Jerri Shafer - Page 14

THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, features an original story and it’s every father’s nightmare: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family– a man her parents have never met. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before– keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents. Performances run March 17th thru the 19th, 2022 at Dublin Jerome High School, 8300 Hyland-Croy Rd, Dublin, OH 43016, For tickets visit: https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/61181

The comedy focuses on the relationship between young, wild Toni and her older, married lover Julian, a dentist. Convinced the two have no future together, Toni attempts suicide, and a guilt-ridden Julian rashly proposes he leave his wife so the couple can be together. However, Julian has never revealed to Toni that his 'marriage' is actually an elaborate lie concocted to keep Toni at arm's length. Toni refuses to break up his household without first meeting and talking with Julian's soon-to-be-ex, so Julian enlists the aid of his shy spinster assistant Stephanie to pose as his non-existent wife. Complications arise when Toni decides the two must find her a new beau so everyone concerned can live happily ever after. Take a trip back to the groovy 60s! Performances are March 17th thru the 20th at the Columbus Dance Theatre, 592 E. Main St., Columbus, OH 43215. For tickets or more information, visit: https://pacecolumbus.com

The Mount Vernon Arts Consortium welcomed Ace Frehley, the original KISS guitarist and R&R Hall of Fame inductee on March 11, 2022 to the Woodward Opera House in Mount Vernon, Ohio.

'Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek....' And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's one on hand... and his name is Shrek. Performances run March 11th thru the 13th, 2022 at Arts & College Preparatory Academy, 4401 Hilton Corporate Dr, Columbus, OH 43232. For more information visit: https://artcollegeprep.org/

Rydell High School’s 1959 senior class is in rare form. The too-cool-for-school “Burger Palace Boys” are stealing hub-caps and acting tough and their gum-snapping, chain-smoking “Pink Ladies” are looking hot in bobby sox and pedal pushers. At the heart of the story is the romance between hot-rodding gangster Danny Zuko and the sweet new girl in town, Sandy Dumbrowski. Sold out performances run February 25th thru March 13th, 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.

For its 64th annual production, Butterfly Guild of Nationwide Children’s Hospital is pleased to announce Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella will take place on March 4, 5 & 6, 2022 at the historic Palace Theatre located at 34 W. Broad St. This family-friendly, Broadway-quality production benefits the Hospice and Palliative Care Programs at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the only programs of its kind in central Ohio. The timeless enchantment of a magical fairy tale is reborn with the Rodgers & Hammerstein hallmarks of originality, charm, and elegance. Originally presented on television in 1957 starring Julie Andrews, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella was the most widely viewed program in the history of the medium. Its recreation in 1965 starring Lesley Ann Warren was no less successful in transporting a new generation to the miraculous kingdom of dreams-come-true, and so was a second remake in 1997, which starred Brandy as Cinderella and Whitney Houston as her Fairy Godmother. If you are interested in making a donation or sponsoring our play, visit our website: https://tinyurl.com/rsqpdxn Questions? Please call 614.355.5400 or email Giving@NationwideChildrens.org Performances are March 4th thru the 6th, 2022 and will be held at the Palace Theatre, 34 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215. For tickets visit: https://my.cbusarts.com/events/2986

Providing theatrical opportunities for children, both as participants and audience members is core to the mission of Hilliard Arts Council. In that spirit, we are producing the first of two “For Kids, By Kids” productions in 2022: Seussical Jr featuring the talents of 30 talented young actors in grades 4-8. A true family event, Seussical Jr is a children’s musical based on the stories and characters of Dr. Seuss, where you will revisit beloved characters including The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Mayzie LaBird, and JoJo. Performances run March 4th thru the 13th, 2022 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/

Andy is an agent and a fixer in Tinsletown. When one of his clients makes a huge mistake, he has to jump into action to save both of their careers. That’s where the fun begins. The Schedule, written by Sheldon Gleisser is directed by Michael Garrett Herring. The cast includes: Nick Martin as Denny Monroe, Michael Herring as Andy Zeleznick, Rachel Scherrer as Clementine Folkes, and Julia Cannell as Woman. The show runs February 17 through March 6, 2022 at Red Herring Theater, 3723 S High ST, Columbus OH 43207. Red Herring Theater values the health and safety of our patrons and our artists, and requires proof of at least one dose of an approved COVID vaccine and the wearing of a mask while at the Theater. For more information about Red Herring Theater Company, the Theater, the 2022 season or any other questions, visit: RedHerringTheater.org or call (614) 723-9116.

In October 1998, a twenty-one-year-old student at the University of Wyoming was kidnapped, severely beaten, and left tied to a fence in the middle of the prairie outside Laramie, Wyoming. His name was Matthew Shepard, and he was the victim of this assault because he was gay. Moises Kaufman and fellow members of the Tectonic Theater Project made six trips to Laramie, interviewing more than 200 citizens in the aftermath of Matthew's murder. The Laramie Project is a breathtaking collage that explores the depths to which humanity can sink and the heights of compassion of which we are capable. Performances run Feb 4th thru the 20th, 2022 at Curtain Players, 5691 Harlem Road, Galena, Ohio 43021. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: http://curtainplayers.org

The Last Five Years, a musical written by Jason Robert Brown, explores a five-year relationship between Jamie Wellerstein, a rising novelist, and Cathy Hiatt, a struggling actress. The show uses a form of storytelling in which Jamie's story is told in chronological order (starting just after the couple have first met) and Cathy's story is told in reverse chronological order (beginning the show at the end of the marriage). The characters do not directly interact except for a wedding song in the middle as their timelines intersect. Performances are Feb 11th through the 19th, 2022 at FIVE14 Church, 5477 N. Hamilton Rd., Columbus, Ohio. For tickets visit: https://www.showtix4u.com/events/17962

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/