Dorothy and the Wizard, Anna and the King Set Stages for Exotic Places

Chicago (South Side)

Beverly Arts Center presents  the exclusive premiere of an original cabaret musical, Last Night at the Piano Bar, based on the real life exploits of piano bar artist Dan Gillogly, who also co-wrote the script with Jeff Award-winning Nate Herman. 

The musical tells the story of one night in the lives of four characters in a North Side lounge. There's Frank, a tough city worker who likes expensive clothes; Grace, a former beauty queen now known for her wifely housekeeping in a television ad; Rhonda, the brash bartender; and Jimmy, a wide-eyed kid from Iowa who before this night could never have imagined this big city adventure.

When: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, April 29-30; 3 p.m. Sunday, May 1.
Where: Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St.
Cost: $15, $12 members.
Tickets and information: 773-445-3838 and www.beverlyartcenter.org.

Chicago Heights

Dazzling costumes, a legendary Rodgers and Hammerstein mega score and a cast of actors from throughout the Southland will turn the Bloom High School stage into Siam, the Thailand of the past, with a sumptuous Drama Group production of The King & I. 

Once again, Anna and the King of Siam will waltz across the floor, and sadly, the star-crossed lovers Tuptim and Lun Tha will discover the agony of forbidden romance.

Andy Leahy directs, Maria Barwegen portrays Anna, and Jay Espano steps into the Yul Brynner role of the King.

These tickets will go fast.

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, April 29-30; 2 p.m. Sunday, May 1.
Where: Bloom High School Auditorium, 101 W. 10th St. 
Cost: $18, $17 seniors and students.
Tickets and information: 708-755-3444 and www.dramagroup.org. 

Chicago Heights

Union Street Gallery brings the tiny Asian country of Bhutan to Chicago Heights via the images by Cecily Hunt and her collaborative artwork with Nancy Frazier. Both women, involved with the gallery, traveled to Bhutan in 2010 and their adventures, seen through this exhibit, reveal depth to a country little known beyond its borders. Hunt's photographs, a collection of jewelry and other items from the excursion as well as designs created by artist Frazier and Hunt for their exhibit, Into Bhutan, will remain on view through May 14.

This rare look at the distant country, its people and its treasures, can only be seen at USG. 

In Harmony, an exhibit of works by many other professional gallery artists, continues on the gallery's second level as well. 

When: Both exhibits continue through May 14. Gallery hours are noon-5 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; noon-6 p.m. Friday; and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Union Street Gallery, 1527 Otto Blvd., Chicago Heights.
Cost: Free.
Tickets and information: No tickets needed. Call 708-754-2601 or go to www.unionstreetgallery.org for more info.

Frankfort

Comedy and music headline the bill tonight at CD & ME. Stand-up artists Shay Shay and Denise Ramsden share the bill (and stage, too, but not at the same time) for the funny stuff, followed with music by Acoustically Challenged.

When: Doors open at 7 p.m. Friday, April 22. The comedy show starts at 8 p.m., and the band goes on at 9:30 p.m.
Where: CD & ME, 23320 S. LaGrange Road.
Cost: $10 cover.
Tickets and information: 815-469-7315. 

Orland Park

Once again, the Orland Park Theatre Troupe gears up for a gala production, the beloved family musical, . More than 100 local actors will take the stage somewhere in Kansas and Oz under the direction of resident artistic director, Frann Carnevele-Sidlow.

The audience will travel the Yellow Brick Road, head into a forest with Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My, and on to the Emerald City of Oz and its mysterious Wizard.

Alexis Lubienski of Frankfort portrays Dorothy and her real life mom, Colleen Lubienski, plays Auntie Em. Oak Lawn's Amanda Barclay morphs into the Wicked Witch, and Orland Park High Point School teacher Amy Stiehr glides around as Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. 

Be forewarned. Tickets sell out quickly.

When: 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, April 29-30; 2 p.m. Sunday, May 1.
Where: Carl Sandburg High School Performing Arts Center, 13300 S. LaGrange Road.
Cost: $18, $16 seniors and students, $14 children.
Tickets and information: 708-403-7275 and www.orland-park.il.us. 

Palos Heights

William Shakespeare's magical forest and fairyland are about to emerge on the Trinity Christian College Marg Kallemeyn Theater stage in the college's spring production, A Midsummer Night's Dream. 

This other-worldy Shakespearean comedy classic always opens new doors in the mind and reignites the question, "Could there really be a forest somewhere ... ?"

When: 7:30 p.m. April 29-30, May 6-7. Opening night dinner theater package begins at 5:30 p.m. Dinner guests also will hear show director John S. Sebastyen's presentation,  An Insider's Guide to the Play. A free post show discussion, including actors and crew members, will take place after the May 6 performance.
Where: Marg Kallemeyn Theatre, Trinity Christian College, 6601 W. College Dr.
Cost: $11, $8 students and seniors. The April 29 dinner package is $30.
Tickets and information:  708-597-3000 and Trinity Christian College.

Palos Hills

Sexual Perversity in Chicago, the play, certainly grabs attention with its title. However, the 1970s early David Mamet script has no intention of dipping down into the stuff of prurience.  While Mamet's masterful works have no lack of humor, they also are packed with strong, vivid language and in this play, heavy sexual content.

One simply cannot leave a one of this brilliant Flossmoor-raised playwright's shows without a tough look at life's infinite shades of gray.

Moraine Valley Academic Theater, under the direction of Craig Rosen, takes on this vivid "representation of 20-somethings co-habiting and mating in urban America in 2011," the release states. "This tragic satire is the story of one couple who meets, begins and relationship and moves in together. 

"The show starts out comically, ends seriously and is a look at how people influence their friends."

Rosen, MVCC associate professor of theater, adds "Despite the graphic language and sexual content, this is a beloved Chicago play that is still respected in the theater." 

When: 7:30 p.m. April 28-30, May 6-7; 3 p.m. May 1.
Where: John and Angeline Oremus Theater,  Center, 9000 W. College Pkwy.
Cost: $12, $10 for seniors and students.
Tickets and information: 708-974-5500 and morainevalley.edu/FPAC.

Palos Hills

This weekend marks the final days of the Robert DeCaprio Art Gallery exhibit of the Illinois Skyway Juried Art Competition of works by students from 10 regional colleges. 

When: Through April 27. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and during most performances.
Where: Robert F. DeCaprio Gallery,  Center, 9000 W. College Pkwy.
Cost: Free.
Tickets and information: No tickets needed. Call 708-974-5500 or go to morainevalley.edu/FPAC for more info.

Park Forest

Half the Sky, a stunning juried visual arts exhibit that celebrates women, heads into its last weeks at Tall Grass Arts Association Gallery. The exhibit title comes from a Chinese proverb: "Women hold up half the sky." 

Each image conveys a message of strength and beauty, talent and versatility by artists, both men and women, from across the Chicago metro area.

When: Through May 8. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.
Where: Tall Grass Arts Association Gallery, 367 Artists Walk.
Cost: Free.
Tickets and information: 708-748-3377 and www.tallgrassarts.org.

South Holland

The South Suburban College Band Concert featuring the SSC Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Andrew Hoeffle, will perform its annual spring concert this month.

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 29.
Where: Kindig Performing Arts Center, 15800 S. State St.
Cost: Free.
Tickets and information: 708-748-3377 and www.tallgrassarts.org.

South Holland

Chicago Heights-based artist Diane McGarel will discuss her exhibit  of digital prints, Mirrors of the Subconscious, during a special presentation at South Suburban College.

"Our images, passions and our individual perceptions are mere reflections of who we are," she said. "Similarly, altered images of what we perceive and choose life to be is also part of what makes us unique."

McGarel will reveal some of her own life experiences and changes, but she cautions," While viewing this exhibition, please keep in mind that emotions are not always truthful. Neither are these images."

A well-known artist who has spoken in many venues in the Chicago area, McGarel's entire presentation should touch the soul of anyone who connects to the visual arts.

When: The talk is at 12:30 p.m. Monday, April 25. The exhibit runs through 4 p.m.
Where: South Suburban College, Photo Four Gallery, 15800 S. State St.
Cost: Free.
Information: Go to the McGarel Graphics website.