THURSDAY, APRIL 21 – WEDNESDAY, MAY 4

When I was growing up, my grandparents had dinner for our extended family at their home every Easter Sunday, but the highlight of the day was always the Cousins’ Easter Egg hunt. My uncles hid something like five hundred eggs outside, and the race was on to find the most or to find one of the special prize eggs. Now, despite flashes of chilly weather and our constant busyness with school, work, and/or life, somehow Easter is already this weekend.

Easter always seems like a quick holiday, marked by time at the in-laws’ or parents’, consisting of dinner, church, and/or an egg hunt, and lasting for approximately one day. However, a great way to extend that a little is to see a show at some point during the weekend, to make the holiday longer than just dinner. This weekend, both a family show and a mature drama are presented, so whether you’re in the mood to laugh or feel deeply, or just do something besides the typical holiday offerings, check out the productions below!

Another Openin’, Another Show

…SHOWS CLOSING SOON

Permanent Collection

HUMAN RACE THEATRE COMPANY

The Story: Loosely based on a true story, in this play, eccentric collector Alfred Morris pretty much guarantees the collisions when his will stipulates both that his museum go to an historically black college and that the displays be kept precisely as they are – leading to an inevitable battle over African artworks that have been kept in basement storage.(HRTC)
Dates: April 14 – May 1, 2011
Tickets and More Information: Human Race Theatre Company

Phantom Tollbooth

ZOOT THEATRE ASSOCIATION

The Story: In this adaptation of the youth classic performed at the VTA Schuster Center’s Mathile Theatre, after the very bored Milo receives a make-believe tollbooth, he is transported to the Lands Beyond, a fantastic and imaginitive world. He meets Tock the watchdog, the floating Alex Bings (whose legs have not yet grown down to earth), Dynne (a monster made of smoke), and many others, ultimately learning the boundlessness of imagination.
Dates: April 21 – 30, 2011
Tickets & More Information: Victoria Theatre Association , Zoot Theatre Company

…ONE WEEKEND ONLY

Blackbird

DAYTON THEATRE GUILD

The Story: Fifteen years after their affair, two ex lovers meet, and are overwhelmed by guilt, rage, and raw emotions bpertaining to their relationship of years past, when she was twelve and he was forty. After prison and hardship, Ray has finally forged a new life for himself; Una, however, still remembers and definitely wants answers. This award-winning drama “ruthlessly explores the complicated history and bond between a man and a woman as they struggle through a deep exploration into what happened and why it happened, and what it all means now.”
Dates: April 22 – 24, 2011
Tickets & More Information: DMM Preview Article , Dayton Theatre Guild

One Short Day

…SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE THEATRICALLY MINDED

Big Fat Concert Series, Vol. II: I Feel So Much Spring

ENCORE THEATER COMPANY

The Basics: After a standing-room-only fall concert, ETC is back with a second series and two performances, held this time at the Color of Energy Art Gallery in the heart of the Oregon District. Featuring songs from some of the most innovative new writers, including Derek Gregor and Sam Carner, Jeff Thomson & Jordan Mann (Jonathan Larson
Award-winners), Kyle Jarrow, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul as well as locally-based musical theatre writers, this concert features the best of rising musical theatre.
Dates: April 29 & 30, 2011; 8 pm (venue open at 7:30 pm for cocktails)
Tickets: $5 at the door
More Information: Encore Theater Company

~KN

We encourage local theatre companies to submit calendar items HERE, and official press releases to [email protected]