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This Jane Austen classic, adapted by Kate Hamill, runs through May 5 in the Judy Bayley Theatre. Nevada Conservatory Theatre is proud to present Pride and Prejudice, adapted by Kate Hamill, through May 5 in the Judy Bayley Theatre at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Finding your perfect match can be daunting and Elizabeth Bennett has no desire to attach herself to anyone, let alone the dashing and infuriating Mr. Darcy. Bold, surprising, and hilarious, Hamill’s highly theatrical adaptation of Jane Austin’s classic tale of latent love is absurdly delightful. “Jane Austen is so beloved today because her stories are relatable, recognizable, and filled with humor and love," said Director Valerie Rachelle. Austen gives us insight into our own human follies, failings, and triumphs in a way that allows us to laugh at ourselves and know that the human race offers hope, kindness, and generosity at the end of it all. It is always a joy to work on an Austen-inspired piece and experience the roller coaster ride she offers, from laughter to tears and everything in between, with a cast of performers.“ The cast includes Autumn Morgan as Lizzy, JoAnn Birt as Jane, DeVon William as Lydia, Cynthia Nesbit as Charlotte, Nyssa Newman as Lady Catherine, Kate Critchfield as Miss DeBourgh, Andrew Bullard as Mr. Darcy, Nick Case as Mr. Bingley, Drew Callahan as Mr. Collins, Andrew Trevino as Wickham, Kymberly Mellen as Mrs. Bennet, Taylor Hanes as Mr. Bennet,  Nico Lemus as Mary, Bridgett Contreras as Miss Bingley, Dylan Omori McCombs as Ensemble, Jonathan Esquivel, and Mahtab Zargari as understudies/swing. The production team includes Cecilia Fisher, scenic designer;  Leah Procita, costume designer; Paige Borak, lighting designer; Brianna Hughs, sound designer; Timothy Simon, technical director; and Lyndsey Wigand, stage manager Rachelle has been a professional director and choreographer for over 25 years. She attended California Institute of the Arts for her BFA in Acting and the University of California Irvine for her MFA in Directing. She has worked at theaters around the country including Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Syracuse Opera, Eugene Opera, Fresno Grand Opera, Sierra Repertory Theatre, Glendale Center Theater, Performance Riverside, Lucid By Proxy, Oregon Cabaret Theater, Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theater, Southern Oregon University, El Camino College, Summer Repertory Theater, PCPA Theaterfest and many others. Rachelle is the artistic director of the Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland, Oregon, which is in its 39th season. The College of Fine Arts educates, empowers, and engages creative people to become visionary change-makers in the arts through acts of imagination. At UNLV we believe the arts are an essential good for society. We make education relevant and accessible through our programs and outreach. We create new knowledge in the arts. We celebrate independent thought and the power of bringing people together to foster creativity. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at the Performing Arts Center Box Office, online, or by calling 702-895-ARTS (2787).

Enable Me Theatre Pilot Program To Transform Dementia Care: For Caregivers By Caregivers Social Issues Theatre proudly unveils the Enable Me Theatre Pilot Program, a pioneering initiative aimed at revolutionizing dementia care. By employing innovative techniques such as role reversal, this program empowers caregivers and cultivates stronger connections between caregivers and dementia patients. Enable Me Theatre represents a paradigm shift in the approach to dementia care. It emphasizes role reversal as a means to empower both caregivers and patients. The program fosters mutual respect, dignity, and deeper relationships by encouraging caregivers to transition from care providers to care recipients. In the United States, approximately 6.7 million individuals are living with Alzheimer's and various forms of dementia, placing immense pressure on caregivers who often experience significant stress and burnout. The Enable Me Theatre Pilot Program offers a groundbreaking solution to provide much-needed support and respite to these caregivers. Utilizing the transformative power of theatre, the Enable Me Theatre Pilot Program incorporates interactive workshops, music and art therapy, and role-playing exercises to equip caregivers with invaluable insights and skills for their caregiving journey, whether they are providing care at home or in dementia communities. "We are excited to collaborate with local organizations to introduce the Enable Me Theatre Pilot Program to communities nationwide," said L.A Walker, Co-Executive Director of Social Issues Theatre. "Together, we have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of caregivers and dementia patients, fostering compassion, understanding, and support." The concept of Enable Me Theatre was inspired by Social Issues Theatre Directors Marcia Norris and L. A. following the production of their musical dramedy, "The Wonderful World of Was." The show, which portrays how a chosen family navigates an unexpected dementia journey, sparked numerous requests from audience members seeking guidance in navigating their caregiver duties. Drawing from their personal experiences—Norris's ongoing care for her mother and Walker's journey alongside her late spouse's battle with Lewy Body Dementia—they are committed to addressing the holistic needs of the dementia community. They understand the importance of caregivers finding ways to connect with their loved ones daily. Social Issues Theatre has enlisted the expertise of Dr. Jason Flatt, Associate Professor of Social and Behavioral Health at UNLV School of Public Health, to provide guidance on the program's development. With expertise in LGBTQ health, gerontology, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and caregiving, Dr. Flatt brings invaluable knowledge to the initiative. The launch of the Enable Me Theatre Pilot Program marks a pivotal step forward in addressing the escalating challenge of dementia care. By harnessing the power of theatre, Social Issues Theatre aims to raise awareness, diminish stigma, and enhance the quality of life for individuals affected by dementia. Caregivers and others wanting details can sign up for the Enable Me Theatre Pilot Program and Social Issues Theatre by emailing lawalkerwrites@gmail.com and visiting www.thesit.org.

Lessons on Inventing By Paul Atreides Author, playwright Theatre critic at EatMoreArtVegas.com paul-atreides.com Aaron Sorkin is arguably a genius and the King of Dialogue. His dialogue is always breezy, crisp, and brisk. That is certainly the case with his play The Farnsworth Invention, now running on the mainstage at Las Vegas Little Theatre. Farnsworth began as a screenplay, but New Line Cinema shelved it. It was then rewritten for the stage and garnered a short Broadway run in 2009. Sorkin’s adaptation still feels like a film, moving swiftly from scene to scene and jumping time as it goes. The story follows the race between Philo Farnsworth, boy genius, and David Sarnoff, the young CEO of RCA, to invent television. By his own admission, Sorkin plays fast and loose with the expected patent lawsuits. It’s an ensemble piece, and director Lindsay Wray keeps all the parts and 17 cast members (playing 26 roles) moving from setting to setting with dexterity. Not an easy task. She has also kept an eye on and found the humor – especially for anyone old enough to remember things pre-internet. Tom Vernon Ford does a wonderful job playing the adult Philo Farnsworth. His command of the stage bolsters his confidence, and he manages to still elicit empathy when he’s struggling to make his invention actually work. He further lapses into despair when the patent is stolen. Dave Elliot plays the despicable David Sarnoff. He starts off well enough. However, many times throughout the performance, he speaks in the dark because he hasn’t timed the delivery to the blocking; he’s either jumping the cue or coming in too late. To be fair, it could have been the light board operator. Still, Elliot’s characterization remains solid from curtain to curtain. Natalie Sherwood as Pem Farnsworth and Hallie Lyons as Lizette Sarnoff both do an admirable job. Lyons brings disappointment and slow-burn anger toward her husband keeping the necessary sense of time passage intact. Sherwood transforms from a giddy young bride to a supportive wife. The two-level stage, designed by Ron Lindblom and Lindsay Wray, manages to cover a wide range of locations with ease, allowing the characters to walk from one to the next without missing a beat. Add in Michael Blair’s swiftly changed set dressings with the help of light design by Ginny Adams and the action never falters. The sound design by Lindsay Wray also assists in the changing time periods, though the volume level for the 1920 stock market crash, which triggered the Great Depression, overpowers the narration by Ford to keep us abreast. Special kudos must go to Julie Horton for dressing 26 different characters over a forty-year span and remaining true to each period. Despite any production flaws, this is a fascinating and fun history lesson on the 20th Century’s most impactful invention. What: The Farmsworth Invention When: 8 p.m. Friday - Saturday; 2 p.m. Sundays through May 5 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27 Where: Las Vegas Little Theatre - Mainstage, 3920 Schiff Drive Tickets: $30 702-362-7996 www.lvlt.org Grade:  **** Scrumptious Producer: Las Vegas Little Theatre; Director: Lindsay Wray; Set Design: Ron Lindblom, Lindsay Wray; Lighting Design: Ginny Adams; Sound: Lindsay Wray; Costume Design: Julie Horton; Stage Manager: Christy Cunningham

By Debbie Hall dhall@informermg.com Photo by Benjamin Balazs According to director Louie Schwartzberg, cinematography in movies can focus attention, create a visual story, and make "the invisible visible." His visually stunning film, Fantastic Fungi, has been remastered and re-released for fun and informative events. The 4k version of the award-winning documentary Fantastic Fungi will be screened at Galaxy Theaters Boulevard Mall on April 20, offering a unique opportunity afterward to engage in a Q&A session with the director. The movie delves into the awe-inspiring world of mycelium networks and their transformative impact on the environment. The film features renowned scientists and mycologists such as Paul Stamets and acclaimed authors like Michael Pollan, Eugenia Bone, and Andrew Weil. Through their expertise, the film offers profound insights into the mysteries of the Earth and how the underground mycelium network can heal and preserve the planet. Furthermore, the film illuminates the beauty, intelligence, and practical solutions offered by the fungi kingdom to address pressing medical, therapeutic, and environmental challenges. Louie helped pioneer time-lapse cinematography after graduating from the University of California, Los Angeles because it inspired a sense of wonder. “That led me to shoot things like flowers, which could take a month or more to shoot, like, a roll of film, 35-millimeter movie film. And then by getting entranced like watching a flower open, that opened me up to do the films I've done about nature, but more from a feminine perspective, looking at the foundation of life,” he explains. “So, for example, Wings of Life for Disney Nature, which is on Disney Plus now, is a story about how flowers seduce pollinators, bees, bats, hummingbirds, and butterflies, narrated by Meryl Streep. And then you think, what do plants need? Well, they need soil. Where does soil come from?” They come from fungi that break down organic matter into its component parts so that plants can have food. “That turned me on to making the film Fantastic Fungi. You find out that fungi not only break down things and recycle things for life to grow, but they can also sequester carbon for climate change. They can heal your body with Lion's Mane, for example, with Alzheimer's and Turkey Tail for immunity. Basically, I'm just trying to unveil life's mysteries.” The audience will experience many beautiful sequences in the movie, such as time-lapse mushrooms, which most people don't realize are like the largest organisms on the planet. The beauty and all that mushrooms can do will blow them away. “The mushrooms are a window into nature's intelligence, into nature's wisdom, and that's something we all want to reconnect,” says Louie. “One of the other benefits of having the film showing in theaters is that we want people to come together. After COVID, one of the biggest things we learned was that we were disconnected from each other, which was one of the most difficult things we had to encounter. So, having a live screening that has been remastered is gorgeous, with a beautiful soundtrack. It's going to be truly an immersive experience. People come out of the screening many times crying because the beauty of the film is so overwhelming.” Journalist Stacey Gualandi will moderate the Q&A with the director. Fantastic Fungi will be shown at Galaxy Theatres Boulevard Mall at 7 p.m. on April 20. For more information, visit www.fantasticfungi.com and click here to purchase tickets.

History in Dancing By Paul Atreides Author, playwright Theatre critic at EatMoreArtVegas.com paul-atreides.com How history repeats itself…or feels like it repeats. Brian Friel’s Tony Award winner, Dancing at Lughnasa, it’s 1936, around the time of the Lughnasa Harvest Festival. The Catholic has helped pass a law against dancing in public places. The Industrial Revolution was finding its way to the small villages of Ireland, and the Church supported Franco, a Nationalist, during the Spanish Civil War. The Mundy family is in disarray. Five spinster sisters are trying in vain to eke out an existence, fighting against religious repression, fighting against machinery taking over jobs, fighting to stay together and hold onto what little they have. Lest you think the play is all gloom and doom, director Barbara Brennan has deftly found lighthearted moments throughout, particularly in the scenic frivolity of dancing with complete freedom and abandon. Kate, the oldest sister and the most staid is played to the hilt by Tina Rice. Yet there are short moments when she allows herself to let go and join in the fun, only to turn in an instant. Though she has a tendency to soften her voice to the point where dialogue gets lost, Rice manages to bring those sudden changes to life with enough emotion to make them understandable and believable. Annette Houlihan Verdolino plays Maggie, the sister who finds ways to support every sister in the needed time. The changes are never forced and Verdolino knows how to turn a phrase and get the laugh. She is also the best at interacting with Michael – a very young nephew we don’t see – because we never lose sight of where he is or what he’s doing. The use of dialects is always risky business. While the cast was consistent in them, there were times they delivered dialogue so rapidly the words were muddled. The result was losing the laugh and feeling left out. The male cast fared better in that regard because their dialects were deliberately different. Timothy Cummings is Jack, an older brother and a priest who is home after 25 years in Uganda and now battling malaria. His halting speech is tinged with an English accent. Through the character’s struggle and eventual recovery, Cummings is always on point, telegraphing it all in movement and voice. The spinster sisters haven’t always been without suitors, and Jacob Moore portrays Gerry, a Welshman who has pursued Christina and is, in fact, the father of her young (unseen) son, Michael. Moore brings a savoir-faire to the role that imbues the character with fun and the sense of always seeking adventure. It’s the adult Michael we see and hear as he narrates the memories of that summer in 1936. Though the dialect occasionally overpowers bits of dialogue, William Fleming Tarris brings the perfect balance of fact versus reflectiveness. Production values are high. Eric A. Koger’s set uses a representative style to bring the interior of the country cabin and still show the County Donegal vista. Johanna Caley’s lighting manages to alternate the focus from inside to action in the yard without being obtrusive. And Kendra Faith’s period costumes are a wonder, right down to the footwear. The play is a peek into the past and how humanity manages to struggle through hard times. It’s timely. You certainly won’t be sorry if you go and take a glimpse. Take note of the venue change to Vegas Theatre Company’s facility. What: Dancing at Lughnasa When:  7 p.m. Friday – Saturday – Monday; 2 p.m. Sunday through April 29 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27 Where: 1025 S. 1st Street Tickets: $35 - $40 (www.apublicfit.org) Grade:  ****1/2 Delicious Producer: A Public Fit; Artistic Director: Ann-Marie Pereth; Producing Director: Joseph D. Kucan; Director: Barbara Brennan; Choreography: Ann-Marie Pereth; Set Design: Eric A. Koger; Lighting Design: Johanna Caley; Sound Design: Constance Taschner; Costume Design: Kendra Faith; Production Stage Manager: Rebecca Sass

Forgiveness Has a Price By Debbie Hall dhall@informermg.com Paul Atreides, an author, playwright, and theatre critic at Eat More Art Vegas, will debut his original play, The Last Confession, as a reading at Vegas Theatre Company on April 17. The reading is free and open to the public. The plot of the story is intense, following a priest who was once an altar boy and was sexually abused by a bishop. The main character seeks to confront the bishop and obtain a confession from him. He has already obtained confessions from other priests, and this would be the last one he seeks to get. For those who saw the film, Spotlight, or the stage play or its movie adaptation, Doubt, they will appreciate The Last Confession. Paul has worked professionally and as a volunteer in the theater industry for over 30 years. Before moving to Las Vegas, he worked for two seasons in theater in Omaha. Paul also served as president of the Las Vegas Little Theater for several years. “When I was laid off in 2011, I was at that age that I was too old to hire and too young to retire, so I started writing,” explains Paul. For the play, he has been looking for a theater company to hold a public reading for over a year and connected with Daz Weller of the Vegas Theater Company. Daz agreed to cast the play and direct its reading. Daz is an accomplished actor and director who relocated from Australia to Las Vegas in 2010. He currently serves as the Executive Artistic Director of Vegas Theatre Company. Daz earned a Bachelor's degree in acting from the Queensland University of Technology and has performed extensively as an actor in Las Vegas and with many of Australia's leading theatre companies. In recognition of his directorial skills, Daz was awarded the Best Director prize at the Vegas Valley Theatre Awards in 2019 for his work on Lynn Nottage's play Sweat. “This play has been a long process, and I have been working on it for about five years,” says Paul. “I have worked with a New York City producer on this play, and this is our next step.” The Last Confession will be performed at the Vegas Theatre Company, 1025 S. 1st St., at 7 p.m. on April 17. For more info, visit paul-atreides.com and follow his Facebook @ PaulAtreidesAuthor.

This Saturday, April 13, is the FREE Shakespeare in the Parks presentation of Macbeth that opens at Solista Park at Inspirada! This 75-minute touring adaptation of one of Shakespeare's most famous plays is a perfect introduction to the Bard's works and will surely offer something new to those familiar with his plays. Perfect for all ages, bring a picnic, chair, blanket, and friends for a wild romp through this terrific tragedy! There are just three chances to catch Macbeth! Sat, April 13, Solista Park, 6 p.m. show Thurs, April 25, Heritage Senior Center, 1 p.m. show Sat, May 4, Silver Springs Rec Center, 6 p.m. show Visit the website for pin drops to these exact locations. www.nevadashakespearefestival.com Put the performances of Julius Caesar on May 9-11 at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts. Think Mean Girls meets High School Musical with a dash of Footloose! This show is open to the public, and info on dates, times, locations, and tickets is on the website. Don't forget that April is a matching grant opportunity with the Helms Helps Foundation. They will match any donation that supports its education programs up to $20,000! So consider donating if you think the theater arts can change lives and love Shakespeare in schools!

You are invited to attend free Poetry reading/writing workshops at the Nuwu Art Studios! JM Huck of We Write will facilitate the series on Thursdays, 6-7:30 p.m. this month. These workshops are made possible with the generosity of IAF Inc. The series will be held at the Nuwu Art Studios Blue building, with parking at the rear of 1335 S. Maryland Parkway. To RSVP and more info, visit https://www.wewritelv.com/ Or RSVP https://www.wewritelv.com/event-details-registration/representasian-investigating-works-of-asian-women-authors-week-2 https://www.wewritelv.com/event-details-registration/representasian-investigating-works-of-asian-women-authors-week-3 https://www.wewritelv.com/event-details-registration/representasian-investigating-works-of-women-of-color-week-4 Follow and RSVP with these Instagram links @wewritelv @bandittrl

A Public Fit Theatre Company (APf) opens the penultimate show of its 2023-24 season with Brian Friel’s Irish memory play Dancing at Lughnasa. Produced in association with Vegas Theatre Company, Dancing at Lughnasa opens Friday, April 12th, and will run for three weeks at the ArtSquare Theatre, 1025 S. 1st Street, in downtown's famed Arts District. Dancing at Lughnasa is Brain Friel's sentimental paean to the intricacies of family life in rural Ireland in the 1930s. "It's the story of five sisters living together on the edge of a small, Irish village," says director Barbara Brennan, herself a proud Irishwoman. "Their lives are viewed through the eyes of Michael, a young boy growing up in that environment of poverty, religious restraint, and deep, complicated familial love. That's really the play - the bond that this family shares in spite of their hardships and differences." "It's actually quite Chekovian in nature," adds APf's Artistic Director Ann-Marie Pereth, who also served as the play's choreographer. "So much is discovered by what the characters don't say to each other, the deep meaning beneath the dialogue. There's so much joy, even in their struggles. It's such an evocative piece, full of music, life, and, of course, dancing!" Showtimes are 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays with 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays. Tickets are $40 for general admission and $35 for Military, Seniors, and Students. A special Monday evening “industry night” is scheduled for April 29th at 7 p.m. with special pricing available. Dancing at Lughnasa marks the third and final mainstage production of APf’s 10th season of plays and staged readings. "And producing it in the ArtSquare space in association with Vegas Theatre Company seems really appropriate," says Pereth. "APf started its theatrical journey in this very theatre 10 years ago with our production of Foxfinder! We started a conversation then, and we're still talking about theatrical stories." She’s referring to The Buzz, a moderated discussion that follows every performance the company offers. An APf hallmark, The Buzz is an expression of A Public Fit’s ongoing commitment to engage audiences well beyond the limits of the stage, ensuring that the community shares the conversations surrounding the captivating theatre. "Lughnasa is a memory play," reminds Pereth. "I'm sure The Buzz will allow everyone to share our memories about the challenges of growing up." Dancing at Lughnas features the talents of Timothy Cummings, Ashlee Grubbs, Carmen Maher, Jacob Moore, Tina Rice, Coco Layne Rigbye, Wilam Tarris, and Annette Verdolino. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

This Saturday, April 13, from 2 to 6 p.m., meet new artists and see new art at Second Saturday in the Slonina ARTSpace, 901 E. Fremont St. Have you ever been captivated by the TV show Face Off? Cig Neutron, a remarkable special effects artist and a winner of Face Off All Stars, is now in our town. He, along with his incredible partner, Rannie, are set to bring a unique artistic flair to our gallery. Join us every Second Saturday to celebrate art, creativity, and community. Enjoy new artwork, exciting activations, and surprises! This event is free and open to the public. For more info, visit sloninaartspace.com and follow Instagram @ sloninaartspace and Facebook @ sloninaartspace