It's In the (Tarot) Cards: Musical Playing Locally Before it Hits NYC

When Jonathan Brielle is asked how the idea came about for his newest musical, his answer sounds like the setup of a joke.

“I was sitting in a bar in Las Vegas, talking with a ventriloquist ...”

But those words don’t lead to a punchline. They set up the story of how Brielle’s “Nightmare Alley” got its start. The show, which made its world premiere in Los Angeles last year, is being performed at the Chester Theatre Group’s Black River Playhouse in a concert production, March 25 to27.

A few years ago, Brielle was working with Jay Johnson—the ventriloquist whose resume includes playing Chuck and Bob on the 1970s sitcom “Soap”—on a show at the Stardust Resort and Casino. One night they talked about William Lindsay Gresham’s novel about a con man who becomes obsessed with a carnival sideshow and characters like The Geek, who bites the heads off chickens.

“We were working together and he started to tell me the story of ‘Nightmare Alley,’ and a guy who's fascinated by The Geek in the sideshow,” Brielle said. “That just got me fascinated about it, and I researched it. And I met the widow of Mr. Gresham down in Florida. We spent a long day together and talked at great length about the piece.”

Tarot cards play a role in Gresham’s novel, and each chapter is headed by a card. At the end of their talk, Gresham’s widow brought out the late writer’s tarot deck.

“I cut the deck and I drew the Magician's Card,” Brielle said. “And right after that, she gave me the rights to turn this into a musical.”

Gresham’s book was published in 1946, and it was adapted into a movie starringTyrone Power and Joan Blondell. The book’s stature and reputation is marked by its inclusion in The Library of America’s collection, “Crime Novels: American Noir of the 1930s and '40s.” That collection, published in 1997, also includes classics like James M. Cain’s “The Postman Always Rings Twice” and Edward Anderson’s “Thieves Like Us.”

Brielle’s career in theater includes working on Broadway, in Ireland and around the world. He’s worked with legends like Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy and Len Cariou. He also worked as the composer-in-residence with Circle Repertory Theatre in New York, writing scores for Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Lanford Wilson and director Marshall Mason.

The Chester productions of “Nightmare Alley” precede a two-week run at thePlayers Theatre in Manhattan’s West Village, March 29 through April 10. The cast includes Jeremiah James as Stanton Carlisle, the con man mentalist. James played Billy Bigelow in a revival of “Carousel” at London’s West End. Other performers include James DePaiva (who played Max Holden on “One Life to Live” and Dominique Plaisant (whose Broadway credits include “Lestat” and “The Wild Party”).

It has the makings of a real treat for area theatergoers. It also allows Brielle (who lives in Califon) to test the show in front of audiences before it heads to New York.

“A musical usually has quite a journey before it comes to full realization, and we had a fabulous opening out in L.A. and now we're making some changes in the script and this is the next leg of its journey,” Brielle said. “And being a resident of the area, I thought, Hey, this would be really nice, before we go to New York for two weeks to test it out here.”

He’s worked in Vegas and lived in New York for a while, but moving to Califon a few years ago marked a return to his home state of New Jersey. He up grew on the Jersey Shore, “Springsteen Country” as he calls it, and attended Asbury Park High School.

“I sort of grew up in the rock ’n’ roll world but always had my heart in theater,” he said. “I was always a little too theater for rock ’n’ roll and too rock ’n’ roll for theater back in the day, but now that things are changing, it seems to be a good time for me.”

The times have allowed him to create a show like “Nightmare Alley,” for which he wrote the book, the music and the lyrics. Not an easy task, but he did it because of the connection he felt to the piece.

“The story is really about free will versus fate,” he said. “It was something close to my heart in that no matter what kind of background we come from, we still ultimately choose what road we're going to walk down in our lives. And that's something very close to my heart and it's made me stick with it for quite a few years.”

Presenting a musical is an exciting—and tiring—experience. Think of all the work it takes just to write one: Adapting and structuring a story for the stage, then writing songs, both the music and lyrics. And when you’ve finished writing, the process is just beginning.

“Each leg of the journey is a different part of the experience,” he said. “There's something wonderful about sitting in a room all by yourself and writing. And then there's something incredible about meeting actors and getting their input and having your thoughts come to life. Then there's something frightening about technically putting it on a stage when everything seems to be getting in the way of what you originally intended. And then, somehow, it starts to come together, and that gets real exciting, and then the audience comes in. And they're the final and most important collaborator. Because they really tell you — for people who don't know anything and don't have any of the history that you have in bringing it together — what the ride is actually like for them. It's a wonderful experience.”

Nightmare Alley will be performed at the Chester Theatre Group’s The Black River Playhouse at the corner of Maple and Grove in Chester. Performances are March 25 at 8 p.m., March 26 at 2 and 8 p.m., and March 27 at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $10. Call 908-879-7304 for reservations. For more information, go towww.chestertheatregroup.org. Information about the New York run of Nightmare Alley can be found here.

THE ON STAGE SCOOP

Ringy Dingy the Mayo Center for Lily Tomlin: Lily Tomlin will perform classic characters and offer wry observations about the human condition at  in Morristown on March 24 at 8 p.m. Tomlin has won six Emmys, two Tony Awards and a Grammy. Her television work includes her performances on the iconic “Laugh-In” show (where her characters included Ernestine, the smart-mouthed phone operator), “West Wing,” and “Desperate Housewives.” Her film roles include Robert Altman’s Nashville and All of Me, in which she starred with Steve Martin. Tickets cost $57 to $87. The Mayo Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to www.mayoarts.org.

Acting Wild As a Bug: The Elvis Presley-inspired musical “All Shook Up” is coming to the  in Morristown, March 25 at 8 p.m. The show brings the King’s music to life through a story of love and mistaken identities as a little town gets all shook up when a motorcycle-riding hunk comes to town. The show features 24 Elvis hits. Tickets cost $37 to $67. The Mayo Center is located at 100 South St.. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go towww.mayoarts.org.

It’s Not Easy Being Green: The Marionette Players will perform “Baba Yaga and the Frog Princess” for ages 5 through 10, March 25 at 4 p.m. and March 26 at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the  in Morris Township. The classic story from Russian folklore is about the evil witch Baba Yaga and her battle with Good Wizard, Koschez. This time Baba gets even with Koschez by turning his beautiful daughter into a frog and challenging Ivan, the son of the Great Tsar, to find her and break the spell. The folktale is told with through the art of marionettes and “live” actors in the tradition of the Morris Museum’s own Marionette Players. Tickets cost $10, or $9 for museum members. For more information or to contact the box office, call 973-971-3706.

The Challenges of Love: The Battle of the Sexes is on when The Shakespeare Initiative at Brundage Park Playhouse in Randolph presents “The Taming of the Shrew” March 25 through 27 and April 1 through 3. The comedy follows Petruchio’s attempts to make a proper wife of the fiery-tongued and stubborn Katherina. It has been adapted into a musical classic (Cole Porter’s “Kiss Me Kate”) and a modern romantic comedy (“10 Things I Hate About You”). The Shakespeare Initiative’s production stars Claire Bochenek as Katherina and David Chullanandana as Petruchio. The production has been directed by Richard Norman and features fight choreography by Jon Young. Set design is by Nola Young and costumes, lighting design/operation and sound are by Mark Carovale. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m. Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $10. For information and reservations, call 973-989-7092.

Biblical Rock:  in Hillsborough will perform “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” March 25 through April 16 at its playhouse, located at 689 Amwell Road (Route 514). The show was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, and is based on the story from the book of Genesis. Tickets cost $20, or $18 for seniors and students. For tickets, call 908-369-7469 or go to www.svptheatre.org.

Peachy Keen: Growing Stage children’s theater is presenting “James and the Giant Peach,” March 25 through April 17. The play was written by Richard R. George from the Roald Dahl book about the title boy who embarks on a strange journey aboard a giant peach with his newfound insect friends. Growing Stage promises young theatergoers an adventure with lots of laughs, a wise grasshopper, a pessimistic worm and James’ mean aunts. The theater is located at 7 Ledgwood Ave., Netcong. Tickets cost $18, or for $14 seniors and children. Call 973-347-4946 or go to growingstage.goes.com for more information.

I’ve Got a Funny Feeling About This: The Darress Theatre in Boonton will host “The Not Too Far From Home Comedy Tour,” March 26 at 8 p.m.. The evening of standup comedy stars Aaron David Ward and Deric Harrington. Tickets cost $20 at the door, $15 in advance. The Darress Theatre is located at 65 Main St. in Boonton. For tickets, call 973-334-9292 or e-mail info@darresstheatre.com.

Audition Alert, "Cinderella:" Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in Budd Lake is holding an open cast call for “Cinderella,” March 26 1 p.m. Auditions are open to anyone over 16. Performances are May 14, 21, and 28, and June 4, July 16 and 23. Cast members must be available for all performances. Everyone from beginners to experienced actors is welcome to audition. Call 973-691-2100 for more information.

Audition Alert, “A Man of No Importance:”  will hold auditions for “A Man of No Importance” (book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens) March 28 and 29 at 7 p.m. at the Westminster Arts Center, at the corner of Franklin and Freemont streets on the . Sign-up starts at 6:30 p.m. Those auditioning must sign in by 8 p.m. Callbacks will be held March 30, 7 p.m. Each actor should prepare a song that best shows off his or her range and ability to tell a story. An accompanist will be provided. Sides will be available at the auditions. Actors ages 18 to 60s are encouraged to audition and must be able to do Irish accents. All roles are open. Please bring a headshot and resume stapled together.A complete breakdown of cast can be found on this page. Rehearsals will begin the last week of April. The production opens June 3 and runs 3 weekends. It's non-union, and a small stipend will be paid. For more information, go towww.4thwalltheatre.org or e-mail info@4thwalltheatre.org.

Make Merry and Support the Shakespeare Theatre:  will hold its fundraiser gala and cabaret performance on March 26 at the Hilton Short Hills in Short Hills. The gala evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and carving and sauté station. Gala attendees will mingle with guest artists and performers, and shop the silent auction that has offerings including clothing, jewelry, getaways, and sports and theatrical memorabilia. Afterward, guests will enjoy the Shakespeare Theatre’s cabaret performance with music and comedy sketches featuring notable performers from the stage and screen including Broadway’s Robert Cuccioli, and star of the New York cabaret scene Baby Jane Dexter. Included in the silent auction is an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the “Vanity Fair” offices with “Vanity Fair” contributor and best-selling author Bryan Burrough, and lunch in the famous Condé Nast cafeteria with Mr. Burrough and a “Vanity Fair” editor. Guests can also bid on the opportunity to have a conversation with Charlie Rose over coffee. The winner will also attend a taping of “The Charlie Rose Show” and will receive a tour of the Bloomberg Studios in New York City. One lucky bidder will have the exclusive opportunity to appear on stage at The Shakespeare Theatre. For one performance, the winning guest will join the cast in the courthouse gallery during the trial scene of “To Kill A Mockingbird,” which will be presented as part of the theater’s 2011 Season. Gala tickets cost $295 to $1,000. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 973-408-3761 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org .

New Dance and Young Love: The Russian National Ballet Theatre will bring its performances of Mikhail Fokine’s “Chopiniana” and a new interpretation of “Romeo and Juliet” to  in Morristown, March 26 at 8 p.m. The first piece is a dance interpretation inspired by Chopin’s Seventh Waltz. “Romeo and Juliet” is based on choreography by Marius Petipa and is danced to Tschaikovsky music. Tickets cost $27 to $57. The Mayo Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go towww.mayoarts.org.

Love and Marriage:  will present Craig Lucas’ “Prelude to a Kiss,” through March 26. The Tony-nominated optimistic look at loves involves Peter, who is wondering who he really married—even before the wedding is over. Tickets cost $18. For information, go towww.studioplayhouse.org.
 

Music and Garbage: The  is presenting its children’s production, “The Garbage Cantina,” through March 27. Featuring actors aged 9 to 99 and puppets made from found objects, the show sees a garbage dump come to “hip-hopping life.” The eco-friendly workshop Green Fest will be held following the March 12 performance. All tickets cost $7. For information, go to www.thestrollers.org.

Movie Night:  in Morris Township will host a screening of the documentary “Finding the Spark Within: Her Story” on March 27, in celebration of Women’s History Month. The film tells the stories of five women, which, according to the Bickford’s website, “will outrage and inspire you to do things that bring you joy.” The film is directed by Oscar-winning producer Pamela Tanner Boll. The screening will be accompanied by an art exhibit, an artisan chocolate launch and a panel discussion.  The program will begin at 4 p.m. For reservations, call 973-272-7148 or e-mail jlevine@jsddmetrowest.org. Tickets can also be purchased at  www.jsddmetrowest.org.

Inspired by the Greats: Garden State Spotlight and the New Jersey Jazz Society will present Antoinette Montague in concert at  in Morristown, March 27 at 3 p.m. Montague grew up in Newark, listening to legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Sara Vaughn. Her love of jazz grew when she checked out records by Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith from her local library. This, according to the Mayo Center’s website, allows her to enchant audiences with soulful vocals. Tickets cost $15. The Mayo Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to www.mayoarts.org.

All Jazzed Up: Jazz showcase will feature bassist Nicki Parrott performing with a trio including Warren Vache on cornet, and guitarist Vinnie Corrao. The concert will take place March 30 at 8 p.m. at the theater, in Morris Township. Tickets cost $18 ($15 advance). Call 973-971-3706 or go towww.morrismuseum.org for more information.

Exit Laughing: "What Exit? The Comedy Company" will present “Funny Ladies,” March 31 at  7:30 p.m. The laugh-filled revue features new essays, standup comedy, plays and songs by Shannon Barr, Laura Booker, Jennifer Turner Hall, Tori I’Connell, Tina Kelly, CJ Prince and Elizabeth. The show is at (formerly Cent’Anni), 5 Highland Place, Mapleweood. Tickets cost $15, there is a one-drink minimum. For information, call 973-763-4029 or go towww.whatexittheatre.com.

I Think I’m Going to Cry: Villagers Theatre in Somerset will present Robert Harling’s “Steel Magnolias,” April 1 through 17. The story of friendship and trust “serves up a southern slice of life that’s as warm and comforting as sweet potato pie,” according to the Villagers’ website. The play follows six women who share their secrets, fears and love throughout weddings, divorces, funerals and pregnancy. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $16, $14 seniors/students. For more information, go towww.villagerstheatre.com.

Mixing It Up: George Winston will brings his blend of jazz, R&B, folk and classical to  in Morristown, April 1 at 8 p.m. Winston’s love of jazz and piano began when he first heard Vince Guaraldi’s music for “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” when the special first aired in 1965. In 1996, Winston released "Linus and Lucy—The Music of Vince Guaraldi," and released a follow-up to that album last year. Tickets cost $37 to $52. The Mayo Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go towww.mayoarts.org.

Dance For Everyone: Pilobolus, which bills itself as the “The dance company for those who don’t like dance” is coming to in Morristown April 2. The group began in 1971 during a Dartmouth College dance class and is known for creating dances featuring entangled bodies with irreverence and invention. Tickets cost $32 to $57. The Mayo Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go towww.mayoarts.org.

A New Take on an Old Story:  will launch the 2011 Lend Us Your Ears play reading series with “The Notorious Lady Susan,” adapted by Tom Fontana from the novel Lady Susan by Jane Austen. The reading will be held on April 4 at 7 p.m. at the . “Lady Susan” is the first novel Austen wrote, but it wasn’t published until more than 50 years after her death. Fontana’s television credits include “St. Elsewhere” and “Homicide: Life on the Street.” The Lend Us Your Ears series offers patrons the chance to see the Shakespeare Theatre explore new plays through script-in-hand readings. The theater is located at 36 Madison Ave. on the campus. Tickets cost $15 or $10 for students students. For more information, call 973-408-5600 or go to www.shakespearenj.org.

Put Away Those CliffsNotes:  in Morristown is presenting “Hamlet,” as part of a curriculum tie-in for students in grades 8 through 12, April 5 at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $10. The Mayo Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go towww.mayoarts.org. A study guide is available for download here.

Ladies Night: The Women’s Theater Company will present Matthew Barber’s adaptation of Elizabeth von Arnim’s novel “Enchanted April” April 8 through 23. The play is about four English women who rent a castle on an Italian island in an effort to understand their lives and relationships. The novel was the basis for two movies, one released in 1935 and one in 1992. For tickets and information, call 973-316-3033 or e-mail info@womenstheater.org. Performances are at the, 1130 Knoll Road, Lake Hiawatha (use Boonton as the destination city for GPS directions); www.womenstheater.org.

Save The Date: The s 2011 fundraiser will take place in April 9 and will feature Tony-nominated performer Robert Cuccioli (“Jekyll and Hyde”) in “The Best of Times: A Star-Studded Salute to the Tony Awards!” Call 973-971-3706 for more information on this show, benefiting the Morris Township theater.

This Looks Strange: What Exit? Theatre Company will present StrangeDog Theatre’s “The StrangeDog Eat Dog and Pony Show,” April 7 through 9 at the The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts in Burgdorff. What Exit? describes the show as a festival of manic comedies by Ben Clawson and rock ’n’ roll by Bern and The Brights and The MiCKS. In explaining the title, StrangeDog’s website notes that “StrangeDog” refers to the New Jersey-based collective of actors, directors, artists and designers, “Dog Eat Dog” describes the world’s harshness, and  “A Dog and Pony Show” refers to the 19th-century traveling show. “Put ‘em all together and you’re left with ‘The StrangeDog  Eat Dog and Pony Show,’ a fast paced and larger than life conglomerate of original plays, sketches, monologues and music,” according to What Exit’s website. The show is directed by Artem Yatsunov and stars some of StrangeDog’s favorite collaborators and co-conspirators. Tickets and show times are available at www.strangedogtheatre.com.

Comedy Tonight (and Through April 10):  in Millburn is presenting “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” through April 10. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Burt Sheelove and Larry Gelbart, this slapstick farce has been making audiences laugh since it debuted on Broadway in 1962 starring Zero Mostel. Nathan Lane headlined a popular revival in 1996. Tickets cost $25 to $92. For information go to www.papermill.org or call 973-376-4343.

Love Under the Stars:  is staging John Cariani’s “Almost, Maine” through April 2. Described by the Barn’s website as a “delightfully charming midwinter night’s dream,” the play follows the residents of Almost as they fall in and out of love as the northern lights illuminate the sky. Tickets cost $15 and can be reserved by calling the box office at 973-334-9320 or e-mailing boxoffice@barntheatre.org (reservations can only be accepted via e-mail up to to 24 hours prior to showtime). The Barn Theatre is located at 32 Skyline Drive. For more information, go to www.barntheatre.org

She’s a Little Bit Country: Tickets for Marie Osmand’s Aug. 24 concert at the in Morristown are on sale now. Tickets cost $57 to $97. For more information, see here or call 973-539-8008.

Registration for Summer Theater Camps: Brundage Park Playhouse in Randolph has announced its 30th season of summer performing arts education with the return of three programs. Summer Stages is a workshop for young performers ages 8 through 14 who have completed second grade or higher during the 2010-11 school year; staff instructs students in acting, music and dance, and each two-week session will end with a production for audiences of parents, relatives and friends. The Advanced Performers Workshop is open to students who are already at least 12 and will be entering seventh through 11th grades in the 2011-2012 season. Admission is by audition and interview. Students will spend part of their time in rehearsal for whatever show they are working on, and part of their time in workshops on various aspects of theater arts. The Budding Stars program is designed for children ages 5 to 7. Students will also create simple props and costumes for skits, fairy tales and children’s stories they perform. For pricing, schedules and registration, go to www.randolphnj.org , click on “Parks and Recreation,” and click on “Online Registration.” You can also register in person at the Parks and Recreation Department, located in the Senior Community Center on Calais Road, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 973-989-7092.

With a Banjo on His Knee: There’ll be nothing wild and crazy going on when Steve Martin comes to the  in Morristown. Tickets for his concert of bluegrass and banjo music are on sale now. The concert is June 28. Martin will be performing with the Steep Canyon Rangers, who play on his new album “Rare Bird Alert.” The new disk also includes appearances by Paul McCartney and the Dixie Chicks. Martin’s 2009 album, “The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo,” won the 2009 Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album. For information on all shows at the Mayo Center, go to mayoarts.org or call the box office at 973-539-8008.

Registration Open for Villagers Summer Theater Programs: TheVillagers Theatre in Somerset has announced its summer programs for training in theater arts, preparing young performers for the stage. Actors ages 9 to 12 who have demonstrated desire and talent for the performing arts will discover many aspects of theater, including acting, dance, voice, and musical theater, and production arts through both instruction and experience. The program will begin June 28 with two 3-week sessions, Monday through Friday. Li’l Villagers half-day sessions are offered from 9 a.m.-noon for younger performers, 6-8 years old; Villagers Apprentice full-day sessions are offered from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Each session will culminate in a performance on the Villagers Main Stage on the final Friday at 1:30 p.m. and Saturday at noon. Overture care and encore care are available for an additional fee. Students will be grouped for instruction by age, ability or experience. Arts educators will be assisted by college interns and high school counselors. Students are required to provide their own transportation and brown bag lunches. Session 1 will take place July 5-23. Session II: July 23-Aug. 13. For more information, go to www.villagerstheatre.com.

Schedule Change at the Shakespeare Theatre:  announced that Dario Fo’s political farce “Accidental Death of an Anarchist” will replace Noel Coward’s “Fallen Angels” on its 2011 schedule because of rights issues involving the Coward play. Fo’s zany comedy will run Aug. 3 through 28. As previously announced, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s season will begin with Moliere’s “The Misanthrope” June 1 through 26. The theater’s summer outdoor show is Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” June 22 through July 31. The Bard’s rarely produced “Timon of Athens” continues the Main Stage season July 6 through 24. In the fall, Shakespeare’s “Othello” will be performed Sept. 7 through Oct. 2. Next up is Christopher Sergel’s adaptation of “To Kill A Mockingbird” Oct. 12 through Nov. 12. The season will wrap up with “A Christmas Carol” Dec. 1-Jan. 1. Tickets and subscriptions are on sale now at 973-408-5600. Go to www.shakespearenj.org for more information.

Paper Mill's New Season:  in Millburn has announced its 2011-2012 season, which will include four musicals (including a world premiere) and one comedy. The season will kick off with the debut of “Newsies The Musical,” based on the 1992 Disney movie, and written by Harvey Fierstein (book), Jack Feldman (lyrics) and Alan Menken (music). Paper Mill’s holiday offering is “White Christmas,” based on the movie starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. Next up is Marc Canoletti’s 1960 comedy “Boeing Boeing,” (which recently had a successful Broadway revival) in January. Just in time for the baseball season is the classic musical “Damn Yankees” March 7 through April 1, and the season will wrap up with “Once on this Island,” May 30 through June 24. Meanwhile, there are two more shows to go before the current season ends. “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” March 16 through April 10 and “Curtains” April 27 through May 22. .

Get Schooled: The educational touring wing of , Shakespeare LIVE!, presents abridged productions of the Bard's work that keeps Shakespeare's language intact. It's offering A Midsummer Night's Dream and Julius Caesar through June 10. For more info and bookings, see here.

Got some news for On Stage? E-mail Louis@Patch.com.