10 shows you don’t want to miss in April

One of the most popular musicals of all time and an overdue concert by a popular reality TV star are among the noteworthy options on local stages this month.

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Les Miserables

April 2-7, Victoria Theatre Association

The 1985 global hit by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg is back with an all-new production complete with reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. Songs include "I Dreamed a Dream," "Master of the House" and "Bring Him Home." 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets, Dayton. $46-$155. Call (937) 228-3630 or visit ticketcenterstage.com.

Ruben Sings Luther

April 4, Victoria Theatre Association

A concert 16 years in the making when he was initially dubbed "the next Luther," 2003 "American Idol" champ and Grammy nominee Ruben Studdard finally sings an evening of Luther Vandross classics including "A House is Not a Home," "Never Too Much," "Power of Love," "Here and Now," "So Amazing," and "Superstar." 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton. $42.50-$65.50. Call (937) 228-3630 or visit ticketcenterstage.com.

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The Spitfire Grill

April 4-14, Cedarville University

James Valcq and Fred Alley's rarely staged yet heartwarming and tuneful 2001 musical concerns Percy, recently paroled from prison who finds friendship, purpose and redemption in a small Wisconsin town. Songs include "When Hope Goes," "Shoot the Moon" and "Wild Bird." 8 p.m. April 4-6 and 12-13; 2 p.m. April 5, 6 and 13; 10 a.m. April 11 and 3 p.m. April 14 in the Stevens Student Center, 251 N. Main St., Cedarville. $12-$15. Call (937) 766-7787 or visit cedarville.edu.

All Childish Things

April 5-13, Sinclair Community College

The local premiere of Joseph Zettelmaier's 2006 comedy concerns three "Stars Wars" enthusiasts who create a "can't fail" plot to raid a toy warehouse for collectibles. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sunday; 7 p.m. Thursday in the Black Box Theatre of Building 2 at Sinclair, 444 W. Third St., Dayton. $10. Visit sinclair.edu/tickets.

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A Little Night Music

Through April 7, Wright State University

Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's 1973 Tony Award-winning musical chronicles the ups and downs of love and marriage in turn of the century Sweden. Vocally strong cast includes the dynamic duo of Ross Bloedorn and Isabella Andrews as feuding spouses Count Carl-Magnus and Countess Charlotte. Songs include "Send in the Clowns" and "A Weekend in the Country." 7 p.m. April 4; 8 p.m. April 5 and 6; and 2 p.m. March 31, April 6 and 7 in the Festival Playhouse of the Creative Arts Center at Wright State, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy, Dayton. $15-$25. Call (937) 775-2500 or visit wright.edu/theater-dance-and-motion-pictures.

Sleeping Beauty: The Story of Briar Rose

April 12-14, Dayton Ballet

Dayton Ballet Artistic Director Karen Russo Burke brings a unique, nature-themed vision to this classic story featuring gorgeous music by Tchaikovsky and beautiful costumes by dance designer Christine Darch. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets, Dayton. $25-$83. Call (937) 228-3630 or visit ticketcenterstage.com.

Nice Girl

April 19-May 5, Dayton Theatre Guild

The local premiere of Melissa Ross' 2015 dramedy concerns a Massachusetts thirtysomething determined to start her life anew. 8 p.m. Fridays, 5 p.m. Saturdays (with the exception of the Apr. 20 performance at 8 p.m.), and 3 p.m. Sundays at the Guild, 430 Wayne Ave., Dayton. $13-$20. Call (937) 278-5993 or visit daytontheatreguild.org.

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The Library

April 25-28, University of Dayton and Playground Theatre

Hollywood screenwriter Scott Z. Burns' gripping 2014 off-Broadway drama receives its local premiere in a collaborative production centered on the secrets and lies surrounding a teenager who survives a school shooting. 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in the University of Dayton's Black Box Theatre of Fitz Hall, corner of Brown and Caldwell Streets, Dayton. $5-$12. Call (937) 229-2545 or visit udaytontickets.com.

Rumors

April 25-May 5, Brookville Community Theatre 

Neil Simon's 1988 farce involves four couples who try to make sense of the madness around them when the deputy mayor of New York shoots himself on the evening of his 10th wedding anniversary party. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays at 770 Arlington Rd., Brookville. $17. Call (937) 833-3531 or visit brookvillecommunitytheatre.com.

Sylvia

April 25-May 12, Human Race Theatre Company

A.R. Gurney's 1995 comedy details the hilarity and jealousy surrounding an opinionated dog that comes between a Manhattan couple. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Loft Theatre, 126 N. Main St., Dayton. $14-$52. Call (937) 228-3630 or visit ticketcenterstage.com.

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