Baritone Christian Gerhaher performs songs from Mahler’s “Des Knaben Wunderhorn,” led by Jaap van Zweden with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. (Todd Rosenberg)

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra was in its usual top form this past week in a concert that was zestily led by Jaap van Zweden, the Amsterdam-born conductor who is in his farewell season as music director of the New York Philharmonic.

Jonathan Dole and José Pablo Castro Cuevas in “Frankenstein.” (Cheryl Mann)

Over the years there have been countless interpretations of “Frankenstein,” Mary Shelley’s extraordinary 1818 Gothic novel. But the Joffrey Ballet’s production of the story that recently opened at the Lyric Opera House might very well be its most stunning interpretation yet.

Top left: Migrants are sleeping in tents outside Chicago police stations. (WTTW News) Top right: Goodman Theater. (WTTW News) Bottom left: Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago is pictured in a file photo. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News) Bottom right: Artist James Bulosan, left, and artist Tita Recometa-Brady, having a conversation at the “More than Lumpia” art exhibit on Oct. 6 at the Epiphany Center for the Arts. (Eunice Alpasan / WTTW News)
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Mayor Brandon Johnson this week unveiled his $16.6 billion spending plan for 2024. Meanwhile, Illinois confirmed its first measles case since 2019, and Chicago’s theater community is facing multiple challenges.

Dusty and June, portrayed by Reilly Anspaugh and Daniel Rashid, in “Into the Mist. (Submitted photo)

Held at Studio5 in Evanston, the interactive experience takes the audience back in time to the 1920s for music, dancing and comedy. 

Visceral Dance performs “Take” at The Space on Rockwell. (Credit: KT Miller Photography)

At once abstract, often acrobatic, and driven by alternately intensely challenging solo turns, strongly varied and emotionally heated interpersonal relationships, and ensemble riffs that are technically demanding and expertly finessed — “Take” is performed to stunning effect. 

Audra McDonald performs with the Lyric Opera Orchestra on Oct. 6, 2023. (Credit: Kyle Flubacker)

Audra McDonald's glorious soprano voice sounded as beautiful and emotionally expressive as ever, and her delightful commentaries between each of almost 20 mostly classic Broadway songs were at once witty and revealing.

Goodman Theater. (WTTW News)

Live theatre attendance in Chicago has dropped by 60% in the last four years, according to a recent report commissioned by Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events contains alarming data.

Anish Jethmalani, from left, Joey Slotnick and Mitchell Fain star in “The Lehman Trilogy” by TimeLine Theatre at the Broadway Playhouse. (Credit: Liz Lauren)

In its Chicago premiere, “The Lehman Trilogy” is a fascinating chronicle of a monumental aspect of American history that is being ideally performed by three fabulously gifted Chicago actors. 

(Courtesy of The Old Joliet Haunted Prison)

Find your own darn pumpkin patches and corn mazes. This is a list for adults who love the spooky season just as much as those costumed kids with their candy bags.

Music director emeritus for life Riccardo Muti led the CSO in a performance of Strauss’ “Aus Italien” on Sept. 28, 2023. (Todd Rosenberg)

Although Maestro Riccardo Muti will soon head to New York and embark on a seven-country, 14-concert tour of Europe with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, his concert at Orchestra Hall on Thursday evening was an ideal example of the thrilling bond between him and the CSO’s brilliant musicians.

Music director emeritus for life Riccardo Muti led the CSO's opening concert of the 2023/24 season on Sept. 21, 2023. (Todd Rosenberg)

Something truly magical (and magnificent) happens when Maestro Riccardo Muti arrives on the podium to conduct the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The latest proof was on display in two different concerts this past Thursday and Saturday evening.

This image released by Boneau/Bryan-Brown shows Jasmine Amy Rogers, who will star in “BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical.” The production makes its debut this fall in Chicago with hopes that it can charm itself to Broadway. (Mark Seliger / Boneau / Bryan-Brown via AP)

Jasmine Amy Rogers will star in “BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical” making its debut this fall in Chicago with hopes that it can charm itself to Broadway. It first plays Broadway In Chicago from Nov. 19-Dec. 24.

Joffrey Ballet will stage  “Frankenstein” this fall. (Credit: Todd Rosenberg Photography)

If you need a nudge to get out and enjoy what the city has to offer, here’s a starter list of more than 20 shows to know running across the Chicago area this fall. 

Lin-Manuel Miranda in Chicago on Sept. 14, 2023. (WTTW News)

Lin-Manuel Miranda made a stop in Chicago to commemorate the official return of “Hamilton” to the city. Arts Correspondent Angel Idowu sat down with Miranda to get his take on why the show’s return to Chicago is so special.

The cast of “Birthday Candles” at the Northlight Theatre. (Credit: Michael Brosilow)

Haidle’s work defies easy labeling, but perhaps the best description of his plays might be that they are magical realist portraits that capture the dynamics of the American family in unique ways.

The cast of the touring company of “Hamilton” will perform at the Nederlander Theatre in Chicago. (Credit: Joan Marcus)

The musical’s latest visit to Chicago, which will run through December at the Nederlander Theatre, is as grand-scale and exuberant as ever.