Regional Theatre In The Works

   The Herald-Dispatch recently ran a recap of some of the shows coming up this spring - you can read the full article right here.

   Here are some highlights:

PAC presents Cirque Zuma Zuma performance and master class

   "America's Got Talent" finalist Cirque Zuma Zuma will be at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6.

   Described as an African-style Cirque du Soleil, this show is filled with nonstop action and African culture, including dance, acrobatics, tumbling and music.

   Tickets for the performance of Cirque Zuma Zuma are $25, $35 and $45.

Shreking into spring

   While they are trying to drain the swamp in Washington, Huntington is filling it, going head over heels this year for the comedic swampy, family theater goodness that is "Shrek The Musical."

   First Stage Theatre Company will be diving into rehearsals next week for a spring production that takes place May 4-6 with a school show on May 3.

   The more than 70-member young cast is set. Playing some of the main parts will be Shrek, Nick Wood; Fiona, Shannon "Sunny" Rawlison; Donkey, Elyse Samassekou; Lord Farquaad, George Kinley; Dragon, Marrisa Davis; Pinocchio, Emma Maynard; and Gingy, Marin Brown.

   You can keep up with First Stage on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/First-Stage-Theatre-Company-151408134941398/

Turn back the Orwellian clock - To '1984'

   Grab tickets now as The Paramount Players present a timely stage adaptation of George Orwell's dystopian novel "1984" at the Paramount Arts Center, 1300 Winchester Ave., Ashland, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 2-3.

   Tickets are $20 and $15 for students. Tickets will be $2 higher if purchased the day of show, and your final ticket purchase will include a $1 per ticket historic theatre restoration fee. Tickets are available online at www.paramountartscenter.com, by visiting or calling the box office at 606-324-0007.

College theater news

   Outstanding and prolific playwright, Jon Joy, who teaches at ACTC, has just announced that student works (written this fall in a creative writing class) have been picked for the 5th Annual New Play Festival of Student Written Works. It will be staged at 7 p.m. April 20-21 at the J.B. Sowards theater and in conjunction with the annual Student Art Showcase.

   The fifth annual event will debut at least eight new works. Each student has written monologues, scenes and 10-minute plays.

   The works selected for April performance are "Why I Am A Vet" by Angela Chevalier, "The Peculiar Case of Julia Remington" by Kasey Davidson, "Zeli's Beeswax" by Kimberly Clark, A scene from "Decisions, Decisions" by Caitlyn Goodall, a monologue by Jessica Garland, "Ghost for Hire" by Jessica Garland, "Selection from Long Live the King" by Simon Amsel and "Danger On The Dance Floor" by Mikaela McDonald.

   Auditions are set for 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 12-13. Contact Jonathan Joy at jonathan.joy@kctcs.edu if you'd like to be involved.

   In other collegiate theater news, Marshall University's School of Theatre's first show of the semester is "Alabama Rain," Heather McCutchen's tale of a town where the rules of time seem to not exist and five women must learn to put their past behind them and push forward.

   Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, Feb. 14-17, and Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 22-24, at the Francis-Booth Experimental Theatre inside the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.