8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday at Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre; $28-$105
Catch the first family of goth as this much-acclaimed musical makes a brief stop in Chicago (it runs through January 13) before heading to Broadway. There’s much to be excited about with the show, opening Friday: It is based on the New Yorker cartoons, not the campy ’60s TV show (or the goofy movies of the ’90s); Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth play Gomez and Morticia (cada mia!); and Andrew Lippa is in charge of the music. No word on if he got any help from Hammer.
9 p.m. at Metro; $20
It’s been a long time since he was regulating with Nate Dogg, but Dr. Dre’s step-brother is still kicking out rhymes, most recently on “The G Files,” released earlier this year and featuring Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker. Local rap fans will be more excited to see Chicago product Kidz in the Hall, which will open along with U-N-I.
7:30/10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday at Lakeshore Theater; $15
Either you get ATHF’s humor or you think they’re a bunch of idiots … or both. Either way, the creators of the bizarre Cartoon Network hit (and subsequent animated movie) should make for an interesting live stage show. Co-creators Dave Willis (voice of Meatwad and Carl) and Dana Snyder (Master Shake) will read from past scripts, show clips of upcoming episodes and who knows what else.
Chicago Blues Challenge: The Finals
7:30 p.m. Sunday at Buddy Guy’s Legends; $10
The Windy City Blues Society curates this fourth and final push to send Chicago’s best blues artists to January’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Eleven artists, from “youth band” contender Will Jacobs and the Dirty Deal to stalwarts Toronzo Cannon and Dave Herrero, will play.
7 p.m. Saturday at Morseland
Seven jug crews from throughout the Midwest – with awesome names like Strictly Jug Nuts and Hump Night Thumpers – will bring their spoons, kazoos and pie plates for a three-hour competition before a midnight jam session ensues.
Just missed the cut: Long Grove Holiday Festivities, Young Frankenstein, , Meat Puppets
