Friday, January 2, 2009

Opening and closing weekend for 5 theater productions (Jan. 2-4)

By Shawn Parikh

The New Year is off to a slow start for theater, which is natural. But the few shows that are opening are quite intriguing, so begin 2009 with some good live theatre:

• Zombie Dearest or The Caper of the Living Dead, presented by Pocket Sandwich Theatre. Another of the Pocket’s infamous audience-participation, popcorn-tossing, comedy spoofs. New Orleans Private Eye Dirk Spatula meets his most evil and most terrifying adversaries as the Living Dead stalk their prey in the dark streets of the French Quarter. Call 214-821-1860 for reservations ($10-18).
• A Skull in Connemara, presented by Second Thought Theatre. Award winning playwright Martin McDonagh (The Pillowman) brings to life this chillingly dark Irish tale in a faultless marriage of humor and horror. Each Fall Mick Dowd is hired to exhume the bones in certain sections of the local cemetery to make room for new arrivals. This year promises to be problematic however, as he is assigned to dig up the bones of his late beloved wife, who died under increasingly suspicious circumstances. Purchase tickets ($20) online or by calling 972-450-6232.
• I Love A Piano, presented by Artisan Center Theater. A nostalgic musical journey, spanning seven decades of American history as seen through the eyes of Irving Berlin. It has been said of the man, "Irving Berlin has no place in American music - he IS American music!" This show tracks the life of a piano with one sour key through four generations of singers and dancers who have performed with it and around it. With six actors and over 60 of Berlin's enduring and popular favorites, this spectacular new show captures the spirit of America from the Ragtime rhythms of the 20th century through the swinging sophistication of the 1920's and 30's. From the sentimental songs that inspired a nation during two World Wars to the innocent optimism of the 1950's. Timeless classics, such as "White Christmas," "God Bless America," "Puttin' On The Ritz," and "There's No Business Like Show Business," do more than define the music of a generation, they define the music of our country. Call 817-284-1200 for tickets ($6-15).
• Free to Be You and Me, presented by Creative Arts Theatre & School, for this weekend only. Features songs and stories. Using poetry, songs, and sketches, the basic concept is to salute values such as individuality, tolerance, and happiness with one's identity; a major thematic message is that anyone, whether a boy or a girl, can achieve anything one wants. Call 817-861-CATS for tickets ($5-7).

And as with any other weekend, a production is closing. So check this one out before time runs out:

• The Code of the Woosters, presented by Stage West. Another of P. G. Wodehouse's witty tales of Bertie Wooster and his indispensible valet Jeeves. Another of Mark Richard's wonderful adaptations, this one picks up where Right Ho, Jeeves! left off. If you saw the productions of Thank You, Jeeves, Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit, and Right Ho, Jeeves!, you know this is a don't-miss. If you didn't, you're in for a perfect treat for the holiday season. Purchase tickets ($15-28) online or by calling 817-784-9378.

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