THIS WEEK: March 30 to April 5, 2016

Unnecessary Farce, a comedy by Paul Slade Smith about two police officers trying to expose a corrupt mayor by setting up a sting in an adjacent hotel room. Performed by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St., Bloomsburg. 7:30 p.m. March 31 to April 2; 3 p.m. April 3. Reservations: 570-784-8181 or bte.org.

The Who’s Tommy, the classic rock opera about a deaf, dumb and blind kid “who sure plays a mean pinball.” Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. 8 p.m. April 1; 3 and 8 p.m. April 2; 3 p.m. April 3. $20. 570-868-8212.

The Full Monty, the Tony Award-winning musical about Buffalo steelworkers coming to a bold and “unclothed” way of making some quick cash. Music Box Dinner Playhouse, 196 Hughes St., Swoyersville. April 1 to 17 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Special show-only on April 14. Dinner served 90 minutes before showtime. $35; $18 without dinner. Reservations: 570-283-2195.

Live from the Met: Madama Butterfly, Puccini’s tragic love story between a U.S. Naval officer and a young Japanese girl, broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. 12:55 p.m. April 2 at Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and Cinemark, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. Encore performance at Cinemark 6:30 p.m. April 6. $25, $22, $20, $17. 570-825-4444 or 800-326-3264.

Auditions, for the May-June production of “Doctor Cook’s Garden” by Ira Levin. Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Road, Scranton. 2 to 4 p.m. April 3 and 4. Needed: men age 30 to 70 and women age 50 and older. 570-876-4267.

Popovich Comedy Pet Theater, a family-oriented show of unique physical comedy, juggling and balancing skills of Gregory Popovich and his more than 30 pets: house cats, dogs, parrots, geese and doves, all rescues from animal shelters across the country. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 7:30 p.m. April 5. $27.50, $22.50, $12.50. 570-826-1100.

FUTURE

Don Quixote, a filmed performance by the Bolshoi Ballet, captured live from Moscow, in the full-length ballet about Cervantes’ eccentric hero and his loyal squire Sancho Panza. Cinemark, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. 12:55 p.m. April 10. $18. 570-961-5943.

The Secret in the Wings, Mary Zimmerman’s play transporting viewers into the murky underbelly of human impulses, through lands of ogres and princes and into a charming conclusion in the world of classic fairy tales. George P. Maffei II Theater, Administration Building, 133 N. River St., King’s College, Wilkes-Barre. April 14 to 23 with performances Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; matinee performance 2 p.m. April 23. $12, $7 seniors, $5 students. 570-208-5825.

The Big Meal, a big-hearted play that follows five generations of a modern family from first kiss to final goodbye. Performed by Actors Circle at the Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Road, Scranton. April 14 to 24 with performances Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. $12, $10 seniors, $8 students. Reservations: 570-342-9707.

Secret in the Wings, Mary Zimmerman’s compelling narrative on human impulses using short fairy tales which delve into the lands of ogres and princes. Performed by the King’s College Theater Department at the George P. Maffei II Theatre, Administration Building, 133 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre. April 14 to 23 with performances 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Special matinee 2 p.m. April 23. $12; $7 seniors; $5 students. 570-208-5825

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.

Grease, the musical about young love at Rydell High School in the 1950s. Performed by the Liva Arts Company at Elm Park United Methodist Church, 712 Linden St., Scranton. 8 p.m. April 14 and 15; 2 and 8 p.m. April 16. 570-941-7401.

Grease, the musical about young love at Rydell High School in the 1950s. Performed by the Wyoming Area Drama Club at the Wyoming Area Secondary Center, 20 Memorial St., Exeter. 7 p.m. April 15 and 16; 2 p.m. April 17. $10 (available at the door). 570-466-9550.

Young Frankenstein, the stage adaptation of the Mel Brooks’ musical comedy. Little Theatre, 537 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. April 15 to 24 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $20. The April 15 show is buy one, get one free. 570-283-1875.

Children of Eden, a biblical musical telling the story of the Creation and Noah’s Ark. Theatre at the Grove, 5177 Nuangola Road, Nuangola. April 15 through May 1 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $20. 570-868-8212.

Live from the Met: Roberto Devereux, Donizetti’s opera about Queen Elizabeth I who was forced to sign the death warrant of the nobleman she loves, broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. 12:55 p.m. April 16 at Movies 14, 24 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre and Cinemark, 40 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. Encore performance at Cinemark 6:30 p.m. April 20. $25, $22, $20, $17. 570-825-4444 or 800-326-3264.

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.

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.

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. April 29 to May 8 with performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Theater Bus Trip to Hunterdon Hills Playhouse in Hampton, New Jersey, for a performance of the Neil Simon comedy “Rumors.” Sponsored by the Wyoming Valley Women’s Club on April 26. $85 includes transportation, show and luncheon. Reservations: 570-822-4976 or 570-379-3667.

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.

Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble members Daniel Toth, Andrew Hubatsek and Cassandra Pisieczko star in the comedy ‘Unnecessary Farce,’ playing through April 3 at the Alvina Krause Theatre in Bloomsburg.
https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_4.1-stage-unnecessary-farce.jpgBloomsburg Theatre Ensemble members Daniel Toth, Andrew Hubatsek and Cassandra Pisieczko star in the comedy ‘Unnecessary Farce,’ playing through April 3 at the Alvina Krause Theatre in Bloomsburg.