OPENING
COSI FAN TUTTE
Friday (4/13) to Sunday (4/15) @ Coralville Center for the Performing Arts
The University of Iowa School of Music presents Mozart’s opera in which a simple bet puts love to the test. Will two young couples betray their respective mates? All of the chemistry and questions of adolescent love play out in this profoundly complex comedy that will leave you to draw your own conclusions about devotion, infidelity and eventually, forgiveness. Times: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday’ Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, 1301 Fifth St., Coralville. Tickets: $5 to $20, Hancher Box Office, (319) 335-1160, 1-(800)-HANCHER or Hancher.uiowa.edu/tickets
EARS ON A BEATLE
Friday (4/13) to April 29 @ Riverside Theatre, Iowa City
Mark St. Germain’s play is based on actual FBI documents declassified through the Freedom of Information Act. Filled with humor and heartbreak, “Ears on a Beatle” explores a time when the country was sharply divided by an unpopular war, lies flowed from the White House and individual liberties were threatened in the name of national security the personal. It’s 1972, and two FBI agents — one enamored with the rock ’n’ roll and lifestyle, and the other missing the old days of flat tops and shined shoes are tasked with getting politically outspoken John Lennon out of the country before Richard Nixon runs for re-election. Funny and relevant, it’s from the writer of Riverside’s recent hits “Dancing Lessons” and “Relativity.” This is a change from a previously announced show. Times: 7:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; Riverside Theatre, 213 N. Gilbert St., Iowa City. Tickets: $18 to $30, Riverside Box Office, (319) 338-7672 or Riversidetheatre.org/earsonabeatle
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Friday (4/13) to April 21 @ Coe College, Cedar Rapids
Mistaken identities, gossip, pride and deception come together to delay, but never halt, true love. The play is considered one of the greatest romantic comedies ever written, in a production of colorful characters, passionate poetry and Shakespeare’s wittiest word play. The production features an all-student cast and crew. Times: 7:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Dows Theatre, Coe College, 1220 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids. Tickets: $8 to $10, Coe Box Office, (319) 399-8600 or Coe.edu/boxoffice
ONGOING
FANCY NANCY THE MUSICAL
Saturdays to April 14 @ Old Creamery Theatre, Amana
Theatre for Young Audiences: Fancy Nancy loves glitz and glam and is looking forward to glistening as a mermaid in the school play. Disaster strikes as she gets the heartbreaking news that she’s been cast as a boring tree. Can Nancy learn that when you do your best, no matter your situation, you can always shine? Times: 1 p.m. Saturdays; Old Creamery Theatre, 39 38th Ave., Amana. Tickets: $10, Old Creamery Box Office, (319) 622-6262 or Oldcreamery.com
THE KITCHEN WITCHES
To Sunday (4/15) @ Starlighters II, Anamosa
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Two “mature” cable-access cooking show hostesses have hated each other for 30 years. When they’re put together on TV, the insults are flung harder than the food. The show becomes a ratings smash that combines the best elements of Martha Stewart and Jerry Springer. Times: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; Starlighters II, 200 E. Main St., Anamosa. Tickets: $15 to $16, box office, (319) 462-4793 or Starlighters.org
NOISES OFF
To May 6 @ Giving Tree Theater, Marion
The opening night performance of the farce “Nothing’s On” is just hours away, and as the actors stumble through their final dress rehearsal, things couldn’t be going any worse. With lines being forgotten, love triangles unraveling and sardines flying everywhere, it’s complete pandemonium — all before intermission. Can the cast pull their act together on the stage even if they can’t behind the scenes? Rated PG-13 for some adult language and themes. Times: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; Giving Tree Theater, 752 10th St., Marion. Tickets: $26, (319) 213-7956 or Givingtreetheater.com
OLE RUNS FOR OFFICE
Today (4/12) @ Old Creamery Theatre, Amana
It’s time for Muskrat Lodge 3412 to elect new officers, and Ole has unwisely decided to run against his nemesis, Knut Knutson. Ole knows he’ll have to fight dirty if he’s going to stand a chance. Will his wife Lena be able to talk him out of his latest hair-brained scheme, or will she be seduced by the glamour of being “first lady of the lodge?” Can Ole get through the election without causing a Muskrat lodge investigation into his dirty campaign tricks? Be a part of the craziness when you help choose the outcome in this main stage special event. Time: 2 p.m. today (4/12), Old Creamery Theatre, 39 38th Ave., Amana. Tickets: $26.50 adults, $15 youths, Old Creamery Box Office, (319) 622-6262 or Oldcreamery.com