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First Posted: 9/6/2013

THIS WEEK: Sept. 13 to 19, 2013

Willy Wonka, a musical journey through the Chocolate Factory as mild disasters befall a group of children. Performed by Phoenix Kids at the Phoenix Performing Arts Centre, 409-411 Main St., Duryea. Through Sept. 29: 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. $10. 991-1817.

Monty Python’s Spamalot, the musical comedy spoofing the Arthurian Legend based on the 1975 film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” with flying cows, killer rabbits, taunting Frenchmen and show-stopping musical numbers. Little Theatre, 537 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. 8 tonight and Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. 823-1875.

The Mousetrap, the murder mystery by Agatha Christie. Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. Through Sept. 22: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $20. Dinner buffet on Sept. 15 at 1:15 p.m. Reservations: 868-8212.

Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5, the musical version of the film about working women. Music Box Dinner Playhouse, 196 Hughes St., Swoyersville. Through Sept. 29: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Dinner served 90 minutes before showtime. $16; $34 with dinner. 283-2195.

Nunsense, the musical comedy about a group of wacky nuns in Hoboken that spawned six sequels. Corner Bistro Dinner Theater, 76-78 Main St., Carbondale. 8 tonight and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. $20. 282-7499.

Ghost of a Chance, a ghostly romantic comedy about the spirit of a woman’s first husband interfering in her imminent second marriage. Performed by Actors Circle at the Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Road, Scranton. Opens Thursday with a Preview Performance at 8 p.m. ($8). Continues through Sept. 29: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. $12, $10 seniors, $8 students. 342-9707.

FUTURE

The Jungle Book Kids, a musical with Mowgli, Baloo, King Louie and the gang thwarting the ferocious tiger Shere Khan. Performed by children ages 4 to 10 at KISS (Kids Innovating Stage and Sound) Theatre Company, Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre Township. Sept. 20 to 29: 7 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. 829-1901.

Cirque Musica, an arena spectacular with top international circus acts performing to music performed by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic. Mohegan Sun Arena, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Township. 7 p.m. Sept. 22. 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

The Curious Savage, a comedy about a wealthy widow that questions conventional definitions of sanity while lampooning celebrity culture. Performed by the Wilkes University Theatre at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts, West South Street at South River Street, Wilkes-Barre. 8 p.m. Sept. 26 to 28; 2 p.m. Sept. 29. 408-4540.

The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare’s drama about a Jewish moneylender in Venice who demands “a pound of flesh” when the borrower cannot pay back the debt. Performed by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. Oct. 3 to 20: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $12 on Oct. 3-4 previews; $26, $21 seniors, $12 students. 784-8181.

Almost, Maine, John Cariani’s comedy about the residents of a small town in northern Maine who fall in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways. Performed by the King’s College Theatre Department at the George P. Maffei II Theatre, Administration Building, 131 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 and 4; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5; 2 p.m. Oct. 6. $12; $7 students and seniors. 208-5825.

The Hungry Hungry Games, a stage parody of “The Hunger Games,” the best-selling book and blockbuster film with spoofs of favorite scenes and characters. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 8 p.m. Oct. 4. $30, $20. 826-1100.

Eugene Onegin, Tchaikovsky’s opera about the fateful romance between lovestruck Tatiana and imperious Onegin with a powerful snowstorm providing the dramatic finale. A high-definition screening live from the Metropolitan Opera. Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and Cinemark 20, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. 12:55 p.m. Oct. 5. $22, $20 seniors, $15 students. 825-4444 or 961-5943 or fathomevents.com.

The Blind Tiger, a re-creation of a 1920s speakeasy with authentic music and dance performances of the period along with a five-course 1920s meal. Corner Bistro Dinner Theater, 76 S. Main St., Carbondale. 8 p.m. Oct. 5. Reservations: 282-7499.

Hello Dolly! The winner of ten Tony Awards including Best Musical starring Sally Struthers as the strong-willed matchmaker. Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave. 8 p.m. Oct. 11; 2 and 8 p.m. Oct. 12; 1 and 6 p.m. Oct. 13. $59, $49, $39. 342-7784 or broadwayscranton.com.

Sweeney Todd, the Victorian musical thriller about “The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. Oct. 18 to Nov. 2: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Reservations: 868-8212.

National Pastime, a screwball comedy about a radio station that invents a fictional winning baseball team to improve ratings. Little Theatre, 537 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Oct. 25 to Nov. 10. 823-1875.

The Nose, William Kentridge’s inventive production of Shostakovich’s opera based on Gogol’s story of a bureaucrat and his misadventures in search of his missing nose. A high-definition screening live from the Metropolitan Opera. Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and Cinemark 20, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. 12:55 p.m. Oct. 26. $22, $20 seniors, $15 students. 825-4444 or 961-5943 or fathomevents.com.

Children of Eden, a two-act musical based on the biblical stories of Adam and Eve and Noah and the Ark. Performed by KISS (Kids Innovating Stage and Sound) Theatre Company, Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre Township. Nov. 8 to 17: 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. 829-1901.

Seussical: The Musical, the Broadway musical based on the children’s books of Dr. Seuss including characters and scenarios from “The Cat in the Hat” and “Horton Hears a Who!” Performed by the Wilkes University Theatre at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts, West South Street at South River Street, Wilkes-Barre. Nov. 8 to 17: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. 408-4540.

A Very Special Christmas Special. It’s 1969 and Andy Billiams is hosting his annual Technicolor Christmas Spectacular live from the little town of Bloomsburg. Join the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble in an evening of nostalgic sketches, songs, dances and “local commercials.” Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. Nov. 29 to Dec. 28: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. 784-8181 or bte.org.

It’s a Wonderful Life, the heartwarming holiday favorite about an angel who helps a businessman in despair. Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. Nov. 29 to Dec. 15: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Special Family Night performance 8 p.m. Dec. 12. $20. Reservations: 868-8212.

Falstaff, Verdi’s final comic opera with Ambrogio Maestri as the blustery Sir John Falstaff. A high-definition screening live from the Metropolitan Opera. Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and Cinemark 20, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. 12:55 p.m. Dec. 14. $22, $20 seniors, $15 students. 825-4444 or 961-5943 or fathomevents.com.

Memphis, the Tony Award winner for 2010 Best Musical about a tale of fame and forbidden love set in the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 8 p.m. Jan. 25. $62, $52, $35. 826-1100.

Bizet’s Carmen, the timeless opera by French composer Georges Bizet about a young soldier seduced by the fiery Carmen. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 8 p.m. Jan. 31. $54, $39, $24. 826-1100.

Jersey Boys, the 2006 Tony Award-winning Best Musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers the Four Seasons and how the four blue-collar kids became a huge success in pop music history. Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave. Feb. 4 to 16: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 6 p.m. Sundays. $122, $70, $60, $41. 342-7784 or broadwayscranton.org.

Rusalka, Dvorak’s soulful fairy-tale opera with Renee Fleming in the title role. A high-definition screening live from the Metropolitan Opera. Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and Cinemark 20, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. 12:55 p.m. Feb. 8. $22, $20 seniors, $15 students. 825-4444 or 961-5943 or fathomevents.com.

The No-Frills Revue, a production of songs and comedy sketches including spoofs of the theater. Performed by the Wilkes University Theatre at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts, West South Street at South River Street, Wilkes-Barre. Feb. 14 to 23: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. 408-4540.

Prince Igor, Borodin’s defining Russian epic famous for its Polovtsian Dances. A high-definition screening live from the Metropolitan Opera. Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and Cinemark 20, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. Noon on March 1. $22, $20 seniors, $15 students. 825-4444 or 961-5943 or fathomevents.com.

American Idiot, a musical based on punk rockers Green Day’s album about a group of young people experiencing boredom, love, pregnancy, drugs and war. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 7:30 p.m. March 5. $75 (limited pit), $59, $49, $34. 826-1100.

Driving Miss Daisy, the Pulitzer-winning hit about an elderly southern woman and her African-American driver. Performed by Philadelphia’s Walnut Street Theater. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 7 p.m. March 6. $35, $25, $15. 826-1100.

The 39 Steps, a spy story with a twist of comedy, heart-pounding romance and thrilling chase scenes. Adapted from the novel by John Buchan and the film by Alfred Hitchcock. Performed by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. March 6 to 23: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. 784-8181 or bte.org.

Werther, Massenet’s sublime adaptation of Goethe’s revolutionary and tragic romance. A high-definition screening live from the Metropolitan Opera. Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and Cinemark 20, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. 12:55 p.m. March 15. $22, $20 seniors, $15 students. 825-4444 or 961-5943 or fathomevents.com.

Rock of Ages, a worldwide party musical with 28 rocking 1980s songs set to a love story between a small-town girl and a big-city rocker. Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave. 8 p.m. March 28; 2 and 8 p.m. March 29; 1 and 6 p.m. March 30. 342-7784 or broadwayscranton.org.

Check Out Chekhov, an evening of one-act plays by Anton Pavlovich Chekov. Performed by the Wilkes University Theatre at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts, West South Street at South River Street, Wilkes-Barre. 8 p.m. April 3 to 5; 2 p.m. April 6. 408-4540.

La Boheme, Puccini’s moving story of young love with Anita Hartig as the frail Mimi and Vittorio Grigolo as her passionate lover Rodolfo. A high-definition screening live from the Metropolitan Opera. Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and Cinemark 20, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. 12:55 p.m. April 5. $22, $20 seniors, $15 students. 825-4444 or 961-5943 or fathomevents.com.

Cirque Dreams, a mash-up of celebrated pop and rock tunes mixed with spectacular acrobatics, daring aerialists, gravity defying balancers, powerful strongmen and other awe-inspiring acts. Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave. 8 p.m. April 11; 2 and 8 p.m. April 12; 1 and 6 p.m. April 13. $55, $45, $35. 342-7784 or broadwayscranton.org.

Cosi Fan Tutte, Mozart’s beloved opera about testing the ties of love. A high-definition screening live from the Metropolitan Opera. Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and Cinemark 20, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. 12:55 p.m. April 26. $22, $20 seniors, $15 students. 825-4444 or 961-5943 or fathomevents.com.

Good People, a tale of the class system in America as a blue-collar South Boston girl encounters her long-lost high school sweetheart who may be her ticket to a better life. Contains adult situations and language. Performed by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. May 8 to 25: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. 784-8181 or bte.org.

An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin, a musical love story with the two Tony Award-winning virtuosos (and lifelong friends). Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave. 8 p.m. May 9; 2 and 8 p.m. May 10; 1 and 6 p.m. May 11. $59, $49, $39. 342-7784 or broadwayscranton.org.

La Cenerentola, Rossini’s opera with mezzo-soprano Joyce Didonato in the Cinderella title role and the high-flying tenor Juan Diego Florez as her Prince Charming. A high-definition screening live from the Metropolitan Opera. Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and Cinemark 20, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. 12:55 p.m. May 10. $22, $20 seniors, $15 students. 825-4444 or 961-5943 or fathomevents.com.