Frankenweekend

theatre Frankenstein
A promenade production means the audience is onstage for The Hypocrites' retelling of the world's most troubled father-son relationship. Bonus: Hear director Sean Graney discuss the play, courtesy of the MCA; we love it when he compares his patchwork take on the story to Shelley's monster. It's like Halloween for adults—and smart at that. (Frankenstein is number three in our fall theatre anticipation index; find out which plays make up the other nine.)
GO: Oct 21–Nov 1. $20-$25. The Hypocrites at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E Chicago. mcachicago.org

concerts Steve Martin
He played the banjo for laughs in his 1970s standup, but Martin takes the music (mostly) seriously in this concert of originals from his new album, The Crow, with bluegrass quintet The Steep Canyon Rangers as backup.
GO: Oct 22 at 8. $37-$74.50. Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W Randolph. ticketmaster.com

concerts Jay Farrar and Ben Gibbard
Farrar (Son Volt) and Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie) team up for a live performance of their soundtrack to One Fast Move or I'm Gone: Kerouac's Big Sur, a new documentary on the writing of Jack Kerouac's Big Sur. The flick had its only scheduled Chicago screening on Oct 20 at Webster Place, but if you missed the film, this concert offers a great chance to hear two musicians who keep the spirit of the Beats alive—not to mention an occasion to check out the like-minded new Lincoln Hall, from the music-loving brothers Schuba.
GO: Oct 26 at 8. $25. Lincoln Hall, 2424 N Lincoln. lincolnhallchicago.com

museums The Nature of Diamonds
Guys, upon seeing her reaction to these priceless dazzlers, you'll finally know the truth: Size does matter. This exhibition at the Field includes stunners from the collections of Elton John, Catherine the Great, and others, and comes in tandem with the reopening of the museum's newly overhauled Grainger Hall of Gems. (While onsite, give another standout a gander: The local firm David Woodhouse Architects has won the bid for an upcoming memorial to Daniel Burnham; plans are on view through Nov 1.)
GO: Oct 23–Mar 28. Open daily 9-5. $13-$23. Field Museum, 1400 S Lake Shore. fieldmuseum.org