On Stage in September

   Lots of great shows on tap this month, including:

- Shrek: The Musical - Curtains Up Players presents the Broadway musical based on the animated film about the hilarious story of everyone’s favorite ogre as he tries to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won’t shut up, a villain with a short temper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand… and his name is Shrek. The show will be presented at the Jeslyn Performing Arts Center at 1030 4th Avenue on Sept. 5 and 6 at 8 p.m. and a Sept. 7 at 2:30 p.m., and Sept. 12 and 13 at 8 p.m and Sept. 14 at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., closing with a matinee at 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 15. 

- Bonnie and Clyde - 5th Avenue Theatre presents the musical about the infamous bank robbers at the Jean Carlo Stephenson Auditorium in Huntington’s City Hall on Sept. 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 22 and 29 at 2:30 p.m.

- Rugrats! A Live Adventure - the Paramount Arts Center presents the musical adventures of Tommy, Chucky, Angelica and the rest of the gang from the beloved Nickelodeon cartoon.  Shows will be presented Sept. 6 and 7 at 7 p.m. and Sept. 7 at 3 p.m.

- Wind in the Willows - The Alban Theatre presents the musical version of Kenneth Grahame's beloved classic featuring the adventures of Mr. Toad, Badger, Mole and Water Rat - plus 40 other actors! The last performance will be presented at the Alban Theatre at 65 Olde Main Street in St. Albans, W.Va. on Sept. 1 at 2 p.m.

- The Tennessee Williams Project - The Appalachian Artists Collective presents this collection of Tennessee Williams scenes including: Talk to Me Like the Rain, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, This Property is Condemned and Summer and Smoke. Performances are Sept. 19-21 at 8 p.m. at The Alban Arts and Conference Center. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. 

- Our Town - Contemporary Youth Art Company presents Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize winning play - an iconic drama about daily life in an early 20th Century New England village. The play will be presented Sept. 26, 27, 28 and Oct. 3, 4 and 5 at 8 p.m. at the WVSU Capitol Center, 123 Summers St, Charleston WV 25301.

- A Thousand Cranes - Actors for Children Theatre will present the true story of a 12-year old girl, Sadako, who was stricken with ‘radiation sickness’ (leukemia) one year after the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan. Sadako begins to fold a thousand origami cranes at the urging of her friend, Kenji, while she is in the hospital.  Legend says folding 1,000 cranes will make a wish for long life and health come true. The play will be presented Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. at the Cabell Co. Public Library in Huntington.

- Smokey Joe's Cafe - The Greenbrier Valley Theatre presents the fast-paced, high energy musical revue featuring 39 pop classics from songwriters Leiber and Stoller. It isn’t just great pop music - it’s compelling musical theatre. The musical will be presented at the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse at Marshall University on Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m.

    So get out there and support your local theatre!