Opening
Adam Denoyer and Bryn Booth play teenagers in 1966 Ireland in Brian Frielβs βLoversβ at the Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre.
“Lovers” — The Scoundrel and Scamp Theatre, 738 N. Fifth Ave. 1967 Ireland. Two teenagers from a rural Irish town meet on a hilltop to study for their exams and discuss their unplanned pregnancy in this Brian Friel play. The couple grapples with the influences of family, religion, cultural expectation, and volatile teenage feelings. Performances are 7:30-8:45 p.m. June 28-30, July 5-7; 2-3:15 p.m. July 1, 7 and 8. $28. 448-3300. scoundrelandscamp.org.
“Big Fish” — UA Stevie Eller Dance Theatre, 1737 E. University Blvd. Arts-Express takes on the musical based on the 2003 film about a man who has long told exaggerated tales to his son. Now an adult, the son longs to know what’s true, and what isn’t. Performances are 7-9:30 p.m. June 29, 30, July 6 and 7; 2-4:30 p.m. June 30, July 1, 7 and 8. $20. 319-0400. arts-express.org.
Continuing
Stephen Frankenfield, left, and Keith Wick star in Live Theatre Workshopβs βRed, White and Tuna.β Fans of βGreater Tunaβ and anyone who likes to laugh will want to catch this show.
“Red, White and Tuna” — Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway. “Greater Tuna” fans and anyone who likes to laugh will want to catch this play by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard. It takes us to Tuna, Texas, where all the outrageous characters — played by deliciously comedic actors Keith Wick and Stephen Frankenfield — are gathered on July 4 for the Tuna High School Class Reunion. Many of the characters from the other two “Tuna” plays return, and the playwrights have added even more off-kilter folks. There’s about 20, and Frankenfield and Wick play them all. Jodi Ajanovic directs. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through July 21. $15 for Thursday night performances; $20 all other performances. 327-4242 or livetheatreworkshop.org
The delightfully silly βGnatmanβ is at Gaslight Theatre. Expect eye-rolling wonderful humor and plenty of puns.
“Gnatman” — The Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway. The Gaslight brings back the thoroughly silly Peter Van Slyke play. And that’s a good thing. Here’s what the Star’s review had to say about the 2011 production: “Holy cornball, Gaslight’s done it again. ‘Gnatman’ has returned. And Gnatboy. And Gnatgirl. And all the bad guys. This isn’t a sequel, but essentially the same show that Gaslight presented about this time five years ago. It was funny then; it’s funny now. Oh, not a sophisticated, witty, Noel Coward kind of funny. No, this is Peter Van Slyke kind of funny — the writer/director of ‘Gnatman’ has made every other line a groaner. Physical humor is integral. Puns are plentiful. Bad puns, but, you know, funny. We say this with affection; we can’t help ourselves, we sorta laugh when a character says ‘Mr. Dale, I believe I know your brother, Chippen.’” Sometimes the jokes change, but the groanable humor we love rarely does. It is various times through Aug. 26. $21.95. 886-9428, thegaslighttheatre.com.
“Rockin’ Cinderella” — Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway. Cinderella set in the 1950s, when the Burger Palace King throws a sock hop to find a girl for his son. Cinderella’s fairy godmother comes to the rescue so Cinderella can go to the sock hop until midnight. She leaves a shoe behind and the Burger Palace Prince has to find the love of his life. 12:30-1:30 p.m. Sundays. Through Aug. 19. No show July 22. $10. 327-4242. livetheatreworkshop.org.
“Blithe Spirit” — Roadrunner Theatre Company, 8892 E. Tanque Verde Road. A man haunted by the ghost of his late wife seeks the help of a medium in this Noel Coward comedy. Robert Ulsrud directs. Performances are 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through July 8. $20. 207-2491, roadrunnertheatrecompany.org.
Note: On Stage is taking a vacation and will return Aug. 2.
