Entertainment

February 15, 2008

Stage

An Evening with Jeff Dunham, the ventriloquist and comedian performs at the Scranton+Cultural+Center%22>Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington St., Scranton. Tonight at 7 and 9:45. 344-1111.

The Wizard of Oz, the class L. Frank Baum story given a new twist with flashing lights, a neon yellow brick road, a Wicked Witch entourage and an updated soundtrack. Performed by the Wyoming Seminary Middle School Players at Amato Auditorium, Lower School, 1560 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort. Tonight and Saturday at 7 p.m. $2. 270-2190.

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, a fun-filled musical for all ages based on the “Peanuts” comic strip characters. Performed by the Pennsylvania Theatre of Performing Arts at the J.J. Ferrara Center, 212 West Broad St., Hazleton. Tonight and Saturday at 7 p.m.; Sunday at 3 p.m. $10, $5 children. 454-5451.

Dead Man Walking, drama about a convicted murderer on death row and the nun who befriends him, exploring issues of justice, forgiveness and reconciliation. Performed by the King’s Players at the King’s Theater, Administration Building, 133 North River St., King’s College, Wilkes-Barre. Tonight and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. $7, $4 seniors and students. 208-5825.

The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd, an allegorical vaudeville story about the irrepressible Cocky and the imperious Sir representing the upper and lower classes of British society. Presented by the Wilkes University Department of Visual and Performing Arts at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center, South River Street at West South Street, Wilkes-Barre. Through Feb. 24 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. $15, $7 seniors and students. 408-4540.

Hello, Dolly! The inimitable matchmaker tries to find herself a rich husband in this musical comedy with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman. Music Box Dinner Playhouse, 196 Hughes St., Swoyersville. Through March 2 with performances Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. Buffet dinner served 90 minutes before showtime. 283-2195 or musicbox.org.

Love Letters, A.R. Gurney’s play that chronicles a relationship through the correspondence of a couple whose poignantly funny friendship and ill-fated romance takes them from second grade through adolescence and into middle age. Shawnee Playhouse, 1 River Road, Shawnee-on-Delaware. Tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. 421-5093 or theshawneeplayhouse.com.

FUTURE

Rent, the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner about being young, learning to survive, finding your voice and living for today. Performed by a national touring company and sponsored by the Broadway Theatre League at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. Feb. 22, 8 p.m.; Feb. 23 at 2 and 8 p.m.; Feb. 24 at 2 and 7 p.m. 342-7784 or broadwayscranton.com.

Celebrate! An 85th anniversary gala paying homage to the theater with performances from “Phantom of the Opera,” “South Pacific,” “Avenue Q,” “Carousel,” “Sunset Boulevard” and more. Little Theatre, 537 North Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Feb. 23 with lobby reception at 6:30 p.m. and stage show at 8 p.m. $50. Black tie optional. 823-1875 or ltwb.org.

The Dreamy Kid, Eugene O’Neill’s early work that centers on a man on the run from the law, torn between the need to escape and the fear of being cursed if he doesn’t visit his dying grandmother. A “Brown Bag” lunchtime performance by the King’s Players at the King’s Theater, Administration Building, 133 North River St., Wilkes-Barre. Feb. 26 and 28 at 12:40 p.m.; Feb. 27 at 12:10 p.m. Free. 208-5825.

War Bonds: Songs & Letters of World War II, a musical journey through a war that redefined the world with a multimedia living-history cabaret, interspersed with personal letters from the front and headline news of the period. Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. ($7) and 7 p.m. ($13). 344-1111.

Time. Timing. Timeless. Nine short comedies by David Ives in two evenings with a different set of plays at every other show. The Northeast Theatre, Performance Space at the Hotel Jermyn, 326 Spruce St., Scranton. Opens Feb. 27 and continues through March 16 with performances Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. $20, $15 seniors, $6 students. Discounts on Wednesdays and Thursdays. No performance on March 12. 558-1515 or thenortheasttheatre.us.

Twelfth Night, or What You Will, Shakespeare’s comedy about romantic confusion and mistaken identify, shipwrecks and long-lost twins. Performed by the University of Scranton Players at the Royal Theatre of the McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts, Monroe Avenue between Mulberry and Linden streets, Scranton. Feb. 29 to March 9 with performances Friday and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. $8, $5 seniors and children. 941-4318.

A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant and a Prayer, a collection of monologues by world-renowned authors and playwrights performed by men and women celebrating the 10th anniversary of V-Day which seeks to raise awareness to stop violence against women. Little Theatre, 537 North Main St., Wilkes-Barre. March 1 at 8 p.m. $25. 479-6746 or vdaywb.org.

The Tamburitzans, the 32-member folk ensemble presenting music, songs and dances of Eastern Europe and neighboring cultures. Mellow Theater, 501 Vine St., Lackawanna College, Scranton. March 2 at 3 p.m. 822-5452.

Blithe Spirit, Noel Coward’s comedy about a writer who gets more than he bargained for at a s�ance when the spirit of his first wife is summoned -- only to wreak havoc on his second marriage. Presented by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. March 6 to 22 with performances Thursdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. 800-282-0283 or bte.org.

Fiddler on the Roof, the classic Broadway musical set in a Ukrainian village where a Jewish milkman tries to settle the romantic entanglements of his five daughters. Performed by the Coughlin High School Drama Club at James M. Coughlin High School, 80 North Washington St., Wilkes-Barre. March 7 and 8 at 7 p.m.; March 9 at 2 p.m. $10, $7 students and children. 826-7201.

Prelude to a Kiss, a play by Craig Lucas that tells the story of a bride who experiences a supernatural event at her wedding that tests the strength of the couple’s love and commitment to each other. Shawnee Playhouse, 1 River Road, Shawnee-on-Delaware. March 7 to 16 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. 421-5093 or theshawneeplayhouse.com.

50 Years of Rock ’n’ Roll: American Bandstand to TRL, a multimedia musical performance by the After School Players. Dietrich Theater, 60 East Tioga St., Tunkhannock. March 8 at 11 a.m. $5. 996-1500 or dietrichtheater.com.

Barefoot in the Park, Neil Simon’s zany comedy about newlyweds living in New York City. Performed by the Pennsylvania Theatre of Performing Arts at the J.J. Ferrara Center, 212 West Broad St., Hazleton. March 13-15 at 7 p.m.; March 16 at 3 p.m. Pre-show buffet available March 14 and 15 at 5:30 p.m. $15, $10 students, $7 children. 454-5451.

Madama Butterfly, Puccini’s celebrated opera about the unrequited love of a young Japanese girl who marries an American Naval officer who deserts her and her son. Performed by Teatro Lirico D’Europa with a full orchestra, a 40-voice chorus and stunning costumes and sets. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. March 15 at 8 p.m. $60, $42.50, $22.50. 826-1100 or kirbycenter.org.

The Dietrich Radio Players in a performance of favorite old-time radio plays including “Fibber McGee & Molly,” “The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show” and “Abbott and Costello.” Steamtown National Historic Site, 300 Cliff Ave., Scranton. March 22 at 1 p.m. 996-1500 or dietrichtheater.com.

Happy Days, an absurdist drama by Samuel Beckett about a middle-age woman buried partially in the sand and her husband, Willie, who lives in a cave rationalizing their “happy” existence. Presented by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. March 26-29 at 7:30 p.m.; March 30 at 3 p.m. 800-282-0283 or bte.org.

The Modified Monogamy Project, a multicharacter farce about an unapologetically chauvinistic, womanizing candidate for township supervisor and the characters in his dysfunctional circle. Written and performed by Karen Gray. Adult themes and language. Shopland Hall, Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. March 28 at 7 p.m. Presented as part of the Friday Forum Series and preceded by a cash bar and hors d’oeuvres at 6 p.m. $15. 344-1111.

The Hollow, a classic Agatha Christie murder mystery about a group of characters assembling for a weekend in the country – where murder strikes! Performed by Actors Circle at the Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Road, Scranton. March 28 to April 6 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. $12, $10 seniors, $8 students. 342-9707.

The Rat Pack Is Back, the free-wheeling, no-holds-barred Las Vegas nightclub act of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Joey Bishop recreated by four tribute artists and a big band. Sponsored by the Broadway Theatre League at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. March 28, 8 p.m.; March 29 at 2 and 8 p.m.; March 30 at 2 and 7 p.m. 342-7784 or broadwayscranton.com.

Smucker’s Stars on Ice in a new production “Live and in Color,” with a cast of Olympic and World Champions headed by Olympic Silver medalist Sasha Cohen along with Ilia Kulik, Jamie Sale & David Pelletier, Todd Eldredge, Yuka Sato, Michael Weiss, Jennifer Robinson and many more. Wachovia Arena, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Township. March 29 at 7:30 p.m. $63.50, $43.50, $23.50. 693-4100 or 970-7600.

Annie, the Tony Award-winning musical that tells the timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie and her dog Sandy along with a group of spunky little orphans who never give up hope. The Little Theatre, 537 North Main St., Wilkes-Barre. March 29, April 4-5 at 8 p.m.; March 30 and April 6 at 3 p.m. 823-1875 or ltwb.org.

Hairspray, the national touring production of the Broadway hit about 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair who dances her way to a coveted spot on Baltimore’s most popular TV program. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. March 29 at 8 p.m. $52.50, $42.50, $25. 826-1100 or kirbycenter.org.

If Men Played Cards as Women Do, a satirical comedy by George S. Kaufman about a group of male bridge players who behave and think like women players are supposed to act. A “Brown Bag” lunchtime presentation performed by the King’s Players at the King’s College Theater, Administration Building, 133 North River St., Wilkes-Barre. April 2 and 4 at 12:10 p.m.; April 3 at 12:40 p.m. Free. 208-5825.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Auditions for street theatre acts to be performed as part of Commediana Scrantoniana, a week-long festival of contemporary and classic commedia dell’arte that culminates on Labor Day weekend at La Festa Italiano. Those without prior experience are invited to attend free workshops in February to help them prepare their auditions. The Northeast Theatre, Performance Space at the Jermyn Hotel, 326 Spruce St., Scranton. March 11 and 12, 6 to 10 p.m. Signup deadline: Feb. 17. 558-1520.

In Bocca al Lupo. Study Italian and commedia dell’arte, create a scenario, improvise a play and perform it in Italian during this three-week adventure in the ancient cities of Orvieto and Acquapendente with Zuppa del Giorno. Students range from age 16 to 65 and from professional actors to absolute beginners. The course is held in early summer. Deadline for registration: March 17. Sponsored by the Northeast Theatre. Information at 558-1520 or thenortheasttheatre.us.

Theater Trip to the Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster for a performance of “Daniel and the Lion’s Den.” Leaves St. Maria Goretti Parish in Laflin 9 a.m. on April 5. $98, $75 teens, $55 children includes show and dinner at Shady Maples Restaurant. Reservations: 655-8956.

Theater Trip to the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater in Lancaster for a performance of “All Shook Up,” a ’50s and ’60s musical show. $99 includes show, dinner buffet, transportation and shopping time at Rockvale Mall. April 5 with buses leaving from Wegmans in Dickson City (8 a.m.) and Wilkes-Barre (8:30 a.m.) and from the Ramada Inn, Hazleton (9 a.m.). Reservations: 457-2808 or 824-7843.

Theater Trip to the Sight and Sound Millennium Theater in Lancaster for a performance the biblical drama “Daniel and the Lions’ Den.” $125 includes show, dinner buffet and transportation. May 17 with buses leaving from Wegmans in Dickson City (8 a.m.) and Wilkes-Barre (8:30 a.m.) and from the Ramada Inn, Hazleton (9 a.m.). Reservations: 457-2808 or 824-7843.

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