Friday, February 15, 2008

Last chance to see these 11 plays and musicals (Feb. 15-17)

By Shawn Parikh

With Valentine's over and done with, a lot of companies are coincidentally closing shows. So make sure to see a couple while you can:

Killer Leech

• Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, presented by Contemporary Theatre of Dallas. Through songs and monologues, we learn about Billie Holiday's life, loves, art, and devastating addiction to heroin. Audiences will simultaneously revel in her spellbinding talent, feel her rage and pain, and sense the approach of her tragjc downfall. Widely praised director and performer Phyllis Cicero makes her CTD debut as director. Ms. Denise Lee will be backed by a jazz trio led by Joe Rogers, acclaimed musical director of Jubilee Theatre. Purchase tickets ($22-32) online or by calling 214-828-0094.
• The Lovers, presented by MBS Productions. The year is 1212, in Teruel, Spain, Isabel and Juan Diego are planning to announce their engagement. They were friends as children and as they grew up they fell in love with each other and both families agreed that when they got old enough they would marry. Unfortunately, as time passed, Juan Diego’s family finds itself in financial straits. Without notice, Isabel’s father cancels the engagement for he realizes he would have to bail out Juan Diego’s family via the dowry. Heartbroken, Juan Diego begs Isabel’s father for another opportunity to regain her hand. It is agreed that he would have five years to recoup the family’s fortune. The following day he leaves town in search of fortune. Five years pass and Juan Diego isn’t heard from again. The year is now 1217 and Isabel’s father arranges another marriage to happen on the fifth anniversary of the agreement, therefore keeping his promise. During Isabel’s wedding Juan Diego returns thinking he’s a day early, for he understood the agreement to be five years from the day he had left Teruel. When he realizes the error he rushes to the church What occurred in the next 24 hours shocked, startled, and broke the hearts of all those involved. Purchase tickets ($16-27) online or by calling 214-477-4942.
• Attack Of The Killer Mutant Leeches, presented by Pocket Sandwich Theatre. Another of the Pocket’s infamous audience-participation, popcorn-tossing, comedy spoofs. Monstrous things occur as monstrous creatures appear in the swampy Everglades to prey on the unfortunate inhabitants of Muskeg County, Florida. Call 214-821-1860 for reservations ($10-18).
• Steel Magnolias, presented by Repertory Company Theatre. The comedy takes place entire in Truvy's beauty salon, Chinquapin, Louisiana. Truvy's new assistant is Annelle, who is not sure if she is married or not but will not let her personal problems get in the way of "doing good hair". The four women who visit the salon are M'Lynn, the local social worker who adores her daughter, Shelby, who is getting married. Clairee, the eccentric millionaire, recently widowed spits out one-liners with the best of them, and the curmudgeon, Ouiser who loves her dog more than humans and admits that she's not crazy but has just "been in a very bad mood for forty years". The four scenes play out the women's experiences with birth, life and death. For tickets ($12-20), call 972-690-5029.
• Steel Magnolias, presented by Casa Mañana. The quintessential Southern story that became a smash-hit by evoking “laughter through tears” from legions of fans is coming to Casa Mañana Theatre. Robert Harling’s Steel Magnolias focuses on the camaraderie of six southern ladies who gather regularly at their local beauty parlor to talk, gab, gossip, chit-chat, needle and harangue each other through the best of times – and cry, caress, comfort and console one another through the worst of times. Call 817-332-2272 for tickets ($29-59) or purchase online.
• Driving Miss Daisy, presented by Rockwall Community Playhouse. A warm-hearted, humorous and affecting study of the unlikely relationship between an aging, crotchety white Southern lady, and a proud, soft-spoken black man. Call 972-722-3399 for reservations ($12-15).
• Crimes Of The Heart, presented by Garland Civic Theatre. Winner of the 1981 Pulitzer Prize and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award. Warmhearted, zany and brilliantly imaginative, the play teems with humanity and humor as it examines the plight of three young Mississippi sisters betrayed by their passions. Tickets ($10-20) are available at the Art Center Box Office or by calling 972-205-2790.
• The Vagina Monologues, presented by UTD's Rat Pack for this weekend only. Watch an Awesome Show to help prevent domestic violence, sexual abuse and rape. Band "Lovie" plays 15 minutes before each performance. Tickets are $5-10.
• The Odd Couple (Female version), presented by Richardson Theatre Centre. The play begins with a group of friends assemble for Trivial Pursuit in the apartment of Olive Madison. The apartment mess is a good indication why her husband left her years earlier. Late to arrive is Florence Unger who just became separated from her husband. They fear that she might commit suicide. As life would have it, the slob Olive and the neat Florence decide to move in together - with comic results. The patterns of the own disastrous marriages begin to reappear in this new arrangement. Call 972-699-1130 for tickets ($18-20).
• B at the Beginning, presented by Collin Theatre Center Alt Series. As Kevin and Tabitha pursue their budding relationship, they are interrupted by Ben, Kevin’s autistic nephew, who comes to live with them spontaneously. The couple must learn to overcome their individual interests and enter Ben’s world. Production is free.
• West Side Story, presented by Plano Children's Theatre. A modern day story of Romeo & Juliet, two star crossed lovers, plunge each other into a gang war in mid-century New York. For reservations ($7-9), call 972-422-2575.

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