Shows opening this week include SLAC's 'End Days'

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Mar 29, 2009 | by Erica Hansen Deseret News

What do you get if you cross a kid in an Elvis suit, Stephen Hawking, a dad who won't get out of his pajamas, a teen Goth daughter, a Jewish born-again mom and Jesus?

That's the question posed by Salt Lake Acting Company, whose answer is: Their next comedy -- "End Days."

The "apocalyptic comedy about faith, love and hope" is about a family torn apart by the events of 9/11.

The dad has had severe depression since he lost co-workers in the towers; the mom, a lapsed Jew, is now a devout Christian (so much so that she sees Jesus in her kitchen).

Throw into the mix their 16-year-old brooding Goth daughter who's dealing with her nutty parents, and Nelson, the boy who has a crush on her and gets beaten up for wearing Elvis suits to school.

"I care desperately about science and I'm fascinated by religion," said playwright Deborah Zoe Laufer in a press release.

"For me the play has a lesson of just looking around and being in the present and realizing, 'Hey this is it. This is great. It may not be perfect, but it's all that we have.' "

SLAC's show stars some newcomers and favorites as well: Colleen Baum, Paul Kiernan, Marin Kohler, Daniel Lara and Nick O'Donnell.

"End Days" opens Friday and runs through April 26 at Salt Lake Acting Company, 168 W. 500 North. Shows are Wednesday through Sunday nights, times vary, with matinees available. Tickets are $23-$32 (801-363-7522 or www.saltlakeactingcompany.org).

Here are other shows opening this week:

"The Altos: A Little Lower Than The Sopranos," Hunt Mystery charity fund-raiser, April 4, Cottonwood/Murray Elks Lodge, 4894 S. State, Murray.

Big Louie Alto is celebrating his anniversary as the head of the Altos "family enterprise," and all of his friends -- and a few enemies -- are at the party. He's set to announce his successor, and everyone is clamoring for the honor.

Dinner begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30.50-$40.50 (866-569-1482 or www.huntmysteries.com).

"Bye Bye Birdie," Winwood Theatricals National Tour, March 31, Peery's Egyptian Theater, 2415 Washington Blvd., Ogden.

When rock star and heartthrob Conrad Birdie gets drafted, a contest is held on the "The Ed Sullivan Show" to find the girl to give Conrad "One Last Kiss." The show is filled with memorable songs such as "Put on a Happy Face," "What's the Matter With Kids?" and "A Lot of Livin' to Do."

One night only, 7:30 p.m., $24.50-$29.50 (801-395-3227 or www.peerysegyptiantheater.com).

"Defending the Caveman," April 2-4, Egyptian Theatre, 328 Main, Park City.

After two sell-out runs, the popular man vs. woman show is back for three nights. Starring Ben Tedder as the new caveman in this delightful look at how men and women relate ... or don't.

Shows are nightly, 8 p.m. Tickets are $34.50-$44.50 (435-649- 9371 or www.parkcityshows.com).

"Jungle Book," Youth Theatre program, April 2-4, Kingsbury Hall, University of Utah.

For audiences of all ages, this production uses dance, masks, mime and puppetry. Based on the classic by Rudyard Kipling, it tells the story of Mowgli, a young boy raised by wolves in the jungle of India. The young actors will be transformed in Baloo, Bagheera, Ka and the other animals.

Shows are at 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday; Saturday's shows are 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets are $5-$10 (801-581-7100 or www.kingtix.com).

"Ring Round the Moon," April 1-12, Babcock Theatre, University of Utah.

Upper-class pretention meets lower-class ambition in this fast- paced satire.

Mistaken identity and misguided love provide an entertaining mix of cynicism with a fairy-tale ending.

Show dates vary, 7:30 p.m., with matinees available. Tickets are $15 (801-581-7100 or www.kingtix.com)

"A Trilogy of Tragedies," April 2-6, Academy of Performing Arts, 2207 S. Main Street.

The evening will consist of three classic Greek one-act plays, "Electra," "The Furies" and "Antigone." The cast includes Tanya Felkner, Megan Dunyon and Jason Pead.

Shows are nightly, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12-$14 (801-486-2728 or www.academyofpa.org).

E-mail: ehansen@desnews.com