EASTER SUNDAY, MARCH 31 2013 >>>
For fans of Bruce Springsteen, the Replacements and the Pogues, their latter-day answer to those icons came in 2010 in the form of Titus Andronicus' epic, messy, passionate, over-the-top masterpiece, The Monitor. Similarly, fans of the Smiths, Tears for Fears and the Church may find solace in Merchandise's similarly epic and messy release, Children of Desire. Catch Merchandise with Love Interest, Cairo Pythian and Wet Hair at 8 p.m. inside Olympia's all-ages venue Northern.
2. The Gem Faire at the Tacoma Dome is a rather intriguing event. Quality gems, beads, crystals, minerals, findings and earth treasures will be available at wholesale prices. Yes, you can grab holiday project supplies, get personal treasures or simply browse and look at all the shiny, pretty, sparkly stuff. For the jewelry maker, there will also be tools, packaging supplies and millions of beads. Be sure to enter for a chance to win cool prizes at the Gem Faire with drawings every hour. The last time we witnessed a gem show it was at some hippy rainbow gathering event, and while that was pretty cool, this one is sure to be grander, and much more organized. It runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
3. As ostensible comedies go, The Philadelphia Story is only marginally funnier than Philadelphia. Barry drops dozens of 1930s references you'll need the glossary in the program to understand, but not many jokes. It's one of those plays where people take a magic narcotic that makes them blab secrets at each other, only to suffer that bizarre theater hangover that causes limping hours later. The first act introduces as many characters as Season One of Downton Abbey, only to waste several on a pointless subplot about the editor of a Fortune-esque magazine. People fall in love instantly, only to make more impulsive, unlikely reversals minutes later.
4. Coming off a smaller-scale, future-gen production, Next to Normal, the bombast of Oliver! represents a smart shift of programming for Capital Playhouse. We know what we want from a show like this, and thanks to director Colleen Powers and an obviously dedicated cast, we get almost all of it. The choreography is intricate and perfectly executed. The madrigal harmonies of "Who Will Buy?" come off beautifully. Sixth-grader Skyler Wyatt Zimmerman, last seen as, you guessed it, Gavroche, looks good in a newsboy cap. Bruce Haasl's set transforms quickly from a workhouse to a mansion to the heights of London Bridge. Oliver! hits the stage at 2 p.m. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of Oliver! in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.
5. Harlequin Productions stages The Philadelphia Story at 2 p.m.. Linda Whitney not only directs with precision but offers, yet again, a truly beautiful set design - two, in fact. I can't say enough about Helen Harvester's lead performance. She captures the regal arm acting and Bryn Mawr drawl of Katharine Hepburn, for whom the role was written, without indulging in caricature. Same goes for Aaron Lamb, who has Jimmy Stewart's way of swallowing his lines without bounding around the stage like George Bailey from a Looney Tunes parody. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of The Phiadelphia Story in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.
Where does Dad Cop hang out on Easter night? With Indian Taker, Casket and Northfolk at 7 p.m. inside the all-ages Red Room in Tacoma.
LINK: Sunday, March 31 arts and entertainmetn events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area
