You can see Seinfeld, the show, anytime you want. Seeing Jerry Seinfeld, the comedian, is a little more difficult. His stand-up performance at the Akron Civic Theatre Friday is a must-see. Expect plenty of observational humor, which has gained new facets since he became a husband and father a few years ago. In anticipation of Seinfeld's visit, here's the best of Seinfeld's sitcom:
1. "The Contest" -- George's mom catches him pulling his pud to her copy of Glamour magazine, prompting the gang to challenge each other to see who can go the longest without masturbating.
2. "The Library" -- Jerry forgets to return a borrowed copy of Tropic of Cancer, and it comes back to haunt him 20 years later in the form of a dogged library detective by the name of Bookman.
3. "The Bubble Boy" -- George takes part in a particularly vicious game of Trivial Pursuit with a sick kid confined to a plastic dome; it results in a burst bubble and a burnt cabin.
Seinfeld is at the Civic Theatre (182 South Main Street in Akron) at 7 p.m. Tickets are $46 to $76; call 330-253-2488. -- Michael Gallucci
Myth Takes
Seven dance troupes give flight to Icarus.
FRI 5/30
To choreographer Sabatino Verlezzo, the Greek myth of Icarus holds enough passion to set a stage on fire. So he pooled seven dance troupes for The Icarus Project, commissioning each to create an original work based on it. The legend goes that Icarus escapes from prison by strapping on a pair of wings made of wax and feathers. His father warns him not to fly too close to the sun or his wings will melt. Icarus doesn't listen, plunges into the ocean, and drowns. Verlezzo is drawn to the legend's themes of parental love, courage, freedom, loss, grief, and passion. "It is such a full story. It covers so many elements of life that resonate with people young and old." The Icarus Project, featuring the Tom & Susana Evert Dance Theatre, the Repertory Project, and others, is at 8 p.m. at the Allen Theatre, 1519 Euclid Avenue. Tickets are $10 to $65; call 216-771-4444. -- Cris Glaser
Chick Power!
The scourge of Texas comes to town.
SUN 6/1
If anything, the Dixie Chicks (right) are even more lovable after the brouhaha that's surrounded them over the past couple of months. Prior to singer Natalie Maines's "We're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas" comment, they came off as mere country-radio vixens who occasionally fired off a good single. Now they're spunky gals who refuse to buckle during a potentially career-damaging controversy -- country stations banning their music, legislators calling for an apology, and loudmouth yahoo Travis Tritt looking like an asinine CMT cowboy. You go, girls. The Dixie Chicks play Gund Arena (100 Gateway Plaza) at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $35 to $65; call 216-241-5555. -- Michael Gallucci
The Godfather Clause
THU 5/29
Once you get past the fact that Rooney is another one of those Coppola-offspring clans (singer Robert Carmine is Nicolas Cage's cousin and Jason Schwartzman's brother), the power poppers deserve their hype. Over the past year, they've built a following with their fun-in-the-sun, Weezeresque sound without even releasing an album (Rooney's self-titled debut just came out last week). See what all the fuss is about at the Odeon (1295 Old River Road) at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10.50 and $12; call 216-241-5555. -- Michael Gallucci
