Sam's Best Bets for upcoming entertainment

Some suggestions for this weekend and next couple of weeks around Carson City and elsewhere. Check entries in the daily Nevada Appeal for more details, but this should be enough for planning this weekend and the next several. Also, see nevadaappeal.com for updates of video games, movie news, musical events and reviews.

Sam Bauman, entertainment editor

- The new production of Benjamin Britten's opera "Peter Grimes" is screeened at cineplexs March 15 Saturday and is directed by John Doyle. Doyle won a Tony Award for resurrecting "Sweeny Todd" on Broadway and was hailed by the New York Times as a " ferociously inventive director and designer." The opera stars two Americans; soprano Patricia Racette and tenor Anthony Dean Griffey, in a haunting theatrical journey that subtly explores the nature of judgment. It will be followed on March 22 by "Tristan and Iolde by Richard Wagner at 9:30 a.m.

- U.S. audiences will be able to watch performances of one of the most prominent American opera companies, the San Francisco Opera, at local movie theaters. The Bigger Picture will release San Francisco Opera performances beginning March 29.

All performances are recorded live at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco and include a 10-minute intermission and English subtitles. For a complete list of venues, ticket information and show times visit sfopera.com. The venue list will continue to be updated as theaters are added to the schedule. Operas are:

Camille Saint-Saëns' "Samson and Delilah, Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30, Monday, March 31 and Tuesday, April 1.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Don Giovanni," Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13, Monda and Tuesday, April 14-15.

Giacomo Puccini's "Madama Butterfly, "Saturday and Sunday, April 19-20; Monday and Tuesday, April 21-22.

- The BAC Stage Kids announce the production of "Snow White," a colorful adaptation of the classic fairy tale.

The show runs two weekends, March 14-22, in the Donald W. Reynolds Black Box Theatre at the Brewery.

The cast is children ages 6 to 10, who are cast in such roles Snow White, The Prince, The Wicked Queen, and, of course, the Seven Dwarves.

Leading the cast and crew of more than 30 area children are Rebecca Martin, 8, and Sarah White, 8, as Snow White, and Aubrey Alotta, 9 and Emma Sperry, 9 as the Wicked Queen.

Also featured is a host of talented of young actors, dancers, singers and comedians enthusiastically retelling this favorite fairy tale.

"Snow White" will run March 14-15, 20-21 at 7 p.m. and March 16 and 22 at 2 p.m. at the Brewery, 449 W. King St. Tickets are $8 general admission and $5 for students, seniors and BAC members at the BAC office or on at www.breweryarts.org/bacstagekids. Call 883.1976.

- The self-serving wine bar Reserve at Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno welcomes Benziger Vineyards, Raymond Vineyards, Whitehall Lane and Norman Vineyards in March.

Napa Valley's Raymond Vineyards brings a selection of wines to the Wine Bar Saturday March 15.

Reserve presents Whitehall Lane, a small family-owned winery in Napa Valley's historic Rutherford appellation, for a tasting March 22.

Norman Vineyards, in the hills west of Paso Robles on California's Central Coast, wraps up the month with a sampling Saturday March 29.

The wine tasting events at Reserve are free and open to the public from 5 to 8 p.m. Reserve is open daily from 4 p.m. to midnight in the lobby of the Resort. Call 789-2000 or visit www.grandsierraresort.com.

- "The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron," is at the Eldorado Casino in Reno through March 23. "The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron?" is the current one-man show at the Eldorado Casino in Reno; it stars Robert Dubac, a talented actor with a battery of finger clicks, lip pops and snaps as well as a insinuating voice.

It's the battle of the sexes again, much like the one-man "Defending the Caveman" show which has played Carson City several times and comes back in May. Both shows are witty, with "Intellect" saving its best salvos for a closing lecture on politics.

Dubac uses a variety of props, including pull-down posters of a sexy babe and Albert Einstein. He also dons dark glasses and a leather jacket to help with his characterizations. And he has a big book labeled "Rules," which is what he says women use all the time " and all the time they change the rules.

The plot, such as it is, is about Bobby and his love Julie, who comments at times from behind drapery, and their problems. He has five roles such as the Colonel who says, "You got men and you got those who aren't" to "love 'em and leave 'em" Fast Eddie (of the leather coat). He plays these guises with wit and insights.

For instance, he says at one point "Dancing for us is just a job," with the aim of getting the woman into bed. And "Men and women are not equal. Men and women are equally different ... an oxymoron."

A blackboard plays a significant role here, one side blank where Dubac scribbles discussion subjects. The other side is a listing of all of the male faults, a fat list. Which he only partially erases. Dubac roams the stage, wearing a black shirt and slacks, eyes grim or goggling, all the time remarking on the sexes. It's a fine demonstration of wit and original thinking.

The show plays through March 23 nightly except Mondays. Tickets start at $25.95 at 786-5700.

Tickets go for $29.95 to $35.95. Call 786-5966.

- Ani DiFranco appears a the Lawlor Events Center in Reno Thursday April 10 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $235 in advance, $37 a the door. Call 784-4444 or see Tickets.com.

- George Winston, he of the romantic piano, appears at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts in Reno July 20 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $32 in advance, $32 on show date. Tickets are the Pioneer Center.

- America's most beloved musical, "Annie," is back in 30th anniversary tour, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope. The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie will be coming to the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts in Reno for five performances from April 18-20.

Performance schedule is Friday April 18, 8 p.m.; Saturday April 19, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday April 20, 1 and 6 p.m.

Tickets at the Pioneer Center box office, online at www.pioneercenter.com or by phone at (877) 840-0457. Ticket prices range from $40 to $80 and are subject to service charges. Groups of 20 or more should call 686-6600.

- Slot Machines: The Fey Collection from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson St. In the South Changing Gallery, held over by popular demand. Call 687-4810, ext. 239 or 245.

- The CCAI Courthoue Gallery, 885 E. Musser St., will show artist Galen Brown's free show, "Waves: Line and Rhyhm." The show will continue through May 23. See www.rts-initive.org. The gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

- High School senior Carinne Powell directs the Carson Performing Arts annual Fairytale Theatre production,"The Magic Flute," one night only March 21 at 7:30 pm at the Carson Community Center.

A lovely princess, Pamina, is being held captive by the evil Queen of the Night. Tamino, the hero, battles monsters and a wicked sorcerer to come to Pamina's rescue. The fairytale that inspired Mozart's famous opera is a one-hour presentation perfect for the entire family.

Tickets are available at the door or by contacting boxoffice@carson.K12.nv.us. Tickets are $3 for children and $5 general admission. All state employees are free as a "thank The final performance of the season is the spring musical " "Copacabana, the Musical." The production runs April 5-13.

- The Carson Chamber Singers, directed by Judy Monson, will present their annual spring concert Saturday April 5 a 7:30 p.m., at the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall, 511 W. King St.

This year's concert features "Dona Nobis Pacem" by Ralph Vaughn Williams, a cantata in five sections based on the poetry of Walt Whitman. Guest soloists are Jennifer Tibben-Lembke, soprano, and Stuart Alan Duke, baritone. Nancy Mielke will accompany the Chamber Singers.

The Carson Chamber Singers, a group of more than 30 singers, formed in 1985 as an affiliate of the Carson City Symphony.

Soprano soloist Jennifer Tibben-Lembke teaches voice at the University of Nevada, Reno, and is artistic director and conductor of Bella Voce women's choral ensemble. Baritone soloist Stuart Alan Duke is noted for his appearances with orchestras and opera in the United States and in Europe.

Admission is $12 for general admission; $10 for seniors, students, and Carson City Symphony Association members; and $1 for ages 16 and under. Tickets are available in advance at the Brewery Arts Center office, 449 W. King St. and online at www.breweryarts.org.

Call the Carson City Symphony at 883-4154.

Contact Sam Bauman at 881-1236 or Sbauman@nevadaappeal.com.