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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

Written and photos by Debbie Hall After a 52-year wait, the seven-time Tony Award®-winning Broadway Follies, featuring music and lyrics by the late Stephen Sondheim, is set to grace the stages of Las Vegas from April 11-14. The anticipation is so high that Clark County has officially declared April 8 as Follies Day, illuminating the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign in the show's signature red and yellow. “Las Vegas is in for a treat, as the Broadway spectacular, FOLLIES, debuts this week with six showings,” said Clark Country Commissioner Ross Miller (D-District C). Clark County Commission Chairman Tick Segerblom (D-District E) presented Tom Michel, partner of Metropolis Theatricals Las Vegas LLC and one of the producers of FOLLIES, with the proclamation. “One of our goals is to bring high-quality, groundbreaking theatrical works to the heart of Las Vegas, showcasing the immense talent of our local performers to as wide and varied an audience as possible,” expressed Commissioner Segerblom, highlighting the community's role in the production. “I am so grateful to everyone who is part of this production and Clark County,” said Michel. “We have made a wrong a right by finally bringing FOLLIES to Las Vegas.” The Las Vegas debut of Broadway’s iconic FOLLIES promises to be a star-studded affair, with a 45-person cast that includes 12 of Las Vegas’s original showgirls. The show will feature some of Sondheim's most beloved songs, such as “Broadway Baby” and “I’m Still Here.” In a unique twist, the show will be set in Las Vegas, with the closing of the Tropicana Hotel serving as the backdrop for the cast's reunion. While the original production's dazzle and integrity will be maintained, a few Vegas-inspired surprises will be added to spice things up. The "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign is situated on the Las Vegas Strip, south of Russell Road, and was built in 1959. The Clark County Commission approved funding for the project on what was then Highway 91. Western Electric Display, Inc. (also known as "Western Neon"), which YESCO purchased in the 1960s, submitted the lowest qualified bid. The sign's design, characteristic of the Googie architecture movement, was created by Betty Willis. The sign is 25 feet tall and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009, Clark County's centennial year. Like the remainder of the Las Vegas Strip, the sign is in unincorporated Clark County. Access Showroom at Aliante Casino + Hotel + Spa at 7300 North Aliante Parkway. Its opening night performance on Thursday, April 11, will be black tie and conclude with a champagne toast. Show dates and times: •              Thursday, April 11 at 6:30 p.m. (Black Tie Opening Night) •              Friday, April 12 at 6:30 p.m. •              Saturday, April 13 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. •              Sunday, April 14 at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at ShowgirlsComeHome.com. Connect socially on Facebook, and find more information on the show, cast, and crew at ShowgirlsComeHome.com.

Iconic Agatha By Paul Atreides Author, playwright Theatre critic at EatMoreArtVegas.com paul-atreides.com Dame Agatha Christie was the Queen of Mystery. She wrote 66 novels, a handful of short story collections, and more than 20 plays. The Mousetrap has to be the most well-known piece of writing that came out of her witty and prolific mind. It opened in London in 1952, three days after I was born, but it actually began as a radio play in 1947. Outside of a one-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, the stage play has been running ever since and has racked up over 29,000 performances. Productions of this iconic play are only found outside the U.K., and only one per year is allowed in the country, other than in London's West End. Now running at Signature Productions under the direction of Stephen McMillan, it's an old stylized whodunit that can be a lot of fun. The production opened on April 4, and the performance I attended was April 5. Chalk up the slow pacing and missed cues to a standard case of “second-night letdown.” That’s when the excitement and energy of the opening night, filled with friends and relatives, is gone, and the actors are exhausted. The ensemble cast does a decent job with the caricatures and dealing with the premise. The suspension of disbelief is there. Of them all, Barbara King is the most successful in bringing her character of Mrs. Boyle, a cranky old retired magistrate, to realistic life. Her superiority comes through in the proper halting speech and the stiff-backed poise of her movements. Alan Terberg takes his character of Christopher Wren over the top and it works well. He’s flighty and nervous, and to use a term of the times, he's nelly. With it, Terberg brings out the humor both vocally and physically. His scene with Michelle Walton, as Mollie Ralston, is one of the best as she attempts to calm his fears. Their timing and pacing make the intent shine through. As a critic, there is a lot one could nitpick, such as the freezing cold of winter, which doesn’t seem to affect anyone with the windows open wide and the curtains not fluttering. While the dialects are spot-on (to this Yankee’s ears, anyway), some of the dialogue gets lost with Austin Parrales’ thick and rapid speech as Detective Sergeant Trotter. The single set is gorgeous and, sadly, goes uncredited. The beautiful Tudor-like grand hall of Monkswell Manor is decorated with just the right amount of artwork and portraits on the walls and lovely antique chairs and sofas. Sound poses a bit of confusion due to the system until the actors can be recognized by voice. It’s difficult to know who is speaking because it all comes from the speakers rather than from the stage. Microphones should enhance not overpower. Overall, it’s a solid production. If you enjoy a good mystery in the vein of Murder, She Wrote, head on over. You won’t be disappointed. What: Agatha Christies The Mousetrap When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday 2 p.m. Saturdays Through April 27 Where: Summerlin Library, 1771 Inner Circle Dr Tickets: $35 - $60 (www.theatre.vegas) Grade:  ***1/2 Satisfying Producer: Signature Productions; Director: Stephen McMillan; Lighting Design: Catherine Pratt; Costume Design: Roxanne Andrews; Stage Manager: Kelly Nelson

Earth Day will be celebrated in the third annual Sandy Valley Earth Day Micro*Fest in Sandy Valley, Nevada, from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, at Sandy Valley Senior Center, 690 Quartz Avenue. This event is a free, appropriate-for-all-ages community micro*fest with games and giveaways, but it is recommended to bring lunch or snacks since there will be no food service. This third year's theme is Air and More, last year's theme was Water, and the inaugural fest’s theme was Geology. Next year's theme is Soil, Water, and Air Resource Conservation, building on knowledge shared in the first three years. This year's featured presentation will be by Kevin MacDonald from Clark County Department of Environment & Sustainability about the air pollution control agency, regional Endangered Species Act compliance program, and countywide sustainability office. Through these programs, DES ensures that the air we share meets healthful regulatory standards, administers the County's Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan, and addresses climate change through the All-In Clark County initiative. Kevin has been the public information administrator for eight years. As the department’s spokesman on air quality matters, Kevin is adept at explaining the complexities of air pollution, EPA regulations, and the County’s role in protecting the air. Born and raised in Michigan, Kevin earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Indiana University in 1994 and is a long-time Las Vegas resident. Micro*Fest will host Country and Western musician and winning Yodeler Bobby Kingston. This two-time Western Music Association (WMA) Male Yodeler of the Year has performed thousands of shows, including the Elko Cowboy Poetry Gathering, the WMA Annual Gathering in Albuquerque, and several famous venues in Nashville. Bobby released four CDs and received multiple accolades for his live music and recorded works. Preserving local history is a collective responsibility. At this year's Sandy Valley Earth Day Micro*Fest, the Water Warrior Art Installation will be showcased at the Senior Center, along with a detailed viewing of local Geology artifacts and Water Warrior history archive. Also, enjoy viewing the water-warrior archive with Warrior Beth Bacher and take a 3-minute walk to the memorial pavers of past residents. Sandy Valley Earth Day: Decade of Micro*Fests was founded in memory of long-time Sandy Valley developers Richard and Drue Bale by Sandy Valley resident Marianne Donnelly. Senator Gaylord Nelson and Denis Hayes established Earth Day in 1970 to bolster public consciousness about air and water pollution. For more info, call 702-723-0085.

GIPSY will present Canvas & Cabaret Art Mixer featuring Robin Slonina and The DoubleTime Twins (QVegas Cover Models) and QVegas from 8 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, April 6. Dive into Robin Slonina's art world and see her QVegas Magazine cover featuring the DoubleTime Twins body art, and enjoy a special performance at 9 p.m. Experience the fusion of art and cabaret performance at Gipsy’s first art show and QVegas Magazine Cover Celebration! The event will be followed by Gipsy's Sensational Saturdays featuring Performances by The Gipsy Performers from RuPaul's Drag Race, Season 16 MHI'YA IMAN LEPAIGE and LUMIERE DJ Series featuring DJ Lee Dagger of Bimbo Jones. GIPSY is located at 4605 Paradise Road, which has parking. For tickets, click here.

The lights around the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign will go red and yellow to celebrate Broadway’s iconic FOLLIES making its debut locally in a star-studded, six-show engagement that features a 45-person cast, including 12 of Las Vegas’s original showgirls. Clark County commissioners will join Metropolis Theatricals Las Vegas LLC, showgirls and others in a brief ceremony at the sign on Monday, April 8 at 8:30 a.m. “Las Vegas is in for a treat, as the Broadway spectacular, FOLLIES, debuts this week with six showings,” said Commissioner Ross Miller. “This is not just any Broadway show. This one is iconic, and this version, while in its original format, will be set in Las Vegas with the closing of the Tropicana Hotel as the backdrop. It will still contain all the original music and lyrics.” Commission Chairman Tick Segerblom agreed. “This group was formed to present high-quality, groundbreaking theatrical works via local performers to as wide and varied an audience of Las Vegas locals as possible,” he said. “They have done yeoman’s work to create what really sounds like a spectacular production.” “We are so thrilled to bring the grandeur of FOLLIES and this production to the Southern Nevada community,” said Tom Michel, FOLLIES producer and co-founder of Metropolis Theatricals Las Vegas. “We’re so grateful to Commissioners Ross Miller and Tick Segerblom for honoring the show and our new resident theater company with the changing of the Welcome to Las Vegas lights – this just speaks to the bright future of professional community theater and its importance to Clark County.” The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is located on the Las Vegas Strip south of Russell Road and was created in 1959 after the Clark County Commission approved funding for the project on what was then Highway 91. Submitting the lowest qualified bid was Western Electric Display, Inc. (aka “Western Neon”), purchased by YESCO in the 1960s.  The design, characteristic of the Googie architecture movement, was created by Betty Willis. The 25-foot-tall sign was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009, Clark County’s centennial year. The sign, like the rest of the Las Vegas Strip, is in unincorporated Clark County. FOLLIES will feature special appearances by Tony Award® nominee Andrea McArdle (Broadway’s original Annie and star of ”Beauty and the Beast” and “Les Misèrables,” among others); Tonight Show icon and comedian Pete Barbutti; Grammy®-nominated singer-songwriter and entertainer Clint Holmes, the sensational singer/performer/comedian Kelly Clinton-Holmes; four-time Grammy® winner and first “Pip,” Merald “Bubba” Knight; internationally renowned opera sensation Frederica von Stade; Broadway legend Ted Chapin; and an introduction by legendary impressionist Rich Little. A dozen of Las Vegas’s legendary showgirls will join the cast, including Anna Bailey, the first African-American showgirl ever to appear on the Las Vegas Strip. The seven-time Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical features music and lyrics by the late Stephen Sondheim, including some of his most iconic songs such as “Broadway Baby” and “I’m Still Here.” The show, in its original format, will be set in Las Vegas with the closing of the Tropicana Hotel as the backdrop for the cast getting together one last time. A few slight Vegas spins will be added throughout while maintaining the integrity and all the dazzle for which the original production is known. FOLLIES is produced by Metropolis Theatricals Las Vegas LLC with Tom Michel, David James Robinson and Sean Stephenson. Robinson is also serving as director of the production. The show is produced in partnership with JOI Jazz Orchestra led by Musical Director Dave Loeb, UNLV College of Fine Arts, The Showgirl Legacy Foundation and its historical advisor, The Neon Museum. This production of FOLLIES is dedicated to the memory of Las Vegas music legend Bill Fayne. FOLLIES will feature six performances April 11-14 at the Access Showroom at Aliante Casino + Hotel + Spa at 7300 North Aliante Pkwy. Its opening night performance on Thursday, April 11 will be black tie and conclude with a champagne toast. Show dates and times: Thursday, April 11 at 6:30 p.m. (Black Tie Opening Night) Friday, April 12 at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 14 at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at ShowgirlsComeHome.com. Connect socially on Facebook, and find more information on the show, cast and crew at ShowgirlsComeHome.com.

A Public Fit Theatre Company (APF) will present Exit, Pursued by a Bear by Lauren Gunderson this Friday, March 29th, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 30th, at 2 p.m. at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Rd.  Doors will open one half-hour before showtime and admission is free. Billed as a "revenge comedy", Exit, Pursued by a Bear takes the audience to the hills of Georgia and introduces us to Nan Carter, a young woman determined to reclaim her life from Kyle, her abusive yet charming husband.  With the help of her flamboyant friend Simon and an ambitious stripper named Sweetheart (whose stage name is Peaches), she concocts an outrageous plan to force Kyle to see the error of his ways before leaving him to meet his grisly demise.  Marked by Gunderson’s sharp wit and unforgettable characters, Exit, Pursued by a Bear is a roller-coaster of Shakespearean-inspired girl power!  There may be a little blood and a taser, but there will ABSOLUTELY be a ton of laughs and some hard-earned poetic justice! "I love that the staged readings are presented in partnership with the Clark County Library and that they are free!" says director Tracey Corea. "So many people have never seen a play and have no idea how wonderful the experience can be because, let’s be honest, show tickets are expensive! I think it’s important to introduce newcomers to the theatre and make the arts available to all." "All of our staged readings are really just one step away from being fully realized productions," adds APF Artistic Director Ann-Marie Pereth. If you've avoided these events because you imagine actors reading scripts while standing behind music stands, Exit is the perfect show to introduce yourself to the reading series. Tracey has really created a dynamic event full of, as Shakespeare would say, sound and fury!" Exit, Pursued by a Bear features the talents of Christopher Brown, Jackie Lakoudis, Juliana Renee Martin, and Nich Witham. Immediately following each performance, APF invites audience members to join the cast and production staff in a moderated discussion of the themes and discoveries presented in the play.   This APF hallmark, The Buzz, ensures that the community shares the conversations surrounding the captivating theatre.  The Buzz is an expression of A Public Fit’s ongoing commitment to engage audiences well beyond the limits of the stage. Get ready for a stimulating discussion that will delve into the very nature of all human relationships.  And the eating habits of bears. APF offers a seven-show season consisting of four staged readings and three mainstage productions. The remaining 2023-24 season shows are Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel (offered in association with Vegas Theatre Company) and The Pavilion by Craig Wright. For more information regarding A Public Fit Theatre Company including upcoming performances and ticketing, visit apublicfit.org.

Join the crowd for a tale of honor, tradition, family, misplaced loyalties and revenge! This Nevada Shakespeare Festival adaptation is a spectacle-driven and cinematic retelling of one of Shakespeare's most dynamic plays. It pushed the boundaries of theatrical immersion; be prepared for intense action, eccentric characters, and a soundtrack that will get your heart pumping! Titus Andronicus was a warrior without equality, a force to be reckoned with, and a guardian of justice who became a living legend. But in a pre-apocalyptic world caught in the grips of tyrannical rule that no longer embraces honor, tradition, or sacrifice, one man returns home to find his world shattered. Allies have turned to enemies, and even the mightiest of warriors can lose their way. Get ready for a Grindhouse epic where the battle for home is the greatest war of all. Revenge has a price... and it’s expensive. Cast includes Daz Weller, Cheryl Daro, Erik Amblad, Amanda Guardado, Brandon Alan McClenahan, Joshua Berg, Ryan Ruckman, Jamey Clay Brown, Matthew Morgan, Heidi Brucker Morgan, Christopher Aguilar, Dominic Lamont Graber-Pritchard, Napsugar Hegedus. The production is directed and adapted by Matthew Morgan. Titus Andronicus is believed to be one of Shakespeare’s most-produced plays during his lifetime. It deals with themes of honor, family, and misplaced loyalties. The adaptation of this play will be presented in the style of a Grindhouse film: Act One will be a slasher, and Act Two will be a revenge thriller. It will be a stylized presentation with lots of action! Parental Advisory: This play is recommended for mature audiences 13 and up and deals with some adult themes. The original text contains violence, amputation, gore, cannibalism, discussions of sexual assault, and mature themes. Parental discretion is advised. Talk-back conversations with the cast and artistic team will take place after both Friday night performances $25 VIP: First two rows $15 General Admission: open seating, first come first served $5 Student: anyone with a valid student ID New for its 2024 main stage season, Titus Andronicus will be presented under the big top in a unique Italian circus tent at Cornerstone Park. Titus Andronicus March 28-30 and April 3-6 Cornerstone Park, 1600 Wigwam Parkway, Henderson Curtain at 7:30 pm For more information or to purchase tickets, visit nevadashakespearefestival.com Secret tip, Wednesday, April 3 is pay what you can!

It’s LEGENDARY…and IN PERSON…and FREE THIS THURSDAY! A limited number of reservations are available for a fun, free and fascinating panel discussion with the Legendary FOLLIES Showgirls THIS THURSDAY EVENING, March 28, at 7 PM at The Composers Room. Join Neon Museum Executive Director Aaron Berger as he spends 90 minutes with the fabulous dozen Showgirls who have graced the showroom stages in Vegas for decades, toured with Gypsy Rose Lee and fan dancer Sally Rand. Delicious food and beverages will be available for purchase. To secure your FREE reservations for this once-in-a-lifetime event, please use the link below: https://thecomposersroom.com/event/showgirls-come-home-panel-discussion/ FOLLIES Stephen Sondheim’s Seven-Time Tony Award-Winning Broadway Musical First Time in Vegas! 45 Incredible Performers, a 30-Piece Orchestra, and 12 Legendary Las Vegas Showgirls The Biggest Live Theatre Event in Las Vegas This Year! April 11-14 – Six Astounding Performances Only Access Showroom at Aliante Casino Hotel and Spa Just 20 Minutes from Summerlin and the Strip and a few more from Henderson Information & Tickets at www.ShowgirlsComeHome.com