Friday, October 24, 2008

Closing weekend for 20 theater productions (Oct. 24-26)

By Shawn Parikh

This is the last weekend for a ton of great shows, so in the next couple of days, take some time out to experience it:

The Merchant of Venice

Photo by Lowell Sargeant

Doubt

On Golden Pond

For Colored Girls...

• The Merchant of Venice, presented by Shakespeare Dallas. In Venice, Bassanio asks the merchant Antonio for a loan which Antonio must borrow from the moneylender Shylock. While Bassanio is facing certain death, he must rely on his friends to save him from Shylock's revengeful demand of "a pound of flesh." For information on reserving tickets ($7.50-10) at the University of North Texas, call the University Theatre box office at 940-565-2428.
• Ghosts, presented by WingSpan Theatre Company. Area premiere of Lanford Wilson’s translation. Ghosts takes us on a journey of suspense and intrigue. This is the story of a mother’s love, a father’s sins and a son’s terrible inheritance that has only grown more powerful with the passing of time. In the course of a day a family’s history will unravel before our eyes. Ghosts unveils a chilling series of revelations that chips away at traditional “family values” and cracks the very foundations of “decent society." For reservations ($10-20), call 214-675-6573.
• Doubt, A Parable, presented by WaterTower Theatre. Father Flynn, a charismatic young priest, is adored by his students; Sister Aloysius, an unbending principal, is pleased by the fear she invokes in them. When Father Flynn begins to take special interest in a new student, Sister Aloysius begins to think the unthinkable. But when a nun’s suspicion is weighed against the word of a priest, how does one determine the truth? The winner of 24 major awards, including the 2005 Pulitzer Prize, Doubt, a Parable is a gripping exploration of the question, “What do you do when you’re not sure?" Call 972-450-6232 for tickets ($22-40).
• Fiorello!, presented by Lyric Stage. A musical about the rise to power of New York’s Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia. In a time when the crooked political machine known as Tammany Hall was up to its ears in corruption, it took this small, honest man to break their stranglehold on New York City politics. Unlike the satire of most political musicals, Fiorello! is really a love story set to the music and beat of a New York City in the midst of change. Fiorello! is a melodic masterpiece whose take on corruption in government is as timely today as when it was written. Purchase tickets ($23-30) online or by calling 972-252-2787.
• On Golden Pond, presented by Contemporary Theatre of Dallas. Ernest Thompson's beloved comedy is the perfect play to launch our seventh season. Ethel & Norman Thayer return to their summer home in New England for the 18th time after as many years of marriage, their delight in one another still evident. Their contentment contrasts with the situation of their restless, divorced daughter, who plans a trip to Europe with her latest fiance, and leaves his teenage son to stay with Norman and Ethel. This initially awkward situation gives way to an idyllic one for the surrogate grandparents and "grandson" alike. Purchase tickets ($22-32) online or by calling 214-828-0094.
• For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf, presented by Jubilee Theatre. This passionately-feminist spellbinder is a fluid collection of vivid prose and free verse narratives performed by young black women. Almost exclusively concerned with the cavalier and sometimes brutal treatment accorded black women by their men, the characters capture inner feelings that infuse a unique universality. Though their performances are mainly solo, the girls are united in sorrow, spirit, pride and soul. Sometimes they sing together and dance together. Call 817-338-4411 for tickets ($12-20).
• Driving Miss Daisy, presented by Flower Mound Performing Arts Theatre. The place is the Deep South, the time 1948, just prior to the civil rights movement. Having recently demolished another car, Daisy Wertham, a rich, sharp-tongued Jewish widow of seventy-two, is informed by her son, Boolie, that henceforth she must rely on the services of a chauffeur. The person he hires for the job is a thoughtful, unemployed black man, Hoke, whom Miss Daisy immediately regards with disdain and who, in turn, is not impressed with his employer's patronizing tone and, he believes, her latent prejudice. But, in a series of absorbing scenes spanning twenty-five years, the two, despite their mutual differences, grow ever closer to, and more dependent on, each other, until, eventually, they become almost a couple. Purchase tickets ($12-33) online or by calling 972-724-2147.
• Leonard’s Car, presented by TeCo Theatrical Productions. This sparkling award-winning play by Dallas playwright, Isabella Russell-Ides features an exuberant over-the-top artist, Josey Jeauxcarré — the reckless driver at the play's center. Her heady flirtation with suicide puts her on a collision course with memory and two grown daughters, Skylark and Ruby Tuesday who remember differently. Powerful offstage characters, in particular Josey’s dead lover Leonard, exert their own gravitational pull. Will Josey restore Leonard's 1955 T-bird and drive into the big blue nowhere á la ''Thelma and Louise''? An exciting new cast promises unforgettable powerhouse performances. Call the box office at 214-948-0716 for tickets ($15-20) or purchase online.
• Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, presented by Dallas Children's Theater. She's back! Make way for Lilly - the feisty, irrepressible, impulsive "queen of everything". This spunky mouse-girl absolutely loves school until her teacher confiscates her purple plastic purse and its very important contents. Lilly's amazing exploits become life lessons learned with plenty of fun and laughs along the way. Purchase tickets ($12-22) online or by calling 214-740-0051.
• Dancing at Lughnasa, presented by Rotunda Theatre. Heartwarming and heartbreaking, this Tony Award-winner is the story of five unmarried sisters living in rural Ireland in 1936. Told through the eyes of a 7-year old boy, Michael Mundy is now grown, looking back on a summer long ago with his pretty mother, soup-to-nuts aunts, an old uncle, and his seldom seen charmer of a father. Whether it be with stolen glances, bursts of unexpected laughter, an idle foxtrot, or dance of wild abandon, Michael takes us to that special summer where “everything was forever changed,” and “dancing” was the same as living life itself. Call 214-220-2727, ext. 228 for tickets ($6-12).
• The Last Lake Rat, presented by Hip Pocket Theatre. "A handmade home movie musical," the production features live music performed by The Lake Rats band, enhanced with multi-media super 8 film and projections. The collage of music and film includes narration by long-time Hip Pocket performer, Dena Phillips, reprising her role as Old Jaded Rose. Johnny Simons has long been inspired by the folk culture, history and legends surrounding Lake Worth, and he uses that inspiration to create the lyrics and narration of this whimsical and joyous celebration of those memories. Live music before and after each show. Reserve tickets ($5-15) online or by calling 817-246-9775.
• Tuna Does Vegas, presented by Casa Mañana. Back by popular demand on the heels of its sold-out North Texas premiere, and starring the dynamic duo, Jaston Williams and Tony-Award nominee Joe Sears, in their first new show in 10 years! The hilarity begins when characters from the ‘third smallest town in Texas’ take a rambling romp in Sin City. Arles and Bertha plan to renew their wedding vows, Inita and Helen from the Tastee Kreme take a spin as showgirls, Joe Bob goes on the Rush Limbaugh diet, and Vera and Pearl battle over the slot machines. You’ll bust out laughing when Leonard’s wife accidentally stuffs a $20 bill into a male dancer’s underwear and goes back for change. What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas! Call 817-332-2272 for tickets ($25-69).
• Rounding Third, presented by Frisco Community Theatre. Don is the tough, blue-collar, win-at-all-costs veteran coach whose son is the star pitcher. Michael is a newcomer both to the town and to baseball. He's a corporate executive who agrees to be Don's assistant because he wants a special activity with his son, who's never played baseball before. Despite their differences, Michael and Don form an uneasy alliance for the benefit of the team. And over the course of exhilarating victories, heartbreaking defeats, and interminable rain-outs, the two men battle over how to lead the team. Purchase tickets ($10-15) online or by calling 972-754-2672.
• Heaven Can Wait, presented by Garland Civic Theatre. Mr. Jordan is checking passengers who are to depart on an airplane to the Hereafter. The routine is interrupted by the arrival of Joe Pendleton, an attractive prizefighter who refuses to admit he is dead. Joe is not scheduled to arrive for another sixty years! But as Joe starts to return to Earth to continue his fighting, word reached Heaven that Max Levene, Joe’s manager, thinking he had been killed, had Joe’s body cremated, and Joe has no body to return to. Jordan promises to find Joe another body and is informed that the wealthy Jonathan Farnsworth is about to be murdered by his wife. So Joe suddenly finds himself in the home of the financier, visible as Joe to the audience but apparently as Farnsworth to Mrs. Farnsworth and the public. Call 972-205-2790 for tickets ($6-20).
• Losing Daniel, presented by Teatro delle Muse. Matthew Shelton, a famous American playwright, loses his son Daniel in a tragic automobile accident. In an attempt to assuage his grief and give his son a touch of immorality, he writes a play about him but finds the story too painful to submit for publication. For twenty years the manuscript remains buried in a trunk in the basement of Matthew’s home. Then, after stumbling upon it by accident, he decides at last to put the play for production, but only if he can choose the actor who plays the young Daniel. Purchase tickets ($15) online or by calling 972-424-MUSE.
• Blithe Spirit, presented by Greater Lewisville Community Theatre. Novelist Charles Condomine invites an eccentric, breezy lady medium into his home in order to learn the language of the occult. Little does Charles or his lovely second wife, Ruth, dream that the seance staged by the medium will summon back Charles' first wife. That mischievous lady from beyond appears and torments Charles, who alone can see or hear her. She has a ghostly plot to get Charles into an automobile accident and make a ghost of him, to join her. Mistakes occur, however, and it is Ruth who takes the fatal automobile ride and passes on only to return with the first wife to team up against Charles. Call 972-221-SHOW for reservations ($10-13).
• Seussical the Musical, presented by Cedar Valley College's Family Music Theater. Seussical The Musical brings to life our favorite Dr. Seuss characters including The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gerturde McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie and all the Whos of Whoville in one fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza. These classic, colorful tales are seamlessly brought together by Jojo – a young boy and “thinker of strange and wonderful thinks!” As each story unfolds, it reveals the relevance and profound nature of Seuss’ subtle themes, making this a musical for all ages. The score emerges as a marvelous Seussian gumbo of musical styles, ranging from Latin to pop, swing to gospel, and R&B to funk with a live band. Dr. Sam Germany of CVC’s acclaimed music department directs, with choreography by Stacia Woodlan. Call 972-860-2994 for tickets ($5-10).
• Beanie and the Bamboozling Book Machine, presented by Theatre Brookhaven. When his science project goes awry, Beanie Boren brings bits of storybooks to life. In Beanie and the Bamboozling Book Machine, Theatre Brookhaven presents its first children’s production in more than five years. Families and all ages are welcome. Tickets ($6-8) are available at 972-860-4118.
• Moon Over Buffalo, presented by Fig Theater, for this weekend only. Moon Over Buffalo originally premiered on Broadway in 1995, starring Carol Burnett. Purchase tickets ($5-12) online.
• Monkey: The Quest to the West, presented by Texas Woman's University, for this weekend only. Based on the Chinese comic novel The Journey to the West. Adapted and performed by Fred Curchack and Laura Jorgensen. Call 940-898-2086 for tickets ($5-10).

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