-There are times that I forget the fact that we live in one of the most conservative states in the Union. A state that has elected several Tea Party enthusiasts to public office, a State Supreme Court making national news for all the wrong reasons, and a Congressman too busy putting his foot in his mouth to get anything else done. There are times I forget that we live in this place. (https://www.sweetfixbaker.com/) Seeing The Book of Mormon at The Orpheum Theatre this past weekend was one of those times.
This show is one of the most vulgar, over the top, hilarious, and even uplifting shows I have ever seen with music and singing that will stick in your head long after you leave the theatre. But the most memorable part of last Sunday’s performance was the sold out crowd of everyday, middle class, midwestern people standing on their feet at the end of the show, giving one of the loudest ovations I’ve ever heard.
I’ve never seen a group of people more offended and loving every minute of it.
-If you were foolishly waiting to buy tickets to The Omaha Playhouse’s stellar production of Les Miserables then you are out of luck. The Playhouse announced that it has sold out the remainder of the production’s run. You’re best bet is to get to the theatre early and put your name on the standby list.
-For those looking for some Halloween spooks, look no further than Shelterskelter XVIII, the annual production from The Shelterbelt Theatre featuring seven short plays from local playwrights. This year’s list of writers features voices both familiar and new. Theatre-goers are no doubt accustomed to the works of Max Sparber (Minstrel Show), Ben Beck (Crash! Boom! Pow!), and Timothy Siragusa (10 Seconds into the Future) as well as Julia Hinson (Lone Tree Theatre Project) but you should be equally intrigued by the works of Jeremy Johnson, Rhea Dowhower, and Adam Sempek. For ticket information, visit www.shelterbelt.org
–Iowa Western premieres a new script by Moira Mangiameli this week entitled Shakespeare: The Game Show. The audience should be prepared to participate in a show Maniameli said should take you from Romeo & Juliet to Richard III while also taking you from The Dating Game to Fear Factor. For ticket information, call (712) 388-7140.
Cold Cream looks at theater in the metro area. Email information to coldcream@thereader.com