Arts briefs: Theater and family fun
Theater
COMEDY ABOUT 'ART'
OPENS RUN AT CSN
Nothing's lost in translation when it comes to "Art," which opens a two-weekend run tonight at the College of Southern Nevada's Cheyenne campus.
French playwright Yasmina Reza 's comedy about art, friendship and conflict debuted (where else?) in Paris.
The English-language translation (by British playwright Christopher Hampton, whose stage adaptations range from "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" to "Sunset Boulevard" followed its award-winning London debut with a Tony-winning Broadway run.
The catalyst for comedy is "Art" is a 4-foot-by-5-foot white canvas painting (complete with three white lines). The piece triggers conflict among three longtime friends after one buys the expensive aforementioned "artwork," horrifying one and putting the other in the middle between his two warring pals.
"Art" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in the BackStage Theatre at the college's Cheyenne campus, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., North Las Vegas; additional performances are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19-20 and 2 p.m. Oct. 21. Tickets ($12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors) are available by calling 651-5483; more information is available online at www.csn.edu/pac.
Music
DOC SEVERINSEN GOING
LATIN AT CABARET JAZZ
Just because Doc Severinsen's not leading the "Tonight Show" band anymore doesn't mean he's through with being a bandleader.
The proof: Severinsen's visit to The Smith Center this weekend with the San Miguel Five.
The ace trumpeter teams up with classical guitarist Gil Gutierrez for an eclectic program that spans several musical styles, from movie music to gypsy jazz in the Django Reinhardt tradition, along with ballads from both sides of the border.
The group's musical range reflects its origins; Severinsen caught group founder Gutierrez's act while the guitarist was performing in a restaurant in San Miguel, Mexico, leading to their current musical partnership. A veteran violinist, bassist and percussionist round out the San Miguel Five.
They'll perform at 7 tonight and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday in Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Ave. Tickets are $40-$65 and are available by telephone at 749-2000 or online at www.thesmithcenter.com.
Theater
'TOM SAWYER' CONTINUES
RAINBOW COMPANY RUN
The journey down the Mississippi - and into trouble - continues for two of Mark Twain's most beloved characters in "Tom Sawyer."
Las Vegas' award-winning Rainbow Company opens its 36th season with a stage adaptation based on Tom Sawyer's adventures, some of which involve his even more rascally pal Huck Finn.
"Tom Sawyer" continues at 7 p.m. today and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St. Tickets ($7 for adults, $5 for teens, seniors and military and $3 for children 12 and younger) are available by phone at 229-6383 or 229-6553 or online at www.artslasvegas.org.
Family fun
HAUNTED HARVEST BACK
AT SPRINGS PRESERVE
Halloween's still a few weeks away, but the Springs Preserve kicks off fang-tastic fun for the whole family this weekend with the return of its annual Haunted Harvest.
Besides getting a head start on hitting the trick-or-treat stations, kids of all ages can enjoy carnival games, live entertainment, a petting zoo and - in keeping with the event's theme - a haunted house. The Springs Cafe also will be open late and serving a special menu of spooky treats.
The haunt will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. today, Saturday and Sunday at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd. The fun continues Oct. 19-21, Oct. 26-28 and, of course, on Halloween itself, Oct. 31.
Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children 5 to 12 and free those 4 and younger. Springs Preserve members receive a 50 percent discount; a $5 group rate available when purchasing 10 or more tickets. More information is available by calling 822-7700 or visiting www.springspreserve.org.
- By CAROL CLING
