Stage

THIS WEEK: MARCH 19 to 25, 2010

Footloose, the toe-tapping musical about a teenager who moves to a small town where rock music and dancing are illegal. Performed by students at Crestwood High School, 281 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top. Tonight and Saturday at 7 p.m. $6, $4 seniors and students. 868-6478.

Give My Regards to Broadway, the musical comedy about putting on a Broadway show filled with George M. Cohan songs like “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” and the title tune. Performed by the Meyers High School Drama Club at the high school auditorium, 341 Carey Ave., Wilkes-Barre. Tonight and Saturday at 7 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. $8, $5 seniors and students. 826-7145.

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. Tonight and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. $8, $5 student and seniors. 779-5361.

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. Through March 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. Tonight at 7:30. $27.50, $25, $15. 826-1100.

Lawnchairs, a comedy by Nancy Hasty about two backyard buddies who become fixated on their next-door neighbor. Electric Theatre, 326 Spruce St., Scranton. 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 tonight’s show. 558-1515.

Cinderella, the timeless fairy tale set to music by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. Little Theatre, 537 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 3 p.m. $18, $10 children. 823-1875.

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. Through March 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. 454-5451 or ptpashows.org.

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. Through March 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. Sunday at 2 p.m. $5. 996-1500.

O’Malley’s, an Irish-flavored musical about a struggling widow who overcomes her old-world views to keep her New York City pub in the family. Mount Airy Casino Resort, 44 Woodland Road, Mount Pocono. Sunday at 2:30 p.m. $20. 877-532-0340.

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. Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. Encore performances March 31 and April 7 at 2:30 p.m. $20. 877-532-0340.

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. Opens Thursday at 8 p.m. Continues 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.

FUTURE

The Sensuous Senator, a comedic farce about a senator running for President on a morality platform who is caught in an uncompromising incident when his wife leaves town. Corner Bistro Dinner Theater, 76-78 S. Main St., Carbondale. March 26-27 at 6:30 p.m.; March 28 at 3 p.m. $26 includes the Bistro Buffet. Reservations: 282-7499.

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.

Cole, the life and music of celebrated songwriter Cole Porter. Performed by the Hanover Area Drama Club at the Hanover Area Junior/Senior High School, 1600 Sans Souci Parkway, Hanover Township. March 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. $5. 831-2300.

A Time to Remember, a tribute to the music and dance of Michael Jackson starring Ryan Johnson. KISS Theatre Company, Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre Township. March 26 to April 3 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. $15, $10 students. 829-1901.

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. $65, $40. 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.

Monday Night on Broadway, a benefit performance by Thom Christopher Warren and 20 of his Broadway buddies, members of the original casts of “George M!,” “Sweet Charity,” “Cats,” “Man of La Mancha” and “Evita.” Electric Theatre, 326 Spruce St., Scranton. April 5 at 7:30 p.m. $35, $30 seniors, $20 students. 558-1515.

Snow People, the Scranton-area premiere of Polish playwright Av Inlender’s single-character work about a woman attempting to unmask the Nazis who killed her grandfather and looted his priceless manuscripts. Starring Rosina Fernhoff. Electric Theatre, 326 Spruce St., Scranton. April 7-8 at 7 p.m.; April 9-10 at 8 p.m.; April 11 at 3 p.m. $20, $15 seniors, $7 students. Discounts on Wednesday and Thursday. 558-1515.

The Great American Trailer Park Musical, a new musical comedy about “agoraphobia, adultery, 80s nostalgia, spray cheese, road kill, hysterical pregnancy, kleptomania, strippers, flan and disco.” Presented by the Music Box Dinner Playhouse, 196 Hughes St., Swoyersville. April 9 to 25 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. Buffet dinner served 90 minutes before curtain. 283-2195.

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.

101 Dalmatians Kids, the Disney classic performed by KISS (Kids Innovating Stage and Sound) Theatre Company, Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre Township. April 16 at 7 p.m.; April 17 at 2 and 7 p.m.; April 18 at 2 p.m. $8, $6 students, $5 children. 829-1901.

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.

Lend Me a Tenor, a comedic farce about renowned tenor Tito Morelli who is accidentally tranquilized just before his appearance at a gala fundraiser at the Cleveland Opera House. Presented by Actors Circle at the Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Road, Scranton. Opens with a preview performance April 22 at 8 p.m. ($8, $6). Continues April 23 to May 9 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. $12, $10 seniors, $8 students. 342-9707.

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.

Into the Woods, Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway musical incorporating twisted renditions of popular fairy tales. Performed by the Nuremberg Community Players at the Factory, School and Apple streets, Nuremberg. April 30, May 1 and 8 at 7:30 p.m.; May 2 and 9 at 4 p.m. $24 with dinner; $10 show only. 788-4411.

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.

Rumors, Neil Simon’s comedy about four couples trying to dodge a scandal by covering up a missing wife, a damaged car, an absent cook, a gunshot wound and rumors galore. Shawnee Playhouse, 1 River Road, Shawnee on Delaware. Sept. 24 to Oct. 24 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m. $28, $15 children. 421-5093.

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 musical version of the beloved classic about a desperate man learning the true value of his life with help from a bumbling angel. Shawnee Playhouse, 1 River Road, Shawnee on Delaware. Nov. 19 to Dec. 19 with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. $28, $15 children. 421-5093.

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 Music Box Playhouse’s production of “The Adventures of Peter Rabbit,” a musical for children scheduled for a May run. 196 Hughes St., Swoyersville. April 13 at 7 p.m. Needed: two men and four women age 16 and over. 283-2195.

Auditions for “Lil’ Red’s Extreme Freestylin’ Fairy Tales,” the annual summer family production by 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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