The Wanderer: Foreign Landscapes of Enrique Martínez Celaya
“The Wanderer: Foreign Landscapes of Enrique Martínez Celaya” is the main exhibition currently on view at the Museum of Biblical Art. “The Wanderer” provides a glimpse into the private existential odyssey of this Miami-based, Cuban-born artist. The selection of paintings, sculptures and photographic prints focuses on themes of exile, exodus, and the search for home. The figure and the landscape are two important elements in the visual lexicon of Martínez Celaya. Solitary, fragile figures set against a harsh terrain bring echoes of adam and eve’s expulsion from paradise, Cain’s exile and Abraham’s journey in search of a new homeland. Concurrent with this exhibition, Martinez Celaya also has an installation of paintings on view at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine through November 28.

Through the Looking Glass
An intriguing exploration of identity through self-portraits is the focus of “The Looking Glass” at Jenkins Johnson Gallery. This selection brings to life a variety of characters used by acclaimed photographer Lynn Goldsmith to confront the inherent emptiness of portraiture. After photographing high-end department store windows throughout New York City, Goldsmith alters the images by removing and adding particular elements to suit her narrative. Then she makes elaborate self-portraits with stylized hair and makeup, which are digitally placed onto the mannequins within the window scenes. Art history, Hollywood cinematography, and fashion ideals come together in the creation of these characters from myths, religion, and fairy tales.

Mrs. Warren’s Profession
Roundabout Theatre Company presents the new Broadway production of George Bernard Shaw’s play Mrs. Warren’s Profession, starring Tony Award-winner Cherry Jones as “Kitty Warren” and Golden Globe-winner Sally Hawkins making her Broadway debut as “Vivie Warren.” George Bernard Shaw’s scorching tour de force tells the story of Kitty Warren, a mother who makes a terrible sacrifice for her daughter Vivie’s independence. The clash of these two strong-willed women is the spark that ignites the ironic wit of one of Shaw’s greatest plays. Mrs. Warren’s Profession runs through November 28.

ABBA songs at The New York Pops
The New York Pops – famous for presenting popular music with a symphony orchestra of the highest quality – will launch its 28th season on October 15 at Carnegie Hall. This new season celebrates the stylistic diversity of some of popular music’s greatest icons. Music Director Steven Reineke leads the orchestra in an electrifying concert featuring the acclaimed Finnish vocal ensemble Rajaton. Their energetic performances include “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” “Take a Chance on Me”, and other favorites by the supergroup ABBA.

The Distance of the Moon
Led by Artistic Director and Founder Takehiro Ueyama, the TAKE Dance Company premieres “The Distance of the Moon” on October 14 at Judson Memorial Church. The full-evening work features six different musical selections choreographed by Ueyama, Jill Echo, Kile Hotchkiss and Julie Tice. The music was composed by Pulse, a federation of six award-winning composers. The program is inspired by the short story “The Distance of the Moon” from Italo Calvino’s phantasmagorical 1965 book Cosmicomics.

Double Vision
Also in dance, don’t miss “Double Vision” choreographed by Carolyn Carlson and presented as part of the festival Peak Performances @ Montclair. In “Double Vision” a fantastical new world of light, color and motion comes to life through the magical use of multimedia. This is the first time since 2005 that Carlson returns to the States from Europe, where she has been working for almost 40 years, playing a key role in the development of French and Italian contemporary dance.

Shepard Fairey’s New Mural
Renowned artist Shepard Fairey guided more than 100 young New Yorkers in creating a powerful 40-foot long mural presented by Arts World Financial Center through October 17. Titled “A Positive Thought Cannot Be Denied,” the mural expresses the young people’s perspectives on teen violence, the environment, education and other issues relating to social justice. Under the guidance of Fairey, the mural was created as part of a program sponsored by The CityKids Foundation, a non-profit that brings together hundreds of kids and teens from a variety of local communities. Committed to the belief that the collective power of young people can change the world, The CityKids Foundation challenges members to express their views and promote social transformation through performances, workshops and mass media productions.