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THIS WEEK: Jan. 22 to 28, 2016
The Wizard of Oz, a “Young Performers” edition of the musical fantasy, performed by the KISS Theatre Company at Joe Amato’s East End Centre, 400 East End Centre, Wilkes-Barre Township. Jan. 22 to 31 with performances 7 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. 484-653-9553.
Jazz Hamlet, with live jazz musicians, set in The Breakers mansion in Newport during America’s Jazz Age. Little Theatre, 537 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Opens with a buy-one-get-one-free preview night 8 p.m. Jan. 22. Continues Jan. 23 to 31 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $17. Talkback and discussion with Shakespeare scholar June Schlueter 6:30 p.m. Jan. 24. 570-823-1875.
Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare’s tragic tale of star-crossed lovers in old Verona. Presented by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 221 Center St., Bloomsburg. Opens Jan. 22 with a “Pay What You Wish” (cash only) performance. Continues Jan. 23 to 30 with performances 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays. 570-784-8181 or bte.org.
Saturday Night Fever, the classic dance story in a new production based on the 1977 movie, packed with legendary hits by the Bee Gees. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 8 p.m. Jan. 23. $58.50, $48.50, $38.50. 570-826-1100.
The Taming of the Shrew, a filmed performance by the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow of Shakespeare’s comedy adapted for the ballet stage. Cinemark, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. 12:55 p.m. Jan. 24. $18, $17 seniors. 800-326-3264.
The Poetry Reading, a one-act play by Robert Andrew Anderson which shows what happens “when high culture collides with bowling-league culture” resulting with the bowlers knocking the stuffing — that is, stuffiness — out of the Poetry League. With Broadway veteran Ron Kross and WVIA-FM on-air personality Erica Funke along with actors from the One-Shot Theatre. Preceded by a poetry reading by 13 area artists, writers and musicians. A Sunday at the Circle event at the Wyoming Valley Art League, 130 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. 4 p.m. Jan. 24. Free but donations appreciated. 570-974-5953 or 570-760-9083.
Drowning Ophelia, an original production by regional playwright Rachel Luann Strayer about the literary character from “Hamlet” taking up residence in the bathtub of a woman and interrupting the obsessive order of her life with obnoxious songs about death and valentines. Performed by the Gaslight Theatre Company at the Theater at Lackawanna College, 501 Vine St., Scranton 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 to 30; 2 p.m. Jan. 31. $15, $12. 570-961-7818.
FUTURE
Madama Butterfly, Puccini’s heartbreaking tale of innocence, betrayal and sacrifice. Performed by Teatro Lirico D’Europa with a live orchestra. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29. $57, $42, $27. 570-826-1100.
Guys and Dolls, the Broadway musical about a New York City gambler who falls for a female missionary. Music Box Dinner Playhouse, 196 Hughes St., Swoyersville. Jan. 30 to Feb. 21 with performances 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Dinner served 90 minutes before showtime. $18; $35 with dinner. 570-283-2195.
Live from the Met: Turandot, the Puccini opera about a proud princess of China, broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. 12:55 p.m. Jan. 30 at Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and Cinemark, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. Encore performance at Cinemark 6:30 p.m. Feb. 3. $25, $22, $20, $17. 570-825-4444 or 800-326-3264.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the trials and triumphs of Israel’s favorite son with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Presented by Broadway in Scranton at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave. 8 p.m. Feb. 5; 2 and 8 p.m. Feb. 6; 1 p.m. Feb. 7. 570-342-7784.
The Audience, a play about Queen Elizabeth’s private meetings with her prime ministers starring Helen Mirren. A filmed performance by the National Theatre, recorded in London’s West End. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. 2 p.m. Feb. 7 and 21. $14, $12 seniors, $10 students. 570-996-1500.
The Children’s Hour, Lillian Hellman’s play about two female teachers who become the victims of vicious rumors begun by one of the students. Presented by Actors Circle at the Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Road, Scranton. Feb. 11 to 21 with performances 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. $12, $10 seniors, $8 students. Reservations: 570-342-9707.
Love Songs of Broadway, a musical revue to celebrate love and raise funds for the Excellence in School Theater Arts Awards (ESTA). With light refreshments and a cash bar. Genetti Manor, 1505 Main Ave., Dickson City. 7 p.m. Feb. 12. $20. Tickets available online at at nepaesta.eventbee.com.
Dogfight: The Musical, about a soldier leaving for Vietnam intent on proving his macho superiority by playing a trick on a lonely waitress. Presented by Wilkes University at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center, 100 W. South St., Wilkes-Barre. Feb. 19 to 28 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. $10, $5 students and seniors. 570-408-4540.
Macbeth, Shakespeare’s tragedy of greed, ambition, treachery and personal destruction that follows Scots general Macbeth after he receives predictions of his greatness by three witches. Performed by the King’s College Theater Department at the George P. Maffei II Theatre, Administration Building, 133 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24 to 26; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27; 2 p.m. Feb. 28. $12; $7 seniors; $5 students. 570-208-5825.
A Moon for the Misbegotten, the final play and only love story written by four-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author Eugene O’Neill. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 7 p.m. Feb. 25. $38, $28, $18. 570-826-1100.
Songs for a New World, a song-cycle musical with four performers playing various characters in scenes ranging from a Spanish sailing ship to a New York penthouse ledge. Presented by the Marywood University Theatre Department at the Sette LaVerghetta Center, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 and 27. 570-348-6268.
Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles, a live multi-media journey through the life and times of the celebrated foursome. Presented by Broadway in Scranton at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave. 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28. 570-342-7784.
Annie, the Tony Award-winning, much-loved musical based on the comic-strip character “Little Orphan Annie.” Presented by Broadway in Scranton at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave. 7 p.m. March 4; 1 and 7 p.m. March 5. 570-342-7784.
Midsummer Night’s Dream, a musical version of the Shakespeare fantasy, adapted for kids to learn about Shakespeare. Phoenix Performing Arts Center, 409 Main St., Duryea. March 4 to 13 with performances 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. $10. 570-457-3589.
Class Action, a comedy-drama with an entertaining portrayal of high school life, performed by the After School Players. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. 11 a.m. March 5. $5. 570-996-1500.
Live from the Met: Manon Lescaut, Puccini’s opera of obsessive love between a Parisian temptress and a dashing student, broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. 12:55 p.m. March 5 at Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and Cinemark, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. Encore performance at Cinemark 6:30 p.m. March 9. $25, $22, $20, $17. 570-825-4444 or 800-326-3264.
Rhythm in the Night: The Irish Dance Spectacular, a Celtic tale that unfolds during the Dark Ages when the land was ruled by the wicked sorceress Azura whose spell has trapped the legendary hero Balor under her control. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 7 p.m. March 13. $37.50, $25, $20. 570-826-1100.
Million Dollar Quartet, the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical inspired by the true story of the famed recording session that brought together Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for one unforgettable night of music. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 8 p.m. March 18. $60.50, $50.50, $40.50. 570-826-1100.
Don Quixote, the full-length ballet about the chivalrous but off-kilter adventures of the self-appointed knight errant, performed by the Moscow Festival Ballet. Mitrani Hall, Haas Center for the Arts, Bloomsburg University. 8 p.m. March 18. $35, $17 children. 570-389-4409.
Live from the Met: Madama Butterfly, Puccini’s tragic love story between a U.S. Naval officer and a young Japanese girl, broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. 12:55 p.m. April 2 at Cinemark, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. Encore performance at Cinemark 6:30 p.m. April 6. $25, $22, $20, $17. 570-825-4444 or 800-326-3264.
Secret in the Wings, Mary Zimmerman’s compelling narrative on human impulses using short fairy tales which delve into the lands of ogres and princes. Performed by the King’s College Theater Department at the George P. Maffei II Theatre, Administration Building, 133 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre. April 14 to 23 with performances 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Special matinee 2 p.m. April 23. $12; $7 seniors; $5 students. 570-208-5825
Twelfth Night (or What You Will), Shakespeare’s comedy involving mistaken identity, shipwrecks, love triangles, disguises and more. Presented by Wilkes University at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center, 100 W. South St., Wilkes-Barre. 8 p.m. April 14 to 16; 2 p.m. April 17. $10, $5 seniors and students. 570-408-4540.
Live from the Met: Roberto Devereux, Donizetti’s opera about Queen Elizabeth I who was forced to sign the death warrant of the nobleman she loves, broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. 12:55 p.m. April 16 at Cinemark, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. Encore performance at Cinemark 6:30 p.m. April 20. $25, $22, $20, $17. 570-825-4444 or 800-326-3264.
Materialize! A Broadway-caliber magic show with master illusionist Drew Thomas, a finalist on “America’s Got Talent.” F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 8 p.m. April 16. $40, $30, $25. 570-826-1100.
Koresh Dance Company, with guest performers from local and regional dance studios. Mitrani Hall, Haas Center for the Arts, Bloomsburg University. 9 p.m. April 23. $30, $15 children. 570-389-4409.
Arsenic and Old Lace, a comedy dealing with the hilarious members of the unusual — and homicidal — Brewster family. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. 7 p.m. April 29 and 30; 2 p.m. May 1. $10. 570-996-1500.
Riverdance, the 20th-anniversary tour of the show that propelled Irish dancing and music into popular culture. Presented by Broadway in Scranton at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave. 8 p.m. April 29; 2 and 8 p.m. April 30; 1 and 6:30 p.m. May 1. 570-342-7784.
Live from the Met: Elektra, Richard Strauss’ opera about a woman’s primal quest for vengeance, broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. 12:55 p.m. April 30 at Cinemark, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. Encore performance at Cinemark 6:30 p.m. May 4. $25, $22, $20, $17. 570-825-4444 or 800-326-3264.
42nd Street, the quintessential Broadway musical comedy about a starry-eyed dancer who leaves her Allentown home to become a Broadway star. Presented by Broadway in Scranton at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave. 8 p.m. May 20; 2 and 8 p.m. May 21; 1 p.m. May 22. 570-342-7784.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Auditions for the spring production of the comedy “Arsenic and Old Lace,” directed by Hoyt Keiser. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. Noon to 5 p.m. Jan. 30 and 31. Call 570-466-9407 to schedule an appointment.
Production Staff Needed for the April production of “The Full Monty” at the Music Box Dinner Playhouse, 196 Hughes St., Swoyersville. Needed: director, music director, choreographer, costumer and props master. Submit letter of interest and resume by Feb. 12 to [email protected]. Submissions also accepted for the remainder of the 2016 season including “Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical,” “35th Anniversary Show,” “La Cage Aux Folles,” “No Sex Please, We’re British,” and “A Christmas Story.” 570-283-2195.
Theater Bus Trip to Hunterdon Hills Playhouse in Hampton, New Jersey, for a performance of the Neil Simon comedy “Rumors.” Sponsored by the Wyoming Valley Women’s Club on April 26. $85 includes transportation, show and luncheon. Reservations: 570-822-4976 or 570-379-3667.