Friday, May 9, 2008

New round of plays, musicals, and children’s theater for DFW (May 9-11)

By Shawn Parikh

As with any weekend, a whole slew of new theater is coming to town, so pick a couple while you have the time:

Full Monty

• The Most Beautiful Lullaby You’ve Ever Heard, presented by Audacity Theatre Lab. Regional premiere of Philadelphia playwright Greg Romero’s play. The piece is an engaging nontraditional theatrical romance that begins with a Man and a Woman. They each breathe in the possibility of a blank sheet of paper. The paper becomes a sailboat and their breath becomes a journey over impossible distances. Lullaby is a hilarious, touching, meta-theatrical exploration of what is inside the human heart when a person falls in love with another equally and beautifully broken individual. Call 214-621-9683 to make ticket reservations ($10-15).
• The Full Monty, presented by ONSTAGE in Bedford. In this Americanized version adapted from the 1997 British film of the same name, six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers, low on both cash and prospects, decide to present a strip act at a local club after seeing their wives’ enthusiasm for a touring company of professionals. As they prepare for the show, working through their fears, self-consciousness, and anxieties, they overcome their inner demons and find strength in their camaraderie. Purchase tickets ($10-15) online or by calling 817-354-6444.
• The Book of Liz, presented by Theatre Arlington. Amy and David Sedaris' wacky tale of Sister Elizabeth Donderstock who is Squeamish (has been her whole life). She makes cheese balls (traditional and smoky) that sustain her entire religious community of Clusterhaven. But when Sister Elizabeth feels unappreciated among her Squeamish brethren, she decides to try her luck in the outside world. Comedy doesn’t get much better than this! Make reservations ($17) online or by calling 817-275-7661.
• Lincoln Heights, presented by Teatro de la Rosa. Lincoln Heights is an original play by Anthony Marquez based on his short film of the same title. This play tells the story of a family dealing with the downfall of a son and this seduction into the dark side of teenage life. Appropriate for audience 12 and up. Directed by Anthony Marquez. Purchase tickets ($7-12) online or by calling 817-624-8333.
• To Kill A Mockingbird, presented by Denton Community Theatre. Scout, a young girl in a quiet southern town, is about to experience the dramatic events that will affect the rest of her life. She and brother Jem are being raised by their widower father Atticus and by a strong-minded housekeeper Calpurnia. This play is a meaningful work of art. Call 940-382-1915 for tickets ($10-17).
• The Sweetest Swing in Baseball, presented by Stage West. After her career craters and her boyfriend dumps her, a young artist discovers she likes the peace and structure of a psych ward. To stay there, she needs a really severe psychosis, so she schemes to fool the doctors by taking on the personality of baseball start Darryl Strawberry. Call 817-784-9378 for tickets ($12-24).
• The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), presented by Lakeside Community Theatre. Mark your calendars now, because this show is fantastically hilarious and will definitely make you look at the Bard in a different way! This show does contain some content...let' s say it's not suitable for those under the age of 13. For reservations ($10-12), call 972-727-4098 or 214-616-4289.
• If You Give a Pig a Party, presented by Dallas Children's Theater. Join the biggest party of the year that’s thrilled audiences across the country! The Mouse, the Moose, the Pig – together again! Fans will squeal with delight when this little Piggy decides to throw a party. Because if you give a pig a party, she’s going to ask for some balloons, and then she’s going to decorate the house, and … DCT invites you to this musical celebration! Purchase tickets ($14-23) online or by calling 214-740-0051.
• The Princess and the Pea and The Tortoise and the Hare, presented by Dallas Puppet Theater. A double bill with the most famous race in history and the story of a snooty queen, and handsome prince, a winsome princess and a ridiculous test. Call 214-515-0004 for reservations ($6-7) or purchase online.
• Chess, the Musical, presented by Plano Children's Theatre. Here, the ancient game of Chess becomes a metaphor for romantic rivalries, competitive gamesmanship, super-power politics & nefarious international intrigues. The principal pawns in this drama form a love triangle. For ticket info ($7-9), call 972-422-2575.
• The Spitfire Grill, presented by Ohlook Performing Arts Center. A feisty parolee follows her dreams, based on a page from an old travel book, to a small town in Wisconsin and finds a place for herself working at Hannah's Spitfire Grill. It is for sale but there are no takers for the only eatery in the depressed town, so newcomer Percy suggests to Hannah that she raffle it off. Entry fees are one hundred dollars and the best essay on why you want the grill wins. Soon, mail is arriving by the wheelbarrow full and things are definitely cookin' at the Spitfire Grill. Tickets ($12-15) can be reserved online or by calling 817-421-2825.
• Mr. Pim Passes By, presented by Anagram Productions. Set in the drawing room of an English country home in the 1920's, the simple plot has to do with whether the mistress of the house's second marriage is a bigamous one, since her first husband may or may not be dead. This intelligence is delivered by the diffident, cuddly Mr. Pim, who periodically returns to revise his reports. Purchase tickets ($15-35) online.
• Grease, presented by Rockwall Community Playhouse. Rydell High's spirited class of '59: gum-chewing, hubcap-stealing, hotrod-loving boys with D.A.'s and their wise-cracking girls in bobby sox and pedal pushers--capture the look and sound of the 1950s in a rollicking musical. While hip Danny Zuko and wholesome Sandy Dumbrowski resolve the problems of their mutual attraction, the gang sings and dances its way through such nostalgic scenes as a pajama party, prom, burger palace, and the drive-in movie. Call 972-722-3399 for reservations ($15-18).
• Gaslight, presented by Richardson Theatre Centre. All appears to be peaceful, however, it is soon apparent that Manningham, a suavely sinister and handsome man, is slowly torturing his gentle, lovely wife into insanity under the guise of kindness. While he is out, Mrs. Manningham has an unexpected caller from Scotland Yard who is convinced that Manningham is a maniacal criminal wanted for a murder committed fifteen years ago in the same house. The secret of the dimming gaslight and the mystery of the hidden rubies will captivate all. Call 972-699-1130 for tickets ($18-20).
• A Bad Year for Tomatoes, presented by Duncanville Community Theatre. The hilarious tale of the misfortunes of a television actress seeking to "get away from it all" in a small New England town. Call 972-780-5707 for reservations ($9-12).

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