Screw Thursday’s John Mueller Winter Dance Party. I went to the Grand Little Theatre and what HAD to be the best show of the month – the Las Vegas-based touring group The Optical Delusions. Comprised of three young performers – a juggler, a magician, and a mind-reader – this hysterical and impressive gig reminded me why its great to take a chance on an unknown show. Even though you might catch a bomb from time to time, they’re all made up for with a show like this. The packed house (which admittedly isn’t hard to fill with room that size) ate it up and gave it back with a standing ovation by shows end. The ridiculously lovable juggler did it all, including tossing several “Knorches” (knives and torches comically fused together) and left everything he had on that stage after his finale, pictured above. This dude was jaw-droppingly good. The London-born mind reader and the charming magician (who actually happened to graduate from UWEC before leaving for Vegas and landing some seriously high-profile gigs) didn’t disappoint either – bringing A-game quality and theatrics. The show's arc was perfect, except one trick sequence that was a little lame and obvious (the Three Card Monty routine), but by that time you were so endeared to these guys that it didn’t even matter. Kudos to them for bringing their show to EC, and to the Grand Little Theatre for hosting it. I’m SO glad I caught it.