David Wilkinson, Empirical Photography
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
Hyde Park students snagged two of the three top spots in Pegasus Theatre s 34th annual Young Playwrights Festival. Seventeen-year-old Aisha Ziad, a senior at University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, won for âA Ladyâs Facade,â while 18-year-old Jake Florell, who just graduated from Kenwood Academy, was recognized for âThese Glass Lives.â The third winner was âContainmentâ by Lane Tech College Prep s Lincoln Gaw.
Chosen from among ten finalists, the winners each received a $500 prize. More importantly, their plays were produced professionally. This year, unlike any other, the productions are virtual rather than live because of the pandemic. They can be viewed in tandem Jan. 7-31.