The Shining
The Atlanta Opera & Alliance Theatre
through October 1, 2023

Stephen King wrote a grim and scary novel about a hotel inhabited mostly by ghastly ghosts. With music by Paul Moravec and libretto by Mark Campbell, this eerie saga takes the stage in partnership with the Alliance on their Coca-Cola Stage.

It is a story of the Torrance Family, when Jack, Wendy and Danny move on up to the old, and supposedly vacant hotel, The Overlook up I the Colorado hills. But nothing turns out as expected. With as live orchestra in the pit under the baton of Timothy Myers, the cast of about 16 players work their way through the mess. The opera is sung in English, with super-titles for every word; and while the music plays throughout the two acts, there isn’t any parts you will leave humming along; for the story is the thing.

Father Jack, wife Wendy and son Danny are played by different performers on various dates; as well as are several other characters. It is not a romance tale in the least; albeit Jack wants to work his way through a treacherous situation without bringing harm to Wendy or their son. While this is really well done, it not one for the kiddies nor Miss Prims. The show runs about 2.5 hours with an intermission to try to figure out what else may soon occur.

For tickets and more info just visit the websites of The Atlanta Opera and/or Alliance Theatre.

The Nerd
Lionheart Theatre
through September 24, 2023

The Nerd by Larry Shue has ben around for decades and is a favorite of the Director, Rick Adams. It is about an architect in Terre haute, Indiana who was in the armed forces when his life got saved years earlier by a fellow-soldier to whom he promised friendship and support for all their lives.

Willum (Paul Milliken) comes face to face with Rick (Scott Starkweather) who has shown up but lacks most social skills, and isn’t great on building relationships. The rest of the gang at his 34th birthday party are played by Laruen Casola, Serenity Finocchio, Zachary Grizzle, Holla Majors and Hunter Showalter.

As the play goes on you will wonder how they are going to resolve all the design issues that are the basis of some serious concerns. But, fear not. After intermission things will change quite a bit. And, if you’ve not been to Lionheart before; know that not only do they have free parking, good seating and easy access; but they also treat everybody to goodies including lots of drinks and home baked pies and cakes.

This is a really pleasant facility just off Norcross Square and you can get info and tickets very easily at LionheartTheatre.org

Rooted
Horizon Theatre
through September 24, 2023

This is the third of Deborah Zoe Laufer’s plays to hit the stage at Horizon; and it is quite spectacular. The writer likes to have casts with several women and this is no different in that Jade Davis, Mary Lynn Owen and Maria Rodriguez-Sager compose the total cast of three under the direction of Justin Anderson.

The sisters Hazel (Mary Lynn) and Emory (Maria) seem to be deep into a difficult relationship, rooted in Hazel’s social problems, and life style. While I can’t tell you abut the specifics of the story, I can say that it relates to how a cult might be formed, without intentions, and how to respond.

What will truly blow your minds is the set that is a totally different one designed by the sisters Curley-Clay. This is one of those plays that runs in one act of about 100 minutes and is set in a small town north of NYC in these current weird times.

This show will close towards the end of September and the next production will come to life October 20th as the Great Comet of 1812. More info and tickets easy to obtain at HorizonTheatre.com

Almost Heaven
John Denver’s America
Georgia Ensemble Theatre

After a good number of years this terrific one night performance came back to town at the former home of Georgia Ensemble Theatre. It was directed by Chris Damiano and featured the five incredible musicians-singers; Dolph Amick on guitar and bass, Mary Nye Bennett on the drums, Chris Damiano on banjo and guitar, Scott DePoy on fiddle and mandoline and Jeremy Wood on the piano and guitar. But, in actuality this quintet hits the stage playing about 15 different instruments, and working their way through 22 numbers including old favorites such as Rocky Mountain High and Leavin’; on a Jet Plane.

While the theatre company has moved to Cobb, the Cultural Arts Center will be bringing a slew of great evenings to town. For example the Georgia Tech Glee Club will hit the boards with Hot Time in the City on September 30th, and Joe Gransden and his Big Band will blow the house down with his Jazz Milestones Series on October 1st, and later in December and April.

There will be plenty of enjoyable programs and you may wish to check them out any time at RoswellCAC.showare,come Easy to get to, free parking and great seating. Enjoy.