ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BRIEFS

WNC’s Chicago

Murder. Corruption. Greed. Fame. And all that jazz. The Western Nevada Musical Theater Company brings the sizzling Broadway blockbuster, “Chicago,” to Northern Nevada on weekends May 9-18.

Set in the windy city during the roaring 1920s, the show follows the stories of two murderers — nightclub singer Velma Kelly, who kills her husband and sister when she finds them cheating on her; and aspiring vaudeville singer Roxie Hart, who murders her lover for promising to get her into show biz, only to get her into bed.

Slick, razzle-dazzle lawyer Billy Flynn takes on their cases for big money and sob-sister reporter Mary Sunshine turns their trials into soap opera spectacles, making the murderesses celebrities.

While the music and message of the satire may be universal, the original book was based on two cases in a long string of court acquittals for women who murdered their husbands or boyfriends in Chicago during the 1920s, as covered by the Chicago Tribune and the Hearst newspapers.

Composers John Kander and Frank Ebb filled this sizzling production with non-stop hits, including the famous “All That Jazz” and “Cell Block Tango.” The choreography still reflects the style of original choreographer Bob Fosse, who told the story with sleek, scantily-clad dancers. With one explosive dance number after another, Chicago has been honored with six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and standing ovations from audiences all over the world. The show has become the longest-running American show on Broadway, playing continuously to enthusiastic audiences for 17 years.

Written in the style of a “concept” musical, the show revolves around the idea that every facet of the criminal system is one big show, with the best performers winning the prize: freedom, wealth and celebrity. Kander and Ebb illustrated this by turning Roxie’s trial into a series of show-stopping production numbers, from the showy Vegas-like appearance of celebrity lawyer Billy Flynn in “All He Cares About is Love” to Billy’s circus-like vision of a courtroom in “Razzle Dazzle.”

While the show is typically done with no sets and black dance costumes throughout, the WNMTC production deviates from that. “I’ve decided to carry the concept of the criminal process as a theater production to the costumes and sets as well as the song and dance numbers,” said producer/director Stephanie Arrigotti. “The show is about using “Razzle Dazzle” to win your case, so I’m using glitzy costumes and sets to make that point.”

Starring in the WNMTC production is Kristin Charismas as Roxie, Robin Kato as Velma, Jeff Chamberlin as Billy Flynn, Cindy Sabatini as Mama Morton, Jeffrey Fast as Amos Hart and Christina Bourne as Mary Sunshine. More than 30 dancers complete the cast.

The show plays at the Carson City Community Center weekends. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m., Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. There is also a 2 p.m. matinee on May 17.

Parental guidance is suggested.

Individual show tickets cost $28 and $25, according to their location in the theater. Tickets to Chicago as well as discounted season tickets, which include November’s exquisite production of “My Fair Lady,” are available at wnmtc.com or from ProTix at 866-977-6849. For more information, call 775-445-4249.

Wounded Warrior Project Art Auction

Original Nevada Cowboy and some Indian paintings by acrylic and oil artist, Gretchen Jones is being offered by live auction on May 17 at 4 p.m. at the Rising Sun Gallery and Art Studios, 203 S. Maine St. Don Bowman of the Auction House will keep the pace lively and entertaining. All net proceeds will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project. For more information, call Patricia Sammons at the Rising Sun Gallery and Art Studios, 775-294-4135 or 775-410-0571.

WNC Fallon gallery

Denise Johnson’s “Awakenings” — new mixed-media work — is showing at Western Nevada College’s Fallon campus.

The gallery is open during school hours. Johnson uses a wide range of collage materials, paint, and drawing in her imaginative portraits of “awakening” personalities.

Fleischmann Planetarium shows

Fleischmann Planetarium at the University of Nevada, Reno hosts several breathtaking immersive theater experiences this spring, playing through June 6, 2014. As a science education resource, many of the Planetarium’s entertaining shows also correlate with Nevada Department of Education Science Standards. Fulldome planetarium shows are open to all ages. For show details, admission, program and membership information, call the Fleischmann Planetarium at (775) 784-4812 or visit www.planetarium.unr.edu.

Spring 2014 lineup of shows:

In a double-feature fulldome planetarium experience, DARK explores the nature of dark matter — the missing 80 percent of the mass of the Universe — where it came from and how it has evolved over billions of years. PLUS! The accompanying show It’s About Time takes audiences for a thrilling ride on the Arthur C. Clarke Space Elevator and for a fascinating look at the history of our universe through the Einstein Time Telescope!

Planetarium showtimes: Daily at 1, 3 and 5 p.m.; plus additional showings at 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays

Admission: $7 teens and adults/$5 children 12 and under and seniors 60 and over and free for Planetarium members.

In another of this season’s double-feature fulldome planetarium experiences, Back to the Moon for Good chronicles teams around the world competing for the largest incentivized prize in history, by landing a robotic spacecraft on the Moon for the first time in more than 40 years. PLUS! The accompanying show Ice Worlds is a spectacular exploration of Arctic icebergs, glaciers, Antarctic wilderness and more!

Planetarium showtimes: Daily at 2, 4 and 6 p.m.

Admission: $7 teens and adults/$5 children 12 and under and seniors 60 and over and free for Planetarium members.

Greetings, Earthlings! Imagine the ultimate space vacation! For space travelers of all ages, our Family Show: Perfect Little Planet searches the galaxy to find the best destinations, taking us over Pluto, through the rings of Saturn, across the storms of Jupiter and much more. For children in grades K-3 but fun for all ages.

Planetarium showtimes: Saturdays, Sundays and holidays at 11 a.m.

Admission: $7 teens and adults/$5 children 12 and under and seniors 60 and over ~ and free for Planetarium members.

With amazing sound effects by George Lucas’ Skywalker Sound, the Starship Intrepid travels through hyperspace in our Family Show: Attack of the Space Pirates, where you and its crew will put real science into science fiction and solve numerous challenges along the way. Find an alien technology and defend against the space pirates!

Planetarium showtimes: Saturdays, Sundays and holidays at noon

Admission: $7 teens and adults/$5 children 12 and under and seniors 60 and over ~ and free for Planetarium members.

Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd’s legendary rock masterpiece, is presented in a stunning fulldome music and light show by Starlight Productions with amazing HD animation and mind-blowing surround sound! Please note: mature lyrics/themes.

Planetarium showtimes: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.

Admission: $7 teens and adults/$5 children 12 and under and seniors 60 and over and free for Planetarium members. M

What’s happening in the night skies this month? The Live SkyTonight Star Show with staff and guest astronomers at Fleischmann Planetarium answers that question in an informal and entertaining immersive multimedia presentation aided by our state-of-the-art planetarium equipment. We’ll view current astronomical objects and events in spectacular detail! The show at the Planetarium on campus is followed by free telescope viewing (weather permitting) at the MacLean Observatory on the Redfield Campus in south Reno.

Planetarium showtimes: First Friday of each month at 6 p.m. 
Admission: $7 teens and adults/$5 children 12 and under and seniors 60 and over and free for Planetarium members.

Weekly Star Party at Redfield Campus! The Fleischmann Planetarium now hosts FREE telescope viewing EVERY Friday, after dark (weather permitting) at the MacLean Observatory on the Redfield Campus at 18600 Wedge Parkway, Reno, NV 89511 (in south Reno off the Mount Rose Highway). Please note, this is an outdoor event with no indoor facilities available.

Weekly viewing schedule at Redfield: Every Friday after dark, weather permitting, through May, 8-10 p.m.; June-August, 9-11 p.m.

Admission: Telescope viewing and parking at Redfield Campus are FREE for all community members. Call (775) 784-4812 for details or visit www.planetarium.unr.edu .

Fleischmann Planetarium on the University of Nevada, Reno campus is located north of Lawlor Events Center on Virginia and 16th streets. Free permit parking is available in designated spaces in the West Stadium Parking Complex, level 3, just east of the Planetarium. For more information about tickets and showtimes, call (775) 784-4811 or visit www.planetarium.unr.edu . Find the Planetarium on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fleischmannplanetarium and on Twitter @UNRplanetarium: twitter.com/UNRplanetarium .

For tickets, showtimes and membership information, call (775) 784-4811 or visit: www.planetarium.unr.edu .