It’s a marvelous mix of metal, melody and magic this week in CT arts

From magical (Penn & Teller) to fabulous (“Kinky Boots”) to “Fun, Fun, Fun” (The Beach Boys), it’s a week of flights of fancy on Connecticut stages.

Consider this the unofficial start of the escapist summer concert season. Loud wild shows this week cover over a generation of metal, from Sebastian Bach to Fuming Mouth. On the calmer side, one of the all-time great American singer/songwriters, John Hiatt, is playing Infinity Hall Hartford while Broadway legend Liz Callaway is in Ridgefield.

Here are some of the top things to see this week in Connecticut.

Penn & Teller Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd., Mashantucket

The greatest tricksters of their time, Penn & Teller’s magic act is truly confounding, enhanced by truly hilarious comedy. They are also a classic showbiz team featuring the towering, brash, outspoken Penn Jillette and the diminutive, silent, introspective single-named Teller. Besides their long-running stage show and TV magic competition “Penn & Teller: Fool Us,” Jillette oversees the incisive “Penn’s Sunday School” podcast and Teller directs fantastical Shakespeare productions. They don’t tour New England very often, so a Connecticut show is a big magical deal. May 19 at 7 p.m. at Foxwoods’ Premier Theater. $44.20-$344.55. foxwoods.com.

Kat Timpf The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford

TV personality Kat Timpf is ubiquitous on Fox News and previously had her own show on Fox Nation, “Sincerely, Kat.” She’s also a touring comedian who naturally does a lot of political material. Her “You Can’t Joke About That” tour hits The Bushnell on May 19 at 5 p.m. The show is based on her recent memoir with the same title about her life and career. $48-$265. bushnell.org.

Rick Springfield Mohegan Sun, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville

Rick Springfield has been an international pop star for over 50 years. His first hit was “Speak to the Sky” in 1972, making “Jesse’s Girl” something of a comeback hit, happening in 1981. He’s been a TV and movie star for nearly as long. He had two different stints as Noah Drake on “General Hospital” and held his own against Meryl Streep in the movie “Ricki and the Flash.” He also made a wonderfully silly series of videos during the COVID shutdown spoofing his own fame. Springfield’s back on the road, performing May 19 at 7 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena. $48.70-$118. mohegansun.com.

Sebastian Bach Toad’s Place, 300 York St., New Haven

Sebastian Bach was the personification of the hair metal movement of the late 1980s and early ‘90s as the dirty blond-tressed frontman of Skid Row. He parted ways with that band in 1996, after which you could find him on VH-1, the Broadway stage (starring in “Jekyll & Hyde” and “The Rocky Horror Show”), TV’s “Trailer Park Boys” and “Gilmore Girls” and on concert stages with his band. On May 21 at 8 p.m., Sebastian Bach performs at Toad’s Place, a club he played on one of his first post-Skid Row sojourns in 1997. The Bites, an acclaimed young hard rock band from L.A., open the show. $35-$40. toadsplace.com.

Fuming Mouth The Webster, 31 Webster St., Hartford

Fuming Mouth, from Milford, Massachusetts, has been grinding out its death/crust metal for around a decade. According to the invaluable online Encyclopaedia Metallum, popular themes of Fuming Mouth songs include “depression, loss and inner struggles.” Tomb Sentinel opens Fuming Mouth’s May 21 show at The Webster that starts at 6:30 p.m. thewebsterct.com.

To Steve with Love: Liz Callaway Celebrates Sondheim Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield

You know her voice. Liz Callaway sang the title role in the animated film “Anastasia” and (with her sister Ann Hampton Callaway) the theme song to TV’s “The Nanny.” She’s also been in Disney features. Live, she’s been on Broadway in “Cats,” “Miss Saigon” and many other shows. For decades she’s been known as one of the top New York City cabaret performers. Liz Callaway brings her solo act to the Ridgefield Playhouse on May 22 at 7:30 p.m. $35-$40. ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

‘Kinky Boots’ ACT of CT, 36 Old Quarry Road, Ridgefield

“Kinky Boots” is a good fit for ACT of CT, the hardy musical theater company in Ridgefield, which enjoys exploring pop-tinged musicals of recent vintage. The show, based on an English comedy movie from 2005 about a novice businessman who saves his family’s shoe business by making special footwear for drag queens, has a book by Harvey Fierstein and songs by Cyndi Lauper. The run is practically sold out, with extra shows being added. May 23 through June 16, with performances on Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., with added evening shows on June 2 and 12. at 7 p.m. $79. actofct.org.

John Hiatt Infinity Hall, 32 Front St., Hartford

Exemplary midwestern singer-songwriter John Hiatt has two dozen solo albums to his credit plus his work with the supergroup Little Village. He returns to an ideal venue for his listen-in-close talents, Infinity Hall Hartford, on May 23 at 8 p.m. $68. infinityhall.com.

Berlin Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd., Mashantucket

Berlin was a four-hit wonder of the 1980s, with “The Metro,” “Sex (I’m a …”), “No More Words” and the Oscar-winning theme from “Top Gun” “Take My Breath Away.” The band endured all sorts of break-ups, lineup changes and hiatuses and currently is in fine form with multiple original members, foremost among them vocalist Terri Nunn. They play Foxwoods’ Great Cedar Showroom on May 24 at 8 p.m. $49.35-$80.25. foxwoods.com.

The Beach Boys and Dave Mason Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater, 500 Broad St., Bridgeport

The essentially roofless Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater began its summer season of big-name concerts on May 18 with Neil Young and Crazy Horse. Next up is the intriguing double bill of The Beach Boys (still led by Mike Love and Bruce Johnston) and legendary British guitarist Dave Mason, who played with Traffic, Fleetwood Mac, Delaney & Bonnie, Eric Clapton and most of the solo Beatles and has released 15 solo albums and seven live ones. May 24 at 8 p.m. $25-$300.30. hartfordhealthcareamp.com.