Jerri Shafer - Page 14

The latest Alcove Dinner theater opens February 4 through March 5 with Neil Simons Broadway classic “The Odd Couple”, directed by Bruce Jacklin with major support from MTVarts. One of the most celebrated American comedies of all time, and considered Neil Simon’s most well-crafted and popular play, “The Odd Couple” is a hilarious take on the conflicts between the two friends when they attempt to live together. “The Odd Couple,” opens February 4 and runs through March 5. Performances are every Friday and Saturday evening, with social hour beginning at 6:30 PM. There will be a matinee only on Saturday, February 19, at 2 PM. Matinee tickets can be purchased at the door. All other reservations and menu sections must be made on line at https://www.alcoverestaurant.com/

What does a person expect out of a blind date? First Date takes the audience through the first meeting of Casey and Aaron, New York City singles set up by friends and family. The two have nothing in common: Aaron is a conservative banker, Jewish, and looking for a meaningful relationship, while Casey is an artist, a shiksa, and a little too funky for Wall Street. With the influences of their friends and family (played out in their imaginations) as well as the effects of social media (Google, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube personified), this first date seems to be doomed. But with the help of a meddling but well-meaning waiter, Casey and Aaron might make a connection after all. With a contemporary score, First Date gleefully pokes fun at the mishaps and mistakes of blind dates and gives hope that there could be that one perfect moment. Performances run Feb 4th thru the 13th, 2022 at Club Diversity, 863 S. High St. Columbus, Ohio 43206. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.imaginecolumbus.org/

Boy Band heaven arrives at Short North Stage on January 20th! The Altar Boyz is full of sharp parody, sinfully spectacular dancing, and irreverent humor. This spoof about a heavenly guy-group is adored by audiences and critics alike. After a hit Off- Broadway run and cult following all over the country, Altar Boyz finally comes to Columbus! With an extraordinary mix of side-splitting songs convincing enough to be played on MTV, uncontrollable laughs and lighthearted fun, this award-winning and totally original new musical is 90 minutes of pure delight! Altar Boyz tells the holy inspiring story of 5 small-town boys - Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan and Abraham (the group’s token Jewish member) - trying to save the world one screaming fan at a time. Their pious pop act, including lyrics like 'Girl You Make Me Wanna Wait' and 'Jesus Called Me On My Cell Phone,' will “altar” your mind! Catch these boyz in action January 20th through February 13th. Showtimes are 7pm Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and 2pm on Sundays. Tickets range From $39 - $54 with student rush tickets available for $20 at the door. Group discounts available. Visit www.cbusarts.com for more information.

In the Baptist backwoods of the Bible Belt, the beleaguered Turpin family proves that living and dying in the South are seldom tidy and always hilarious. Despite their earnest efforts to pull themselves together for their father’s funeral, the Turpins’ other problems keep overshadowing the solemn occasion. Performances run January 15th thru the 30th, 2022 at Little Theatre Off Broadway, 3981 Broadway, Grove City, Ohio. For reservations/more info visit: http://www.ltob.org or call 614-875-3919.

Family Oriented version of Charles dickens holiday classic, with the big bad wolf playing Ebeneezer Scrooge and a fairy godmother, old King Cole and the queen of hearts respectively playing the ghosts. Written by, Flip Koeler and Cindy Marcus. Directed by, Emily Sellevaag. Performances run December 16th thru the 19th, 2021 at McConnell Arts Center 777 Evening Worthington, Ohio 43085. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=132456

The Lion King, Jr. tells the story of the epic adventures of a curious cub named Simba as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and his destiny as king. To claim his rightful place on the throne and save his beloved Pridelands, Simba must find his inner strength and confront his wicked Uncle Scar. Directed by Patty Scott, the performances were December 2nd thru the 4th, 2021. Please visit their website https://tinyurl.com/3hxne8zv for information about upcoming productions including The Addams Family!

An eclectic group of six tweens vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. A riotous ride, complete with audience participation, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a delightful den of comedic genius. Performances are December 5th thru the 19th. Gallery Players, 1125 College Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43209. Please visit https://columbusjcc.org/gallery-players/ to get specific show times and purchase tickets.

A raucous new musical from local composer Brian Horne! After a series of private and public readings over the past five years, Imagine Productions is proud to be presenting this WORLD PREMIERE production. When a low-class detective in Victorian England gets a chance to prove himself by catching the infamous Jack the Ripper, he finds escaping from the shadow of the world’s greatest detective will be harder than he thought. Performances run December 3rd thru the 11th, 2021 at the Columbus Performing Arts Center, 549 Franklin Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215. For tickets or more information, visit: https://www.imaginecolumbus.org/

Hamlet's a challenge for any actor, but when Jessica is cast as the titular character in a New York production, it sends her into an existential tailspin. It doesn't help that her acting coach is borderline abusive, or that every Starbucks barista with an MFA tells her she's too young for the role. Or that she's somehow managed to make Sir Patrick Stewart her nemesis. Not to mention the fact that she's a woman. How can Jessica figure out “to be or not to be,” when she can't even figure out herself? Featuring an all-female cast performing multiple roles, Women Playing Hamlet is rip-roaring fun for Shakespeare fans and haters alike. Performances run December 3rd thru the 19th, 2021 at Curtain Players, 5691 Harlem Road, Galena, Ohio 43021. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: http://curtainplayers.org

The magic tree house whisks Jack and Annie back in time to the foggy streets of Victorian London, where they meet the famous, well-off author, Charles Dickens, who has a severe case of writer’s block. Jack and Annie also witness the hardships faced by the poor, and their efforts to help only land them in prison. Mr. Dickens rescues Jack and Annie, and they, in turn, help him escape the sad memories that haunt him. In the process, they inspire Mr. Dickens to write one of the greatest holiday stories of all time. Directed by Pamela Villarreal. Performances run December 3rd thru the 12th, 2021 at the Wigwam Theater (10190 Blacklick-Eastern Road Northwest, Pickerington, OH 43147). For tickets: http://pickeringtoncommunitytheatre.org/

Ariel, the youngest daughter of the Mer-King Triton, does not feel like she belongs in her world under the sea and wishes to live in the human world above. When she falls in love with Eric, a young human prince, she is willing to risk everything to win his heart, and makes a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, to trade her voice for human legs. However, the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel will need the help of her colorful friends, Sebastian the crab, Scuttle the seagull, and Flounder the fish, Scuttle to restore order in both worlds. With a book by Doug Wright, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and music by Alan Menken, the show is sure to delight audience members of all ages. The Little Mermaid performs at 7 p.m. on November 18th, 7 p.m. on Friday, November 19th, 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 20th, and 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 20th, 2021 at the McCoy Center for the Arts, 100 West Dublin-Granville Rd., New Albany, OH 43054. Tickets can be purchased in advance at cbusarts.com or at the door.

After a very long two year intermission, live theatre returns once again to the Lincoln Theatre stage when Gahanna Lincoln High School presents, “She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition” by Qui Nguyen, Thursday - Saturday, November 11-13. P.m. at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 and may be purchased at https://www.gahannatheatre.com/ or at the door, while they last. “She Kills Monsters” tells the story of high school cheerleader, Agnes Evans, coming to grips with the death of her younger sister, Tilly, who passed away suddenly in a car crash. While going through Tilly’s things, Agnes finds Tilly’s “Dungeons & Dragons” notebook, and makes the decision to learn more about the sister she never really knew. Agnes explores the world of fantasy as she embarks on a journey to New Landia and battles gelatinous cubes, dark elves, beholders, shape-shifters and ultimately, the monsters within herself.

Three terminal cancer patients dwell in separate cottages on a hospital's grounds. The three are attended and visited by family and close friends: Agnes and her mother Felicity, estranged further by the latter's dementia; Brian and Beverly, whose marital complications are exacerbated by Brian's new lover, Mark; and Joe and Maggie, unready for the strain of Joe's impending death and its effect on their teenage son. Performances are November 11th thru the 14th at the Columbus Dance Theatre, 592 E. Main St., Columbus, OH 43215. For tickets or more information, visit: https://pacecolumbus.com/

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio – MTVarts, a nonprofit, all-volunteer theater company in Mount Vernon, Ohio, is honoring Vietnam veterans this Veterans Day with a special production of “Welcome Home: A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans,” on Nov. 11-12 at Knox Memorial Theater in Mount Vernon. “My main exposure to the Vietnam experience was through the eyes of a 13-year-old boy watching his older brother putting away his high school football and seeing him board a plane in route to Vietnam,” said show director Bruce Jacklin. “There were no emails, texts, or Facetime to keep in touch. Only the evening news offering any peace of mind that your son was not a part of a deadly conflict.”

Original Productions Theatre, which focuses on new works, will present the world premiere of “Bound for Albania,” a drama by Columbus playwright Johnrick Holes (“Nighthawks,” “Shakespeare’s Bloody Deed”) about a retired nurse inspired to work at an Albanian refugee camp to help separated families of Syrians fleeing their war-torn country. Performances are 8 p.m. Nov. 4-6 and Nov. 11-13, and 2 p.m. Nov. 7 and 14 at the Abbey Theater of Dublin, 5600 Post Road, Dublin. Tickets cost $25, or $20 for students, senior citizens and matinees. (614-943-1776, https://www.optheater.com/)

In October 1998, Matthew Shephard, a 21 year old university student was kidnapped, beaten and left to die, tied to a fence in the middle of the prairie outside Laramie, Wyoming. He died several days later in an area hospital. He was the victim of this assault because he was gay. This horrible tragedy was the impetus for Moises Kaufman and the Tectonic Theatre Project to create The Laramie Project, a play created based on over 200 interviews with the people of Laramie. The Laramie Project, a compelling and deeply moving theatrical experience, will be staged by Hilliard Arts Council at the Hilliard Civic and Cultural Arts Center in Hilliard Ohio. Performances run November 5th thru the 14th, 2021 at the Hilliard Civic and Cultural Arts Center, 5425 Center St, Hilliard, OH, 43026. For more information or to get tickets, visit: https://www.hilliardartscouncil.org/theatre/

Based on the cherished 2003 New Line Cinema hit, Elf tells the story of Buddy and his quest to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Seating for each show is limited to 180. Audience members will be required to wear masks over their nose and mouth for the duration of the show and when in the building and will be seated by household/bubble groups, at least three feet apart from others in their row. Every other row will be closed for distancing purposes. Show dates and times: Thursday, November 4, 7:30 pm, Friday, November 5, 7:30 pm, Saturday, November 6, 7:30 pm, Sunday, November 7, 3:00 pm at King Avenue United Methodist Church, 299 King Ave., Columbus, OH. Admission is free, donations appreciated.

This comedy follows four good-intentioned and politically mindful people as they try to put together a school Thanksgiving play that respects the true history of the holiday. Good intentions collide with bad ideas when they collaborate to tell the traditional story in a non-offensive way. No cow is sacred in Native American playwright Larrissa FastHorse’s wickedly funny, satirical comedy about one of America’s most cherished holidays. Performances run November 4th thru the 21st, 2021 at Red Herring, 3723 S. High St. Columbus, Ohio (between Kroger and PNC Bank in the Great Southern Shopping Center). Thursday through Saturday night performances start at 8:00 PM; Sunday matinees are at 2:00. Doors open one hour before show time. Tickets may be purchased in advance by going to our website: www.RedHerringTheater.org. You may also purchase tickets at the door where you can enjoy our More if you Can, less if you Can’t flexible payment option.

In this compelling dramatic triptych, three terminal cancer patients dwell in separate cottages on a hospital's grounds. The three are attended and visited by family and close friends: Agnes and her mother Felicity, estranged further by the latter's dementia; Brian and Beverly, whose marital complications are exacerbated by Brian's new lover, Mark; and Joe and Maggie, unready for the strain of Joe's impending death and its effect on their teenage son. (Provided by Concord Theatricals) Seating for each show is limited to 100 theatregoers. Masks are required to attend the production. ONLINE SALES ONLY. NO SALES AT THE DOOR. TICKETS: https://commerce.cashnet.com/oul-theatre, $12-reserved seating, $10-seniors and students reserved seating. Online sales only. No in person sales at OUL. COVID safety protocols during the shows will follow university guidelines at the time of the performance. Show dates and times: Wednesday, November 3, 7:00 pm, Thursday, November 4, 7:00 pm, Friday, November 5, 7:00 pm, Saturday, November 6, 7:00 pm, Sunday, November 7, 2:00 pm. The performance runs approximately 2 hours. Adult language and themes.

New Vision Dance Company, one of central Ohio’s leading concert dance companies, celebrated 15 years of bringing dance to the community. This non-profit dance ensemble, best known for its versatility in style and community engagement, was established for those who seek ways to continue growing in their life-long passion of dance. For the past 15 years, the company has brought performers of various ages and backgrounds together to celebrate this passion all thanks to Founder and Artistic Director Melissa Gould. The celebratory season ended this October with their show Retrospective III – 15 Years of Dance. This show took the audience through time as the company recreated past favorites from their 15 years of performances. The show starred the members of New Vision Dance Co. and showcased a variety of dance such as jazz, contemporary, musical theatre, tap, hip hop, ballroom, and more. The shows were presented on October 16th and 17th at the McCoy Center for the Performing Arts in New Albany, Ohio.