Seven local schools and small theatres present their Spring plays
Lionheart Theatre 10 College Street Norcross 30071 404-919-4022, lionhearttheatre.org A Bad Year for Tomatoes May 6-22. Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults; $16 for seniors, students and military.
A Bad Year for Tomatoes is a hilarious play that deals with the funny misfortunes of a famous television actress who seeks to “get away from it all” in a small New England town. Plus, Lionheart Summer Drama Camps June 6-24. 12-3:30 p.m. Lionheart Theatre offers three week-long camps, Monday through Friday, for kids ages 8 to 14. Visit lionhearttheatre.org for schedules, costs, registration and additional details.
CYT Atlanta 3000 Old Alabama Road, Suite 119, Alpharetta 30022 cytatlanta.org | Standard ticket price is $20. Suessical Thursday-Saturday, April 28-30. Thursday and Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6 p.m.
Valor Christian Academy, 4755 Kimball Bridge Road, Alpharetta 30005 Seussical is a magical musical extravaganza that’s fun for the whole family. The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many “thinks.” Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community emerge triumphant.
Le Misérables High School Edition Thursday-Saturday, May 5-7. Thursday and Friday, 6 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 5 p.m.
Peachtree Corners Baptist Church, 4480 Peachtree Corners Circle, Peachtree Corners 30092 The world’s longest-running musical, Les Misérables is a modern classic based on Victor Hugo’s novel and featuring one of the most memorable scores of all time. In nineteenth-century France, Jean Valjean is released from years of unjust imprisonment and is pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways.
Norcross High School 5300 Spalding Drive, Norcross 30092 | nhs-drama.com Grease May 5-7. 7 p.m.; May 8. 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students.
One of the world’s most popular musical comedies, Grease features Rydell High’s senior class of 1959 — the duck-tailed, hot-rodding Burger Palace Boys and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking Pink Ladies in bobby sox and pedal pushers. Rock along with the NHS Drama thespians.
Paul Duke STEM High School 5850 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Norcross 30071 | pauldukestem.org Alice in Wonderland Saturday, May 14. 2:00, 4:30, 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 15. 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults; $14 for students and children. Visit adc.booktix.com for details and tickets.
The Atlanta Dance Company presents a beautiful ballet performance of Alice in Wonderland. Discover a magical land with Alice as she meets the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts. This bright and colorful ballet is perfect for all ages. There is an optional add-on character and craft event after the matinees. For group pricing, email maress.barrett@gmail.com.
She Kills Monsters Thursday, April 21, 7 p.m., Friday April 22 7 p.m. Saturday, April 23 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Presented by Paul Duke STEM Thespian Society She Kills Monsters is a drama-comedy play by Qui Nguyen that debuted in 2011. It tells the story of Agnes Evans, an average woman who loses her parents and little sister Tilly in a car accident. This show is rated PG13 for some adult content and language.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Thursday-Saturday, April 28-30 Thursday, 4:30 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m.
Wesleyan’s Middle School presents a musical fantasy that’s fun for the whole family. The play is based on the 1968 film that centers around the Potts children and a magical car that their inventive father lovingly restores.
Duluth Wildcat Theatre 3737 Brock Road, Duluth 30096 770-476-5206, duluththeatre.weebly.com Animal Farm Friday and Saturday, April 29 and 30.George Orwell’s fable tells the story of a revolution and its aftermath. After driving out the farmer, the animals of Manor Farm run it themselves — what could go wrong? Please watch duluththeatre.weebly.com for details.
Exhibition Hub in partnership with Fever and a collaborative of Titanic collectors announced today the launch of its latest exhibition Titanic: An Immersive Voyage.
The companies also announced that Milan, Italy and Atlanta, Georgia have been selected as the initial host cities for the next generation experience. Titanic: An Immersive Voyage is scheduled to open in Atlanta on July 25.
Titanic: An Immersive Voyage will feature more than 300 artifacts from Titanic and its sister vessels the Olympic and the Britannic, as well as objects from Carpathia and Californian, two additional ships key to Titanic’s story.
Items to be showcased in the experience were curated from multiple collections including treasures from Kevin Saucier, the owner of one of the largest private collections of Titanic memorabilia in the world. Priceless artifacts from the collection of Spencer Knarr will also be featured in the all-new Titanic experience. Mr. Knarr started his collection at the age of 12.
“Titanic is the most enchanting ship of all time and is revered by many as an iconic gem,” said John Zaller, Executive Producer at Exhibition Hub. “We’re delighted to tell this immortal story in our signature humanistic and immersive style, and to share it with guests around the world. We could not be more appreciative of the collectors who have joined us on this journey.”
Titanic: An Immersive Voyage represents an entirely new approach to the story of the world’s most famous ocean liner. The experience features more than 300 artifacts, and dramatic room re-creations from the ship, along with advanced theatrical techniques and breathtaking technological overlays that place guests inside the story of the celebrated Titanic.
“Titanic: An Immersive Voyage engages the Titanic story like never before,” said Zaller. “Our expertise in exhibition design and immersive storytelling creates an unforgettable emotional connection to Titanic.”
“The mold for a Titanic exhibition was in need of a refresh,” said Mr. Knarr. “And, Exhibition Hub, with its success in creating immersive experiences, was just the company to do it. I’m really excited to have been invited to participate.”
Knarr’s fellow collector echoed those sentiments.
“One meeting with John Zaller and Exhibition Hub was a lock,” said. Mr. Saucier. “It’s a great way to break away from the traditional exhibit case and create a worldwide touring show. There are collectors who keep their treasures hidden and there are those of us that want to share with the world.”
Titanic: An Immersive Voyage uses cutting-edge storytelling technology to create a powerful emotional connection between visitors and those 2,200 souls onboard. The experience also features hands-on activities, in-depth learning opportunities, projection mapping, a detailed audio tour, educational materials, a special selfie zone, a unique green-screen photo opportunity and an expansive retail store with items from Titanic and her sister ships for sale.
More Information – The waitlist for tickets is now open and tickets will officially go on sale on June 17. Visit expo-titanic.com/atlanta to join the list.
Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling artist, Five For Fighting (aka John Ondrasik)will be playing a free show at Peachtree Corners Town Green for one night only on May 25.
Ondrasik will bring along his band, drummer Randy Cooke, bassist Sean Hurley, and guitarist Peter Thorn, to play the songs his fans have loved for over two decades, along with recent hits.
To date, Five For Fighting, has released six studio albums, including the platinum certified America Town and The Battle for Everything as well as the top-10 charting Two Lights, along with other EPs and live albums.
Ondrasik has penned major hits, including 100 Years, The Riddle, Chances, World and Easy Tonight, which have earned tens of millions of streams and place him as a top-10 Hot Adult Contemporary artist for the 2000s.
Five For Fighting’s music has also been featured in more than 350 films, television shows, and commercials, including the The Blind Side, Hawaii Five-O,The Sopranos and the CBS drama, Code Black.
Ondrasik’s passion for supporting humanitarian efforts and freedom has been a longstanding commitment for the artist as well.
Recently, he’s been taking a non-political stance on key events around the world, writing songs from a humanistic perspective. He recently released OK in response to the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel, while addressing the cultural aftermath both in America and around the world – watch the video here.
Hours before Iran’s missile attack on Israel on April 13, Ondrasik performed OK in Tel Aviv. The singer/songwriter also performed his 9-11 anthem song, Superman (It’s Not Easy). Watch the performance and listen to his comments here.
Ondrasik has been one of the few in the entertainment industry who has spoken up after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. You can read more about in this Wall Street Journal story.
Ondrasik penned the track for OK in the same vein as his previous songs, Blood On My Hands, about the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and Can One Man Save The World?, which was recorded in Kyiv in support of Ukraine. Ondrasik, says “’OK’ is not a political message, but a moral one. A call to action.”
Tying in with “Music In Our Schools Month,”Ondrasik teamed up with The Tullman Family Office, through its operational philanthropic wing Tullman Community Ventures, for the Music Matters Challenge.
The national online music challenge asks Americans to create an original rendition of the song Let Music Fill My World, a song recorded and written by Five For Fighting’s John Ondrasik and students of the Farragut Career Academy in Chicago, Illinois.
The challenge is designed to spotlight the magic of music and bring awareness to the generational impact of removing music from schools. The Grand Prize winners will be announced on May 31. More information can be found here.
In Shakespeare’s day, London theaters like the Globe accommodated up to 3,000 people watching popular plays. In open-air theatres, the cheapest price of admission was only 1 penny, which bought you a place amongst the ‘groundlings’ standing in the ‘yard’ around the stage.
Shakespeare in the Park in Peachtree Corners will be free, and much like then we’ll be out in nature, but listening to a contemporary version of “Much Ado About Nothing.” I spoke with Susanna Wilson and Charlie T. Thomas from Contemporary Classic Theatre about bringing Shakespeare to our city, what it takes, where they’re presenting, and all the things that must happen for this year’s presentation. Podcast hosted by Rico Figliolini.
Much Ado About Nothing – Saturdays and Sundays, May 11-26, 2024 at Simpsonwood Park, Christ Church Episcopal, and Autrey Mill Nature Preserve. One of Shakespeare’s most beloved romantic comedies, director Susanna Wilson’s version of Much Ado is set in Italy during a 21st century film festival. Love at first sight, jealousy and confusion, an illegitimate sibling, mixed-up lovers, three weddings and a funeral – Much Ado About Nothing is an amusing look at timeless truths about love, betrayal, and acceptance. All performances will be outside, for a “Shakespeare in the Park” experience. Bring your own blankets and lawn chairs; no seating will be provided. The show will run for approximately 100 minutes with no intermission.
Free Admission to Simpsonwood Park performances on Saturday, May 11, at 2 pm and 5 pm and Sunday, May 12, at 3 pm.