For those of you who've been jonesing for an interactive theater fix since the closing of Tony n' Tina's Wedding a couple of months ago, there's good news! Late Nite Catechism, Vicki Quade and Maripat Donovan's comedy about a nun who gives a class (i.e., the audience) some adult education, has replaced the pasta-filled Wedding. The gag here is that the teacher moves from benevolent (she hands out glow-in-the-dark rosaries!) to bitchy (she criticizes mercilessly!) with the swing of a ruler. Late Nite Catechism has begun an indefinite run (Tony n' Tina played for more than two years) at Playhouse Square's Hanna Theatre, 2037 East 14th Street. Show times are 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Tickets range from $33 to $35, available by calling 216-241-6000.
Friday, February 7
A more cynical person would note that a good way to lose a guy in 10 days is to take him to see How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, which opens today. But we're not that pessimistic. Even if the premise -- a womanizer bets his friends he can stay in a relationship for more than 10 days; the woman he chooses for this test is a magazine writer whose goal is to dump him after their first night -- sounds a bit implausible, stars Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey are charmers. Hudson probably will never top her Almost Famous run, and McConaughey's last performance was against fire-breathing dragons. But they sure beat being known as "the Black Crowes singer's wife" (or "Goldie Hawn's daughter") and "the actor who was busted by the cops for playing bongos naked." See Film for review.
We used to have a huge crush on Katarina Witt. She's the sole reason we know so much about skating. The Olympic champ is in town tonight with Smucker's Stars on Ice, but it's the young kids who impress most these days. Alexei Yagudin, Elena Berezhnaya, Anton Sikharulidze, and a bunch of other folks whose names we had to proof at least three times lead the pack. Tara Lipinski and Kurt Browning will also be there, wearing sparkly stuff and performing some fancy moves. (See? Told you we knew a lot about skating.) The show starts at 7:30 at Gund Arena, 100 Gateway Plaza. Tickets are $35 to $58, available by calling 216-241-2121.
Saturday, February 8
Our all-time favorite music is '70s R&B. And even though their best days are a few decades behind them, the stars of the '70s Soul Jam, which takes place at the Palace Theatre tonight, are still capable of making some sweet soul music. Each has at least one classic in its set: There's the Stylistics' "Betcha by Golly Wow," the Chi-Lites' "Oh Girl," the Dramatics' "In the Rain," the Intruders' "Cowboys to Girls," and the Persuaders' "Thin Line Between Love and Hate." And while we could stay at home and listen to the multivolume Soul Hits of the '70s: Didn't It Blow Your Mind! for the zillionth time, these guys aren't gonna be around forever. Show time is 7 p.m. Tickets range from $24.50 to $39.50, available by calling 216-241-6000. The Palace is at 1519 Euclid Avenue.
Sunday, February 9
Maybe it's just us, but the Children's Theatre's production of Cinderella Confidential sounds a bit heavy for kids. "It's about finding the truth," explains writer Eric Coble. "We rely so much on television news and entertainment reporting. How would television culture treat a classic fairy tale?" The reworking of Cinderella's story for the media age (investigative reporters try to get to the scoop on the mystery shoe) includes cameos from other story-time characters, including mice who are in a witness-protection program and a magic bean-popping Pinocchio. "I put things in there for adults, too," Coble says. Cinderella Confidential runs through February 23 at the Cleveland Play House's Brooks Theatre, 8500 Euclid Avenue. Show times are 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $15; call 216-795-7000.
Monday, February 10
Most of the 60 photographs on display at Ohio: Celebrating the Bicentennial have never been exhibited. Members of the Western Reserve Photographic Society shot rivers, buildings, and other landscapes to commemorate the state's 200th birthday. "These are pictures of all the things that make Ohio unique and special," says arts coordinator Karen Lakus. "And the Bicentennial is certainly a [good time] to address this." Many photos are for sale, proceeds benefiting Lake Metroparks. Ohio: Celebrating the Bicentennial is at the Penitentiary Glen Nature Center, 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Road in Kirtland, through March 23. The center's open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is free; call 440-256-1404.
Tuesday, February 11
Talk about your shitty days. Anise, the African American heroine of Kimberla Lawson Roby's A Taste of Reality, loses a job promotion to a less-qualified white colleague. Then she finds out that her husband is cheating on her. To top it all off, her best friend has been keeping some very dangerous secrets lately. Ultimately, it's one of those stories whose message is "Be true to yourself." But the journey Anise takes in getting there, together with Roby's skilled telling of it, makes the trip worth the effort. Roby's at Borders (3466 Mayfield Road in Cleveland Heights) at 7 tonight, discussing and signing A Taste of Reality. Admission is free. Call 216-291-8605 for more information.
What is it with the Seven Deadly Sins? The Traveling Wilburys, Dan Savage, and Gwyneth Paltrow's head have all found inspiration in the tempting septet. Now comes /7S/, an Olfactory Installation of the Seven Deadly Sins, on display at Cleveland State University's Art Gallery. In addition to categorizing the sins (you know 'em, you've committed 'em -- pride, envy, anger, etc.), /7S/ takes the novel approach of suspending large ceramic perfume bottles from the ceiling. Artist Nobi Shioya asked top perfumers (including Dior, Ralph Lauren, and Yves Saint Laurent) to create a scent that evokes a particular sin. Each bottle contains the aromatic results. There are also "self-portraits" attached to each installation, but it's the giant perfume bottles that will catch your eyes and nose. /7S/ is on display through March 8 at CSU's Art Gallery, 2307 Chester Avenue. It's open 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free. Call 216-687-2103 for more information.
