Things to do in Chicago Sept. 18-24: The Mix

Theater

• Elizabeth McGovern (“Downton Abbey”) stars in “Ava: The Secret Conversations,” a new play based on a series of real-life interviews between Hollywood legend Ava Gardner and writer Peter Evans (Aaron Costa Ganis), which unveil details about her life story, her marriages (Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw and Frank Sinatra) and one turbulent relationship (Howard Hughes). Moritz von Stuelpnagel directs. From Sept. 24-Oct. 12 at Studebaker Theater, Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $40-$170. Visit avagardnerplay.com.
• Remy Bumppo Theatre presents “Wish You Were Here,” Sanaz Toossi’s drama about a group of Iranian women who face an uncertain future as protests break out across Iran in 1978. Azar Kazemi directs. From Sept. 18-Oct. 19 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets: $15-$55. Visit theaterwit.org.

• “Rome Sweet Rome” marks the return of the Q Brothers Collective, an ensemble that fuses hip-hop and theater classics. Their latest creation is an “add-rap-tation” of Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar.” From Sept. 23-Oct. 19 at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, 800 E. Grand Ave. Tickets: $49-$95. Visit chicagoshakes.com.

• Promethean Theatre stages “The Book of Will,” Lauren Gunderson’s comedy about two Shakespearean actors who, after the Bard’s death, set out to preserve his works before they fall into obscurity. Beth Wolf directs. From Sept. 18-Oct. 25 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. Tickets: $30. Visit thedentheatre.com.
• “Gangsta Baby” is Cameron Raasdal-Munro’s semi-autobiographical play about a gay sex worker and his relationship with his homophobic gangster father. Rikki Beadle-Blair directs. From Sept. 19-Oct. 5 at Open Space Arts, 1411 W. Wilson Ave. Tickets: $30. Visit openspacearts.org.

Dance

• The Joffrey Ballet opens its 70th anniversary season with the U.S. premiere of “Carmen,” Liam Scarlett’s adaptation of the classic opera, the timeless story of a woman who dares to live on her own terms. From Sept. 18-28 at Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive. Tickets: $49+. Visit joffrey.org.
• Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble presents Full Circle Festival, which features physical, fringe and dance theater works. This year’s lineup features Whisper Theatre, Michelle Stine, Emma Jean Eastlund and more. From Sept. 19-28 at Chicago Danztheatre, 1650 W. Foster Ave. Tickets: $10-$20. Visit danztheatre.org.

Music

• New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde burst onto the music scene with the hit songs “Royals” and “Team,” while also earning respect from established artists like Bruce Springsteen and Jack White (they both covered “Royals”). Her new album, “Virgin,” has been described as “raw, intimate and visceral.” Japanese House and Chanel Beads open at 7 p.m. Sept. 19 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St. Tickets: $107+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
• NxWorries (Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge) released their Grammy-winning album “Why Lawd?” last year. Now the duo, a “match made in heaven,” embark on their first headlining tour. Rae Khalil opens at 9 p.m. Sept. 18 at Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine Ave. Tickets: $59.50-$69.50. Visit jamusa.com.

• Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, who recently won Duo/Group of the Year at the Americana Honors & Awards ceremony in Nashville, tour behind their 10th studio album “Woodland,” another collection of songs that add yet another layer to their signature sound and lyricism. At 8 p.m. Sept. 24 at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive. Tickets: $88+. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.

• Goose, “rock’s biggest ‘new’ jam band,” brings its raw, freewheeling sound to town for a show at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at Huntington Bank Pavilion, Northerly Island, 1300 S. Linn White Drive. Tickets: $40-50+. Visit ticketmaster.com.

Museums and Galleries

• Deadly Prey Gallery, a Chicago-based traveling art gallery, is dedicated to the preservation of hand-painted movie posters, created by artists in Ghana, Africa, which served as advertisements for traveling video clubs in the late 1980s. The mobile cinema is gone but many of the artists continue to paint movie posters as art. A selection from Deadly Prey’s collection can be viewed at an opening night party at 7 p.m. Sept. 19. The exhibit continues through Oct. 12 at Soccer Club Club, 2923 N. Cicero Ave. Admission is free and by appointment. Visit soccerclub.club.

• “Black Women and Clay” shines a light on the remarkable but often overlooked contributions of Black female ceramic artists in Chicago. The exhibit features work by Sheila Clay, Sheila Clay, Malika Jackson and more. From Sept. 20-Nov. 16 at Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, 2320 W. Chicago Ave. Admission: $10 suggested donation. Visit uima-chicago.org.

Movies

• Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival features a full slate of screenings and programs for its 43rd edition. Among the 38 feature films are Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese’s animated cosmic adventure “Lesbian Space Princess,” Siobhan McCarthy’s gender-swap comedy “She’s the He” and Jeffrey McHale’s “It’s Dorothy!,” which tells the story of “The Wizard of Oz” through the women who’ve played the story’s iconic heroine. From Sept. 19-28 at Landmark Century Centre Cinema, 2828 N. Clark St., and Chicago Filmmakers, 1326 W. Hollywood Ave. Tickets: $15. Visit reelingfilmfest.org.

Family fun

• The performing arts festival Chicago Live features more than 100 artists and companies on five stages. The lineup ranges from Chicago Children’s Theatre, Cabinet of Curiosity and Ballet Folklorico Sones Mexicanos to Chicago Fringe Opera, Ayodele Drum & Dance and Soul Children of Chicago. From Sept. 20-21 at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. Admission is free. Visit navypier.org.
• The inaugural Uptown Live features music (Joywave, DJ Mark Farina, Liquid Soul, The Western Elstons and more), an art market and a family area for parents and children. From 5-10 p.m. Sept. 19, noon-10 p.m. Sept. 20 and noon-7 p.m. Sept. 21 on Broadway from Lawrence to Leland avenues. Admission is free but every $5 or $10 donation receives a raffle ticket. Visit exploreuptown.org.
• Teen Lit Night: Unbound includes a silent disco party, book-themed mocktails and food, custom T-shirt and DIY totes with artist Clue Chicago, a pop-up library and a teen lounge with authors K. Ancrum and Jamia Wilson. For ages 13-22. From 5-8 p.m. Sept. 19 at Harold Washington Library Center, enter at 401 S. Plymouth Court. Admission is free, to register visit chipublib.org.