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crew members' loved ones who have passed away. That kind of heart and tenderness permeated every moment of the show. The story follows a young girl, TiMoune, who is orphaned by a storm and faces impossible obstacles to follow her heart. Along TiMoune's journey, the gods who rule the island manipulate, guide and provide for her, adding touches of magic to the beautiful show. The costumes, music and dancing transport you straight to the Caribbean, and the islanders' joy and resilience, even in the face of devastation, is infectious. It was a stunning piece of theater and a romantic, powerful adventure that I am overwhelmed I got to experience. "The Journey" — To be in Scott Silven's presence — even virtually — is pleasantly bewitching. The Scottish mentalist and illusionist is wonderfully skilled at putting his audience at ease and making one feel like he's speaking directly to you. I happened to know this from experience before virtually attending an October performance of his new show. When Silven was in Bentonville in 2018 to debut the American tour of his intimate take on dinner theater with "At The Illusionist's Table," I was introduced to the unique enchantment that is one of his performances. In response to the pandemic, Silven and Momentary Director Lieven Bertels were both looking to develop a digital experience that facilitated connection — across distance, of course, but also across time, across memory and across isolation. The Bentonville multidisciplinary arts space collaborated with Silven to host the world premiere of "The Journey" to an intimate group of 30 or fewer each night for the length of its run. The show was a virtual performative experience unlike anything that has ever existed before because brand new technology was developed just for this event. Through clever projection, audiences were connected in real time with Silven, seeing themselves surrounding the mentalist on the walls of his home in Scotland. High quality audio and video production overcame the shortfalls often found in programs like Zoom. "What I strive for in all my work is that it is just as much a theatrical and emotional experience as it is an experience of amazing magic and mentalism," Silven told me in an interview ahead of the show's debut. That emotional connection has become a hallmark of his work and, though it was happening through a computer screen with people across the globe, Silven and "The Journey" somehow managed to earnestly fold us all into the experience. Viewers each bring something personal to the show, but are also prompted throughout to imagine, remember or choose moments from their past to fill the encounter with intimate and unique details. This same experience — with these same people, memories and objects — will never take place again. I remember a pure and genuine glee that rippled through our ranks as each trick played out exactly as it was meant to. But there was also a palpable delight at Silven's use of tech as well. Each time Silven would interact directly with an individual viewer, that person's screen seemed to magically float in the middle of the room, just next to Silven, where he then directed his gaze, as if looking straight at his fellow. I wasn't the only one who seemed tickled by this clever and surprisingly effective way of establishing closeness. A survey sent to me after my attendance at the show asked to what degree I agree with the statement "'The Journey' made me feel less isolated." I live with a significant other; I've attended Zoom meetings and conferences and art conversations; I've even gathered outdoors with friends here and there as safely as possible over the last few months. But until this question was spelled out in front of me, I didn't realize how isolated I had been feeling, after all. And that I "strongly agree:" "The Journey" did make me feel less isolated — and enchanted and cheerful and imaginative. 12 WHAT'S UP! JANUARY 3-9, 2021 Best Continued From Page 11 FEATURE FYI Find Out More For more information about the organizations that gave us our favorite moments, check out these websites: crystalbridges.org waltonartscenter.org themomentary.org mountsequoyah.org arkansaspublictheatre.org arkansasstateparks.com/ parks/hobbs-state-park- conservation-area See Best Page 38 In partnership with the Momentary, viewers from Arkansas and across the country connected in real time with mentalist/illusionist Scott Silven in his home in Scotland during "The Journey" for an unforgettable evening of imagination, memory and a little bit of magic. (Courtesy Photo/Journey Productions Limited)