THE ESSENTIAL A&E PICKS FOR APR 27 - MAY 3 

• Little Brown Books

Neal Shusterman & Eric Elfman: I Am the Walrus
Writer Neal Shusterman has achieved plenty of individual success, including the New York Times bestselling Unwind series. But he also found a successful creative partnership with writer Eric Elfman, including the recently-concluded "Accelerati Trilogy." Now, they've joined forces again for a new middle-grade series, The N.O.A.H. Project, beginning with I Am the Walrus—and it seems like the collaboration is one they'll want to continue.

"We love working together," Elfman said in an interview with the Project Mayhem blog. "Writing is usually such a solitary activity, so bouncing ideas off another person is a treat—especially when that person is Neal."

I Am the Walrus deals with a 14-year-old named Noah who finds himself dealing with a series of events he can't quite explain: falling out of a tree onto a classmate, when he has no recollection of getting into the tree in the first place; falling into a state of paralysis when confronted by bullies; vanishing from sight when he wants not to be seen. It's all extremely bizarre—and eventually extremely dangerous, as he also begins to find himself pursued by people who want to kill him.

Neal Shusterman and Eric Elfman appear in person at The King's English Bookshop (1511 S. 1500 East) on Thursday, April 27 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $22, and include admission for two people to the event, and a signed hardback copy of I Am the Walrus. You can also pre-order signed copies via kingsenglish.com. Visit the website for the Eventbrite link to purchase tickets. (Scott Renshaw)

• Todd Rosenberg

Fortune Feimster @ Kingsbury Hall
Fortune Feimster built her reputation by exuding a bold, brash and provocative persona, it's served her quite well. She became a familiar face on any number of network shows, beginning with Last Comic Standing, which eventually led to a starring role on The Mindy Project. She can claim a number of film credits as well, although she's never come across as if she's takes herself all that seriously. Consequently, when she began interviewing celebrities and comedians on the Sirius XM radio show What a Joke with Papa and Fortune, she was well-equipped to deflate a few egos and still ensure some good-natured rapport.

A regular on late night TV, she also hosts a weekly podcast, Sincerely Fortune, with her wife, Jax. Granted, she may not be a household name, but she has a familiar face that's still instantly recognizable. Besides, that familiarity factor isn't all that out of reach. Her first one-hour special, 2020's Sweet & Salty, is available on Netflix, and was nominated as Best Comedy Special by the Critics Choice Awards. Ms. Fortune also found good fortune with her 2018 half-hour special featured as part of the The Standups series on Netflix. It too garnered rave reviews, as did another Netflix special, Good Fortune. It seems like there's no limit as far as good Fortune is concerned.

Fortune Feimster brings her "Live Laugh Love!" tour to Kingsbury Hall, University of Utah, 1395 E. Presidents circle, on Friday, April 28 at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $24 - $99.50 (plus $100 for a meet & greet); visit artstickets.utah.edu. (Lee Zimmerman)

• Courtesy photo

Pygmalion Theatre Company: Near Mint
When Lane Richins went back to school at the University of Utah after what he describes as a "20-year break," his plan was to complete his BA in Theater with eyes towards an MFA in directing. But after a playwrighting class with Tim Slover, he found himself unexpectedly moved in a new creative direction. "I gained a real appreciation for [writing], and some great joy in it. It just seemed like the cards were falling that way, as though it were meant to be."

Near Mint marks the first full production of one of his plays, and Richins connects this joyous experience with the quest for joy that inspired its creation in the first place. Focused on an ex-baseball player running a baseball-card store in Southern California circa 1988, the story originated from the dark times of the early pandemic. "There was no connection, no humanity happening, because we were all stuck in this black hole," Richins says. "I needed something bright; I needed to find some light, and some hope. I thought, 'What makes me happy? What is something that has provided life and meaning?' Baseball has always been there at the good times in my life, [and] it's given me a refuge in the hard times."

Pygmalion Theatre Company's production of Near Mint runs at the Rose Wagner Center Black Box Theater (138 W. 300 South) April 28 – May 13, with performances Thursday – Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 - $22.50; visit arttix.org for tickets and additional event information, including select "masks required" performances. (SR)

• Courtesy photo

Art Meets Fashion: Emergent
The definition of what constitutes "art" can be unnecessarily rigid at times. Sure, we can all agree that the painting that hangs on a wall, or a performance of dance or theater, falls under that category. But some acts of creation are so built into our daily lives—like the architecture of a building, or the clothing worn by everyone around us—that it can be harder to recognize them as the work of true artists.

Founded in 2015, Art Meets Fashion is a non-profit dedicated to highlighting the genuine artistry of fashion design, including exciting live experiences like this week's Emergent. This full runway show features the work of local designers Heggy Gonzalez, Carter Dior Eliasen and Hannah Ruth Zander, as well as international designers Eriko, Adolfo Sanchez and Charles & Ron. The evening is also scheduled to include live performances by performers including Sister Molly Mormon, Jessica Baynes, Tamara Knight, Katya Murafa, Langiola's Son, Hesperides, Tricia Phoenix and Marakesh Dance. Guests will also get a taste of fashion art installations by Natalie Wynn, Olive & Sage, Nathaniel Gray, Jen Bernardi and the AMF design team, and work by the likes of Utah-based floral artist Shelly Huynh. It promises to be a visually stunning evening that will broaden your sense of what art can be.

Art Meets Fashion: Emergent takes place at The Clubhouse SLC (850 E. South Temple) on Saturday, April 29 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $80, with $150 VIP tickets including front-row access. Visit amfmagazine.com/amf-event for tickets and additional event information. (SR)