Magical illusions
Scott Silven is an illusionist, mentalist and performance artist who travels the world amazing audiences with his mind-blowing talent. So when the pandemic canceled his tour plans, he found himself in his home outside Glasgow, Scotland, thinking about the transformative power of home and place, which inspired his new virtual show “The Journey.” Streamed locally by WorldStage at Chicago Shakespeare, it’s an experience The Guardian calls “genuinely magical.” Thirty participants at a time are transported to Silven’s home, which is outfitted with an innovative audio-visual platform allowing viewers to take part in the experience with Silven and his logic-defying illusions. “The Journey” streams from Jan. 12-24. Tickets: $45-$65. Visit chicagoshakes.com/journey
Inspired playwrights
What promises to be another challenging year for local theaters gets underway with a promise for the future with Pegasus Theatre Chicago’s Young Playwrights Festival. Now in its 34th iteration, it features three one-act plays that share “at their core a mystery discovered, unearthed or realized.” This year’s winners were picked from more than 500 submissions from teenage writers. In “A Lady’s Façade” by Aisha Ziad, a curator uncovers a secret about the Mona Lisa; Lincoln Gaw’s satire “Containment” finds Ohio invading its neighboring states like a plague and, in “These Glass Lives” by Jake Florell, two disparate lives come together in a fragile connection. The festival streams from Jan. 7-31. Tickets: $12, $20. Visit pegasustheatrechicago.com.
Seven iconic films
If you’ve never seen the films of Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai, now’s the time to dive deep into his filmography via the virtual Music Box at Home series’ “World of Wong Kar Wai.” Packed with lush and sensual visuals, pitch-perfect soundtracks and soulful romanticism, the films offer a glimpse into the unique world of this deeply influential artist. The seven newly restored films streaming through January are “The Hand” (director’s cut), “In the Mood for Love,” “Happy Together,” “Fallen Angels,” “Chungking Express” (U.S. premiere), “Days of Being Wild” and “As Tears Go By.” Tickets: $12/film. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.
Talkin’ Broadway
Broadway performer and Tony Award nominee Adam Pascal is the guest Friday on “It’s Showtime with Rikki Lee,” an interview show on Huntley Community Radio in north suburban Huntley. Host Rikki Lee Travolta celebrates new and classic musicals, and Pascal should have plenty to say on the topic. In his acting debut, he originated the role of Roger in Jonathan Larson’s “Rent,” and earned a Tony nod for best actor. He also originated the role of Radames in Elton John’s “Aida” and has performed in leading roles in Broadway stagings of “Cabaret,” “Chicago,” “Memphis,” “Something Rotten” and “Pretty Women.” Listen at 3 p.m. Jan. 8 (WHRU-LP, 101.5 FM) or outside the listening area, stream at huntleyradio.com.
Winter at the Arboretum
For some outdoor fun in pretty environs, head over to the Morton Arboretum where a variety of programming will entertain the entire family through the winter months. There’s snowshoe and cross-country ski rentals, a Gnome Hunt (find all 15 in the Children’s Garden!), a dog admission day, guided hikes and more. On the virtual end of things, there’s nature writing, yoga, tai chi, bird identification and photography lessons. For more information, visit mortonarb.org.
Dance classics revisited
The Martha Graham Dance Company, now in its 95th season, continues its virtual season with two programs in January that look at the iconic choreographer’s link with nature. With its vast archive the company is able to explore her work by showcasing both vintage and current performances. Artistic director Janet Eiber shines a light on Graham’s 1946 “Dark Meadow Suite” (2:30 p.m. Jan. 9, $10) via vintage footage of Graham and a recent performance of the piece. Graham’s ode to nature and the elements, “Canticle for Innocent Comedians,” is featured in a new reimagining of the work (7 p.m. Jan. 19, $25) in which the choreographer pays homage to nature, the moon and the stars. Visit marthagraham.org.
Music from Minneapolis
The Jayhawks emerged from the crowded Minnesota music scene in 1985 with a rootsy sound that would establish the band as a forerunner on the Americana scene. Over the course of four decades (and lots of personal drama), the band has released 11 albums, the most recent of which, “XOXO,” was released in July. Unable to tour, The Jayhawks settled on a trio of livestreamed performances from Minneapolis’ Slamhammer Studios. The final show in the series is at 3 p.m. Jan. 10 and focuses on the band’s favorite cover songs. Tickets: $20. Visit oldtownschool.org.
Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.