‘A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant’ among arts events

Theater

ART SQUARE HOSTS

‘PAGEANT’ SPOOF

’Tis the season — for “A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant,” which has settled into downtown’s Art Square Theatre for a three-weekend run.

Told in the style of a school Christmas pageant, the show recounts “the story of L. Ron Hubbard’s Dianetics,” according to director Troy Heard, “performed entirely by kids!”

Using children “as the main performers in this show isn’t just a gimmick,” he adds. “All the accusations are laid bare, from the money laundering to mental abuse. … And it seems all that more sinister when presented by these smiling, innocent children.”

Written and composed by Kyle Jarrow, “A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant” continues at 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Art Square Theatre, 1025 S. First St.; additional performances are 8 p.m. Dec. 11-13 and 18-20 and 2 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20. For tickets ($25 general admission, $20 for students and seniors), visit www.table8lv.com or call 702-423-6366.

Dance

DANCE SALUTES

‘BONAPARTE’

Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony — and its inspiration, Napoleon Bonaparte — inspire the premiere of the ballet “Bonaparte” this weekend at the College of Southern Nevada’s Fall Dance Concert.

Choreographed by Kelly Roth, who heads CSN’s dance program, the ballet focuses on an age when the common people hoped for change, only to discover that their hero Napoleon (danced by CSN adjunct faculty member Cynthia DuFault) was, as Beethoven (danced by Roth) reportedly quipped, “just a rascal, like all the others!”

In addition to “Bonaparte,” the concert features two additional premieres and an impromptu collaboration between dancer and musician.

The dances will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at CSN’s Cheyenne campus, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., North Las Vegas. For tickets ($10 general, $8 for students and seniors), call 702-651-5483.

Theater

‘AS YOU LIKE IT’

OPENS AT UNLV

One of Shakespeare’s most beguiling comedies lights up UNLV’s Black Box Theatre when “As You Like It” begins a five-performance run Friday.

The Nevada Conservatory Theatre production follows fugitives from a royal court to the mythical Forest of Arden, a magical realm where rules regarding nature, politics — even gender — turn topsy-turvy.

“As You Like It” will be presented at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, with additional performances at 8 p.m. Dec. 11-13. For tickets ($15, with discounts for seniors, military, persons with disabilities, students and UNLV faculty and staff), call 702-895-2787 or visit pac.unlv.edu.

Theater

‘DICK JOHNSON’

MEETS DICKENS

The saga of detective Dick Johnson — introduced in two previous Poor Richard’s Players productions — continues in “A Dick Johnson Christmas Carol,” which begins a two-weekend run Friday at the Onyx Theatre.

Written by Mark Valentin and Maxim Lardent and directed by Lysander Abadia, this “Christmas Carol” finds the down-on-Yuletide detective forced to face his past, present and future as ghosts try to teach him the holiday’s true meaning.

“A Dick Johnson Christmas Carol” will be presented at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Onyx Theatre, 953 E. Sahara Ave.; performances continue at 8 p.m. Dec. 11-13 and 2 p.m. Dec. 14. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased online at www.onyxtheatre.com.

Theater

RAINBOW COMPANY

VISITS ‘ST. LOUIS’

Technically, “Meet Me In St. Louis” isn’t a holiday musical, it’s a holidays musical. But any musical that boasts a holiday song as memorable as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” qualifies.

The Rainbow Company Youth Theatre’s production of the musical begins a seven-performance run Friday, following the adventures of the close-knit Smith family as they await the start of the 1904 World’s Fair.

Karen McKenney directs and co-choreographs the show, which will be staged at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St. Additional performances are 7 p.m. Dec. 12-13 and 2 p.m. Dec. 14. For tickets ($5), call 702-229-6553 or 702-229-6383 or visit www.artslasvegas.org.

Music

’80s FAVES GO

‘SYMPHONIC’

Brody Dolyniuk just couldn’t stop at “Symphonic Rockshow.” The former Las Vegan’s latest production — “Totally ’80s Symphonic!” — brings new life to new wave and pop hits Sunday at The Smith Center.

A 21-piece orchestra will join a live, amplified band for the performance, which is augmented by a state-of-the-art light show.

“Totally ’80s Symphonic” begins at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Ave. For tickets ($25-$79), call 702-749-2000 or visit www.thesmithcenter.com.

Music

STUDENTS STAGE

CSN CONCERTS

Music students at the College of Southern Nevada celebrate the season — and their talents — at a variety of concerts this week at CSN’s Cheyenne campus, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., North Las Vegas.

The Jazz Combos and Singers kick things off at 2 p.m. Sunday in the BackStage Theatre. Following in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre: the Mariachi Band at 7:30 p.m. Monday, the CSN Concert Band at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and the Big Band and Calypso Coyote Steel Drum Band at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Tickets for all concerts are $8 for adults and $5 for students and may be reserved by calling 702-651-5483.

Music

‘FESTIVE FOOTLIGHTS’

CELEBRATES SEASON

The sounds of the season get a theatrical twist this weekend with “Festive Footlights — Broadway Celebrates the Season” at the Winchester Cultural Center.

Presented by the Performing Arts Society of Nevada, the show features holiday classics from “White Christmas” (including “Happy Holidays” and “Count Your Blessings”) to such contemporary stage tunes as “Seasons of Love” and “Never Fall in Love With an Elf.”

Broadway veteran Michael Scott Ross, “American Idol” semifinalist Laura Wright and “Jubilee!” vocalist Shai Yammanee anchor the vocal lineup alongside Aron Shanley and Rachel Dudt; tapper Jason Kalish and “Jubilee!” principals Lara Preister and Jamie Santangelo contribute dances.

“Festive Footlights” will be staged at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Winchester center, 3130 S. McLeod Drive; for tickets ($15 in advance, $18 at the door), call 702-658-6741 or email PASNV@aol.com.

— By CAROL CLING