Albuquerque Theatre Guild Announces May 2011 Performance Calendar

Albuquerque Theatre Guild announces their May 2011 Performance Calendar- More theatrical performances take place every weekend here in Albuquerque
Than in any other U.S. city of its size.

May 1 | Sunday at 2.
Back Home - by Nic Wehrwein, directed by Shepard Sobel. When Matt's life falls apart, he heads back to the old neighborhood to regroup, but his plan is complicated by Elizabeth, the new neighbor, and the return of his ex, Emily. Part of the 11th Annual Words Afire Festival of New Plays. Info: Rodey Theatre, UNM Fine Arts Center, 925-5858, http://theatre.unm.edu Price: $10-15.

Thru May 1| Sunday at 2.
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf - by Ntozake Shange, directed by Regina Dawley. Rainbow Studio Theater Company presents a choreopoem that presents a metaphysical dilemma about "bein' alive & bein' a woman & bein' colored." Info: VSA North Fourth Art Center, 4904 Fourth St. NW, 344-4542 http://www.vsartsnm.org Price: $20, $15 Students & Seniors.

Thru May 15 | Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 2.
The Year of Magical Thinking - by Joan Didion, directed by Denise Schulz, starring Debi Kierst. This one-woman play, adapted from Joan Didion's celebrated memoir of the same name, explores the author's psychological experiences as she copes with the sudden death of her husband John Gregory Dunne in 2003, while simultaneously facing the grave illness of her daughter Quintana. In her distinctive writing style of journalistic detachment peppered with touches of ironic humor, Didion re-lives and re-analyzes the worst year of her life: reflecting on the circumstances surrounding Dunne's death, recalling memories of their life together, and observing the changes wrought in her own behavior and attitudes. The "magical thinking" of the title refers to irrational thought processes brought about by bereavement, such as her stubborn belief that holding onto the loved one's shoes may help bring him back. Despite its subject matter, the play avoids weepy sentiment and focuses instead on Didion's personal journey of self-discovery and survival. Info: The Vortex Theatre, 2004 1/2 Central Avenue SE, 247-8600, http://www.vortexabq.org Price: $15, Student rush $10, Pay what you will Sunday, May 1.

Thru May 15| Friday & Saturday at 8, Sunday at 2.
I Do! I Do! - book and lyrics by Tom Jones, music by Harvey Schmidt, directed by Micheal Montroy. Based on the Jan de Hartog play "The Fourposter," the two-character story spans fifty years, from 1895 to 1945, as it focuses on the trials and tribulations, laughter, sorrows, hopes and disappointments experienced by Agnes and Michael Snow throughout their marriage. Info: Desert Rose Playhouse, 6921 Montgomery NE, 291-9332. Price: $15, $12 Students, Seniors & Albuquerque Theatre Guild members.

Thru May 19| Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7.
The Empty Space Series: "Virtual Reality" - by Alan Arkin, directed by David Sinkus, starring William Sterchi and Chad Christensen-Brummet. A verbal ping-pong match, in which two men are hired to unload some mysterious merchandise. The purely hypothetical assumes a wacky, sinister autonomy that transports them to a frozen wilderness. Info: Mother Road Theatre Company at The Filling Station, 1024 4th St. SW, 243-0596, http://www.motherroad.org Price: $10.

Thru May 22 | Fridays & Saturdays at 8 and Sundays at 2.
The Hatpin - by James Millar and Peter Rutherford, directed by Cy & Jane Hoffman. A musical theatre production inspired by the true story of a single mother, Amber Murray, who in 1892 advertised in a Sydney, Australia newspaper for a family to care for her baby in the hope of saving his life...and ended up embroiled in one of the most captivating, moving and exciting criminal trials in Australian history. Using the moral support she gains from her friendship with the free spirited Harriet Piper, Amber fights the injustices of circumstance and tragedy to find hope and strength. Info: Adobe Theatre, 9813 Fourth St. NW, 898-9222, http://www.adobetheater.org Price: $16, Seniors & Students $14.

May 1 | Sunday at 3.
The Mikado - by the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players. Combining a modern playfulness with respect for the creators' original intent, a full orchestra accompanies the story of a Japanese executioner named Ko-Ko, who is next in line to be executed for the capital punishment of flirting. The town authorities save Ko-Ko by promoting him to Lord High Executioner, who cannot execute another until he executes himself first. Info: Popejoy Hall, UNM Fine Arts Center, 925-5858, http://www.popejoypresents.com/mikado Price: $43, $35, $28.

May 5 - 22 | Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 and Sundays at 2.
Lullabies for My Father - conceived and directed by Kevin R. Elder. A collection of interviews and experiments on the subject of fathers that explores our relationships to the men we knew first. Hilarious, sometimes heart breaking and highly entertaining, Lullabies is full of surprises. Partially created in "Verbatim Theater" style, Lullabies began as a collection of interviews with a diverse group of community members in and around Albuquerque. Students, lawyers, artists, small-business owners, government employees, men and women spoke candidly about their memories of and relationships with their fathers. The interviews were studied and the words and actions are precisely relayed by Tricklock actors; then shaken up with original text, improvisation, physical articulation, and comments and perspectives from blogs, online communities and social media sites. Info: Tricklock Company at Rodey Theatre, UNM Fine Arts Center, 254-8393, http://www.tricklock.com/whats-going-on/on-stage.php Price: $15, Students & Seniors $10.

May 5 - 29 | Fridays & Saturdays at 8 and Sundays at 2.
Treasure Island - by Aurand Harris, directed by David Wolf. This adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic blends unique elements of performance art together in an exciting adventure, fun for the whole family. Using a "toy theatre" design, the singing, the sword fighting, and the general pirate grunting will have audiences jumping out of their seats. This show benefits Carrie Tingley Children's Hospital. Info: Aux Dog Theatre, 3011 Monte Vista Blvd NE, 254-7716, http://www.auxdog.com Price: $16, Children (ages 5-12) $5.

May 6 - 15 | Fridays at 7, Saturdays at 4 and 7 and Sundays at 2.
How I Became a Pirate - based on the children's book by Melinda Long and David Shannon, directed & choreographed by Wendy Barker and Kari Reese, music director Paul Roth. Ahoy, mateys! Come hear the tale of a young boy who dreams of a life at sea with a jolly band of pirates. While digging in the sand on the beach one day, Jeremy Jacobs sees a ship on the horizon - the infamous Braid Beard and his pirate crew! Jeremy decides to leave his family and join the gang of buccaneers for a journey on the high seas. On the great ship he learns all about life on a pirate ship and all the things pirates do. But in the end, he also learns what pirates don't do, and begins to miss his home. In his day as a real life pirate, this little lad learns that life's true treasures are friends and family. With clever songs, colorful costumes and comic characters straight out of the book, this fun family musical is recommended for children of all ages (3+).Info: North Fourth Arts Center, 4904 4th Street NW, 515-9149, http://www.abqstages.org Price: $11.

May 13 - 15 | Friday & Saturday at 8, Saturday and Sunday at 2 and Sunday at 7:30.
Grease - The one that you want is back! Time Magazine's 2007 pick for "#1 musical of the year," rocks in this new production direct from Broadway. Take a trip to a simpler time of poodle skirts, drive-ins, and T-birds. "Bad boy" Danny and "girl next door" Sandy fall in love all over again to the tunes of your favorite songs: "Summer Nights," "Greased Lightnin'" and "We Go Together" as well as songs from the hit movie: "Grease," "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and "You're the One That I Want." Info: Popejoy Hall, UNM Fine Arts Center, 925-5858, http://www.popejoypresents.com/grease Price: $55, $45, $35.

May 20 - June 12 | Fridays & Saturdays at 8 and Sundays at 2. Thursday June 2 at 8.
Hairspray! - book by Mark O'Donnell & Thomas Meehan, directed by Henry Avery. Loveable plus-size heroine, Tracy Turnblad, has a passion for dancing, and wins a spot on the local TV dance program, "The Corny Collins Show." Overnight she finds herself transformed from outsider to teen celebrity. Can a larger-than-life adolescent manage to vanquish the program's reigning princess, integrate the television show, and find true love (singing and dancing all the while, of course!) without mussing her hair? Info: Albuquerque Little Theatre, 224 San Pasquale SW, 242-4750, http://www.albuquerquelittletheatre.org Price: $24, $20 Seniors, $18 Students $14, $10 Children (3-12). Not recommended for children under 3.