrical piece of Chicago history, “The White City: Chicago’s Columbian Exposition of 1893,” based on Erik Larson’s famous book. An exciting addition to the program is dances by legendary, Chicago-based modern dance innovator Sybil Shearer. Thodos will perform three works by Shearer, including her 1961 masterwork “Time Longs for Eternity.” The show is one night only, and this is a rare opportunity to see Shearer’s influential work. The company will also perform pieces by Hubbard Street’s Lucas Crandall and independent choreographer Brian Enos. (Sharon Hoyer)
Thodos Dance Chicago at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 East Congress, (800)982-2787. Saturday, November 29 at 7:30pm. $27-$67.
Open Doors: A Preview of DisFest at the Chicago Cultural Center This Saturday, oft-overlooked artists take over the Chicago Cultural Center in the first DisFest, a daylong festival featuring multidisciplinary work by artists with disabilities. Thirty artists will be featured in pop-up performances, short film screenings, exhibitions, and lead open workshops in improvisation, hip-hop, tech and more.
