Friday, August 1, 2008

New round of plays and musicals for DFW this weekend (Aug. 1-3)

By Shawn Parikh

The first weekend of August brings in a ton of new shows, so try and see a few while you have the chance:

• Perfect Wedding, presented by Theatre Arlington. A man wakes up in the bridal suite on the morning of his wedding day next to an extremely attractive naked girl in bed with his soon-to-be-bride on the way. His best man reluctantly agrees to pretend she is his girlfriend only to confuse the chambermaid for this girl. Throw the bride's daffy mother in the mix and you have the makings of this madcap romp to the altar. Purchase tickets ($17) online or by calling 817-275-7661.
• The Tempest, presented by Stolen Shakespeare Guild. Prospero, a potent magician, lives on a desolate isle with his virginal daughter, Miranda. He's in exile, banished from his duchy by his usurping brother and the King of Naples. Providence brings these enemies near; aided by his vassal the spirit Ariel, Prospero conjures a tempest to wreck the Italian ship. Purchase tickets ($6-15) online.
• The Winning Streak, presented by ICT Theatre on Edge. Performing in an intimate Black Box setting at the ICT Studio starring Scott Nixon and Phil Nixon. Omar, a retired baseball umpire, suddenly gets a phone call from Ry, a son he’s never seen. Ry is the product of a one-night stand long ago. He’s never wanted to meet his absentee father, but now in his mid-thirties, after making a life for himself in a distant city, he seems to feel it’s time. Omar’s not so sure. In a series of funny, heartbreaking scenes, the two men negotiate every inch of a very rocky road in trying to come together. Is there any common ground? Can Omar ever master the skills to become a father, or Ry to become his son? Will baseball help? The local major-league team has a winning streak going. Meanwhile, these two men are just trying to win one in a row. A bittersweet comedy about the need for family in us all. Call 972-594-6104 for reservations ($8).
• Crimes of the Heart, presented by Ennis Public Theatre. This season opens with Crimes of the Heart, by Beth Henley, for which she won the Pulitzer Prize. This is an irreverent, warm-hearted portrayal of three very different sisters struggling to make sense of their lives. They reunite in their hometown of Hazlehurst, Mississippi triggering a hilarious mix of conflicts, crises and revelations. This story of a family's troubles is true to life in that levity and tragedy live side by side. In the end, these three women learn to greet the tragic, absurd twists of fate with courage, love and the ultimate saving grace of laughter. Call 972-878-PLAY (7529) for reservations ($12-14).
• Bat Boy: The Musical, presented by Ohlook Performing Arts Center. Based on the events chronicled in The Weekly World News, BAT BOY is the story of a half-boy/half-bat creature that is discovered hiding in a cave near Hope Falls , West Virginia by a group of adventure seekers. Bringing him home to the townsfolk of Hope Fall both shocks and intrigues this sleepy community, setting the tone for this roller coaster musical-comedy. If you like The Rocky Horror Show you'll love Bat Boy! Call 817-421-2825 for tickets ($12-15) or purchase online.
• Let My Heart Sing, presented by Kids Who Care. World premiere of Kids Who Care's newest original work. Kids have a way of looking at the world and seeing the truth and goodness that is always there. This production celebrates the lessons that kids can teach adults about finding the hidden answers to some of life's hardest questions. Done in true Kids Who Care style, Let my Heart Sing will have you laughing crying and leaping to your feet! Don't miss this 20th Anniversary celebration event. Call 817-737-5437 for tickets ($12-18) or purchase online.
• A Convenient Lie, presented by Azle Arts Association's Popcorn Players. Step back to the 1890's when life was simpler and it was easy to tell the good guys from the bad guys! Villain Al Gross tries to get his evil clutches on heroine Penny Tagoe and the rest of the town, while our Hero, D.D. Wright and other town folk try to help. Will Al get the girl, the store, and the ranch, or will our hero prevail, and who is the real hero? Purchase tickets ($5-10) online or by calling 817-238-PLAY (7529).
• Singin’ in the Rain, presented by Rockwall Community Playhouse Teen Theater. 1920s Hollywood is the setting for this zany, light-hearted romantic comedy about the early days of sound film, when many a movie studio found itself scrambling to salvage the career of their chipmunk-voice silent picture star. Call 972-722-3399 for reservations ($15-18).

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