Plays, musicals, kids' shows and more.
'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert'
Just like any good drag queen, the jukebox musical “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” is a mix of fun, drama and emotional backstory. Under the direction of Ray Kennedy for Opera House Theatre Co., the cast of “Priscilla” -- about a trio of drag queens whose improbable trek across the Australian Outback is set to a litany of ’70s and ’80s pop hits and a couple of ’60s classics -- delivers a powerful message of acceptance during a performance that’s alternately uplifting, tear-jerking and entertaining. Details: 8 p.m. Jan. 19-20 and 3 p.m. Jan. 21 at Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St., Wilmington. Tickets are $27-$32, plus taxes and fees. 910-632-2285 or ThalianHall.org.
'Inside Job'
New plays can often feel like they’re not quite ready for the stage. But “Inside Job,” an original play by Kenneth Vest about a mother and father reeling from the loss of their son to a heroin overdose, is not only ready, but also comes at the perfect time for a society in the midst of the public health crisis that is opioid and heroin addiction. Under the direction of Steve Vernon for Big Dawg Productions, an impressive cast delivers an emotional and enlightening production. Vest wrote “Inside Job” in response to his son’s overdose death from heroin, and this sad and scary but hopeful story is filled with hard, complex truths presumably born of experience. Details: 8 p.m. 18-20 and 3 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Cape Fear Playhouse, 613 Castle St., Wilmington. 910-367-5237 or InsideJobHeroinKills.com.
'Angels in America'
Tony Kushner’s award-winning play is being staged in London, but locals can see it on the big screen as part of the National Theatre Live series. Set in Reagan-era, '80s America, it's about New Yorkers dealing with love, sex, life and death in the age of AIDS. Stars Andrew Garfield, Nathan Lane and James McArdle. Tony-Award-winner Marianne Elliott ("The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," "War Horse") directs. Details: "Part Two: Perestroika" is 1 p.m. Jan. 20 at Kenan Auditorium, UNCW campus. $20, $18 Osher Lifelong Learning Institute members, $10 students/youth, $6 UNCW students with ID. 910-962-3500 or UNCW.edu/Arts.
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'Senior Moments'
Dinner theater TheatreNOW opens its 2018 season with this play by Brunswick County resident Don Fried billed as "five funny, touching and slightly naughty (one-act) plays about people in their golden years." In "The Code," two seniors meet for a blind date while "First Love" has a former couple reconnecting after 60 years. Ella Reischer directs. Details: 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show, Fridays and Saturdays Jan. 19-Feb. 17 at TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10th St., Wilmington. $18-$42 with discounts for seniors, students, military and groups. Add $10 for special Valentine's Dinner show. 910-399-3669 or TheaterWilmington.com.
'A Year with Frog and Toad'
Thalian Association Community Theatre's youth company presents this musical based on Arnold Lobel's beloved Frog and Toad stories. Details: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19-20 and 26-27, 3 p.m. Jan. 21 and 28 at the Community Arts Center, 120 S. Second St., Wilmington. $15. 910-251-1788 or Thalian.org.
'Twelfth Night'
TheatreNOW presents a staged reading of this comedy of mistaken identity as part of its Shakespeare Brunch series. Details: Noon (doors) Jan. 21 at TheatreNOW, 19 S. 10th St., Wilmington. $20, $8 show-only. 910-399-3669 or TheaterWilmington.com.
'Aladdin'
Pied Piper Theatre presents its annual public performance of the show it also does for area schoolchildren who are bussed into Thalian Hall to see it. The musical comedy by Steve Cooper is loosely based on one of the "Tales of the Arabian Nights" and follows Aladdin as he finds a special lamp in a magical cave. Details: 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28, at Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St., Wilmington. $10. 910-632-2285 or ThalianHall.org.
'Amazing Grace'
The tour of this musical comes to town as part of the PNC Broadway series. Based on the true story behind the famous hymn, it's an emotional and surprisingly adventurous tale of a man who must must decide whether to follow in the footsteps of his father, a slave trader, or embrace the more compassionate views of the woman he loves. Details: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27 and 2 p.m. Jan. 28 at the CFCC Wilson Center, 703 N. Third St., Wilmington. $46, plus taxes and fees.
Contact John Staton at 910-343-2343 or John.Staton@StarNewsOnline.com.
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