‘The Sunshine Boys’ Arizona Theatre Company Through April 14
Herberger Theater Center
222 E. Monroe St.
602-256-6995
Al Lewis and Willie Clark kept audiences in stitches for decades, but now estranged for 11 years, they agree to reunite for one last TV performance. But can they get through their most famous sketch one last time without killing one another? Tickets are $37 to $94, plus fees. For tickets or more information, visit www.arizonatheatre.org.
‘They Chose Me!’
April 5-21
Valley Youth Theatre
525 N. 1st St.
602-253-8188, ext. 2
Arizona musical premiere featuring hilarious and heart-warming stories about adoption as seen through the eyes of children. Shows are Friday through Sunday; times vary. Tickets are $18 plus fees. Visit www.vyt.com.
‘American Voices’ Center Dance Ensemble
2 & 5 p.m. Sunday, April 7
Herberger Theater, KAX stage
222 E. Monroe St.
602-252-8497
Center Dance Ensemble pays tribute to America’s many great poets with new choreography by CDE company members in its annual performance inspired by National Poetry Month. Tickets are $11.50 for adults, $8.50 for seniors and $6.50 for students, plus fees. There also will be a Lunchtime Theater performance at 12:10 p.m. April 3 and 4. Tickets are just $6. Visit www.herbergertheater.org.
‘The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds her Chameleon Skin’ Black Theatre Troupe
April 12-21
BTT Center for the Performing Arts
1333 E. Washington St.
602-254-2151, ext. 4
What’s a black girl from sunny SoCal to do? White people are blowing up black girls in Birmingham churches. Black people are shouting “Black is beautiful” while straightening their hair and coveting light skin. Viveca Stanton’s answer: Slap on a bubbly smile and be as white as you can be! In this musical, Viveca blithely sails through the confusing worlds of racism, sexism and Broadway showbiz until she’s forced to face the devastating effect self-denial has had on her life. Tickets are $33.50 plus fees. Visit http://www.blacktheatretroupe.org/.
‘Sugihara: A Conspiracy of Kindness’
7 p.m. Tuesday, April 16
Cutler-Plotkin Jewish
Heritage Center
122 E. Culver St.
602-241-7870
A free documentary film screening co-sponsored by the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix. In 1939, in the face of the Nazi onslaught, Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara made a decision that would change his life and thousands of others. With no possible hope for reward and at great risk to his family and career, he used his diplomatic power to rescue desperate Jewish refugees. RSVP to azjhs@aol.com.
Phoenix Improv Festival
April 19-21
Herberger Theater Center
222 E. Monroe St.
602-252-8497
The 12th annual Phoenix Improv Festival offers unscripted theater shows including local performances from The Torch Theatre, NCT Phoenix, NBOJU and Dearing Studios and Black Box Productions. Every performance is unscripted and draws inspiration from the audience. Show times are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $20 Friday and Saturday, and $15 on Sunday, plus fees. Visit www.herbergertheater.org.
‘Grown In Detroit’ A film by Mascha and Manfred Poppenk
7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 25
The Lot
NE corner, 2nd and Roosevelt streets
The film focuses on the urban gardening efforts managed by a public school of 300, mainly African-American, pregnant and parenting teenagers. As part of the curriculum, the girls are taught agricultural skills on the school’s own farm which is located behind the school, in what used to be the playground. To view the trailer, visit http://youtu.be/XH6sI7BqXLo. Admission is free; bring your own chair.
‘And Open To All: Opera, Oratorio, and Song’
7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 25
Central United Methodist Church
1875 North Central Ave.
480-585-4485
MusicaNova Orchestra, members of Opera Revolution and a 200-voice youth choir perform Mozart: Finale to Act 1 to Don Giovanni; Richard Strauss: Allerseelen; Hugo Wolf: Der Rattenfänger; Strauss: Morgen; Strauss: Cäcalie; and Aldo Finzi: Catharine. The Sanctuary Choir of Central United Methodist will join MusicaNova and the Concert Choir of Arizona School for the Arts to present Ralph Vaughn Williams’ masterwork, Dona Nobis Pacem. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors age 60 and older, and free for youth age 17 and younger when accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets are available at the door, or online at musicanovaaz.com.
‘Twinge’ Spring Dance Concert
7:30 p.m. April 26-27
Grand Canyon University,
Ethington Theatre
3300 W. Camelback Road
602-639-8880
The Ethington Dance Ensemble explores themes of feeling and the five senses, realized by GCU faculty and guest artists. The classic choreography of modern dance’s matriarch, Isadora Duncan, staged by Janaea Rose Lyn, will stand beside cutting edge dances by Zari Le’on, Jenny Showalter, Leanne Schmidt, Sonja Mitrovic and Susannah Keita. The Phoenix Contemporary Dance Company will complete the program. Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for seniors and children younger than 12, and free for GCU students. E-mail ethington@gcu.edu.
PBC Loves NYC
7:30 p.m. Friday, May 3
Xavier College Preparatory,
Piper Performing Arts Center
4710 North 5th St.
602-264-5328, ext. 21
New York City has been the muse for screenwriters, play writers and songwriters for more than 150 years. Whether you live on Main Street or Broadway, uptown, midtown, or downtown, the countless songs inspired by this great American city are not only familiar, but are a part of our national culture and identity. Take a musical tour of The Big Apple with the Phoenix Boys Choir. Advance tickets are $27/preferred, $22/general admission, and $17/seniors and youth age 12 & younger. All tickets $25 at the door. Visit www.phoenixboyschoir.org.
