Jerri Shafer - Page 15

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.

We are back! The Alcove Dinner Theatre opens its 2020-21 season with the hilarious production of Wally’s Café by Sam Bobrick and Ron Clark. Wally’s Café opened on Broadway in 1981, starring James Coco, Rita Moreno and Sally Struthers. Performances dates are every Friday and Saturday nights, Oct. 29-30, Nov. 5-20. Social hour is 6:30 p.m., dinner is served at 7:00 p.m. and the show begins after dinner. Dinner selections and prices are on the Alcove and MTVarts website. The Alcove Restaurant, 116 South Main Street, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. For tickets or more information, visit: https://www.alcoverestaurant.com MTVarts gives generous support to the dinner theater. Please join us for “Welcome Home” an original musical based on the memoir by a Vietnam veteran. For tickets or more information, visit: https://mtvarts.com/

Xanadu JR. follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach, California, on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time – the first Roller Disco. (Hey, it's 1980!) But, when Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation, and chaos abounds. Performances run October 29th thru the 31st, 2021 at the Jeanne B McCoy Center for the Arts, 100 West Dublin-Granville Rd., New Albany, OH 43054. Tickets were pre-sold at the school and remaining tickets will be sold at the door.

Young Frankenstein is a musical with a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, and music and lyrics by Brooks. It is based on the 1974 comedy film of the same name written by Brooks and Gene Wilder and directed by Brooks, who has described it as his best film. Performances run October 22nd thru the 24th, 2021 at Millersport Elementary Auditorium, 11850 Lancaster St., Millersport, OH. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.mctohio.com/

As the curtain rises on the Manningham's residence in 19th century London, all appears to be the essence of Victorian tranquility -- except for items going missing, an injured dog, and Mrs. Manningham, who keeps hearing footsteps that aren't there. She thinks she's going mad, until an Inspector from Scotland Yard starts asking questions about Mr. Manningham's past, and she begins to suspect that her husband's insinuating kindness masks more sinister motives. A Broadway hit first produced on the West End under the title Gaslight, this tale of mystery and murder boast one of the most brilliant, suspenseful sequences in modern theatre. Performances run Oct 22nd thru Nov 7th, 2021 at Curtain Players, 5691 Harlem Road, Galena, Ohio 43021. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: http://curtainplayers.org

In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a transvestite scientist. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker and a creepy butler. Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named 'Rocky.' Audiences are asked to be masked for the show as well as provide proof of vaccination or negative Covid test prior to entry. The Rocky Horror Show is 90 minutes with no intermission and returns to the Garden Theater, 1187 North High St., Columbus, Ohio from Oct 15-31, 2021. Shows are Fridays and Saturdays only at 11pm with a special Halloween performance at 7pm. The bar is open and participation bags will be available. Get your seats today at www.cbusarts.com or call 614-469-0939!

Short North Stage invited the audience to walk the red carpet and enjoy an old Hollywood style Gala after the Friday, October 8th, Opening Night performance of Mel Brook's YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN.They mixed and mingled with the cast while enjoying a delectable Jewish delicatessen spread provided by Forty Duece complete with the ever famous black and white cookies from The Goodie Shop. Toasting to a successful opening, the Green Room space was transformed for the event with room for social distancing. Join Short North Stage on their Friday opening nights all season and add on the Gala ticket for only $25! Performances for Young Frankenstein run October 7rd thru November 7th, 2021 at the Garden Theater, 1187 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: www.shortnorthstage.org

A murder trial has ended, closing arguments have been made; now it’s up to a jury of twelve to decide the fate of a 19-year-old boy accused of murdering his father. It’s an open and shut case. Or is it? Tensions rise as racism, classism, and twelve very different personalities interact to obstruct their intentions of reaching a unanimous decision. Can one juror, in their pursuit of justice, save the life of a young man by changing the minds of their peers, one vote at a time? Performances run October 8th thru the 17th, 2021 at the Wigwam Theater (10190 Blacklick-Eastern Road Northwest, Pickerington, OH 43147). For tickets: http://pickeringtoncommunitytheatre.org/

This heart-warming musical follows the friendship of Alvin and Thomas, two men from a small town. These lifelong friends are reunited after Alvin's mysterious death. In the abstract world of his mind, Thomas struggles to write Alvin's eulogy while recounting the many turns that their lives have taken since meeting as children. Alvin searches through the manuscripts and stories in Thomas' mind to lead him on a journey of remembrance. Through music and song, these two friends recount their adventures, explore their past dissonance and ultimately discover what is at the base of every strong friendship... love. In person and streaming, performances run October 7th thru the 16th, 2021 at the Abbey Theater of Dublin, 5600 Post Road, Dublin, OH 43017. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.evolutiontheatre.org/

These Shining Lives, based on the book The Radium Girls by Kate Moore, chronicles the historic strength, heroism and determination of the women at the Radium Dial Company during the 1920s - 1930s. Catherine and her colleagues are becoming gravely ill by the day, but only through the acts of these brave and courageous women and their male allies were these women able to fight their town, the press, the medical community, and the corporation. Theirs is an inspirational story of survival in its most transcendent sense, as they refuse to allow the company that stole their health to kill their spirits or endanger the lives of those that come after them. Performances run September 30th thru October 17th, 2021 at Red Herring, 3723 S. High St. Columbus, Ohio (in the Great Southern Shopping Center). Thursdays - Saturdays at 8:00 PM; Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $30 in advance, with 'pay what you will' available at the door. Patrons and staff will be required to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth while in the building. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.redherringtheater.org/ or 614-723-9116.

Neil Simon’s classic comedy opens as a group of the guys are in the midst of their weekly poker game in the apartment of divorced sportswriter, Oscar Madison. And if the mess is any indication, it's no wonder that his wife left him. The apartment is smoke-filled, and the only thing Oscar can offer his guests is warm Coke and moldy sandwiches. The last to arrive is Felix Ungar, who has just been thrown out by his wife. Felix is depressed and seems suicidal, leading Oscar to invite Felix to be his roommate. However, as Felix takes on the domestic mantle in the apartment and proves just how difficult he is to live with, Oscar is driven to the edge of madness. Poker nights are no longer evenings of smoke, grubbiness, and blokey behavior; instead, the guys are waited on hand and foot by Felix. The final straw occurs when Felix refuses to follow through with a double-date Oscar has set up with the beautiful Pigeon sisters, who live in the same apartment block. The clean freak and the slob come to blows, and the ultimate ‘Odd Couple’ go their separate ways. Performances run September 24th thru October 10th, 2021 at Little Theatre Off Broadway, 3981 Broadway, Grove City, Ohio. For reservations/more info visit: http://www.ltob.org or call 614-875-3919.

Disney’s Frozen JR. is playing at Memorial Theater from Friday, Sept 24 through Sunday, Sept 26. Evening show curtain is at 7:30pm and matinees at 2:00pm. The spectacular musical, designed for young performers, is based on the 2013 Disney film and the 2018 Broadway adaptation. Under the direction of Bruce Jacklin, Joe Jancura, and Megan Bell, the Frozen JR cast which includes 30 of the more seasoned artsIQ performers ages 13 to 18 will present Frozen JR evening shows Friday Sept 24 and Saturday Sept 25. The final performance will be a matinee on Sunday Sept 25. Tickets are just $15 and may be purchased online at https://mtvarts.com, at Park National Bank One South Main Street Mount Vernon, or one hour prior to curtain at the Memorial Box Office. There will be a $3 discount for children 10 and under.