Stars cross, swords clash and hearts break in the greatest love story the world has ever known. Arguably the most famous play ever written, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is the truly timeless tale of two young lovers, kept apart by their feuding families, whose romance ends in unthinkable tragedy. See it under the stars in an abridged version — for free — as the Shakespeare in the Parks summer series returns for the sixth year in a row to recreational areas across Chicagoland. Kicking off its latest tour at Navy Pier, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater travels with its own specially-outfitted truck, complete with portable stage and troupe of talented actors.

Eat, drink and be merry whilst roaming among the jousting knights, regal ladies, saucy wenches and royal overseers of the famed Bristol Renaissance Faire, returning for its 30th season of fun and games just outside of Chicago. Hundreds of performers dressed in Elizabethan costumes create a magical world of music and excitement, with games, rides and 20 stages of entertainment options ranging from knife throwers to improv troupes. More than 150 artisans will also be exhibiting and selling their original hand-crafted items, including hand-blown glass creations, pottery, authentic clothing and weaponry. All the frolicking and cavorting can leave one in need of refreshment, though fear not — there are dozens of food and drink options available for purchase, including the signature giant turkey leg and the ice-cold sassafras. Kids are very welcome, and any little ones under the age of 4 can attend for free.  Goldstar has discount tickets for dates through August, so extend your summer vacation – – by about a few hundred years!

Burgers & Beer at Time Out Chicago’s Battle of the Burger, Presented by Guinness.  Which Chicago eatery has the best burger? Everybody’s got their opinion, but in the interests of science, Time Out Chicago is partnering up with Guinness to get a definitive answer. At Time Out Chicago’s Battle of the Burger, the Windy City’s juiciest, heartiest and most innovative burgers come to the Daley Plaza for an epic taste test, followed by a vote to decide once and for all which burger is truly the king. The event also features games, giveaways and live music. Your ticket gets you one burger tasting from each contestant, three complimentary Guinness Blonde American Lager, a side dish and hot sauce flavor station provided by Cholula Hot Sauce.  Get

Soaring Views of Chicago Landmarks & Skyline on Daytime Helicopter Tour with this Goldstar deal.  You haven’t seen Chicago until you see it from a helicopter, high in the air, with completely unobstructed views. On this daytime helicopter tour, you’ll get to soar high above Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), Lincoln Park, Navy Pier, Wrigley Field and many other iconic local landmarks. Then there’s that glistening Chicago skyline, resplendent and prominent throughout an aerial journey that is enhanced by narration from your knowledgeable pilot. See like the birds do on this 45-minute experience with 15 minutes of flight time.

Sea battles, shipwrecks and blood thirsty pirates, oh my! Long before there were rip-roaring adventure sagas such as Pirates of the Caribbean and The Princess Bride, Elizabethan playwright Thomas Heywood was penning the swashbuckling action-comedy The Fair Maid of the West, in which a lowborn tavern girl and her ragtag group of friends take to the high seas to rescue her true love. Watch their action-packed adventures unfold from the lawn at Oak Park Festival Theatre in Austin Gardens, a beautiful outdoor venue where picnicking is welcome!

Chicago’s wish is granted! Disney’s ALADDIN, the hit Broadway musical, is at the Cadillac Palace Theatre for a limited engagement. From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of Aladdin, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite. Hailed by USA Today as “Pure Genie-Us,” ALADDIN features all your favorite songs from the film as well as new music written by Tony and Academy Award winner Alan Menken (Newsies) with lyrics penned by the legendary Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast), Tony Award winner Tim Rice (The Lion King,Aida), and book writer Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer). Directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Something Rotten!), this “Fabulous” and “Extravagant” (The New York Times) new musical boasts an incomparable design team, with sets, costumes and lighting from Tony Award winners Bob Crowley (Mary Poppins), Gregg Barnes (Kinky Boots), and Natasha Katz (An American in Paris). See why audiences and critics agree, ALADDIN is “Exactly What You Wish For!” (NBC-TV).

The entertainment phenomenon known as the Blue Man Group is better than ever in this updated show featuring all-new material at Chicago’s Briar Street Theatre. You’ll find the famous blue bald guys interacting with “GiPads,” taking a humorous look at contemporary forms of communication, and performing a pulsating new finale set to an original music score. Audiences of all ages worldwide have experienced and loved Blue Man Group, a wildly imaginative stage show that cleverly combines comedy, art and science with fabulous visual effects and Grammy-nominated music.  Discount tickets on Goldstar start at $38.33 for performance dates through the end of July.

One of the brightest Broadway stars of her generation, Idina Menzel (If/Then, Wicked, Rent) became a household name after hitting TV and film screens as the voice of Elsa in Frozen and as mom to Lea Michele’s character on Glee, not to mention her starring role in Disney’s Enchanted. In all of her roles, Menzel wows audiences with her strong, emotional performances and amazing voice. Her recently released, self-titled album is her most personal and introspective to date, and she recently starred in the Lifetime Television remake of Beaches. Now, you can catch her in person at The Chicago Theatre, where she’ll perform a powerful mix of classic pop and musical theater favorites, backed by a live orchestra. In between numbers, expect fun banter from this engaging and talented performer. Tickets to this August 12th performance are only $39.50 (plus service fee) on Goldstar.

Winner of the 1978 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and nominated for four Tony Awards, The Gin Game symbolizes life in the form of a card game. This two-act play stars Chicago theater legends John Reeger and Paula Scrofano-Reeger as Weller Martin and Fonsia Dorsey, two lonely nursing home residents who strike up an acquaintance and begin to play gin rummy. As the game progresses, intimate secrets of their lives are revealed and they begin to search for each other’s weaknesses in both the game and life itself. Watch the stakes rise ever higher in D.L. Coburn’s sharp-witted dramedy at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace. Get your discount tickets on Goldstar for performances through the middle of July.

DreamWorks’ hit animated movie comes to wild life in the fun new family musical, Madagascar – A Musical Adventure! This Chicago stage spectacular features everybody’s favorite zoo refugees Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo, plus 10 memorable new songs. The animals’ journey goes from the wilderness to just plain wild when they are tracked by Skipper and his ever-plotting penguins. Brought vividly to life on stage by imaginative sets and colorful costumes, this high-energy, dance-filled production will make you and the kids “Move It! Move It!” with King Julian and his loyal lemur subjects. Madagascar – A Musical Adventure! at the Courtyard Theater on Navy Pier is a celebration of friendship and the perfect escape for any family’s outing.