Chi-Town Countdown: 15 things to do, Feb. 1-15, 2010

Treat your Valentine to a musical about Rush Limbaugh, the University of Chicago Folk Festival, the cult classic “The Room,” a Chinatown parade and more over these next couple of weeks. Presenting Chicago Beat’s picks for 15 things to do through Feb. 15.

1. “August: Osage County” (Feb. 2-14): 2010 is already shaping up to be a big year for Tracy Letts in Chicago. Profiles Theatre is performing his first written play, “Killer Joe,” through the end of the month. Letts himself stars in Steppenwolf’s “American Buffalo” through Feb. 14. And now Broadway in Chicago is presenting a return engagement of his  -winning masterwork. Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph. $25-80. Click here for schedule and tickets.

2. “Rush Limbaugh! The Musical” (Feb. 2-March 24): Last year Second City stepped into new terrain with a cohesive musical revue centered on Rod Blagojevich. This year, Rush Limbaugh’s the target of singsong jabs. The Second City e.t.c., 1608 N. Wells. $25. Click here for schedule and tickets.

3. “What Once We Felt” (Feb. 3-March 6): Apocalypse’s totally hot right now, from “The Road” to “The Book of Eli” to “Daybreakers” to “Legion.” Now its invading Chicago theater with About Face Theatre’s adaptation of Ann Marie Healy’s play about the last book published in a world where there are no men. Hoover-Leppen Theatre at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted. $15-$25. Click here for schedule and tickets

4. “I Am a Camera” (Feb. 4-March 13): The Neo-Futurists’ “Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind” may be the troupe’s claim to fame, but they deliver other eclectic and arresting theater year-round. Neo-Futurist head Greg Allen conceived and directed this work, which, as the title suggests, explores the impact of the camera and uses “still photography as both the medium and the message.” How Marshall McLuhan. The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland. $15, pay what you can on Thursday. Tickets and schedule here.

5. “No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson” (Feb. 4): Chicago-area director Steve James, the helmer behind “Hoop Dreams,” explores racism and basketball again with his new, great documentary – this one’s about a racially-motivated high school incident involving future NBA star Allen Iverson, who hails from James’ hometown. James himself will attend this sneak preview screening (the film’s premiere isn’t until March; it airs in April on ESPN). Click here to read my review.  Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State. 8:15 p.m. $9. Click here for tickets.

6. “Wilson Wants It All” (Feb. 4 – March 27): The House Theatre’s last work, “All The Fame of Lofty Deeds,” was one of the most exciting bits of theater I saw last fall. Their latest original work explores America 30 years in the future on the brink of civil war. Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division. $15-$50. Click here for schedule and tickets.

7. Mystery Movie Night (Feb. 5): The Chicago Symphony Orchestra performs a live musical score accompaniment to a Buster Keaton-starring classic comedy. Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan. 8 p.m. $29-103. Tickets available here.

8. “Wiggerlover” (Feb. 5): James Anthony Zoccoli performs in his world premiere comedy inspired by his interracial upbringing in late ‘70s Chicago. DCA Theater’s Studio Theater, 78 E. Washington. $15-20. Schedule and tickets here.

9. The Silver Project (Feb. 8): Give the American Theater Company the prize for the most ambitious theatrical undertaking in Chicago this year – a series of 25 original plays each based on a different year since 1985. Why 1985? That’s when ATC opened its doors. Feb. 8 is the first of five parts; all 25 works will be performed in June. American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron. 7:30 p.m. Call 773-409-4125 for reservations and prices.

10. Lewis Black (Feb. 12): I hung out with Black in 2005 at the Summerfest grounds in Milwaukee for a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story. It was one of my favorite days as a journalist. But topping that was his gutbusting set that year – an incredible retelling of when he “sold out” and performed in front of Dick Cheney and members of the Bush administration at the Radio and Television Correspondents’ Dinner. He’s only gotten more polished and popular since. Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St. 8 p.m. Feb. 13 and 7 p.m. Feb. 14. $39.50-$75.00. Tickets available here.

11. “The Room” (Feb. 12): Will you do anything for your girl, even if she’s TEARING YOU APART?!! Then by all means take her to “The Room,” Tommy Wiseau’s so awful it’s incredible unintentional cult comedy. Wiseau himself will be there; make sure to give him an “Oh hi Tommy” for me. Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport. 8 and 11:30 p.m. $15-20. Tickets here.

12. The University of Chicago Folk Festival (Feb. 12-14): The folk showcase turns the big 5-0 this year, but the music, well, it’s ageless. Blues musician Aaron Moore and clarinet duo Kurt Bjorling and Jim Stoynoff are the locals on the bill. Mandel Hall, 1131 S. 57^th. 8 p.m. Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 and 6 p.m. Feb. 14. $10-25 per night. Tickets available here.

13. Duets for My Valentine (Feb. 13): It takes two to tango – or in the case of Duets for My Valentine, tap or break dance.  Chicago Dance Crash hosts this annual dance pair variety show featuring 10 Chicago dance companies. Park West, 322 W. Armitage. 8 p.m. $25. Tickets available here.

14. “Casablanca” (Feb. 14): This year the Music Box’s annual Valentine’s Day event includes a sing-along to classic love songs, with portions of each ticket going to cancer victims-support charity Gilda’s Club Chicago. Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport. 2 p.m. $11 per ticket; $20 for two. Tickets here.

15. Chinatown New Year Parade (Feb. 14): Ring in the Year of the Tiger with this music and dance-filled celebration – and come to the hood early to get an early lunch, preferably at Joy Yee’s (yes, it’s a chain, but man the food’s good). Wentworth from 24^th to Cermark. 1 p.m. Free.