The Heiress, a revival period drama originally written by Ruth and Augustus Goetz is opening on Broadway tonight following almost a month of previews. The show was expected to open to critical acclaim, and if the response is anything like what’s been seen and heard in the last few weeks, it’s going to. That’s not surprising though, considering that two huge stars — Dan Stevens and Jessica Chastain — both hold leading roles in the show.

What happens when you fall in love with a girl who’s rich? What if that girl is “not clever,” plain-looking, and not especially charming around men? What if she has an overbearing and extremely cold father? And what if you love the girl’s money more than you do her? These are all questions that are analyzed in The Heiress, a play about a suitor named Morris Townsend (played by Stevens) who’s after Catherine Sloper (played by Chastain.) When Morris and Catherine finally meet and fall in love, her father is dead set against it, believing that Morris is only after Catherine’s inheritance.

The play is a roller coaster of emotions, mostly for Catherine, but also for the audience as they too, try to figure out what the real intentions are of the characters on stage. The play is directed by Moises Kaufman and other cast members include: Molly Camp (Marian Almond); Kieran Campion (Arthur Townsend); Virginia Kull (Maria); De Nelson (Mrs. Montgomery); and Caitlin O’Connell (as Aunt Elizabeth Almond.)

Previews began on October 6, and the play officially opens tonight. This play has been talked about for months, so don’t miss your chance and get your theater tickets today!

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas is coming to Broadway, just in time for the holidays of course, and now the full casting has been announced. Famed Broadway actor, Jeff McCarthy, will be filling the too-tight shoes of the Grinch; and he’s supported by a slew of Broadway talent.

This may be one of McCarthy’s crulest roles yet, playing the part of the nasty Grinch who loves atop a mountain overlooking Whoville. Just like in the classic story, when the Grinch becomes bothered by the Who’s excessive Christmas celebrations, he tries to steal the holiday from them — roast beast and all!

Ken Land will fill the paws of Old Max, the poor dog that is forced to help the Grinch carry out his mean plan; while Gilbert L. Bailey will be playing the part of Young Max. Playing the Who Family are Philip Hoffman as Grandpa Who, Paul Aguirre as Papa Who, Natalie Hill as Mama Who, and Rosemary Loar as Grandma Who. Annie Who will be played by both Danielle Megan Johnson and Zara Scott. Little Cindy-Lou Who, the most inquisitive of the bunch, will also be an alternating role played by Tori Feinstein and Abigail Shapiro.

The book and lyrics for the play were written by Timothy Mason; the music was written by Mel Marvin; and Matt August will be directing.

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas will begin on December 13 and play until December 30 at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. Tickets for this show would make great stocking stuffers and they’re on sale now. Make sure to get yours today!

It’s been over two decades since Barry Manilow starred in his own Broadway show; that was back in 1989 when Barry Manilow at the Gershwin ran for over shows. Now though he’s back, and just what he’s going to croon is anyone’s guess. Will it be songs from his latest 2011 album, 15 Minutes? Classic Broadway hits? Or classic Barry hits? Hopefully, a bit of all of the above!

Manilow will be performing at St. James Theater for a total of 17 shows running on Wednesdays and Thursdays with opening night set for January 24, 2013. A preview will be held the Friday before, on January 18.

Expressing his excitement for the show, Manilow said in an interview regarding this latest Broadway run of his, “Growing up in New York, Broadway has always held a special place in my heart and I am honored to have the opportunity to make the St. James Theatre my home in the New Year.”

Tickets are on sale so be sure to pick yours up today. It’s been 23 years since Manilow to came to Broadway, and these tickets are bound to sell out quick. Make sure you get your tickets today!

They say she invented punk, but Patti Smith is so much more. The incredibly talented performer was not only inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but was named a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture, and received the National Book award for her memoir “Just Kids”.

Her unique contribution to performance is a mixture of poetry and music, making her stand out as one of a kind. No one who has heard her can ever forget her boldness, clarity, and hard driving lines. Leaving religious structures behind while still a teenager because she felt the walls of religion too confining, she emphasized it in the line, “Jesus died for somebody’s sins, but not mine.”

Her early years were spent among popular cult artists, who felt exclusiveness in knowing about her and listening to her work. That changed however, with her International hit, “Because of the Night.” Co-authored with performing artist, Bruce Springsteen, the song sky-rocketed, reaching number thirteen on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1978.

In January of 1977, Patti Smith accidentally fell off the stage, fifteen feet into a concrete based orchestra pit, breaking several neck vertebrae. The incident actually gave her time to evaluate and re-organize her life, coming back with several new songs, including “Because of the Night”, that received almost instant commercial success.

Her courage was not forgotten. In 2010, she received the Woman of Valor Award from ROCKRGRL Magazine at the ROCKRGRL Music Conference, marking the 30th Anniversary of the release of “Horses.”.

What’s incredible about the grandmother of punk is that she has never stopped creating. She is the subject of the documentary film, “Patti Smith: Dream of Life”, and is currently working on a crime novel. Nor has she quit making music. Her newest album, “Banga (Believe or Explode)” came out in June of this year. She is now on national tour with Neil Young and Crazy Horse, giving you a once in a life time opportunity to view in person one of the most controversial and talented singer and writer in today’s industry.

If you are near San Bernardino, California and looking for something fun and spooky to do this October, look no further than the Escape from Wonderland event being held at the Nos Events Center. This event is for those that are too old for trick or treating, but still love all the magic and costumes of Halloween. Escape From Wonderland is sure to be right up your alley as they invite guests to “Discover the sinister side of Wonderland”. This holiday themed event has everything you need for a spooky, eventful October celebration.

Start off your night by being scared by some ghosts, marveling at the fire breathers, and being impressed by the dancers all decked out in their best Halloween costumes. Get lost in corn mazes, and scream through 3 different haunted houses. Be sure to go through “The Looking Glass 3D Haunted House” for some screaming fun. Also be sure to check out the art installations and make a trip through the haunted graveyard where you are sure to get a fright. No night would be complete without costumes, and the event highly encourages everyone to come in their scary best. They even highlight nearby costume shops to help everyone find the perfect look.

Then listen to some hauntingly good music! The festival will feature six music stages where you can listen to some of the best bands in the area live. Bands scheduled to perform include: Borgore, Doorly, Infected Mushroom, Audrey Napoleon, Dubfire, Nervo, UZ, Trent Cantrelle, Wide Awake Art Car, and many more. More will be announced and set lists will be posted soon. This is a party worthy of waking the dead for!

Last year was the first year of this spooky festival. It sold out in record time, three weeks before the scheduled date. Now it is back, bigger and better than last year with all new things to see. Don’t be a disappointed partier by letting the tickets get sold out this year before you get yours. If you love all things Halloween then this is sure to be your favorite event of the year! Get your tickets early.

Romeo and Juliette, the story of the star crossed lovers, and their fateful choice, is a classic that everyone knows. If you have seen the many reincarnations of this Shakespearean play, no doubt you have your favorites. Before you decide the top of that list however, you should see Arizona Opera: Romeo et Juliette.

It starts with a chorus about the family feud between the Montagues and the Capulets, and of the young lovers who were so struck with each other that they were determined to love through it all. Their marriage is carried out by the local priest who thinks their love may end the feud. Of course, we all know it doesn’t end that way, but with a last kiss in a tomb and many tears from the audience.

So what makes this version different from the others? The beauty of the original story is all there intact, but it is multiplied by the force and awe of the addition of opera. The live music of the orchestra and the powerful voices of the opera singers all work together to make the story even more lovely, even more tragic. It is sure to have your heart sorrowing as the lovers try to defy all the ills stacked against them, and have it break as they die in each other’s arms. It is something you won’t soon forget.

The piece is performed at the Arizona Opera and is sung in French and is accompanied by English subtitles. Juliet’s part is performed by Jennifer Black an accomplished soprano with a soaring voice. Romeo’s part is sung by Brian Stucki who many say has a voice from heaven. Other artist includes debut performance of Victor Robertson as Tybalt, David Adam Moore as Mercutio, and Jordon Bisch as Frere Laurent.

The opera is scheduled to run in November and makes for a wonderful way to spend a fall evening. They will be playing at both the Tucson Music Hall and the Phoenix Symphony Hall on different dates. If you live in the area or will be visiting, be sure to buy your tickets early before the shows are sold out.

You no longer have to ask how to get to Sesame Street. It comes to you with all your favorite Muppet characters. It’s hard to forget those early childhood days when Count Von Count waved his magic wand to bring you the number four, Oscar the Grouch lived in a garbage can and Big Bird showed you the world can be wonderful no matter who you were. For over forty years, the show has been the early basis to child education, teaching in a manner that was both delightful and creative. Sesame Street is the fifteenth highest rated children’s show in America, with 95% of all pre-school children engrossed in it by age three.

You never really grow too old for Sesame Street, and you’ll love seeing the exciting live theatrical show as much as you did when snuggled in front of the television with your little ones. Each Sesame Street on Tour features a new plot, with Sesame Street’s lovable characters, scenery and soundtrack. The characters arrive in a personal traveling bus, with costumed dancers playing each role to the accompaniment of Sesame Street’s own special brand of music and comedy.

The first traveling show opened in 1980 with the production of, “A Sesame Street Mystery; the Case of the Missing Rara Avis” played at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota. It was such a popular attraction that 2009 marked its 100th show. It’s an amazing performance, done on a full stage, with back drops and colorful scenery.

This year, the tour brings to you “Can’t Stop Singing”, an extended version of the street story of a season 41 episode in which Elmo finds a magic wand. He waves it around to make some magic, but nothing happens. He tries using it for some other things, finally pretending he’s an orchestra conductor, and cries, “music, music, music”. He taps himself, and the magic begins. Suddenly there is music, and he begins singing. He’s so delighted with what he’s done, he puts the spell on others. Before he knows it, there’s a jumble of song, and the Muppets are actually getting just a little upset that they can’t stop singing. Elmo learns something that day, but you’ll have to watch to know just what.

Opening September 18 at the Cambria County War Memorial in Johnstown Pennslyvania, the Sesame Street Traveling Tour will soon be visiting a town near you. If you have small children, give them a special treat. Show them the way to Sesame Street and open up the world of magic, music, dancing and fun with the lovable muppets that became an American Icon. Starring Big Bird, Elmo, Bert, Ernie, and that absolutely wonderful, all-time favorite; Cookie Monster! How could you go wrong?

The summer has wound down and autumn is moving in, but it’s not too late to attend the Shrine Circus. Still the greatest show on earth, there’s nothing really quite as refreshing as a little classical entertainment. The Shrine Circus has it all; performing elephants and tigers, clowns, trained poodles, trapeze artists and of course, the human cannon ball, David “The Bullet” Smith Jr., who became a national celebrity when he shot himself seventy feet into the air for “America’s Got Talent”.

A brand new tiger act enters the arena under the helm of trainer, Daniel Raffo of Argentina whose familiarity with handling these Bengal big cats will amaze you. The three-ring circus also features Andrea and Lluvia, who hang high above the arena by the hair, spinning at incredible speeds while juggling flaming batons.

Fabio’s Extreme Riders will stop your heart as the daredevils zip past each other at insane speeds while enclosed in a steel globe. You won’t want to miss Broadway Bo, the world’s largest performing elephant, who will play a musical instrument on a whim, balance on his hind legs, or demonstrate to you his artistic abilities in painting.

The Shrine Circus is always a friendly place to go. During intermission, audience members can walk into the rings to meet the performers or be entertained by the circus clowns. When the intermission is over, it’s back to the seat for more spectacular, marvelous circus fun.

Their greatest challenge is in delivering the show to you. It’s not easy packing up large animals, tents and tons of circus equipment, but the Shriners love what they do. It’s the vacation you can take when you can’t afford any other and a place to bring your entire family. Traveling 120 cities per year in the United States and 40 in Canada, over the years the Shriners have sponsored many great circus performers, including Clyde Beatty, the Flying Wallendas, Emmet Kelley, the Flying Concellos and the Zacchinis.

Renew the memories of other great circus performances and give the gift to your children of what a real circus is all about. Get caught up with the dazzling, the spectacular, the death defying and the charming, from dancing poodles to flying acrobats. The world is a rapidly changing arena, but one arena remains the same, and that is the three ring big tent of the Shrine Circus. Tickets are available from October 13th to the 14th in Edmonton, Alberta and November 23rd to the 25th in Minneapolis, Minnesota, so if you want a winter vacation and fun for the whole family, get your tickets today for the greatest show on earth.

Oy vey, the things you’ll hear when you watch Old Jews Telling Jokes, the off-Broadway show that is slaying audiences and becoming the sleeper hit of the year.  If you want your funny bone tickled then this is the show to see.

This is a five person, 90-minute revue, currently playing at the Westside Theater in New York.  It sprung from the creative minds of Peter Gethers and Daniel Okrent after they saw the original website with the same name by Sam Hoffman.  The five hilarious jokesters include Lenny Wolpe, Todd Susman, Bill Army, Audrey Lynn Weston, and Marilyn Sokol.  They tell some of the best old jokes, the ones you can recite line for line, and yet still get laughs for them.

The show also reinvents quite a few jokes for the modern era.  It isn’t just a simple standup routine, though there is plenty of that too, but there are hilarious songs, exaggerated accents, over the top impressions, sketches, video clips and more.  Their website claims that “you’ll laugh ’til you plotz'” and critics agree.

This is not a show for the very politically correct or small children, as there are all shades of humor to be found here.  If you like a good obscene joke followed by a guilt mongering Jewish mother joke, then you’ll be in the right place!  You just have to remember to bring your sense of humor, you mashugana.

There are rumors of this bawdy comedy going on to play in California, and possibly even for a tour across the US, but those plans are in the future and currently uncertain at best.  For now, it is playing only in the New York area so you’ll have to make plans to come see it when you are next in the city.  Tickets are currently on sale until February 17, 2013, so you still have time to include the show in your trip plans.

Come check out Old Jews Telling Jokes and see why audiences and critics can’t get enough of this “chutzpah”.  Save the most money by buying your tickets online in advance, and make your mother proud.

There was just something fun about the 1980’s.  Maybe it was the giant teased hair and the massive shoulder pads, or perhaps it was the movies like The Breakfast Club and songs like Jessie’s Girl and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.  Whatever it was you loved about the 80’s, you can now relive it in the Awesome 80’s Prom show in Las Vegas!

This gnarly show is pretty new, having been established in 2012, and is already getting some pretty rave reviews.  Don’t think that you’ll just be sitting in the audience watching a bunch of 80’s characters on a stage either, after all this is a party!  An interactive party that is.  You’ll feel like you just stepped back into an 80’s prom, complete with the hunky football captain, the hot cheerleader, the nerd, the foreign exchange student and more.  And what prom would be complete without a prom king and queen?  The best part is that you get to vote for who wins!  This is a show with some scripted scenes, but for the most part it is improv, and you and the other guests determine its outcome.

This interactive show is sure to be like no other you have ever seen.  They even encourage the audience to come dressed in their best 80’s attire.  That means get out your crimping iron, throw on your acid washed jeans, and dig your Members Only jacket out of the closet.  Then practice your moonwalk, your vogue, and your best break dancing skills and get ready to party!  Don’t forget to get your own prom photo taken before you leave.

The Awesome 80’s Prom is located at the V Theater in Las Vegas.  Many people come to Las Vegas to celebrate big events such as birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties and anniversaries and this 80’s prom makes a prime location.  There is plenty of dancing, drinks, and laughs at this show, plus it is better than just sitting on the sidelines, you are actually part of the fun!

Have like, a “totally rad” night by buying your tickets now, otherwise they may get sold out — bummer!  Find the best prices as well as more information online.