Opening this week in Eastern Iowa Theatres: Exit Strategy, Fancy Nancy and more

EXIT STRATEGY

April 5 to 7 @ Mirrorbox Theatre, Cedar Rapids

When a Chicago public school's closure becomes imminent, gasoline gets thrown on the fiery conflicts. An activist student's decision to protest the closure forces the school's administration and teachers to reevaluate their priorities. Generational, racial, sexual and philosophical differences serve as the fulcrums of this alternatively funny and poignant drama. First production of Mirrorbox Theatre's inaugural season. Time: 7:30 p.m. April 5 to 7; C Space, CSPS Hall first floor, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Tickets: $15, CSPS Box Office, (319) 364-1580 or Legionarts.org

FANCY NANCY THE MUSICAL

Saturday (3/31) to April 14 @ Old Creamery Theatre, Amana

Theatre for Young Audiences: Fancy Nancy loves glitz and glam and is eagerly 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; 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. April 7; Old Creamery Theatre, 39 38th Ave., Amana. Tickets: $10, Old Creamery Box Office, (319) 622-6262 or Oldcreamery.com

THE KITCHEN WITCHES

April 6 to 15 @ Starlighters II, Anamosa

Isobel Lomax and Dolly Biddle are two 'mature' cable-access cooking show hostesses who have hated each other for 30 years. When circumstances put them together on a TV show called 'The Kitchen Witches,' the insults are flung harder than the food. 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 App.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=strlt

NOISES OFF

Friday (3/30) to May 6 @ Giving Tree Theater, Marion

The opening night performance of the farce 'Nothing 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: gut-busting comedy with some comical 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

TOP 10 LIST

Friday (3/30) and Saturday (3/31) @ SPT Theatre, Cedar Rapids

Sure, not an original idea, but there are still plenty of Top 10 lists left to ponder — Letterman couldn't have hit them all. Guests: writer/actor Jason Alberty, actor Akwi Nji, musician Annie Savage. Times: 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday; CSPS Hall, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Tickets: $20 advance, $25 door, CSPS Box Office, (319) 364-1580 or Legionarts.org

ONGOING Shows:

BENT

To Saturday (3/31) @ Theatre Cedar Rapids

This look at the persecution of homosexuals during the Holocaust also highlights love, redemption and self-acceptance. Rated R for violence, sexuality and nudity. Times: 7:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday; Grandon Studio, Theatre Cedar Rapids, 102 Third St. SE. Tickets: $19 to $24, TCR Box Office, (319) 366-8591 or Theatrecr.org