"Mozart Immersive" Debuts And More In Chicago This Month

A transformative pop-up dining experience lands on the Mag Mile, a Sondheim classic takes the stage and more are among our top picks for April in Chicago.

“Pretty Pretty 9” (2021) is one of the intriguing works featured in Gio Swaby: Fresh Up.

DISCOVER

When you think of the Art Institute of Chicago, names of old masters like Monet, van Gogh, Picasso and Dalí might be the first that come to mind. This season, though, the venerated institution shines a spotlight on an exciting new talent: 32-year-old Gio Swaby, a Bahamian multidisciplinary artist whose intricate textile-based works celebrate Blackness and womanhood through the lenses of hair, clothing, jewelry and more in Gio Swaby: Fresh Up. April 8-July 3, 111 S. Michigan Ave.

DINE

Cozy up in one of Dinner With A View’s transformed globes at Pioneer Court.

After previous stops in San Diego, Atlanta and Canada, popular traveling pop-up dining experience Dinner With A View lands on the Mag Mile this month, bringing its signature clear domes and a new perspective on dining to Pioneer Court. The 33 luxe, intimate globes are transformed into terrariums that highlight unique terrains around the globe, from tundras to tropical rainforests to grasslands, and complement the threecourse culinary experience crafted with locally sourced ingredients. The immersive experience is designed for groups of up to six, who select a category from the blind menu, which features beef, chicken, fish and vegan, and sips off the beverage menu. Juxtaposed with Chicago’s urban atmosphere, it’s a unique opportunity to dine under the stars in an iconic Mag Mile location. April 7-May 14, 401 Michigan Ave.

DANCE

Solo artist Sarah Clarke of Ballet 5:8’s BareFace

Female, minority-led company Ballet 5:8 takes center stage at Harris Theater for the premiere of BareFace, an original adaptation of the classic Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche. Artistic director, cofounder and resident choreographer Julianna Rubio Slager’s production steps into the female perspective where themes of humanity, love, jealousy and beauty are explored through dynamic storytelling and enhanced by the company’s acclaimed dance prowess. “In BareFace, the story is told uniquely from Psyche’s older sister’s viewpoint, and audiences will see female artists in all of the leading roles,” says Slager. “We’re excited to present a modern version of this classic myth where audiences will see females as both the protagonists and antagonists, and elevate female voices to dominate the stage.” April 22, 205 E. Randolph St.

SEE

Stephanie J. Block, Sebastian Arcelus and Katy Geraghty take the stage in Into the Woods.

Enter Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s beloved fairy-tale world as Tony Award-winning classic Into the Woods takes the stage at James M. Nederlander Theatre in a production that arrives straight from Broadway with several original cast members. Intertwining the plots of several tales like Cinderella, Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood, the characters begin to pursue their individual wishes and desires, only to be greeted with a dose of reality. With music that is both witty and moving, Into the Woods explores the darker side of fairy tales, and challenges its happily-ever-after themes while exploring human complexity with humor around each corner. April 25-May 7, 24 W. Randolph St.

EXPLORE

Mozart Immersive: The Soul of a Genius offers a deep dive into the iconic composer’s life and work.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s works are the latest to be showcased in an immersive exhibit in the world premiere of Mozart Immersive: Soul of a Genius at Lighthouse ArtSpace Chicago, with compositions accompanied by dreamlike visuals to create a memorable all-ages experience. “In order to fully capture the genius of Mozart’s oeuvre of work, we knew we needed to bring in top-level talent from the classical music industry to assemble the accompanying score,” says Svetlana Dvoretsky, producer and Lighthouse Immersive co-founder. “The resulting piece is a highly sophisticated and thrilling confluence of brilliant music and visuals elevated by the great [dancer and actor] Mikhail Baryshnikov’s portrayal of Mozart’s father.” 108 W. Germania Place