7 plays, 2 musicals, and 5 children’s shows opening in DFW this weekend

by Shawn Parikh

A ton of theatre is opening this weekend and they are taking place all over the metroplex, so make sure to go support these companies:

The Great American Trailer Park Musical, presented by WaterTower Theatre. There’s a new tenant in Armadillo Acres, and she’s wreaking havoc all over Florida’s most exclusive trailer park! The double-wide divas of this fine housing establishment have survived everything from kidnapping to no-good men to bad perms. But when Pippi, a “stripper on the run," comes between agoraphobic housewife Jeannie and her tollbooth-collector husband, a storm begins to brew that will shake these manufactured homes down to their mobile foundations. Warning: This musical contains tacky outfits, bad wigs, crude language, adultery, road kill, electrocution and spray cheese. So leave the little ones at home. Purchase tickets ($20-30) online or by calling 972-450-6232.
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, presented by Dallas Children's Theater. The wildly popular story by perennial favorite Judy Blume. Delight in a humorous look at family life and the comical troubles that can only be caused by a younger sibling. Peter has to write an essay assignment on the most important thing that has happened to him in the fourth grade. That’s easy since Peter has the worst little brother in the whole world: FUDGE! And Dribble the turtle is the only one who understands. Purchase tickets ($12-21) online or by calling 214-740-0051.
The Twilight of the Golds, presented by Uptown Players. If your parents knew everything about you before you were born, would you be here? That is the question posed in this topical drama. All is well when Suzanne Gold and her close New York family discover that she is pregnant, until a prenatal test reveals that the baby will most likely be homosexual. The news forces the entire Gold family to confront issues of bigotry, evolution and the limits of love. Critically acclaimed Off-Broadway, Twilight of the Golds is a powerful human drama with plenty of humor and warmth. Purchase tickets ($22-25) online or by calling 214-219-2718.
Jack The Ripper – Monster Of Whitechapel, presented by Pocket Sandwich Theatre. A Popcorn-Tossing Comedy-Spoof by Joe Dickinson. Call 214-821-1860 for reservations ($10-18).
Treasure Island, presented by Casa Mañana’s Children’s Playhouse. World premiere of an all-new musical based upon the classic tale by Robert Louis Stevenson. Young Jim Hawkins befriends an old pirate named Billy Bones, who has a treasure map. This is just the kind of adventure Jim has dreamed of his entire life. But, the hunt for buried treasure can only mean one thing – Pirates! Set sail on the high seas with this shady crew of matey men to Treasure Island. Purchase tickets ($11-16) online or by calling 817-332-2272.
Right Ho, Jeeves, presented by Contemporary Theatre of Dallas. In Right Ho, Jeeves, set in 1920s London, dim-witted playboy Bertie Wooster is fed up with his butler Jeeves’ reputation for being far smarter than his employer. So Bertie sets out to solve, by himself, the romantic problems of his friends Tuppy Glossop, a temperamental glutton; and Gussie Fink-Nottle, an introverted biologist obsessed with newts. Disaster results from Bertie’s efforts, just as his fierce Aunt Dahlia had predicted, and in the end, only Jeeves can save the day—as always. Purchase tickets ($22-32) online or by calling 214-828-0094.
Conference of the Birds, presented by Teatro de la Rosa. It is based on a poem written by Farid Uddi Attar in 1177 A.D. Teatro de la Rosa's production will take this story and set it against the Central American Mayan Ruins. With colorful bird masks and giant puppets in the Mayan tradition, this production will be a grand affair exploring the mysticism of seeking a higher power in any belief or religion. 10 actors and 4 puppeteers bring this tale to life with original masks and drumming. Call 817-624-8333 for tickets ($7-12) or purchase online.
Rumors, presented by McKinney Repertory Theatre. It's Charile and Myra Brock's 10th wedding anniversary, and the couple celebrates by inviting eight of their best friends to their stylish suburban home. But when the guests arrive, they find Charlie's been shot and Myra's no where to be found. And since Charlie is the deputy mayor of New York City, the party goers scramble to keep the incident hush-hush from the authorities and each other. Neil Simon's Rumors is a fast-moving, door-slamming farce filled with mystery and mayhem. Purchase tickets ($12-15) online or by calling 214-544-4630.
The Music Man, presented by Rockwall Community Playhouse. The Music Man follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City, Iowa into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys' band the vows to organize -- this despite the fact that he doesn't know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marion the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain's fall. Call 972-722-3399 for reservations ($15-18).
Honk Jr., presented by Creative Arts Theatre & School. Based on Hans Christian Andersen's "The Ugly Duckling", “Honk!” tells the story of an odd looking baby duck, Ugly, and his quest to find his mother. Soon after Ugly is born, he is wisked away by a wily Cat who wants to eat Ugly for dinner. Order tickets ($5-10) online or by calling 817-861-CATS.
Dearly Departed, presented by Azle Arts Association's Popcorn Players. Travel south into the Baptist backwoods of the Bible Belt, and join the Turpin family as they deal with the death of a loved one the only way they know how, disfunctionally and hillariously. It gets even funnier when each members own problems start to work their way into this solmn occasion. In the same vein as the Greater Tuna stage series, this show will have you rolling in your seat and probably saying to yourself, "I know someone like that!" For reservations ($5-10). call 817-944-3537.
Those Crazy Ladies In the House on The Corner, presented by Amateur Community Theatre of Rowlett. What do you do when you have three geriatric sisters as patients, and all they want to do is sit at home and talk (all at the same time) to each other? You move another person in with them. At least that's what Doc Lomax does when he has a new nurse needing a place to live - a nurse with a secret. Nurse Jean soon has the sisters planning parties, pulling pranks and jogging around town. But, when their nephew shows up with plans to sell the house, things get complicated again, especially with Christmas just around the corner. Make reservations ($7-10) online or by calling 972-463-4880.
Broadway!, presented by Plano Children's Theatre. Call 972-422-2575 for tickets ($7-9).
Back to Broadway: A Musical Review, presented by McKinney Youth Theatre. Call 972-422-2575 for tickets ($7-9).

And previewing this weekend is:

Permanent Collection, presented by Jubilee Theatre. Soon after African-American businessman Sterling North becomes the new Director of the Morris Foundation, he discovers that this world-famous art collection includes several significant African sculptures tucked away in storage. His proposal to add them to the public galleries is opposed by the Foundation’s long-time education director, who is loyal to the idiosyncratic wishes of the late Dr. Morris. Spurred on by a zealous local journalist, this clash quickly escalates to public accusations of racism and a bitter struggle for control of the collection. Show officially opens on October 5. Purchase tickets ($10) online or by calling 817-338-4411.