Stage

THIS WEEK: MARCH 5 to 11, 2010

Into the Woods, Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway musical incorporating twisted renditions of popular fairy tales. Coughlin High School, 80 N. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre. Tonight and Saturday at 7 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. $10. 406-3976.

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. Tonight through Sunday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Continues March 12-13 at 7:30 p.m.; March 14 at 3 p.m. $24, $19 seniors, $11 children. Following the March14 performances, gather at Kristy’s Pub, 125 W. Main St., Bloomsburg for a lecture on the play at 6 p.m. $8. 800-282-0283 or bte.org.

Annie, the popular Broadway musical based on the comic strip “Little Orphan Annie.” Music Box Dinner Theater, 196 Hughes St., Swoyersville. Tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 3 p.m. Buffet served 90 minutes before curtain. 283-2195.

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. Tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. 941-4318.

Bill Blagg III – A Night of Magic, with mind-blowing illusions, interaction and audience participation as Blagg levitates audience members, cuts a woman in half standing up, walks through a solid sheet of steel and makes it snow from his bare hands. Sherman Theater, 524 Main St., Stroudsburg. Tonight at 8. $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. Through March 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.

Cactus Flower, a comedy set in the swinging sixties about a womanizing dentist who pretends to be married to avoid making a commitment to his girlfriend. Performed by Actors Circle at the Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Road, Scranton. Through March 14 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. $12, $10 seniors, $8 students. 342-9707.

Steel Magnolias, the comedy drama about six southern women coming together at Truvy’s beauty salon to share secrets, fears and neighborly gossip. Stage Coach Inn, 668 N. Hunter Highway, Drums. Through March 14 with performances Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. with buffet served at 6 p.m. $32, $22 children; $15 show only. Reservations: 788-5158.

Sleeping Beauty, performed by Russia’s distinguished Tchaikovsky Ballet Theatre. Mitrani Hall, Haas Center for the Arts, Bloomsburg University, 400 E. Second St., Bloomsburg. Saturday 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. Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. Encore performance March 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. Wednesday at 7 p.m. $48, $38, $28. 344-1111.

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

Lawnchairs, a comedy by Nancy Hasty about two backyard buddies who become fixated on their next-door neighbor. Electric Theatre, 326 Spruce St., Scranton. Opens Wednesday at 7 p.m. and continues through March 28 with performances Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. $20, $15 seniors, $7 students; discounts on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Opening Night Party following the March 12 show. 558-1515.

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. Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. $10. 784-8181.

FUTURE

Beethoven’s Seventh. Ballet Northeast performs its signature work along with other repertory pieces. Dorothy Dickson Darte Center, West South Street and South River Street, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre. March 13 at 7:30 p.m.; March 14 at 2 p.m. $20, $15 seniors and children. 287-5802.

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.

The Vagina Monologues, a series of readings by women in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Presented by the student chapter of the National Organization for Women at Luzerne County Community College, 1333 S. Prospect St., Nanticoke. March 17 at 3 p.m. Free and open to the public. 740-0429.

Les Miserables, the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical performed by the Music and Theater Department of Wyoming Valley West High School, 150 Wadham St., Plymouth. March 17 to 20 at 7:30 p.m. $8, $5 student and seniors. 779-5361.

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 Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. $15, $12 seniors and students; $8 children. Pre-show dinner available. $15, $12 seniors and students, $8 children. 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.

The Sound of Music, the beloved musical about a woman who leaves an Austrian convent to become a governess to a widowed naval officer. Performed by the Wyoming Area Drama Club and Thespian Troupe #4795 at Wyoming Area Secondary Center, 20 Memorial St., Exeter. March 26-27 at 7 p.m.; March 28 at 2 p.m. $10, $5 students. 693-2274.

The Mousetrap, Agatha Christie’s mystery about a group of snowbound people -- with a murderer amongst them. Presented by Ghostlight Productions at Baptist Bible College, 538 Venard Road, Clarks Summit. March 25 at 8 p.m.; March 26 at 7 p.m. and midnight; March 27 at 7 p.m. Desserts served Thursday and the Friday midnight show; dinner and desserts served at Friday’s 7 p.m. show and on Saturday. $25 dinner show; $12 dessert show. 585-9000.

Jesus and the 13th Disciple, an original Passion Play by the Rev. Gerald J. Gurka about Saint Matthias – the replacement apostle for Judas set against the background of Emperor Nero’s reign. St. John the Baptist Church, 126 Nesbitt St., Larksville. March 26 at 7:30 p.m. Open to the public. Refreshments served. 779-9620.

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 Golden Age of Television, a dinner-theater revue with skits from classic sitcoms including the Carol Burnett Show, Sonny & Cher, “I Love Lucy,” “The Honeymooners” along with songs of Patsy Cline. United Methodist Church, 411 Layton Road, Chinchilla. March 27 with dinner at 5:30 p.m. followed by the show. $20. Reservations: 586-8012.

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.

Forgiven, the Wyoming Valley Passion Play which depicts the life of the apostles and the beginnings of the early Christian Church after the Resurrection of Jesus. High Point Church, 1919 Mountain Road, Larksville. April 1 and 2 at 7 p.m.; April 3 at 1 and 7 p.m. 371-4404.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a musical about the competition between six quirky adolescents who score high on spelling and low on social adjustment. Presented by the LIVA Arts Club at Jefferson Auditorium, Leahy Hall, University of Scranton. April 15-17 at 8 p.m.; April 18 at 2 p.m. $10. 941-4266.

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.

Flora the Red Menace, the Kander and Ebb musical about a young fashion designer who falls in love with a promoter of communism during the Great Depression. Performed by the University of Scranton Players at the McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts, University of Scranton. April 23 to May 2 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. 941-4318.

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.

New Director’s Workshop, an evening of student-directed short plays. McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts, University of Scranton. May 13 to 15 at 8 p.m. 941-4318.

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 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 to 11:45 a.m. and ages 12 and older from 12:15 to 2 p.m. 784-7637.

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