Raleigh
Chicago
Memorial Auditorium, Progress Energy CenterMy grandmother claims that Beulah May Annan, the alleged murderess who inspired the character of Roxy Hart in Chicago, was a distant cousin of hers, so that’s … good to know.

Whatever the case, Annan’s history has proven fruitful for fiction, inspiring the 1924 play Chicago, the 1927 silent film, the 1942 romantic comedy Roxy Hart with Ginger Rogers and of course the 1975 Broadway musical from John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse that in turn inspired the long-running revival and Oscar-winning 2002 film.

Broadway Series South hosts a new traveling production of the musical at Progress Energy Center. The show runs through Sunday, Dec. 7, and features a cast highlighted by Dukes of Hazzard star turned Broadway leading man Tom Wopat as Billy Flynn, the lawyer who knows how to “give ’em the old razzle-dazzle.” My alleged ancestor would be so proud. For more information, visit www.broadwayseriessouth.com. Zack Smith

Carrboro
The High & Mighties, Tim Smith Band
Cat’s CradleChapel Hill band The High & Mighties is sharing its music and proceeds from this show to help a cause that’s important to front man Mark Belk. His brother died in early 2007 at age 30 from heart failure, after receiving a heart transplant a few years before. “I remember hearing on 96 Rock about the Children’s Promise,” Belk said, “and I had already donated to it a couple of times. I thought it would be a great way to benefit the cause.” The organization, an affiliate of the UNC Children’s Hospital, helps children receive and adjust to organ transplants for serious illnesses. The $10 cover charge will go to the charity.

But the giving doesn’t stop there for the High & Mighties: Free sample CDs of the band’s music are available at Franklin Street merchants like Pepper’s Pizza and Starbucks. He band hopes the short disc encourages listeners to visit www.thehighandmighties.com and download the rest of its Evolution EP in exchange for a donation that will also go to Children’s Promise. Each download costs $1.50, but fans can donate more money at checkout through Dec. 31. Tonight’s music starts with the Tim Smith Band at 8:30 p.m. Elizabeth Lilly