“Comedy to me is true,” says stand-up comic Vince Morris when asked about what makes him laugh. “It’s what I can relate to or something that someone is being honest about,” he says. “If you’re being honest about what you’re talking about, and it comes from the heart, then that makes me laugh. When I watch other people, to me, that’s what true stand-up is.” Morris performs Thursday-Sunday at Go Bananas in Montgomery.

War and terrorism have become facts of contemporary life, but New Stage Collective’s next production, Christopher Shinn’s intense play Dying City, brings these themes to the stage in a very personal and individual manner. Dying City explores themes of grief, politics and psychology. Alan Patrick Kenny, NSC’s producing artistic director, says, “Dying City is not a ‘war play,’ but rather a haunting study of the very human process of grieving and loss. Since the start of the Iraq War, we’ve gained enough historical distance to examine its micro-impacts, socially and psychologically. This play delves into the inner lives of three fascinating characters as they reconcile love, war and grief.” Thursday-Sunday. Through Jan. 25.

Ryan McGinness' exhibition of new paintings creates an optical second reality in the Vance-Waddell Gallery at the Cincinnati Art Museum. Lights are turned off; heavy, dark curtains hang in the doorway; black lights shine onto the wood panels and bring everything painted there to life. It's a little disconcerting, looking into a painting and feeling as though you might trip into some "Alice in Wonderland" alternative universe. Tuesday-Sunday through Feb. 15, 2009.

The wonderful light boxes of Matthew Shelton are on display at Northside’s NVISION (4577 Hamilton Ave.) beginning with an opening reception from 6-10 p.m. Friday featuring music by DJMCMLXXIII. Shelton’s technique for making light boxes evolved from a method that involves first incorporating photographs, then poking countless holes into mirror board. The effect is similar to tin-punch art, which can be used to make lanterns. Shelton attaches small pieces of color gels to the mirror board. When held up to a light source the effect is stunning. Tiny jewel-like rays of color shine through. Images such as the Vegetation Goddess resemble Aztec art. Some of his shapes could be mandalas or an Aztec calendar. His work will remain on display until Feb. 1, 2009. Opening reception: 7-10 p.m. Friday.

Jimi Jones, a longtime active member of the Cincinnati arts scene, discovered he could incorporate pixels — the building blocks of computer graphics — into his paintings. Results of that breakthrough can be seen in the vibrant works at the Weston Art Gallery. Jones’ paintings are big, stridently colorful and speak to you immediately ... they need your close attention. Tuesday-Sunday. Through Jan. 10.