The Mix: Goodman Theatre’s video vault, the National Dance Company of Ireland and more things to do March 11-17Mary Houlihan – For the Sun-Timeson March 11, 2021 at 12:02 am

“How to Catch Creation” (l-r) Ayanna Bria Bakari and Jasmine Bracey; credit Liz Lauren
Ayanna Bria Bakari (left) and Jasmine Bracey in the Goodman Theatre’s “How to Catch Creation.” | Liz Lauren

There’s much to do in the week ahead in Chicago.

From the vault

The Goodman Theatre opens its “video vault” for the free Encore series, which features streams of four past productions. First up is Christina Anderson’s “How to Catch Creation” (March 15-28), a drama that moves back and forth over 44 years and examines the bonds that hold people together. The series also features Raquel Carrío’s “Pedro Páramo” (March 29-April 11), Noah Haidle’s “Smokefall” (April 12-25) and Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure” (April 26-May 9). For reservations, visit goodmantheatre.org.

California streamin’


Provided
Dana Cameron and Michael Mahler, with son Ezra.

The next installment of American Blues Theater’s “The Garage” series takes a trip to the groovy Laurel Canyon music scene of the 1960s. The live stream “California Dreamin’ — The Songs of Laurel Canyon” features ensemble members Michael Mahler and Dana Cameron (with a possible guest appearance by their toddler son Ezra) performing timeless classics by The Mamas and the Papas, James Taylor, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, CSNY, The Byrds, The Eagles and more. Streams at 7 p.m. March 12. Tickets: $25 suggested donation. Visit americanbluestheater.com.

Irish dance & music

Courtesy of National Dance Company of Ireland
National Dance Company of Ireland presents “Rhythm of the Dance.”

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with The National Dance Company of Ireland’s “Rhythm of the Dance.” The richly costumed show marries the contemporary and the ancient, combining traditional music with modern forms of Irish step dancing and song while showcasing a wealth of Irish talent, including World and Irish Champion dancers and some of the finest Irish musicians and singers. Streams, via the McAninch Arts Center, at 7 p.m. March 13 and on demand through March 17. Tickets: $25. Visit atthemac.org.

Puccini & Porchlight

Hershey Felder’s Live from Florence performance series continues with “Hershey Felder, Puccini.” In addition to Felder portraying the great Italian opera composer, the production also features performances by three opera stars: tenor Charles Castronovo, soprano Gianna Corbisiero and baritone Nathan Gunn. Livestreamed from Lucca, Italy, in the home where Giacomo Puccini was born, the show features music from “La boheme,” “Tosca” and “Madama Butterfly.” The tribute begins at 7 p.m. March 14 with on demand access continuing to March 21. Tickets: $55 (a portion of the ticket sales benefit Porchlight Music Theatre). Visit porchlightmusictheatre.org.

Mandela’s mission

“Mandela: Struggle for Freedom” is a new exhibit at the Illinois Holocaust Museum.
Courtesy Illinois Holocaust Museum
“Mandela: Struggle for Freedom” is a new exhibit at the Illinois Holocaust Museum.

The Illinois Holocaust Museum’s new exhibit “Mandela: Struggle for Freedom,” explores the fight for justice and human dignity in South Africa led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela. The exhibit features interactive exhibits, artifacts, oral histories, videos and art plus a replica of the tiny prison cell where Mandela spent 18 years, a “wall of laws” comprised of apartheid signs and laws based solely on skin color and a young Mandela’s first television interview in 1961. To Sept. 12 at the Illinois Holocaust Museum, 9603 Woods Dr., Skokie. Admission: $6-$15. Visit ilholocaustmuseum.org.

Become a star

The interactive “Mountain Goat Mountain” interactive theater experience is being presented at Filament Theatre.
Lakshal Perera
The “Mountain Goat Mountain” interactive theater experience is being presented by Filament Theatre.

Children and families are the stars of “Mountain Goat Mountain,” an interactive, immersive theater experience presented by Filament Theatre in partnership with the Australian company Threshold. During the 45-minute inventive experience, families are guided by a narrative soundscape to create their own magic with simple items such as a bed sheet, a phone or computer, pencils and paper. The at-home adventure streams through March 21. Tickets: $15 allows families 30 days of unlimited, on-demand access. Visit filamenttheatre.org.

One family’s story

“17 Blocks” is now streaming via the Music Box Theatre.
Provided
“17 Blocks” is now streaming via the Music Box Theatre.

While many know Davy Rothbart as the creator of Found Magazine and a contributor to “This American Life,” he’s also an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker whose latest venture is the documentary “17 Blocks,” now streaming via the Music Box Theatre. The unique film was made in a collaboration that began in 1999 when 9-year-old Emmanuel Sanford-Durant and his Washington, D.C., family began filming their daily lives in their dangerous neighborhood just 17 blocks from the U.S. Capitol. The result is a decades-long chronicle of one family’s deeply personal saga. RogerEbert.com calls the effort “a remarkably raw and heartfelt piece of filmmaking.” Tickets: $12. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.

Virtual stage

Yuchi Chiu in How Do We Navigate Space? Photo by Kamille Dawkins
Kamille Dawkins
Yuchi Chiu in “How Do We Navigate Space?”

Strawdog Theatre concludes its virtual season with Karissa Murrell Myers’ “How Do We Navigate Space,” a series of performances inspired by the events of 2020. Streams March 15-April 18. Tickets: $15 or pay-what-you-can. Visit strawdog.com. … Theatre in the Dark presents Corey Bradberry’s audio adaptation of Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick.” Streams March 11-April 10. Tickets: $20-$30 or pay-what-you-can. Visit theatreinthedark.com. … At Northlight Theatre find Lauren Gunderson’s newest work “The Catastrophist,” a solo piece inspired by her virus-hunter husband Nathan Wolfe. Streams March 11-31. Tickets: $30. Visit norhtlight.org. … Links Hall presents the latest edition of “Nasty, Brutish & Short,” an adults-only cabaret featuring new works of puppetry. Streams at 8 p.m. March 15. Tickets: $10-$15. Visit linkshall.org.

Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.

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