Jada Wilson plays “Beneatha Younger,” and Justin Tanks is “Walter Younger” in UNR’s production of A Raisin in the Sun.
Photo/Eric Marks
T
Here’s a look at what’s happening on theater stages around town over the next few months
Spring on Stage by Jessica Santina
OPINION
|
NEWS
|
GREEN
|
FEATURE STORY
|
ARTS&CULTURE
|
IN ROTATION
|
ART OF THE STATE
|
FOODFINDS
|
FILM
his theater guide marks major changes in the Reno arts scene. First, take note of its length. See how it’s longer? Since we began doing these theater guides eight years ago (holy cow, eight years?), we’ve gotten to the point where we can’t fit a season’s worth of theater into a 1,200-word story. There’s just too much theater. Cool, right? So we’ve expanded the guide to include even more about the area’s upcoming theatrical performances, including details about the long-overlooked casinoresort productions. Also, this guide now covers events only through May. There are so many productions taking place in spring and summer that we will add a special summer theater guide to the May roster. Now, let’s see what spring has in store.
Voice for change: Brüka Theatre
schools and libraries throughout spring and summer. On April 15, Brüka laughs in the face of tax day by opening Death Trap, Ira Levin’s hilariously wicked whodunit that will keep audiences laughing for its long six-week run. Brüka’s prom returns May 21 in time for the WillPower 2016 festival celebrating the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s birth and death. This Shakespearean ballthemed prom will be an evening of dancing, fundraising, and pictures, without the high school misery. Brüka’s involvement in WillPower also extends to its April and May performances of Lamb’s Tales, a series of family-friendly performances of Shakespearean short stories written by Charles and Mary Lamb in easierto-understand-than-Shakespearean English, performed as readers’ theater. Tickets and information: www.bruka.org
Immediately, it’s clear that as deep political and social divides emerge in this election year, theater companies are taking the opportunity to tell stories of people who have spoken their truth, despite the price. Brüka Theatre has chosen “Raise Your Voice” as this season’s theme and opened 2016 with the epitomizing show: The Diary of Anne Frank, with an extended run that ends Feb. 19. Running March 4-20 is Neil LaBute’s The Shape of Things, about a university student who submits to making radical changes to his own appearance and lifestyle to please his latest love interest, a woman with her own twisted agenda. On March 12, Brüka opens its annual Theater for Children with Snow-White and Rose-Red, a heartwarming tale about two girls who repeatedly show kindness and are rewarded for it. The play will also be part of the Pioneer Youth Program and will tour | MUSICBEAT
|
NIGHTCLUBS/CASINOS
| THIS WEEK
Spring on stage continued on page 18 |
MISCELLANY
|
FEBRUARY 18, 2016
|
RN&R
|
17
