Stage

THIS WEEK: FEB. 5 to 11, 2010

Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway, re-creating the greatest moments from Broadway including selections from “Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables,” “Cats,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Jekyll and Hyde.” F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Saturday at 8 p.m. $39.50, $29.50, $20. 826-1100.

Agatha Christie’s Spider Web, murder and mystery at an English country estate with plenty of suspects. Performed by Actors Circle at the Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Road, Scranton. Tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. $12, $10 seniors, $8 students. 342-9707.

Love in a Time of War, a unique romance based on real-life letters sent across the world during World War II. Shawnee Playhouse, 1 River Road, Shawnee on Delaware. Through Feb. 14 with performances Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. $18, $10 children. 421-5093.

FUTURE

Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare’s sparkling romantic comedy about two sets of lovers engaged in the battle of the sexes. Presented by Blamos Productions at the Phoenix Theater, 409 Main St., Duryea. Feb. 12-13 and 19-20 at 8 p.m. with a matinee Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. 457-3589.

Greater Tuna, a hilarious send-up of small-town mores by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard. Performed by the King’s Players at the King’s College Theater, Administration Building, 133 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre. Feb. 17 to 20 at 7:30 p.m. $10, $5 seniors and students. 208-5825.

Church Basement Ladies, a musical comedy about four distinct characters and their relationships as they organize the dinners and solve the problems of a rural Minnesota church about to undergo changes in 1964. Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. Feb. 18 at 2 and 7 p.m. $28, $23. 344-1111.

Hamlet, Shakespeare’s timeless tale of assassination and revenge, co-produced with the Bloomsburg University Players and the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble. Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. Begins with reduced-price previews Feb. 18-19 at 7:30 p.m. Regular run: Feb. 20 to March 14 with performances Thursdays through Saturdays (and March 7) at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays (except March 7) at 3 p.m. $24, $19 seniors, $11 children. 800-282-0283 or bte.org.

Always Patsy Kline, a musical tribute to the fifties singer. KISS Theatre Company, former cinema center at the Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre Township. Feb. 19 to 28 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. $20, $15 students. 991-1818.

Steel Magnolias, comedy drama about the bonding of a group of southern women in Louisiana. Presented by J&P Productions at the Stage Coach Inn Dinner Theatre, Route 309, Drums. Feb. 20 to March 7 with performances Saturdays and Sundays at 7 p.m. (preceded by dinner at 6 p.m.). $30 with dinner, $20 show only. Reservations: 788-5158.

Annie, the popular Broadway musical based on the comic strip “Little Orphan Annie.” Music Box Dinner Theater, 196 Hughes St., Swoyersville. Feb. 20 to March 14 with performances Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. Buffet served 90 minutes before curtain. 283-2195.

Journeys: A Valentine Story, a romantic comedy as the Queen of Hearts takes a journey to find her cupid. Mount Airy Casino Resort, 44 Woodland Road, Mount Pocono. Feb. 24 at 2:30 p.m. $20. 877-532-0340.

Cirque EOS Imaginaire, a dazzling modern circus with 20 jugglers, acrobats, balancing artists and high-fliers along with musical scores, unique costumes, state-of-the-art lighting and special effects. Sherman Theater, 524 Main St., Stroudsburg. Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. $53, $43. 420-2808.

Cirque D’Or, a show by the Golden Dragon Acrobats from China who combine award-winning acrobatics, traditional dance, spectacular costumes, ancient and contemporary music and theatrical techniques. Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. Feb. 26-27 at 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. $55, $45, $35, $25. 344-1111.

The Chairs, an absurdist play by Eugene Ionesco about a couple in their nineties trapped in a repetitive existence. Performed by the University of Scranton Players at the McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts on campus. Feb. 26 to March 7 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. 941-4318.

Hamlet Mini-Fest, readings of two 17th-century versions of the “Hamlet” story: “The 1603 Bad Quarto” (a possible early version of Shakespeare’s play) and “Fratricide Punished” (a script performed by English actors touring Germany in the 1600s). Presented by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. Feb. 27 at noon and 3 p.m. $10. 784-8181.

The Marriage of Figaro, Mozart’s comic opera involving romantic relationships and mistaken identity. Performed by the Mozart Festival Opera with full orchestra and an international cast of singers. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. March 4 at 7:30 p.m. $57.50, $40, $25. 826-1100.

Bill Blagg III – A Night of Magic, with mind-blowing illusions, interaction and audience participation. Sherman Theater, 524 Main St., Stroudsburg. March 5 at 8 p.m. $16. 420-2808.

A Wee Bit o’ the Irish, a St. Patrick’s Day treat with singing, dancing, music and comedy comprising a high-energy revue. Shawnee Playhouse, 1 River Road, Shawnee on Delaware. March 5 to 14 with performances Fridays at 2 and 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. $18, $10 children. 421-5093.

Sleeping Beauty, performed by Russia’s distinguished Tchaikovsky Ballet Theatre. Mitrani Hall, Haas Center for the Arts, Bloomsburg University, 400 E. Second St., Bloomsburg. March 6 at 7 p.m. $25. 389-4409.

O’Malley’s, a St. Patrick’s Day musical as a struggling widow overcomes her old-world views to keep her New York City pub in the family. Mount Airy Casino Resort, 44 Woodland Road, Mount Pocono. March 10 and 21 at 2:30 p.m. $20. 877-532-0340.

Sleeping Beauty, performed by the award-winning Tchaikovsky Ballet Theatre, a 70-member troupe from Russia. Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. March 10 at 7 p.m. $48, $38, $28. 344-1111.

The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck’s epic story of one farm family’s struggle to overcome the devastation of the Great Depression. Presented in conjunction with the Wyoming County Reads program. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. March 10, 12 and 13 at 7 p.m.; March 14 at 3 p.m. $10. 996-1500.

Me, Miss Krause and Joan, a one-woman show written and performed by Martha Kemper who interweaves characters from her life in this insightful play about passion and perseverance. Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. March 10 at 7:30 p.m. $10. 784-8181.

Cinderella, the timeless fairy tale set to music by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. Little Theatre, 537 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. March 13 to 21 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. 823-1875.

Jesus Christ Superstar, the groundbreaking theatrical masterpiece by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice about the final seven days of Christ. Presented by the Broadway Theatre League and performed by a national touring company at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 North Washington Ave., Scranton. March 14 at 3 and 7:30 p.m. 344-1111.

Fiddler on the Roof, the Tony Award-winning musical about a father of five daughters who battles between tradition and the influences of the outside world on his Russian village. Performed by the Pennsylvania Theater of Performing Arts at the J.J. Ferrara Center, 212 W. Broad St., Hazleton. March 19 to 28 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. $15, $12 seniors and students; $8 children. Pre-show dinner available. 454-5451 or ptpashows.org.

Annie, the popular Broadway musical based on the “Little Orphan Annie” comic strip. Presented by Backstage Productions at Hazleton Area High School, 1601 W. 23rd St., Hazleton. March 19 to 28 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. $12, $9 students and seniors, $7 children. 751-8449.

Theatre of Illusion, a high-tech stage show combining drama, comedy, suspense and illusions with dazzling special effects and set design. Performed by “Modern Day Houdinis” Kevin and Cindy Spencer. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. March 19 at 7:30 p.m. $27.50, $25, $15. 826-1100.

Love, Loss and What I Wore, a series of monologues exploring the effects of fashion on a woman’s life. Phoenix Performing Arts Centre, 409 Main St., Duryea. March 19 to 27 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. 457-3589.

Determined Spirit: The Story of Amelia Earhart, a solo performance about the world’s most celebrated female aviator by actress and historian Monica Hoffman. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. March 21 at 2 p.m. $5. 996-1500.

Nuns on a Roll, a comedy with the Little Sisters of Hoboken deciding to move to Las Vegas. Mount Airy Casino Resort, 44 Woodland Road, Mount Pocono. March 24, 31 and April 7 at 2:30 p.m. $20. 877-532-0340.

Riverdance, the thunderous celebration of Irish music, song and dance in their farewell tour. Presented by the Broadway Theatre League and performed by a national touring company at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 North Washington Ave., Scranton. March 26 at 8 p.m.; March 27 at 2 and 8 p.m.; March 28 at 1 and 6 p.m. 344-1111.

The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde’s all-time classic comedy of manners, full of fun, games, mistaken identities and dubious ethics among the British upper crust. Shawnee Playhouse, 1 River Road, Shawnee on Delaware. March 27 to April 11 with performances Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. $18, $10 children. 421-5093.

Route 66, a musical revue beginning in Chicago and traveling along the famed “Main Street of America” to the California coast. Mellow Theater, Lackawanna College, 501 Vine St., Scranton. April 18 at 2 p.m. $28, $20; $15 students. 955-1455.

Noises Off, the hilarious farce about a disorganized theater company attempting to put on a production that is snowballing out of control. Performed by the Pennsylvania Theater of Performing Arts at the J.J. Ferrara Center, 212 W. Broad St., Hazleton. April 22 to May 2 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. $15, $12 seniors and students; $8 children. Pre-show dinner available. 454-5451 or ptpashows.org.

Philadanco, a performance by the Philadelphia Dance Company celebrating 40 years of performances around the world. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. April 30 at 7:30 p.m. $35, $27.50, $15. 826-1100.

Mamma Mia! The smash hit musical based on the hits of Swedish pop-rock group ABBA telling the story of an independent single mother who gathers friends and lovers from her past for her daughter’s wedding. Presented by the Broadway Theatre League and performed by a national touring company at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 North Washington Ave., Scranton. April 23 at 8 p.m.; April 24 at 2 and 8 p.m.; April 25 at 1 and 6 p.m. 344-1111.

Daddy Tightwad, an updated re-imagining of Moliere’s comic classic “The Miser” set in 1920s Florida during the real-estate boom. Performed by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. Begins with reduced-price previews April 29-30 at 7:30 p.m. Regular run: May 1 to 23 with performances Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. $24, $19 seniors, $11 children. 800-282-0283 or bte.org.

The Pirates of Penzance, the Gilbert & Sullivan comic operetta presented by The Wand’ring Minstrels. Mellow Theater, Lackawanna College, 501 Vine St., Scranton. May 7 at 8 p.m. $30, $20; $15 students. 955-1455.

Beehive, the sixties musical tracing the music of the Chiffons, the Supremes, Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin. Mount Airy Casino Resort, 44 Woodland Road, Mount Pocono. May 12, 19 and 26 at 2:30 p.m. $20. 877-532-0340.

Manhattan Casanova, a zany screwball comedy about contemporary sexual politics. Shawnee Playhouse, 1 River Road, Shawnee on Delaware. May 21 to 30 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. $18, $10 children. 421-5093.

Beauty and the Beast, the lush, romantic Broadway musical about the fairy tale romance between young Belle and the Beast who is really a young prince trapped by a spell. Presented by the Broadway Theatre League and performed by a national touring company at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 North Washington Ave., Scranton. June 1 to 3 at 7 p.m.; June 4 at 8 p.m.; June 5 at 2 and 8 p.m.; June 6 at 1 and 6 p.m. 344-1111.

I Do, I Do, the nostalgic musical about the trials and tribulations of a 50-year marriage. Shawnee Playhouse, 1 River Road, Shawnee on Delaware. June 4 to Sept. 3 with performances Wednesdays and Fridays at 2 and 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Thursdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. $28, $15 children. 421-5093.

Chicago, the musical tale of murder, greed, corruption, violence and treachery with merry murderesses Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly and their hot-shot lawyer Billy Flynn. Performed by the Pennsylvania Theater of Performing Arts at the J.J. Ferrara Center, 212 W. Broad St., Hazleton. June 4 to 13 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. Additional shows June 19 at 1 and 7 p.m. $15, $12 seniors and students; $8 children. Pre-show dinner available. 454-5451 or ptpashows.org.

The Music Man, the Broadway smash about a con man posing as a band leader and trying to swindle a small town – until a brainy librarian and a surprising romance foil the plot. Shawnee Playhouse, 1 River Road, Shawnee on Delaware. June 18 to Aug. 28 with evening performances June 18, 19, 23, 25, 30; July 10, 21 and 30; Aug. 7, 18, 27 and 28; matinees on June 18, 20, 23, 24, 25, 30; July 1, 11, 21, 30; Aug. 8, 12, 18, 27. $28, $15 children. 421-5093.

The Last of the Red Hot Lovers, the Neil Simon comedy about a basically decent man who wants to join the sexual revolution but just can’t succeed in sinning. Shawnee Playhouse, 1 River Road, Shawnee on Delaware. July 2 to Sept. 5 with evening performances July 2, 3, 7, 23, 31; Aug. 4, 14, 20; Sept. 4 and matinees on July 2, 7, 15, 23; Aug. 4, 15, 20; Sept. 1, 2, 5. $28, $15 children. 421-5093.

The Secret Garden, a forbidden romance, a haunted house, a magical garden and the healing power of love bring new life to a shattered family in this Broadway musical. Shawnee Playhouse, 1 River Road, Shawnee on Delaware. July 16 to Aug. 29 with evening performances July 16, 17, 28; Aug. 13, 21, 25; matinees on July 16, 18, 22, 28; Aug. 5, 13, 22, 25, 29. $28, $15 children. 421-5093.

Annie, the Broadway musical about Little Orphan Annie who never gives up looking for her family. Performed by the Pennsylvania Theater of Performing Arts at the J.J. Ferrara Center, 212 W. Broad St., Hazleton. Aug. 13 to 29 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. $15, $12 seniors and students; $8 children. Pre-show dinner available. 454-5451 or ptpashows.org.

The Diary of Anne Frank, the drama about a young Jewish girl hiding from the Nazis who delivers hopes and aspirations in her diary entries. Performed by the Pennsylvania Theater of Performing Arts at the J.J. Ferrara Center, 212 W. Broad St., Hazleton. Sept. 17-18 and 24 at 7 p.m.; Sept. 19 at 3 p.m.; Sept. 25 at 1 and 7 p.m. $15, $12 seniors and students; $8 children. Pre-show dinner available. 454-5451 or ptpashows.org.

Little Shop of Horrors, the Broadway musical about a hapless florist who raises a plant that feeds on human blood. Performed by the Pennsylvania Theater of Performing Arts at the J.J. Ferrara Center, 212 W. Broad St., Hazleton. Oct. 28-30, Nov. 5-6 at 7 p.m.; Nov. 7 at 3 p.m. $15, $12 seniors and students; $8 children. Pre-show dinner available. 454-5451 or ptpashows.org.

It’s a Wonderful Life, the heartwarming Christmas tale about George Bailey who is helped by a compassionate angel at Christmas. Performed by the Pennsylvania Theater of Performing Arts at the J.J. Ferrara Center, 212 W. Broad St., Hazleton. Dec. 9-11 and 17 at 7 p.m.; Dec. 12 and 19 at 3 p.m.; Dec. 18 at 1 and 7 p.m. $15, $12 seniors and students; $8 children. Pre-show dinner available. 454-5451 or ptpashows.org.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Auditions for the March production of “Love, Loss and What I Wore,” a series of monologues on the effects of fashion. Needed: women age 18 and older. Phoenix Performing Arts Center, 409 Main St., Duryea. Sunday and Tuesday, 6 to 8 p.m. 457-3589.

Auditions for an untitled summer production of the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble. Perform a short poem, one verse of a song and a 30-second creative talent (gymnastics, juggling, unicycling, crossing your eyes etc.). Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. May 1 with ages 8 to 11 from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and ages 12 and older from 12:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. 784-7637.

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