Jerri Shafer - Page 24

Curtain Players announced its 2018-19 production line-up on Thursday April 12 at a special 'big reveal' event at The Wine Bistro in Westerville. Six titles are on the marquee.

A vanished father. A pill-popping mother. Three sisters harboring shady little secrets. When the large Weston family unexpectedly reunites after Dad disappears, their Oklahoman family homestead explodes in a maelstrom of repressed truths and unsettling secrets. Mix in Violet, the drugged-up, scathingly acidic matriarch, and you've got a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play that unflinchingly - and uproariously - exposes the dark side of the Midwestern American family. Performances run April 24th thru April 22nd at the Columbus Performing Arts Center. Fri-Sat at 8pm, Sun at 2pm *10:30am performance on 4/20. 549 Franklin Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215. For more info visit http://www.srotheatre.org/

Based on the award-winning Broadway musical and the smash hit motion picture, Legally Blonde The Musical JR. is a fabulously fun journey of self-empowerment and expanding horizons. Legally Blonde The Musical JR. follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, snobbery and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. When Elle's boyfriend, Warner, dumps her and heads to Harvard, claiming she's not 'serious' enough, Elle takes matters into her own hands, crafting a showy song-and-dance personal essay and charming her way into law school. Befriending classmate, Emmett, and spunky hairdresser, Paulette, along the way, Elle finds that books and looks aren't mutually exclusive. As Elle begins outsmarting her peers, she realizes that law may be her natural calling after all. Performances run April 6th & 7th at 3:30 & 7:00 pm at the Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center, 100 W. Dublin Granville Rd., New Albany, Ohio. Tickets can be purchased on Ticketmaster - https://www.ticketmaster.com/.

Ohio University Lancaster Theatre presents next to normal. Music by Tom Kitt, Book and lyrics Brian Yorkey.

An aging widow runs away from her son and daughter-in-law and their cramped Houston apartment to realize her dearest dream: to return to her beloved hometown, Bountiful. What starts as an ordinary trip soon becomes an inspiring and life-changing journey of discovery. Trip to Bountiful by Horton Foote, Directed by James F. Petsche, Produced by Booth Muller & James F. Petsche, Stage Manager Carolyn Jakubczak. Featuring: Randy Benge, Maci Bingman, Nita Dean, Julie Emmert-Silvius, Brian N. Henry, Darnell Lautt, Barbara Leeman, Ruedy Leeman, Randy Lenhart, & Emily Turner. Performances run March 23rd thru April 8th at Curtain Players, 5691 Harlem Road, Galena, Ohio 43021. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: http://curtainplayers.org

When CB's dog dies from rabies, CB begins to question the existence of an afterlife. His best friend is too burnt out to provide any coherent speculation; his sister has gone goth; his ex-girlfriend has recently been institutionalized; and his other friends are too inebriated to give him any sort of solace. But a chance meeting with an artistic kid, the target of this group's bullying, offers CB a peace of mind and sets in motion a friendship that will push teen angst to the very limits. The Peanuts are re-imagined in this parody of your favorite childhood television characters facing the harsh reality of the post-adolescent world. Drug use, suicide, eating disorders, teen violence, rebellion and sexual identity collide and careen toward an ending that's both haunting and hopeful. Join us for our second annual play at Baker Hall West Performance Space! Closest available parking will be in the Ohio Union North Garage. OTL is also a service-based, non-profit organization. Admission: $1 donated to The Harmony Project or a canned food item donated to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank. Performances are March 23rd thru March 31st on the OSU campus in the Baker Hall West performance space, 129 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210. For more information visit involvedliving.osu.edu/otl or email offthelakeproductions@osu.edu

Edward Baxter was a successful psychiatrist, beloved by his many patients-until he was framed for murder. Now on the run with an assumed identity and a suspicious new wife, his luck is running out. Edward seeks help from Dr. Robert Smith, a fellow psychiatrist and a man with inner demons of his own. When Edward's meeting with Dr. Smith goes wildly awry and leaves Edward clinging precariously to his last shred of sanity, Dr. Smith's patient Lydia (a goodhearted psychic woman with clues to Edward's past) arrives for her appointment to find Edward in big trouble. Despite the chaos created by unexpected visitors and quirks in Lydia's psychic powers, Lydia does her best to gain Edward's trust and help him find justice as his world rapidly approaches critical mass. Psych's humor is broad in scope including slapstick, wordplay and a bit of dark humor. Written by Lisa Rowe and directed by Krista Morelli. The cast includes: Michael Evanichko as Dr. Robert Smith & Sam Smith, Donnie Lockwood as Edward Baxter, Kate Charlesworth-Miller as Lydia, Sam Clements as Irving, Ken Carson as The Gangster, Veronica Ridenour as Suzanne, and Erin Daniel as Pizza Gal. Performances run March 23rd thru April 6th, 2018 at Little Theatre Off Broadway, 3981 Broadway, Grove City, Ohio. For reservations/more info visit: http://www.ltob.org or call 614-875-3919

On Friday, March 16th, Mike Faist (Tony Award nominee and Grammy Award winner from Dear Evan Hansen and Columbus native), Ohio Artists Gathering, partnered with Short North Stage for an event titled "Rapid Transit". A fundraiser and awareness event for the upcoming one week festival in the summer of 2018 to bring together New York City professional playwrights, producers, directors, chorographers and actors with young Ohio theatre students, artists and creatives. For more information on the upcoming event or how you can donate to support this collaboration, please visit: https://ohioartistsgathering.com/

THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE is a gleefully gruesome comedy about a merciless Irish terrorist, Mad Padraic and what matters most to him: his precious black cat, Wee Thomas. After his cat is found dead, the heartbroken hit man becomes hell-bent on finding the person responsible. The brutal carnage that ensues makes for an outrageous, blood-drenched comedy that explores the absurdity of the endless violence that engulfs our world. Winner of the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play and Tony Award nominee for Best Play. PERFORMANCE DATES:  March 15-24, 2018 at The Franklinton Playhouse, 566 W. Rich St., for tickets or more info visit:  https://www.warehousetheatre.org/  *St. Patrick's Day after party with the cast featuring live music

'On Golden Pond' is a 1979 play by Ernest Thompson. The plot focuses on aging couple Ethel and Norman Thayer, who spend each summer at their home on a lake called Golden Pond. During the year the story takes place, they are visited by daughter Chelsea with her fiance Bill Ray and his son Billy Ray Jr. The play explores the often turbulent relationship the young woman shared with her father growing up, and the difficulties faced by a couple in the twilight years of a long marriage. Performances run March 9th - 17th at the Hilliard Civic and Cultural Arts Center, 5425 Center St, Hilliard, OH, 43026.  Tickets can be purchased at https://www.locallevelevents.com/events/details/4311.  For more information visit:  http://www.hilliardartscouncil.org/on-golden-pond/.

With music from Wicked fame Stephen Schwartz, Godspell invites you and your family to 'Prepare ye' for the timeless tale of friendship, loyalty and love based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew. Performances are March 8th - 11th.  Doors open 30 minutes prior.  Northland Performing Arts Center (NPAC), 4411 Tamarack Blvd, Columbus, Ohio  43229.  Visit www.imaginecolumbus.org for information on purchasing tickets.

Thorton Wilder's Our Town tells the story of the everyday lives of the citizens of a fictional American small town of Grover's Corners through three acts: "Daily Life," "Love and Marriage," and "Death and Eternity." Narrated by a stage manager and performed with minimal props and sets, this show is uniquely suited for our King Avenue sanctuary.  You won't want to miss this telling of Our Town, during its 80th anniversary of its Broadway opening.  Performances run March 8, 9, 10 at 7:30 pm and March 11 at 3:00pm. All performances are at King Avenue United Methodist Church, 299 King Ave., Columbus, OH. Childcare is available during the Friday evening and Sunday matinee performances. Admission is free, but a $10 donation is encouraged.

The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) and Broadway in Columbus (BIC) are proud to announce the Broadway musical HAMILTON will play its premiere Columbus engagement to anchor the 2018-19 PNC Broadway in Columbus season. The six-show season, supported in part by PNC, offers four productions never before seen in Columbus including a two-week engagement of Disney's Aladdin, The Play That Goes Wrong, Finding Neverland, and of course, HAMILTON. The season also includes the 2017 Tony®-winning Best Musical Revival Hello, Dolly! starring Broadway legend Betty Buckley as Dolly Gallagher Levi, and the 20th anniversary touring production of RENT. Season ticket holders and other groups were invited to the 18/19 Season Announcement to be one of the first to know the exciting shows coming to Columbus next season. Along with the announcements, they enjoyed performances by exciting guest artists and themed desserts. Shows dates are: Disney's Aladdin - October 24-November 4, 2018; Hamilton - January 29-February 17, 2019; Rent - March 19-24, 2019; The Play That Goes Wrong - April 9-14, 2019 Hello, Dolly! - May 7-12, 2019; and Finding Neverland - June 4-9, 2019. For more information visit: http://www.capa.com/presentations/current-season-presentations/20182019-broadway-season-announcement

A regional premiere, Side Show, by Bill Russell with music by Henry Krieger, is based on the true story of conjoined twins Violet and Daisy Hilton, who became stars during the Depression. It is a moving portrait of two women literally joined at the hip, whose extraordinary bondage brings them fame but denies them love. The show follows their progression from England to America, around the vaudeville circuit and ultimately to Hollywood on the eve of their appearance in the 1932 movie Freaks. With a completely reworked plot and new songs, the 2014 revival version delves deeper into the backstory of the Hilton twins. As the twins' forge a relationship with Harry Houdini and face potential separation surgery, the book and lyrics by Bill Russell fleshes out characters and situations that endow Henry Krieger's music with more sophistication and truth. Side Show shines a spotlight on marginalized members of society, taking center stage in their own lives and dealing with mainstream emotions of love, success, suffering - and finally - acceptance. Performances run March 3rd thru March 18th, 2018. Gallery Players, 1125 College Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43209. Please visit http://columbusjcc.org/cultural-arts/gallery-players/ to get specific showtimes and purchase tickets.

Enjoy Off The Lake's performance of an epic musical twist on this Disney classic tale! Tickets are $1 each and will benefit The Harmony Project, a non-profit Columbus choir whose mission connects those across social divides from each other through the arts, education, and community service. All canned goods will be donated to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank to help feed a family in need. OTL is also a service-based, non-profit organization. Admission: one canned good or a $1 donationto be donated to the Mid-Ohio Foodband and Harmony Project Columbus. Performances are February 23 thru March 3rd on the OSU campus in the auditorium at Hitchcock Hall, 191 W. Woodruff Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43210. For more information visit involvedliving.osu.edu/otl or email offthelakeproductions@osu.edu

Catherine has inherited her late father's mathematical brilliance, but she is haunted by the fear that she might also share his debilitating mental illness. Written by David Auburn and directed by Kathy Hyland.  The cast includes:  Catherine - Meg Freeman, Robert - Douglas Whaley, Hal - John Sorenson, and Claire - Katie Wenzel. Performances run February 16th thru March 4th, 2018 at Little Theatre Off Broadway, 3981 Broadway, Grove City, Ohio.  For reservations/more info visit:  http://www.ltob.org or call 614-875-3919

In the final hour of 14 April 1912 the RMS Titanic, on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York, collided with an iceberg and 'the unsinkable ship' slowly sank. It was one of the most tragic disasters of the 20th Century. 1517 men, women and children lost their lives. Titanic performs February 16-28, 2018 at the Columbus Performing Arts Center, 549 Franklin Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215.  For more info visit http://www.srotheatre.org/

A warm and charming comedy from the author of Amadeus and Equus about a flamboyant tour guide consigned to the 'dullest castle in England' who embellishes its history until she is confronted by her fact-conscious boss. Lettice and Lovage is by Peter Shaffer, Directed by Hal Houston, Produced by Booth Muller, Stage Manager Wendy Brinker. Featuring: Sharifa Andrews, Cory Baker, Mony Carpenter, Bronwynn Hopton, Jeff Kemeter, & Jacqueline Salvador. Performances run February 9th thru the 25th at Curtain Players, 5691 Harlem Road, Galena, Ohio 43021. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: http://curtainplayers.org

The 2018 Theatre Roundtable Awards was held on January 28th at the Jewish Community Center in Columbus, Ohio. This evening included the presentation of the prestigious 'Harold' Awards, given for exception commitment to Central Ohio Theatre. There was production awards recognizing outstanding performers, directors, designers, and productions for the previous year! Last but certainly not least, our special guests from the Central Ohio Theatre Critics' Circle presented their annual citations.

Hedwig and the angry inch tells the story of 'internationally ignored song stylist' Hedwig Schmidt, a fourth-wall smashing East German rock 'n' roll goddess who also happens to be the victim of a botched sex-change operation, which has left her with just 'an angry inch.' Performances are January 26th - 28th and February 2nd - 4th. Doors open 30 minutes prior. Northland Performing Arts Center (NPAC), 4411 Tamarack Blvd, Columbus, Ohio 43229. Visit www.imaginecolumbus.org for information on purchasing tickets.