Art Magnified

Methods to Madness

Vortex Theatre

John Byrom as Mercy Owen Cash and Jessica Osbourne as Maxine Strindberg

Two actors, Max and Mercy, attempt to claw, bite and growl their way to success in the jackal eat jackal world of modern Hollywood. Methods to Madness is a dark comedy about the nasty side of Tinsel Town. The play, written by Joel Murray and directed by Gabrielle Johansen, opens this week at the Vortex. The director promises audiences the recommended daily allowance of sex and violence. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. $10 general, $8 students/seniors. Sundays at 6 p.m. $8. Runs through April 4. 247-8600.

Illustrious

516 Magnífico Artspace

“Crush” by Cynthia Cook

Magnífico's yearly examination of the written word in visual art is currently on display at the Downtown gallery. In celebration of National Poetry Month, Illustrious features text-based video, sculpture, paintings, drawings and mixed-media work by Michael Alford, Julie Anard, Rex Barron, Mary Bennett, Cynthia Cook, Abby Donovan, Aniz Duran, Jim Elek, Julie James-Griego, James Jimenez, Jim Kraft, David Leigh, David Lobdell and Kimberly Murak and others. An Artscrawl open house occurs this Friday, March 19, from 5 to 9 p.m. Stop by and read the writing on the wall. The show runs through April 17. 242-8244.