Last chance to catch these plays, musicals, comedies, and new works

by Shawn Parikh

Looks like a lot of plays and musicals are ending this weekend, so try and catch some before they are gone for good. They take place all over the metroplex and vary from Shakespeare, to comedy, to new works, to musicals, to 2 productions of Sylvia, so something has gotta strike your fancy. Here is the long list, and you can click on a title for more info:

Tick Tick… Boom!, presented by Uptown Players. Jonathan Larson's struggle to become a successful rock composer and lyricist comes to life with comedy, song and heartfelt passion. Purchase tickets ($25-30) online or by calling 214-219-2718.
Caroline, or Change, presented by Theatre Three. On the national stage, the era of civil rights is playing out: Dr. King, freedom rides, Supreme Court debates, and church bombings. But underdog Caroline is playing out the right and wrong of all that in the laundry room of the nice people she works for. The young son of the family, estranged from his new stepmother, relies on her. Can Caroline square her dreams with the boy's as her own life changes with the times in this musical? Call 214-871-3300 or buy tickets ($10-35) online.
End Times and the New Works Festival, presented by Kitchen Dog Theater. End Times is the story of Janie, a fierce farm wife, who struggles to hold on to her Panhandle homestead and her deep faith—but both come at a steep price. Purchase tickets ($10-20) online or by calling 214-953-1055. As part of the festival, there are still four staged reading taking place: Watch, Your Molotov Kisses, Sick, and Seamless.
America the Beautiful, presented by Granbury Opera House. Reservations ($22-29) can by made by calling 1-800-547-4697.
Annie Get Your Gun, presented by Artisan Center Theater. Annie Oakley and Frank Butler entertain, scuffle and eventually fall in love in the old American West. For tickets ($8-13) call the box office at 817-284-1200.
Titanic: The Musical, presented by Family Musical Theatre. Based on the factual story of the ship's officers, crew and passengers, as well as the causes and conditions of the quintessential disaster of the 20th century. Call the box office at 972-860-2994 for tickets ($5-10).
The Nerd, presented by Denton Community Theatre. The action centers on the hilarious dilemma of a young architect who is visited by a man he's never met but who saved his life in Vietnam. The visitor turns out to be an incredibly inept, hopelessly stupid "nerd" who outstays his welcome with a vengeance. Call 940-382-1915 to reserve tickets ($11-17).
Sylvia, presented by the Ennis Public Theatre. Comedy by A.R. Gurney about a relationship between a man and his dog. Call 972-878-PLAY for ticket ($6-14) info.
Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, presented by McKinney Repertory Theatre. Tennessee Williams's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama is an explosive portrait of a family electrified by verbal fireworks, savage humor, and, of course, the "stench of mendacity." Order tickets ($12-15) online or by calling 214-544-4630.
Damn Yankees, presented by Grand Prairie Arts Council. Opened this week, but also closes this Sunday. Middle-aged baseball fanatic Joe Boyd trades his soul to the devil for the chance to lead his favorite team to victory in the pennant race against the New York Yankees. Call 972-642-2787 for tickets ($9-13).
Sylvia, presented by Contemporary Theatre of Dallas. Sylvia, a lab-poodle mix, proceeds to transform the lives of a married couple, bringing both delight and chaos. Call the box office at 214-828-0094 for tickets ($22-27) or purchase online.
Miss Witherspoon, presented by Amphibian Productions. The story of Veronica, who is so scarred by failed relationships and afraid of the world that she has committed suicide. A strong-willed spirit guide, however, will stop at nothing to get Veronica back to earth so she can learn the lessons her soul is supposed to learn. Get tickets ($5-20) online.
All's Well That Ends Well, presented by Quad C Theatre. Orphaned Helena secretly loves the Countess of Rousillon’s son, Bertram, who longs for adventure. With the Countess’s blessing, she follows him to Paris where, with her medical knowledge, she cures the ailing King and is given Bertram as her reward. Encouraged by his friend Parolles, Bertram deserts Helena and sets seemingly impossible conditions for the consummation of their marriage. With the help of a Widow and her beautiful daughter, Helena concocts a plan that brings husband and wife together. Tickets ($5) can be requested online or by calling 972-881-5809.