SUNDAY, JAN. 27 2013 >>>

1. Willian Hellman's The Children's Hour is a long play, close to three hours, and its first hour is depressingly boring. Yet it's easy to see how its daring, few-holds-barred script was a Broadway sensation in 1934 - so much so, in fact, that New York state authorities were willing to forgo a ban on one of its key themes. Two headmistresses who own and operate a private boarding school are accused of having "unlawful sexual conduct," with, as you might expect, disastrous effects on their lives. The catch is they're accused by a student, Mary Tilford, known to have a shaky regard for the truth. There's every reason to believe Mary's lying, and her rich, influential grandmother overreacting, until another student, Rosalie Wells, corroborates her story. The Lakewood Playhouse stages the production at 2 p.m. Afterward, Alec and Gabi Clayton from PFLAG Olympia will host a post-play discussion. Read Christian Carvajal's review of The Children's Hour in the Weekly Volcano's Arts Section.

2. A large percentage of people get married at some point during their lives. Some people, like Newt Gingrich for instance, do it several times. Hopefully soon it will be legal for gay folks to marry too. The fact is, weddings are a big part of our existence. All the more reason to check out the sixth annual South Sound Wedding Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Centralia's Great Wolf Lodge. Expect everything from wedding gown and tuxedo models to dancing demonstrations. Pro Tip: If you're South Sound Wedding Show date ditches you for one of the Great Wolf water slides, he's probably not the one. 

3. Everyone likes a good joke and being in on the joke is certainly better than BEING the joke. Well, usually. Certainly, people that take themselves too seriously are a drag and theater people who take themselves too seriously are often insufferable. Thankfully, Tacoma Musical Playhouse not only likes a good joke, with their latest production - The Musical of Musicals, the Musical! by Eric Rockwell and Joanne Bogart - they ARE the joke. TMP's cast embraces the self-deprecating lyrics and dialogue and camps it up for the audience. The production hits the stage at 2 p.m.

4. Best-selling author Darren Shan will read from and sign copies of his new book Zom-B Underground at 3 p.m. inside King's Books. After a zombie outbreak in the UK, B wakes up in a military complex with no memory of the last few months. B has to piece together the new world and find some allies. 

5. Traditions Cafe in Olympia hosts a benefit show for Out of the Woods Family Shelter featuring Back Porch Swing, appetizers, desserts and more at 7 p.m.

LINK: Sunday, Jan. 27 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area