August Frank/Inland 360
Cassie Vitale, of Long Island, N.Y., plays the title character in Regional Theatre of the Palouse’s production of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” opening April 11 in Pullman.
Shows opening this month include productions by Moscow Community Theatre, Regional Theatre of the Palouse and the University of Idaho Department of Theatre Arts:
Moscow Community Theatre presents the last installment of the Harry Potter-inspired “Sally Cotter” series starting Friday at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre, 508 S. Main St.
“Sally Cotter and the Quest We Follow,” by playwright and parodist Dean O’Carroll, sees the title character purchasing the final book in her favorite series — and wondering if finishing it will mean the magic is over.
She again dreams she’s a student at Frogbull Academy of Sorcery, embarking on an adventure to uncover the secret of the MacGuffix and face the evil Lord Murderdeath in a final showdown.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and April 12-13, and 2 p.m. Sunday and April 14.
Tickets, $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors, are at moscowcommunitytheatre.org/tickets, Safari Pearl in Moscow and at the door.
“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” a celebration of the prolific singer-songwriter’s life and career, opens April 11 at Regional Theatre of the Palouse, 122 N Grand Ave., Pullman.
The show, which ran from 2014-19 on Broadway, explores King’s work from the late 1950s to 1972, RTOP Executive Director John Rich said.
“It’s a premiere for the Palouse,” Rich said. “I think it’s really a premiere for the entire east side of the state.”
The diverse cast of 22 is led by Cassie Vitale, of Long Island, N.Y., who portrays King’s character through the years on a “beautiful journey of coming into her own,” director Michael Todd said.
King, perhaps best known for her 1971 album “Tapestry,” has written or co-written 118 pop hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and released 25 solo albums. Her record sales are estimated at more than 75 million copies worldwide.
More than two dozen of her songs are performed in the show, including “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” and “Natural Woman.”
“The music’s just so iconic,” Todd said. “I want everyone to leave the theater inspired by the beauty within themselves, through the power of Carole King’s music.”
Show dates are 7:30 p.m. April 11-13 and 17-20, and 1:30 p.m. April 13-14 and 20-21.
Tickets, $30-$35 general admission and $15 for students, are available at the Regional Theatre of the Palouse box office, by calling (509) 334-0750 and at rtoptheatre.org.
“Orlando,” staged by the University of Idaho Department of Theatre Arts, opens April 25 at the Forge Theatre, 404 Sweet Ave., Moscow.
The show, described as an inventive, creative journey through centuries and genders, is directed by UI Master of Fine Arts student Blake Watson. It is based on the Virginia Woolf novel and adapted by playwright Sarah Ruhl, a Pulitzer Prize finalist for drama.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. April 25-27 and May 4, and 2 p.m. April 28 and May 5.
Tickets, $25 general admission and free for UI students, are at uitickets.com.
Two area high schools are bringing Disney favorites to the stage this month as well:
Lewiston High School Drama Club students stage performances of “Dis
LHS Drama
Cale Wilponen plays the Beast in Lewiston High School's production of "Disney's Beauty and the Beast," opening April 4.
The musical, based on the original Broadway production, tells the story of Belle, (Jenna Clift), and her captivity in the enchanted castle of the Beast (Cale Wilponen).
Tickets can be purchased at the door with cash or check and are $10 general admission, $8 seniors and students, and $5 LHS students and staff. Drama club members also will be selling raffle tickets for “Beauty and the Beast”-themed baskets to help cover costs for the production.
Shows are at 7 p.m. April 4-6 and 11-12, and 2 p.m. April 13.
More information is at facebook.com/lhsdrama.
Clarkston High School Drama Club’s student production of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” runs for two weekends, starting April 12, at the school’s auditorium, 401 Chestnut St.
Directed by Larry Goodwin, with vocal direction by Amy Baker Stout and choreography by Andrew Thompson, the show tells the story of Ariel the mermaid, (Sienna Newhouse), who must make difficult decisions when she fa lls for a human, Prince Eric (Jalen Brotnov).
Playtimes are 7 p.m. April 12-13, 18 and 20, and 1 p.m. 13-14 and 20-21.
Tickets, $12 for adults and $10 for students, are sold at the door, with both cash and cards accepted.
More information is at facebook.com/ClarkstonHighDrama.
