Tilting at windmills? In the face of certain defeat, Atticus Finch defends an African-American accused of rape in To Kill a Mockingbird. The beloved Harper Lee novel, adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel, sets a spell with its famed Deep South/Jim Crow ambience at Theatre Charlotte through March 26. Martin Thompson directs an impressive cast that includes Hugh Loomis as the infinitely wise Atticus and Emily Calder as the infinitely lovable Scout. With Dave Hager, Hank West, Robert Haulbrook, and Annette Gill on hand, this figures to be a family treat. Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8pm and Sunday matinees at 2:30pm. Tickets for adults are $25 on Fridays and Saturdays, $20 Thursdays and Sundays -- with $10 student tickets for all performances. Call 704-334-9128. (Tannenbaum)
A procession of fairytale heroines parades into Belk Theater in the week ahead, minus their usual Disney sugar, beginning with an imposing Opera Carolina production of Rossini's Cinderella. Having seen this opera as La Cenerentola in Milan at La Scala -- without the benefit of supertitles -- I can attest that this is one laugh-out-loud comedy. Add songbird Vivica Genaux to the equation (March 9 and 11), with the memory of the éclat she achieved here in Rossini's The Barber of Seville still fresh, and this promises to be irresistible. With supertitles, of course. Genaux stars in the evening performances Thursday at 7:30pm and Saturday at 8pm; Adriana Zabala replaces her for the 2pm Sunday matinee. Tickets are $15-$92. Call 704-372-1000. (Tannenbaum)
Friday, March 10The Charlotte Film Society's Second Week series returns, albeit with some major changes. The first is that the series will now be held at Regal Stonecrest rather than the Manor Theatre. The second is that the CFS will begin issuing membership cards to those interested in signing up, although walk-ups to individual screenings are still welcome. This month's titles, which begin screening today, consist of the controversial Palestinian drama Paradise Now, about two suicide bombers; Lars von Trier's Manderlay, the Dogville follow-up that centers on slavery; and Spain's El Crimen Perfecto (The Perfect Crime), a satiric murder yarn. For information on prices and times, call 704-540-7575; for CFS membership info, go to http://charlottefilmsociety.com. (Brunson)
You've seen him and heard his incredible vocal sound effects in commercials and movies like Police Academy, Spaceballs, Gremlins and others. Now you can see and hear Michael Winslow live uptown at the Comedy Zone. His act combines great comedy timing, sharp wit and the ability to sound just like a helicopter. What's not to like? Shows are at 8pm and 10:30pm on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $19. Call the Comedy Zone at 704-348-4242 for reservations. (Vespa)
Saturday, March 11The latest darling of the oft-battered emo scene is LA's Say Anything -- especially frontman Max Bemis. After making a lot of noise in indieland, the band signed to J Records and recently reissued its debut ...is a Real Boy with several added tracks. Bemis and company ply the hormonal waters of young lust with dramatics and a raucous pop-punk fare. Also on the bill are punk/grind/new wave/disco wackos Reggie and the Full Effect. Tonight at Tremont Music Hall. Showtime is at 8pm for this all ages show; tickets are $12. Go to tremontmusichall.com for more info. (Shukla)
Goapele Mohlabane is a contemporary R&B singer who flirts with neosoul. It's not about hooking up either, as she weaves her multi-cultural upbringing into music fraught with social activism. She's on the road touting her sophomore release, Change It All, on which she wraps her maturing voice around tight writing and warm production. Catch this chanteuse on her way up tonight at Studio 74. For details call 704-563-8115. (Shukla)
Monday, March 13Who knows better how to perform Tchaikovsky's The Sleeping Beauty than the Russian National Ballet? Under the direction of Sergei Radchenko, 50 of Russia's best help the Carolinas Concert Association put their best foot forward in their season finale. Watching these world-class performers on point for a full evening of enchanting storytelling, you and your family can discover why Russians never smile! Meanwhile even your kids will recognize some of the Disney music if they have the video. The performance at Belk Theater begins at 8pm with single tickets priced at $25-$70. Call 704-372-1000. (Tannenbaum)
Beneath the Surface: New Works by Caroline Rust opens tonight at The Loch Walker and Sky Way Galleries at Spirit Square. Local artist Rust's works, integrating a variety of visuals and mediums, offer insights into issues women face in today's society. The exhibition runs simultaneously with a production of The Body Chronicles, presented at the McGlohon Theatre for four performances beginning March 23. Beneath the Surface will be at Spirit Square through March 31. Hours are 9am to 6pm and during all theater performance times. (Vespa)
Tuesday, March 14Sex therapy is headed this way from Chicago, and Booth Playhouse is the place to get it. Sex and the Second City collects some of the greatest skits and songs from the legendary improv company's 40 years of archives, concentrating on one obsessive theme: SEX -- from soup to nuts. Or rather from dating to divorce court. The medicinal Second City laughter is dispensed at eight performances through Sunday with tickets priced at $30 and $35. Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8pm, Saturday matinee at 4pm, and Sunday shows at 3pm and 6:30pm. Call 704-372-1000. (Tannenbaum)
Wednesday, March 15San Francisco-based jazz/funk trio Hip Bones puts its, um, hip twist on Miles Davis and Charlie Parker standards, and ably reinterprets songs by Sting and Cream with funky chops. Hip Bones' originals are just as feisty. Even diehard traditionalists will have to take notes when the band performs at the Evening Muse tonight at 10pm. Admission is $5; for more info, go to www.theeveningmuse.com. (Shukla)