On Stage This Weekend... and Beyond!

My pal Dave Lavender turned in a massive story today recapping all the latest theatre news - which you can read right here:

Curtains Up Players have put up a bunch of cool shows such as musicals like "Putnam County Spelling Bee," "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and "Bat Boy."

But hold the music this weekend as they take a dramatic turn with their first non-musical "How I Learned to Drive" that will run at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 8-10, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 11, at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center.

Directed by Misha Renee, this Pulitizer-Prize-winning play by Paula Vogel explores the complex relationship between Li'l Bit and her Uncle Peck, through a series of driving lessons that progress from innocent to something darker.

Tickets are $10 and can be reserved online at www.curtainsuplayers.org or purchased at the door before the show or call 304-688-7403.

More murder mysteries on the way

George Snider's Murder and Merriment murder mystery troupe is having a killer run with their interactive dinner theater shows now being held around the Tri-State.

The troupe, which has sold out Saturday, March 10, at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park in Greenup, Ky., now has murder mysteries booked around the region at various country clubs, private parties and parks.

They return home here in a couple weeks (March 23-24 and March 30-31) to the historic B&O train station as the Heritage Station Shop Owners Association in partnership with the Cabell-Huntington Convention & Visitors Bureau presents "Trial By Murder!" an interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre Party. Susan Hicks and Suzcatering will be serving a catered dinner. Tickets are $35 each and are on sale at 304-523-7526 for this 1930s-era themed show that traces the story of a railroad magnet on trial following a tragic train derailment .

The cast features local actors: Michael Murdock, Ron Anderson, Mary Williams, Stephanie Kay Sands, Brian Cook, Kendra Egnor, Allan Stern, Greg Kiser, Sheila Meade, and George R. Snider III as Detective Phillip Merlot. This is the 7th Murder Mystery that has been presented at Heritage Station.

FestivALL playwriting contest

Charleston Stage Company is announcing its Seventh Annual New Play Project for Charleston's FestivALL. Open to all West Virginia writers, they are hosting a contest for new short works to be written and then performed during the ten days of FestivALL. This year's location is The Library Play, the first line of the play must be "Quiet, please!" and have a performance time of no more than 15 minutes. Winning submissions will be performed at the Kanawha County Public Library, main branch, in the Children's Reading Room. For complete rules go online at www.charlestonstagecompany.com or call 304-766-5721. Deadline for play submission is May 10. All plays must be typewritten and mailed to the Charleston Stage Company at 123 Summers St., Charleston, WV 25301 or emailed in Word or PDF format to charlestonstagecompany@yahoo.com

'Mamma Mia'

The historic Paramount Arts Center has just announced that the smash hit musical "Mamma Mia," based on the songs of ABBA, will be performed at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 9.

The blockbuster feature film adaptation of "Mamma Mia," is the most successful movie musical of all time grossing $600 million worldwide.

Tickets for "Mamma Mia!" are $60, $65, $70 and $80 and are available at www.paramountartscenter.com or by calling the box office at 606-324-3175. For information. go to www.mammamianorthamerica.com.

Auditions, auditions

There's several auditions happening this weekend.

The Albans Arts and Conference Center, 65 Olde Main St., in St. Albans is hosting auditions at 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 10, and 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 11, for the show "Waiting for Godot."

Charleston Stage Company is holding auditions for Steve Martin's "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," at 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday, March 11-12. Parts available for seven men and four women, ages 20-60. Auditions take place at the WVSU Capital Center Theatre, 123 Summers St. Performance dates are May 10-12, 17-19 . Visit www.charlestonstagecompany.com or call 304-766-5721.

Plays -- it's what's for dinner

At 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center or the Playhouse, is hosting the performance of three original short plays in a performance called "Three Scrumptious Plays by Erik Hamilton Woods."

Woods will be getting by with a little help from his friends with a live quartet providing the soundtrack to the action. The music is by Nicolas Blain and Mike Waldeck; the plays are directed by Adam Stephens and the stage manager is Christopher Crawford.

The performances are free and open to the public.

'Tecumseh' named for 40th season

One of the region's most beloved outdoor dramas, "Tecumseh!" has just announced that an eight-year veteran of the production will take over the lead role. Stevyn Carmona, who first performed in the outdoor drama in 2004, has been selected the 19th Tecumseh as the production enters its 40th season.

"I have dreamed about portraying the great Shawnee leader since I joined the cast," Carmona said. "My journey to getting the role has been amazing and I wouldn't trade it for anything. "I love the drama, the men and women who keep it running year after year and the city of Chillicothe ... the summer home I can't wait to get back to. 'Tecumseh!' means the world to me."

"Tecumseh!" opens its 2012 season on June 8 and runs through Sept. 1. Shows are at 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For additional information and to make reservations visit www.tecumsehdrama.com or visit their Facebook page at "Tecumseh! Outdoor Drama -- Official Site." Reservations can also be made at calling 1-866-775-0700.

A rockin' Easter celebration

This Easter you can celebrate the life of Christ rock opera style as Huntington stage rocker Ryan Hardiman has been cast as the lead role in The Charleston Light Opera Guild's production of the iconic Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, "Jesus Christ Superstar." Donnie Smith reprises his role as Judas Iscariot with Erin Martin as Mary Magdalene, Craig Auge as Pilate and Christopher Connard as Herod. The musical is directed by Dan Kehde, with music direction by Mark Scarpelli and choreography by Robert Royce.

Advance tickets are on sale now for the production which will run March 29-31 as well as April 1, and April 5-7.

For advance reservations, call the WVSU Capitol Center box office at 342-6522 during regular business hours.