April 5-22, Loft Theatre
Human Race Theatre Company presents Neil Simon’s 1983 semi-autobiographical coming-of-age account of the colorful Jerome family in circa-1930s Brooklyn. Loft Theatre, 126 N. Main St., Dayton. 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening; 7 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings; 2 p.m. Sunday matinees. $17.50-$40. Call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit humanracetheatre.org.
Blood at the Root
April 11-15, Sinclair Community College
Sinclair produces the local premiere of Dominique Morisseau’s riveting racial drama inspired by the 2006 case of the Jena Six concerning black teenagers accused of an attack on a white schoolmate. Black Box Theatre of Building 2, 444 W. Third St., Dayton. 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. $10. Visit sinclair.edu/tickets.
The Color Purple
Through April 15, La Comedia Dinner Theatre
La Comedia offers the soul-stirring, 2005 Tony Award-nominated musical version of Alice Walker’s acclaimed 1982 novel and Steven Spielberg’s Academy Award-nominated 1985 film about the trials and tribulations of downtrodden Celie triumphing over adversity. 765 W. Central Ave., Springboro. Thursday-Sunday evening performances. Thursday, Friday and Sunday matinees. $30-$75. Call 1-800-677-9505 or (937) 746-4554 or visit lacomedia.com
The Phantom of the Opera
April 11-22, Schuster Center
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s megahit returns to Dayton with a fresh look courtesy of the Victoria Theatre Association. The mysterious Phantom lures the lovely Christine through the Paris Opera House under new direction by Laurence Connor and new choreography by Scott Ambler. 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $26-$99. Call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit ticketcenterstage.com.
Tick Tick Boom!
April 13-21, Mathile Theatre of Schuster Center
Dare to Defy Productions presents “Rent” composer Jonathan Larson’s autobiographical rock musical about an aspiring composer turning 30 hoping to make it big in New York City. Mathile Theatre of Schuster Center, Second and Main Streets, Dayton. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. There is a 2 p.m. matinee April 14. $16.50-$25. Call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit ticketcenterstage.com
Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End
April 19-May 13, Caryl D. Phillips Creativity Center
The endearing legacy of Dayton’s own literary icon Erma Bombeck is spotlighted in the Human Race Theatre Company’s local premiere of Allison and Margaret Engel’s one-woman play starring Human Race resident artist Jennifer Joplin. Caryl D. Phillips Creativity Center, 116 N. Jefferson St., Dayton. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. $25. Call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit humanracetheatre.org.
Spectacle!
April 20-22, University of Dayton
UD presents this world premiere original musical concerning the founding of the Marianists set during and after the French Revolution. The title refers to Fr. William Joseph Chaminade’s call to all Marianists to be a “spectacle of saints.” Boll Theatre Kennedy Union, 300 College Park, Dayton. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. $8-$12. Call UD Box Office at (937) 229-2545 or visit tickets.udayton.edu.
The Memory of Water
April 20-22, Wright State University
Wright State wraps its 43rd season with Shelagh Stephenson’s dramedy about three sisters reflecting on their mother’s death. Herbst Theatre of WSU Creative Arts Center, 3640 Col. Glenn Hwy., Fairborn. 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2 p.m. Sunday. $5-$12. Call (937) 775-2500 or visit https://liberal-arts.wright.edu/theatre-dance-and-motion-pictures/box-office.
A Streetcar Named Desire
April 27-May 6, Beavercreek Community Theatre
Beavercreek Community Theatre tackles Tennessee Williams’ dynamic 1948 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama concerning the heated battle between emotionally fragile Blanche DuBois and her brutish brother-in-law Stanley Kowalski. Lofino Center, 3868 Dayton-Xenia Rd., Beavercreek. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $12-$15. Call (937) 429-4737 or visit bctheatre.org.
An Evening with Jackie Evancho
April 27-28, Schuster Center
In 2010, at age 10, Jackie Evancho took the country by storm with her operatic vocals on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” Now 17, Evancho will perform with the Dayton Philharmonic providing an array of classical, pop and Broadway tunes. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets. $29-$79. Call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit ticketcenterstage.com.
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