OPENING
DISNEY’S ALADDIN JR.
Friday (6/29) to Sunday (7/1) @ Young Footliters, Coralville
Aladdin, a kind but wily street urchin, falls in love with beautiful Princess Jasmine, who is way out of his league. However, the Sultan has declared Princess Jasmine must choose a husband within the next day. So Aladdin — with the help of a fast-talking, magical genie — introduces himself as Prince Ali Ababwa. Meanwhile, evil royal adviser Jafar also has his sights set on the kingdom, and tries to convince the Sultan to force Jasmine to wed him. Will love conquer all? Perhaps — if love has a little help from a genie. Times: 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; Young Footliters Youth Theatre at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, 1301 Fifth St., Coralville. Tickets: $13 to $19, venue box office, (319) 248-9370 or Coralvillearts.org
HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL
Friday (6/29) to July 15 @ Theatre Cedar Rapids
Based on the classic 1989 film, Westerberg High is ruled by a shoulder-padded, scrunchie-wearing squad: Heather Chandler, Heather McNamara and Heather Duke. Misfit Veronica Sawyer rejects their evil regime for a new boyfriend, the dark and sexy stranger J.D., who plans to put the Heathers in their place: six feet under. Times: 7:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday; Theatre Cedar Rapids, 102 Third St. SE. Tickets: $28 to $36, signed performance July 14; TCR Box Office, (319) 366-8591 or Theatrecr.org. Opening Night ’80s Bash: 6 p.m. June 29 and postshow Champagne toast and karaoke party; free with paid play ticket.
THE 39 STEPS
Friday (6/29) to July 22 @ Riverside Theatre, Iowa City
Mix Hitchcock with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python, and you have this fast-paced whodunit. The Tony- and Drama Desk Award-winning play features more than 150 zany characters played by a four-person cast. Along with the laughs come an onstage plane crash, missing fingers and old-fashioned romance. Times: 7:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; Riverside Theatre, 213 N. Gilbert St., Iowa City. Tickets: $30, (319) 338-7672 or Riversidetheatre.org/buytickets/
ONGOING
THE MISS FIRECRACKER CONTEST
To Sunday (7/1) @ Starlighters II, Anamosa
This Southern gothic comedy tells the story of Carnelle Williams, a young woman with a tarnished reputation trying to leave her small Mississippi town in a blaze of glory by winning the Miss Firecracker contest. The situation becomes more complicated with the return of her cousins, Elain, who is seeking a way out of her unfulfilling marriage, and Delmount, recently released from a mental hospital. Times: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; 200 E. Main St., Anamosa. Tickets: $16 adults, $15 seniors, $8 students with the code FIRE8; Starlighters II Box Office, (319) 462-4793 or Starlighters.org/missfirecracker
THE SECRET GARDEN
To Sunday (7/1) @ Giving Tree Theater, Marion
Orphaned in India, 11 year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald and his invalid son, Colin. The estate’s many wonders include a magic garden which beckons the children with haunting melodies and the “Dreamers,” spirits from Mary’s past who guide her through her new life, dramatizing the story’s tale of forgiveness and renewal. Musical. Times: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; Giving Tree Theater, 752 10th St., Marion. Tickets: $26, box office, (319) 213-7956 or Givingtreetheater.com