It'll be a fun weekend in Dallas despite the cancellation of the annual St. Patrick's Day festivities on Greenville Avenue. But other choices include a Broadway tour, three new local theater productions, a reboot of an Instragram-worthy exhibit, a trumpet master, stellar dancers, the inaugural event of a new huge venue, eye-popping magic, and more.
Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, March 12
Dallas Summer Musicals presents Come From Away (UPDATE: All remaining performances of Come From Away have been canceled. DSM is working to bring the show back in the future.)
The musical Come from Away, which was nominated for seven Tony Awards and won one, takes audiences into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 passengers who were stranded on 9/11 and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships. The production will run at the Music Hall at Fair Park through March 22.
Pegasus Theatre presents A Critical Case of Murder
Someone is murdering the theater critics in town one by one. Lt. Foster has summoned his suspects to police headquarters along with the two surviving theater critics. It appears he’s in command of the situation until Harry Hunsacker and Nigel Grouse enter the scene and gum up the works as only Harry Hunsacker can. Presented in the style of a live radio studio of the 1930s and 1940s, the production will be in the Black Box Theater at Lochwood Branch Library through March 28.
Friday, March 13
Psychedelic Robot: Illuminated Walls
Since its initial exhibition in 2018, Psychedelic Robot has been an immersive, interactive pop-up museum, based on custom art exhibitions created by internationally-recognized, celebrity artists. Illuminated Walls will feature an all-new graffiti fusion experience, using illumination elements to further emphasize the artwork, exploring the boundaries of art and technology. The exhibition will be on display at Bivins Gallery through at least May 2.
The Firehouse Theatre presents The Wiz
Winner of seven Tony Awards and a beloved Broadway gem, The Wiz infuses L. Frank Baum’s classic novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, with a dazzling mix of rock, gospel, and soul music. Also adapted into a hit film, this timeless tale of Dorothy’s adventures through the Land of Oz is a fun and thrilling family-friendly modern musical. The production will be at The Firehouse Theatre in Farmers Branch through April 5.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Chris Botti (UPDATE: All performances of this concert have been canceled)
Dallas Symphony Orchestra will present perennial Dallas favorite, trumpeter Chris Botti. Performing worldwide and selling more than 4 million albums, Botti has found a form of creative expression that begins in jazz and expands beyond the limits of any single genre. Botti and his band will perform some of his favorite tunes along with music from his newest album, Impressions, at Meyerson Symphony Center through Sunday.
TITAS/Dance Unbound: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (UPDATE: This event has been canceled; it will be rescheduled at a later date)
For over 60 years, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has reigned as an American “cultural ambassador to the world,” performing live for an estimated 25 million people in 48 states, 71 countries, and six continents. The gifted Ailey dancers infuse energy and emotion to classics and new works alike, guided by artistic director Robert Battle. The dance troupe will perform on both Friday and Saturday at Winspear Opera House.
Saturday, March 14
Chris Stapleton's All-American Roadshow (UPDATE: This event has been postponed; a new date will be announced soon)
Country singer Chris Stapleton has taken the music world by storm since his debut album in 2015, winning five Grammys, seven ACM Awards, 10 CMA Awards, and more. He'll headline this special concert, the first-ever event at Globe Life Field in Arlington, which will also feature performances by Willie Nelson & Family, Jamey Johnson, and Yola.
KXT 91.7 presents The Polyphonic Spree: Jukebox Jamboree (UPDATE: These concerts have been postponed; they will be rescheduled at a to-be-determined date)
Jukebox Jamboree will be an eclectic evening featuring two sets by The Polyphonic Spree. One set will feature the band's favorite songs to cover and the other will be a set of original songs. The concerts on Saturday and Sunday will be recorded for a live EP. The concerts are a precursor to the band's 20th anniversary this year, and the nights are also a part of the 10th anniversary celebration of the rebirth of The Kessler.
Dallas Theater Center presents American Mariachi (UPDATE: This production has been canceled)
Spending her days caring for her ailing mother, Lucha yearns to break out of her monotonous routine when she has a wild idea: an all-girl mariachi band. But in the 1970s, girls can’t be mariachis ... or can they? As Lucha and her spunky cousin hunt for bandmates, dodge disapproving relatives, and bring Mom along for the ride, they wonder: will the band come together? The production will run at Wyly Theatre through April 5.
The Office! A Musical Parody (UPDATE: This event has been postponed)
It’s a typical morning at Scranton’s third largest paper company until, for no logical reason, a documentary crew begins filming the lives of the employees of Dunder Mifflin in this hilarious, unauthorized parody of many people's favorite TV show. The show will play for one night only at Majestic Theatre.
Sunday, March 15
Dallas Museum of Art presents "For a Dreamer of Houses" opening day
Inspired by philosopher Gaston Bachelard’s concept of the psychological, emotional significance of rooms and houses, "For a Dreamer of Houses" will present contemporary artworks that evoke personal spaces and consider the politics of places we identify with. The exhibition will debut immersive installations by Alex Da Corte, Francisco Moreno, and Do Ho Suh, as well as large-scale works by Pipilotti Rist and Janine Antoni. The exhibition will be on display through January 31, 2021.
The Illusionists - Live From Broadway (UPDATE: This event has been canceled)
Full of hilarious magic tricks, death-defying stunts and acts of breathtaking wonder, The Illusionists thrills with a mind-blowing spectacular showcasing the jaw-dropping talents of some of the most incredible illusionists on earth. The event, taking place at Comerica Center in Frisco, will feature David Williamson, Valentin Azema, Jonathan Goodwin, Chris Cox, and Hyun Joon Kim.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will perform at Winspear Opera House on March 13 and 14.
Jerry Jones has good reason to give a thumbs up. Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images