February 13 | 3p & 8p
ZooZoo- Imago Theatre will ignite the imagination with its lively revue of illusion, comedy and fun. A delightfully whimsical, terrifically silly and incredibly funny performance for the whole family. The ingenious masks, mesmerizing movement, outlandish costumes, and original music score create a
fun carnival of the absurd sure to enrapture those of all ages. ZooZoo brings to the stage playful polar bears, insomniac hippos, and other animals that move in recognizable ways but participate in unexpected activities. There's an anteater in a restaurant and rabbits driving cars, all created through the masterful puppetry and mime of Imago Theatre. The anthropomorphic humor and physical flair of Imago is enhanced with a diverse soundtrack, including world folk music, film scores and rock and roll tunes. Is ZooZoo theatre, mime, comedy, dance, special effects or illusion? It's all of the above as part of a journey into the familiar through an unusual lens. Info: Popejoy Hall, UNM Main Campus, 277-8010, http://popejoypresents.com/2009-2010/zoozoo. Price: $35, $29, $22
February 13 - February 28 | Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. - Sundays at 2 p.m. Steel Magnolias - by Robert Harling, The action is set in Truvy's beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are "anybody" come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (who is not sure whether or not she is still married), the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town's rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, ("I'm not crazy, I've just been in a bad mood for forty years"); an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M'Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby (the prettiest girl in town), is about to marry a "good ole boy." Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few acerbic but humorously revealing verbal collisions, the play moves toward tragedy, but also draws on the underlying strength-and love-which give the play, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad. Info: East Mountain Center for Theatre, 15 La Madera Road (Sandia Park, NM), 286-1950, www.eastmountaintheatre.org. Price: $15, $12 Seniors and Students, $8 Children.
February 14 | 3p & 7:30pm
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change - by Joe DiPietro. This Valentine's Day presentation humorously confronts everything you've secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws but were afraid to admit. The complexity of the modern-day mating game is celebrated in this musical joyride with four actors playing over 40 roles in a collection of scenes and songs. Info: Popejoy Hall, UNM Main Campus,277-8010, http://popejoypresents.com/2009-2010/i-love-you-youre-perfect. Price: $49, $41, $33.
February 19 - February 27 | various times
Dead Man's Cell Phone - by Sara Ruhl. When a man at a café table suddenly dies and his cell phone rings, the woman at the next table answers it, dropping her into the labyrinth of his life in this "beguiling new comedy," (The New York Times). As she forges new relationships on his behalf with his bereft family members, she discovers his life was a mystery even to those closest to him. UNM's Theatre X. Info: UNM Dept. of Theatre and Dance, UNM Main Camput, 277-4332, www.theatre.unm.edu. Price: $10, $8 Faculty and Seniors, $7 Staff and Students.
February 19 - March 14 | Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. - Sundays at 2:00p.m.
Prelude to a Kiss - by Craig Lucas. A charming and original fantasy comedy about the wonder and confusion of love. Peter and Rita fall in love despite the Rita's pessimistic outlook on life. As they terms with their relationship, a supernatural event happens that tests the boundaries of their love and devotion. Info: Adobe Theatre, 9813 Fourth St. NW, two blocks north of Alameda, 898-9222, www.adobetheater.org. Price: $14, $12 Seniors or Students.
February 26 - March 14 |Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. - Sundays at 2 p.m.
Plaza Suite - by Neil Simon, Hilarity abounds in this portrait of three couples successively occupying a suite at the Plaza. A suburban couple take the suite while their house is being painted and it turns out to be the one in which they honeymooned 23 (or was it 24?) years before and was yesterday the anniversary, or is it today? This wry tale of marriage in tatters is followed by the exploits of a Hollywood producer who, after three marriages, is looking for fresh fields. He calls a childhood sweetheart, now a suburban housewife, for a little sexual diversion. Over the years she has idolized him from afar and is now more than the match he bargained for. The last couple is a mother and father fighting about the best way to get their daughter out of the bathroom and down to the ballroom where guests await her or as mamma yells, "I want you to come out of that bathroom and get married!" Info: Albuquerque Little Theatre, 224 San Pasquale SW just south of Old Town, 242-4750, www.albuquerquelittletheatre.org. Price: $22, $20 Seniors and $18 Students.
