Derek Hough likely to leave ‘DWTS,’ strut his stuff elsewhere

BILL ZWECKER: The four-time mirrorball winner has acting in his past and is in a good position to try it again full time.

Stingrays easy to handle in Shedd Aquarium’s new exhibit

“Stingray Touch,” opening to the public May 17, gives visitors a chance to feel the scratchy, silky creatures swimming by. “It’s a really cool way to see the animal,” says a Shedd expert.

‘Dinosaurs,’ ‘Bugs’ invade Chicago area

Dinosaurs are big, bugs are small, right? Think again.

This Memorial Day weekend, two separate family-friendly events upend the conventional wisdom about some of history’s most fearsome and fascinating creatures.

“Dinosaur Petting Zoo,” by Australia theater company Erth, allows children to interact with a variety …

Theatre’s ‘Next Fall’  examines relationships

A play by a writer from a popular TV show will be presented in Glen Ellyn. “Next Fall,” by Geoffrey Nauffts, a former writer on the show “Brothers and Sisters” on ABC, is presented by the Village Theatre Guild May 24 to June 15 at …

Fox Valley stages ‘Side Effects May Include’

You wouldn’t think a play about a terminal illness would be funny, but a new one-man show about Parkinson’s disease will bring the laughs, as well as the tears. Andrew J. Pond of Libertyville stars in the play “Side Effects May Include,” written by former …

Adler technology revolutionizes its Sky Show

As a pulsing nebula races toward the watchful audience, a hand shoots up to touch it. More hands follow suit, straining skywards. For the kids taking in the Adler’s newest show, “Cosmic Wonder,” outer space is just out of reach. It’s an illusion created by …

5 things to do: “Black Tie”

“I’ll Be Back Before Midnight”: The Riverfront Playhouse presents this play to June 8 at 11-13 South Water Street Mall, Aurora. Call (630) 897-9496 or visit riverfrontplayhouse.com. How much: $15-$17 Paramount’s Classic Movie Mondays: Movies start at 7 p.m. “Labyrinth,” May 27. At 23 E. …

May 24-27: St Charles Fine Arts Show, Big Run Family Day

St. Charles Fine Arts Show The St. Charles Fine Arts Show celebrates its 15th year with its largest show to date. There will be 113 artists in the show, which runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday …

Dennis Quaid, Zac Efron are putting DeKalb County on the Hollywood map

It’s time for your closeup, DeKalb County. Many towns in our area have hosted movie crews through the years. Elgin had a scene or two filmed for such big-budget films as 1992’s “Hoffa,” which saw Jack Nicholson hanging out in a trailer near Fountain Square …

Superman fans show up early to snag Plano premiere tickets

PLANO — Kimber Dolan’s tired eyes begin to sparkle and a smile creases her face. As she fans four tickets to see “Man of Steel,” the new Superman movie opening next month, like a poker hand, she says the eight-hour wait after the drive from …

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy salutes Cab Calloway

Twenty years later, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is still swinging just as hard as they were back in the day. The nine-piece jazz- and swing-influenced ensemble performs an 8 p.m. show May 18 at Pfeiffer Hall at North Central College in Naperville. 2013 marks the …

Wheaton Drama presents ‘Into the Woods’

When performers appear in a play with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, they know they are in a challenging production, according to Craig Gustafson, who is directing “Into the Woods,” a musical comedy by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, at the Wheaton Drama Playhouse …

Theater actor/singer comes to NCC

A Broadway veteran explores the evolution of the modern male characters in musical theater Sunday at North Central College. Singer and actor Jason Forbach performs his one-man cabaret show, “A New Leading Man,” at 6 p.m. May 19 in North Central College’s Madden Theatre at …

Herman’s Hermits, Ides of March hit Paramount stage

When Peter Noone takes the stage to sing the hits of the 1960s British rock band Herman’s Hermits, of which he is a founder and original member, he has hundreds of people assisting him as his back-up chorus. “Fans always sing along,” Noone said. “When …