Variety of shows taking stage in Eastern Iowa

OPENING

EXIT STRATEGY

Today (4/5) to Saturday (4/7) @ Mirrorbox Theatre, Cedar Rapids

When a Chicago public school's closure becomes imminent, gasoline gets thrown on the fiery conflicts held within the institution's crumbling walls. 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. Time: 7:30 p.m. today (4/5) to Saturday (4/7); C Space, CSPS Hall first floor, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids. Tickets: $15, CSPS Box Office, (319) 364-1580 or Legionarts.org

THE KITCHEN WITCHES

Friday (4/6) to April 15 @ Starlighters II, Anamosa

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

THE MOUNTAINTOP

Friday (4/6) @ Luther College, Decorah

On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated outside his motel room. Fifty years later, L.A. Theatre Works brings its radio-style theater to Decorah to imagine what may have transpired in that room the night before the assassination. King reveals his hopes, regrets and fears, creating a bridge between mortality and immortality. Time: 7:30 p.m., Center for Faith and Life, Luther College, 700 College Dr., Decorah. Tickets: $7.50 to $28 show; $19 for 5:30 p.m. preshow dinner, (563) 387-1357 or Tickets.luther.edu/Online/

OLE RUNS FOR OFFICE

Wednesday (4/11) and April 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?' Be a part of the craziness when you help choose the outcome in this main stage special event. Times: 2 p.m. Wednesday (4/11) and April 12, Old Creamery Theatre, 39 38th Ave., Amana. Tickets: $26.50 adults, $15 youths, Old Creamery Box Office, (319) 622-6262 or Oldcreamery.com

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; 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

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