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THIS WEEK: April 29 to May 5, 2016

Annie Jr., the musical about the little orphan, full of pluck and positivity, determined to find her parents who abandoned her on the doorstep of a New York City orphanage. Performed by members of the Spring Youth Workshop of the Pennsylvania Theatre of Performing Arts. J.J. Ferrara Center, 212 W. Broad St., Hazleton. 7 p.m. April 29 and 30; 3 p.m. May 1. $10, $5 children. 570-454-5451.

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.

Children of Eden, a biblical musical telling the story of the Creation, Adam and Eve, and Noah’s Ark with a theme relating to the age-old conflict of parents and children. Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. 8 p.m. April 29; 3 and 8 p.m. April 30 and May 1. $20. 570-868-8212.

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.

The Importance of Being Earnest, a witty comedy of manners by Oscar Wilde, subtitled “a trivial comedy for serious people.” Royal Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts, University of Scranton. Through May 8 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. $10, $7 students. 570-941-4318.

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 Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and 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.

An Evening of One-Act Plays, directed, produced and performed by King’s College students. George P. Maffei II Theater, Administration Building, 133 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre. 7:30 p.m. May 4 to 6. $1. 570-208-5825.

Row After Row, about three Civil War reenactors gathering in a tavern to battle out their issues, while the people they play in 1863 experience the agony that was Gettysburg. Performed by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. May 5 to 22 with performances 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. 570-784-8181.

FUTURE

Nunsense, the comedy about the Little Sisters of Hoboken trying to raise money by putting on a variety show. Performed by the Nuremberg Community Players at the former St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 283 Hazle St., Nuremberg. 7 p.m. May 6 and 7; 3 p.m. May 8. $15. 570-276-6263.

Mike Super, an evening of magic and comedy by twice-named Entertainer of the Year, winner of NBC’s “Phenomenon” and finalist on “America’s Got Talent.” The Theater at North, 1539 N. Main Ave., Scranton. 7 p.m. May 7. 877-987-6487.

As You Like It, Shakespeare’s comedy of love and liberation, filmed live at the National Theatre in London. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. 2 p.m. May 8 and 22. $14, $12 seniors, $10 students and children. 570-996-1500.

To Kill a Mockingbird, the American masterpiece by Harper Lee about the power of childhood innocence, morality and love. Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. May 13 to 22 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $20. 570-868-8212.

Wyoming Seminary Dance Company, performing a variety of dances created by student and faculty choreographers. Kirby Center for Creative Arts, 260 N. Sprague Ave., Wyoming Seminary, Kingston. 8 p.m. May 13 and 14. Free. 570-270-2192.

Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Neil Simon’s comedy about a married man concerned that the sexual revolution of the 1960s is passing him by. Performed by the Pennsylvania Theatre of Performing Arts at the J.J. Ferrara Center, 212 W. Broad St., Hazleton. May 20 to 29 with performances 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. 570-454-5451.

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.

The Shakespeare Show, a celebration of the Bard’s plays and their enduring influence on music, dance, opera, theater and comedy, filmed live from the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon. With Dame Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Benedict Cumberbatch, Helen Mirren, John Lithgow, David Suchet, Joseph Fiennes and many more. Cinemark, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. 7 p.m. May 23. $15. 570-961-5943.

Mr. Lincoln, a one-man performance by Tom Byrn as Abraham Lincoln, whose life flashes before him after he is shot by John Wilkes Booth. Presented by the East Lynne Theater Company at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 221 Center St., Bloomsburg. 7:30 p.m. May 26 to 28; 3 p.m. May 29. 570-784-8181.

Doctor Cook’s Garden, a suspense melodrama about a seemingly kindly New England doctor who is keeping a mysterious secret. Presented by Actors Circle at the Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Road, Scranton. May 26 to June 5 with performances 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. $12, $10 seniors, $8 students. 570-342-9707.

A Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams’ timeless masterpiece filmed live from the National Theatre in London with Gillian Anderson as Blanche DuBois and Ben Foster as Stanley. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. 2 p.m. June 5 and 19. $14, $12 seniors, $10 students. 570-996-1500.

Golden Days of Radio, a performance of old-time radio shows with authentic sound effects. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. 7 p.m. June 7. Free. 570-996-1500.

The Little Mermaid, Disney’s fishy musical fable based on the Hans Christian Andersen tale about the mermaid Ariel who falls in love with a human and longs to leave the sea to pursue him. Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. 8 p.m. June 10-11; July 1 and 8; 2 and 8 p.m. June 18, 25; July 2 and 9; 3 p.m. June 12, 19 and 26; July 3 and 10. $20. 570-868-8212.

Assassins, the Stephen Sondheim musical that explores the dark side of history’s Presidential assassins from John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald. Performed by the Pennsylvania Theatre of Performing Arts at the J.J. Ferrara Center, 212 W. Broad St., Hazleton. June 17 to 26 with performances 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. 570-454-5451.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare’s delightful comedy of fairies, young lovers and a crew of bumbling players trying to perform a play for the Duke’s wedding. Performed by the Gamut Theatre Group outdoors at Riverside Park, Tunkhannock. 7 p.m. June 25. Free. Bring a blanket or chair. 570-996-1500.

Les Liaisons Dangereuses, the play about games of seduction and revenge between former lovers the Marquise de Merteuil and Vicomte de Valmont, filmed live at the National Theatre in London. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. 2 p.m. July 10 and 24. $14, $12 seniors, $10 students. 570-996-1500.

Funny Girl, the musical portrayal of famed actress and comedian Fanny Brice. Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. July 29 to Aug. 14 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $20. 570-868-8212.

Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5, the country superstar’s musical about three female co-workers pushed to the boiling point by their sexist, egotistical bigot of a boss. Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. Sept. 2 to 25 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $20. 570-868-8212.

Heathers: The Musical, the darkly delicious story of Veronica Sawyer, a brainy, beautiful teenage misfit who hustles her way into the most powerful and ruthless clique at Westerberg High: The Heathers. Performed by the Pennsylvania Theatre of Performing Arts at the J.J. Ferrara Center, 212 W. Broad St., Hazleton. Oct. 14 to 23 with performances 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Mature content. 570-454-5451.

Bonnie and Clyde, the story of the famed Depression-era bank robbers set to music by “Jekyll and Hyde” composer Frank Weildhorn. Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. Oct. 14 to 30 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $20. 570-868-8212.

Arsenic and Old Lace, the mystery-comedy about two elderly sisters who are devoted to charity and family — but have a habit of befriending lonely men and poisoning them with arsenic-laced elderberry wine. Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. Nov. 11 to 20 with performances 7 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 1 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $20. 570-868-8212.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Auditions for the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble’s summer production “Birthday Showdown at Penguin Pete’s Pizza Emporium.” Memorize a 30- to 60-second passage from a favorite book; no singing required. Rehearsals and performances will take place June 20 through Aug. 3. Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. May 14 with doors at 9:30 a.m., auditions at 10 a.m. and callbacks at noon. 570-784-8181.

Theater Bus Trip to the Sight & Sound Theater in Lancaster for a performance of “Samson.” June 8 with a departure time at 7:45 a.m. from the Pittston Plaza. $103 includes transportation, show, meal, tip and a smorgasbord lunch at Shady Maple Farm Market. Reservations: 570-654-9710.

Theater Bus Trip to the American Music Theater in Lancaster for a performance of the “Summer Doo Wop Cavalcade Show.” Sponsored by the United Methodist Church of Pittston on June 18 with a 9:45 a.m. departure from the Pittston Plaza. $108 includes transportation, show ticket, tips and dinner at Shady Maple Smorgasbord. Reservations (by April 23): 570-603-1915.

The Dietrich Theater in Tunkhannock is hosting the comedy ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ April 29 to May 1. Pictured are (from left) Shadden Brock, Luke Sayer, Cecilia Sayer, Eric Lutz, David Swanson, Rich Ryczak, Owen Frazier, Jerry Beaucheane, Meredith Miner Reese, Justin O’Hearn
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_4.29-STAGE-Arsenic.jpg.optimal.jpgThe Dietrich Theater in Tunkhannock is hosting the comedy ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ April 29 to May 1. Pictured are (from left) Shadden Brock, Luke Sayer, Cecilia Sayer, Eric Lutz, David Swanson, Rich Ryczak, Owen Frazier, Jerry Beaucheane, Meredith Miner Reese, Justin O’Hearn

The University of Scranton Players will perform “The Importance of Being Earnest” weekends through May 8 in the Joseph M. McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. From left are: Megan Lasky, Dan Mauro, Cillian Byrne, Conor Hurley and Ali Basalyga.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_4.29-Earnest.jpg.optimal.jpgThe University of Scranton Players will perform “The Importance of Being Earnest” weekends through May 8 in the Joseph M. McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. From left are: Megan Lasky, Dan Mauro, Cillian Byrne, Conor Hurley and Ali Basalyga.