March has been a great month so far for local theater, and this is the final weekend for three very different shows.

TOYS IN THE ATTIC

“Toys in the Attic” at the Tri-County Performing Arts Center is a chilling drama about dark family dynamics. Lillian Hellman’s characters are memorable and the actors  make them come to life.  The  title phrase “toys in the attic”  is as southern term for crazy.  For a complete review, go to: http://curtaincallpottsmerc.blogspot.com/2012/03/toys-in-attic-is-up-close-look-into.html

Remaining shows are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m at the Tri-County Performing Arts Center, 245 E. High St. in Pottstown, Tickets may be purchased at www.tripac.org or at the door the night of the show if available.  There are discounts for groups of 10 or more.  Check the website, or call the theater at 610-970-1199 for more information.

 PARENTAL GUIDANCE IS SUGGESTED FOR THIS SHOW.

MAN OF LA MANCHA 

Broadway-caliber performances of the timeless music from “Man of La Mancha” make Genesius Theatre’s production a theater experience not to be missed.Based on Miguel de Cervantes’ novel "Don Quixote," the musical uses a play-within-a play format to tell the timeless story of Don Quixote, as well as Cervantes himself. To hear  “ The Impossible Dream” sung live is worth the trip.

For the complete review got to: http://curtaincallpottsmerc.blogspot.com/2012/03/genesius-man-of-la-mancha-is-dream-of_18.html

Remaining performances of "Man of La Mancha" are Friday and Saturday March 23, and 24 at 8 p.m. The theatre is located at 10^th and Walnut streets in Reading.  Genesius has free parking next to the theater, just off 10^th Street and is handicap accessible. 

The show was almost sold out its first weekend, so call for reservations.

For tickets and more information visit the Genesius website at www.genesiustheatre.org or call the Genesius Reservation Hot-Line at 610-373-9500 for tickets with a credit card or 610-371-8151 for non credit card reservations or for questions or show times.  Tickets are also available at Online at Tix.com

SIDE MAN

There are only two more performances of Shoestring Productions’ “Side Man” tonight (Friday March 23) at 7 p.m. and Sunday March 25 at 3 p.m. at Building 24 in Wyomissing.

  The play by Warren Leight, won the 1999 Tony Award for Best Play. It is a tender and emotional memory play about the upheaval in the family of a jazz musician at the dawn of the age of Rock-and-Roll.  

  The doors open 2 hours prior to each performance for dining and drinking. A jazz quintet, The Ken Blekicki Five, will play one hour prior to the performance.

   “Side Man” is a cinematic play, moving fluidly between 1953 and 1985. The life of jazz musician Gene Glimmer and his wife Terry is revealed to us through the eyes of their son, Clifford. As Gene and his fellow jazz sidemen hang blindly to a musical time threated with extinction by the advent of the age of Rock and Roll, Clifford struggles to keep his family together.

   The show is presented by Shoestring Productions in association with Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest and Building 24.

   “Side Man” will be presented at Building 24 Kitchen and Bar, which will be transformed into a jazz club with table and chair seating. Drinks will be available from the lounge bar. Dining is available in the Building 24 or The Works restaurant. Please visit www.berksjazzfest.com for more information.

   Tickets are $25. Seating is unreserved.  For tickets, visit the tickets page at berksjazzfest.com. Tickets are also available by phone – 610-777-2310  or in person at CD Exchange, 360 E. Wyomissing Ave., Mohnton, Pa. CD Exchange is open Tuesday through Saturday during regular business hours.

 Building 24 is located at 1115 Bern Road in Wyomissing, next to The Works. 

   The production is rated PG-13 for  strong language and adult situations.