Closing weekend for 14 theater productions (Apr. 3-5)

by Shawn Parikh

It is a big closing weekend for plays and musicals, so seize the next few days by seeing a show or two:

• Psychos Never Dream, presented by Kitchen Dog Theater & Project X. Ex-hippies shed all vestiges of idealism in the Idaho town that was once the site of a commune. A scathing satire on greed and murder. Purchase tickets ($15-30) online or by calling 214-953-1055.
• Back Back Back, presented by Dallas Theater Center. A rollicking saga of two of America's greatest pastimes: baseball...and running from the past. In a tense drama spanning two turbulent decades of modern baseball history, acclaimed playwright Itamar Moses penetrates the sensational headlines to reveal the human reality of the sporting life and the complex pressures that lead some men to cheat. As the action moves swiftly from field to field, locker room to dugout, big league to expansion clubs, we follow the stories of three Major League players, with all the potential in the world. But the course of their baseball careers couldn't be more different. Does greatness always come with a price? Do nice guys really end up in seventh place? Can only someone with nothing to lose tell the whole truth? With its sharp wit, ironical twists and brilliant psychological insight, Back Back Back is a fresh new play that's certain to spark lively conversation. Purchase tickets ($23-60) online or by calling 214-522-8499.
• Beto’s Magical Journey, presented by Teatro de la Rosa. An original play by Rob Bosquez. A young Cuban boy, floating on a raft to the United States, is helped along by an assortment of ocean creatures. This colorful tale will incorporate large puppets and live Cuban music! Prior to the show, enjoy art work inspired by local artists, who take the play and place it on canvas in the Galería de la Rosa. Purchase tickets ($5-10) online.
• The Rocky Horror Show, presented by UNT. Brad & Janet are two sexually confused middle class American kids who seek aide after having tire trouble on the way to visit an old college professor. They find help at Frankenstein Manor where they are confronted by the mad ‘doctor’ Frank N. Furter from the planet Transexual in the galaxy of Transylvania. With the doctor’s decedent morality, his servants Riff Raff, Magenta, and Columbia he has created an experiment, the perfect man christened Rocky Horror. Adrift in this world of science fiction, one never knows what to expect. The Rocky Horror Show is an outrageous classic of stereo-typed science fiction movies, Marvel comics, Frankie Avalon/Annette Funicello outings, and rock ‘n’ roll of every vintage. Call 940-565-2428 for tickets ($7.50-10).
• Night Watch, presented by Runway Theatre. Unable to sleep, Elaine Wheeler paces the living room of her Manhattan townhouse, troubled by unsettling memories and vague fears. Her husband tries to comfort her, but when he steps away for a moment Elaine screams as she sees (or believes she sees) the body of a dead man in the window across the way. The police are called, but find nothing except an empty chair. As Elaine's terror escalates, her husband, claiming that Elaine may be on the verge of a breakdown, calls in a lady psychiatrist, who agrees with his suggestion that Elaine should commit herself to a sanitarium. Momentum builds as sinister characters and a suspenseful plot bring the play to a riveting and chilling climax. Purchase tickets ($12-15) online or by calling 817-488-4842.
• Footlight Frenzy, presented by ONSTAGE in Bedford. Written by Ron House, Diz White, Alan Shearman, and Bud Slocomb. Zany comedy - when PTA and a washed up Broadway director undertake an amibitious fundraiser benefit play in a desperate attempt to save the school. Purchase tickets ($10-15) online or by calling 817-644-6444.
• Carousel, presented by Denton Community Theatre. The serious themes of societal prejudices between classes, hypocrisy, and domestic violence are not often featured in American musicals.This hauntingly beautiful piece does explores the darker side of life, love, and ultimately, redemption and hope for a better future for members of two families in 1870's New England. This memorable story is told with beautiful imagery and powerful music. Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics and Book By Oscar Hammerstein II. Call 940-382-1915 for tickets ($10-18).
• Hay Fever, presented by Fort Worth Theatre. By Noel Coward, is set in the late 1920's at a country home in England owned by the Bliss family. The eccentric Blisses live in a world where reality slides easily into fiction. Upon entering this world, the unfortunate weekend guests are repeatedly thrown into melodramatic scenes wherein their hosts profess emotions and react to situations that do not really exist. The resulting comedic chaos ends only when the tortured visitors tip-toe out the door. Call 817-921-5300 for tickets ($13-15) or purchase online.
• They Came from Somewhere, presented by Amateur Community Theatre of Rowlett. A meteor streaks out of the southern sky and lands near the town of Latigo, Texas. A place so small that it's about to drop off the map. Maybe the miracle of the meteor will attract some attention. Certainly it's attracting something! There are, indeed, creatures from an alien environment in Latigo. What the natives don't know is that they are from Poughkeepsie, New York. Purchase tickets ($7-10) online.
• The Night Hank Williams Died, presented by Duncanville Community Theatre. Written by Larry L. King. In a 1950's small west Texas town, dreams of big careers and warm romance collide with the harsh struggles of real life. Call 972-780-5707 for reservations ($10-12).
• Best of One Day Only Vol. 2, presented by Rover Dramawerks, for this weekend only. Fourteen 10-minute plays will be presented over a period of three days, each performing twice. These plays were selected from more than 80 plays by a blind panel of readers. Seven plays presented on Thursday and Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m. and seven plays presented on Friday at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday at 2:00 p.m All Single Tickets are $12, but $20 to see all shows. Purchase tickets online or by calling 972-849-0358.
• A Chorus Line, presented by TCU Department of Theatre, for this weekend only. Book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, Music by Marvin Hamlisch, Lyrics by Edward Kleban. For tickets, call the Theatre TCU Box Office at 817-257-5770.
• Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny, presented by Creative Arts Theatre & School. Peter Rabbit is lucky to have escaped Mr. MacGregor's garden, but then his cousin Benjamin suggests they go back together for Peter's missing coat and shoes. Purchase tickets ($5-7) online or by calling 817-861-CATS.
• CATS, presented by McKinney Youth Theatre. A musical in two acts about a tribe of Cats who gather once a year to choose a member of the tribe to be reincarnated. The musical showcases characters from all walks of life who are metaphors of characters from different parts of society. Their stories are told through the poetry of T.S. Eliot and relationships are presented through choreography. Call 972-422-2575 to reserve tickets ($7-9).