/// best bets
The best musical since The Lion King.” “
Keb’ Mo’ at Kalamazoo State Theatre
what’s Going on, cont. Keb’ Mo’
Tech N9ne
The three-time Grammy Award-winning bluesman Keb’ Mo’ brings his brand of visionary roots music to Kalamazoo State Theatre April 22. The 64-year-old’s latest post-modern blues album, 2014’s BLUESAmericana, won the 2015 Blues Music Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album.
Having sold more than 2 million albums since his start in 1991, Tech N9ne’s bizarre hardcore rap has led him to collaborations with everyone from Eminem and 2 Chainz, to Lil Wayne and T.I. The Kansas City native’s music has even appeared in commercials for AXE Body Spray. On April 22, he stops by the Instersection with openers Krizz Kaliko, Stevie Stone, ¡MAYDAY!, Ces Cru and Rittz.
Kalamazoo State Theatre, 404 S. Burdick, Kalamazoo April 22, 7 p.m., $34.50–$49.50 kazoostate.com, (269) 345-6500
The Intersection, 133 Grandville Ave. SW, Grand Rapids April 22, 7 p.m., $30 advance, $35 day of sectionlive.com, (616) 451-8232
wednesday Todd Barry
4/27
Pyramid Scheme, 68 Commerce SW, Grand Rapids April 27, 8 p.m., $18 advance, $20 doors, all ages pyramidschemebar.com, (616) 272-3758
BOOK
DENNIS KELLY
Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene
SET & TIM MINCHIN COSTUME DESIGN ROB HOWELL CHOREOGRAPHY PETER DARLING DIRECTOR MATTHEW WARCHUS SOUND CHRIS NIGHTINGALE DESIGN SIMON BAKER LIGHTING DESIGN HUGH VANSTONE ILLUSION PAUL KIEVE
MUSIC & LYRICS
ORCHESTRATIONS & ADDITIONAL MUSIC
APRIL 19-24, 2016
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! MSU’s WHARTON CENTER whartoncenter.com | 1-800-WHARTON www.TheMatildaMusical.com
18 | REVUEWM.COM | April 2016
Advance Warning Book of Mormon
Broadway Grand Rapids at DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids June 21–26, times vary, $38–$92.50 broadwaygrandrapids.com, (616) 235-6285 From the creators of South Park, The Book of Mormon has been called “the best musical of this century” by The New York Times and “the funniest musical of all time” by Entertainment Weekly. The edgy production has won a whopping nine Tony Awards, a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album and is described by co-writer/creator Trey Parker as “an atheist’s love letter to religion.”
Dry-comedy genius Todd Barry, who performs April 27 at the Pyramid Scheme, has been a staple in the stand-up comedy scene since the late ’90s. Alongside his peers like Louis C.K., Marc Maron and Patton Oswalt, Barry helped usher in the next generation of comics. All the while, he was also appearing on hit shows like Dr. Katz, The Larry Sanders Show, Flight of the Conchords and Master of None.
friday 4/29 Melissa Etheridge: M.E. Solo
Firekeepers Casino, 11177 East Michigan Ave., Battle Creek, April 29, 8 p.m., $39 firekeeperscasino.com, 1- 877-352-8777 In promotion of her latest album, This is M.E, singersongwriter, guitarist, activist and Grammy Award-winning artist Melissa Etheridge heads back to West Michigan for a solo gig at Firekeepers Casino. Rolling Stone praised her new disc, saying: “As always, her voice can walk a fine line between passionate and histrionic, but when she dials it back on the smoldering ‘Like A Preacher,’ it’s clear that this honeymoon might be the start of a whole new her.” n