THIS WEEK: Aug. 19 to 25, 2015

Thoroughly Modern Millie, the Broadway musical set in the 1920s about a girl determined to find a rich husband. Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. Aug. 21 to Sept. 6 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $20. 570-868-8212.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, the infamous tale of an unjustly exiled barber who returns to 19th-century London seeking revenge. Phoenix Performing Arts Center, 409 Main St., Duryea. Aug. 21 to 30 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. $12. Reservations: 570-457-3589.

Barrymore’s Ghost, a solo performance by regional actor Robert Hughes portraying the legendary actor of stage and screen John Barrymore, in a play written by Jason Miller. Hosted by the Rosetti Family Trust at a newly constructed outdoor theater at 1005 Vine St., Scranton. 8 p.m. Aug. 22. $15 includes wine and hors d’oeuvres and benefits the Lackawanna Historical Society. Reservations: 570-344-3841.

FUTURE

Footloose, a play based on the popular 1984 film about teens living in a small town where rigid morality rules and dancing is forbidden. Music Box Dinner Playhouse, 196 Hughes St., Swoyersville. Sept. 4 to 13 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Dinner served 90 minutes before showtime. Free Special Needs performance 7 p.m. Sept. 10; Family Show 7 p.m. Sept. 6. $18; $35 with dinner. Reservations: 570-283-2195.

A Little Night Music, the Broadway musical about love, sex and folly set during a weekend on a country estate. Presented by the Pennsylvania Theatre of Performing Arts at the J.J. Ferrara Center, 212 W. Broad St., Hazleton. Sept. 11 to 20 with performances 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $32 with dinner; $16 show only. 570-454-5451.

West Side Story, the Broadway musical which sets a Romeo-and-Juliet story among street gangs of New York City. Little Theatre, 537 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Sept. 12 to 20 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. 570-823-1875.

The Golden Age, A.R. Gurney’s play about a young F. Scott Fitzgerald scholar who pursues an elderly woman, believing she possesses a rare, unpublished chapter from “The Great Gatsby.” Presented by Actors Circle at the Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Road, Scranton. Opens 8 p.m. Sept. 17 with a discounted preview performance. Continues Sept. 18 to 27 with performances 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. $12; $10 seniors; $8 students. 570-342-9707.

The Rise and Rise of David Rocket, Peter Parnell’s drama about a sixth-grader who is firmly convinced he can fly, a belief that causes him to be shunned and ridiculed by his classmates. But can he really soar above it all? Presented by the University of Scranton Players at the Royal Theater, McDade Center for the Literary and Performing Arts, Scranton. Sept. 18 to 27 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. 570-941-4318.

Tuesdays with Morrie, columnist Mitch Albom’s memoir about his time spent with sociology professor Morrie Schwartz. Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. Sept. 18 to 27 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $20. 570-868-8212.

Menopause: The Musical, a musical parody spoofing menopause symptoms, set to classic tunes from the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s with a cast of breast-cancer survivors. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24. $58 (pit), $48, $42. Proceeds benefit in part the Susan G. Komen fund. 570-826-1100.

One Slight Hitch, a heartwarming comedy from comedian Lewis Black about a marriage ceremony where nothing goes as planned. Presented by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 221 Center St., Bloomsburg. Opens Sept. 24 with “Pay What You Wish” (cash only) performance. Continues Sept. 25 to Oct. 11 with performances 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays.; 3 p.m. Sundays. For mature audiences. 570-784-8181 or bte.org.

1776, the Tony Award-winning musical about the birth of our nation presented by the King’s College Theater Department. George P. Maffei II Theatre, Administration Building, 133 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre. Oct. 1 to 10 with performances 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. $12; $5 students and seniors. 570-208-5825.

Our Town, Thornton Wilder’s enduring classic celebrating everyday existence in small-town America. Presented by Wilkes University at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center, 100 W. South St., Wilkes-Barre. 8 p.m. Oct. 1 to 3; 2 p.m. Oct. 4. $10, $5 students and seniors. 570-408-4540.

Nancy Kerrigan’s Halloween on Ice, a spooktacular figure-skating event with a cast of Olympic, World and U.S. National medalists including Kurt Browning, Alissa Czisny, Nicole Bobek, Johnny Weir and Jozef Sabovcik. Mohegan Sun Arena, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Township. 7 p.m. Oct. 8. $25 to $85. 800-745-3000.

The Addams Family, a musical based on the characters of the macabre television series. Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. Oct. 16 to Nov. 1 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Also: a special show at midnight on Oct. 31. $20. 570-868-8212.

The Price Is Right Live! The hit interactive stage show that gives eligible individuals the chance to “Come on down” and win appliances, vacations and new cars. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 7 p.m. Oct. 22. $81.50, $57.50, $47.50, $37.50. 570-826-1100.

Bullets over Broadway, the national Broadway tour of the Roaring Twenties musical based on the 1994 Woody Allen film about flappers, showgirls, a Broadway diva, a struggling playwright, gangsters and other campy characters. Mitrani Hall, Haas Center for the Arts, Bloomsburg University. 8 p.m. Oct. 25. $40, $20 children. 570-389-4409.

The Book of Mormon, the nine-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical from the creators of “South Park.” Contains explicit language. Presented by Broadway in Scranton at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 to 29; 8 p.m. Oct. 30; 2 and 8 p.m. Oct. 31; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 1. 570-342-7784.

Ragtime, the Broadway touring company in the award-winning musical about Scott Joplin’s new ragtime music providing the soundtrack for an America in transition at the turn of the 20th century. Mitrani Hall, Haas Center for the Arts, Bloomsburg University. 8 p.m. Nov. 6. $40, $20 children. 570-389-4409.

The Laramie Project, Moises Kaufman’s chronicle of the apparent hate-crime death of gay college student Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming. Little Theatre, 537 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Nov. 7 to 15 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. 570-823-1875.

Shout! The Mod Musical, a hip-swiveling journey through the pop classics of London in the sixties through the lives of five “birds” coming of age. Presented by Wilkes University at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center, 100 W. South St., Wilkes-Barre. Nov. 13 to 22 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. $10, $5 students and seniors. 570-408-4540.

A Christmas Story, the nostalgic and witty story of young Ralphie and his all-out campaign to get a Red Ryder Air Rifle for Christmas despite everyone’s admonitions that he’ll “shoot his eye out.” Presented by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 221 Center St., Bloomsburg. Opens Nov. 27 with a “Food Preview” performance (bring a non-perishable food item for admission) at 2 p.m. Continues Nov. 28 to Dec. 27 with performances 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays.; 3 p.m. Sundays. Special matinee performance 2 p.m. Nov. 28. 570-784-8181 or bte.org.

Plaid Tidings, a holiday version of “Forever Plaid,” in which members of a singing quartet are killed on the way to their first professional gig but are allowed to return to Earth to do the show. Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. Nov. 27 to Dec. 13 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Special matinees 3 p.m. on Dec. 5 and 12. $20. 570-868-8212.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze, a new holiday stage extravaganza with soaring acrobatics, gravity defying feats, elaborate production numbers, imaginative costumes, illusions and more. Presented by Broadway in Scranton at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave. 7 p.m. Dec. 1 and 2. 570-342-7784.

Scrooge, the musical adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. Presented by the Pennsylvania Theatre of Performing Arts at the J.J. Ferrara Center, 212 W. Broad St., Hazleton. Dec. 3 to 13 with performances 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $32 with dinner; $16 show only. 570-454-5451.

Parsons Dance Company, the internationally renowned troupe founded by David Parsons, joined by the East Village Opera Company, performing selections from its rock-dance opera “Remember Me.” Mitrani Hall, Haas Center for the Arts, Bloomsburg University. 8 p.m. Dec. 5. $30, $15 children. 570-389-4409.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Britney Benkoski and Zac Swartout wreak havoc in Victorian London in the musical ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,’ opening at the Phoenix Performing Arts Centre in Duryea on Aug. 21.
http://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_8.21-Stage-Sweeney-8.jpg.optimal.jpgBritney Benkoski and Zac Swartout wreak havoc in Victorian London in the musical ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,’ opening at the Phoenix Performing Arts Centre in Duryea on Aug. 21.