The Musicatre and Dance

By Susan Phelan

Dinner Theatre
The Fab Four alive and well in Camelot? Well, sort of...only it's not King Arthur but rather King Richard the Lionhearted who is gathering up the finest knights from across the lands to embark on a mystical quest for the elusive Holy Cuplet. With the chosen chainmailed comrades psyched and set for their glorious mission, they embark on a journey that is wonderfully embellished with all of your favourite songs from Britain's favourite sons. "Come Together" at Jubilations Dinner Theatre through April 1 for Magical Mystery Tour, Songs of the Beatles.

But forget about cherished chalices, diamonds are a girl's best friend... or so said Carol Channing on Broadway and Marilyn in the film version of Gentleman Prefer Blondes. However don't take their word for it; decide for yourself in this hilarious and sexy musical about a gold-digging blonde bombshell and her wisecracking, streetwise girlfriend on the hunt for eligible meal tickets when it shimmies its way into the Mayfield Dinner Theatre, starting April 20.

Theatre
One of the great love stories of all time, Antony and Cleopatra sees love and power go head to head in this classic battle for supremacy. At the height of the greatest empire in history, Antony has the power to rule the world but his destiny is challenged by his overwhelming love for Cleopatra. Bedecked with larger-than-life characters and strung with pearls of poetry, Shakespeare's tragedy of politics and passion brilliantly captures the exotic luxury of Ancient Egypt and the ruthless might of Rome. Playing April 11 - 21 at the Walterdale Theatre.

A play for people who love the movies, Dreamland Saturday Nights is a wistful little story about two lonely hearts who meet at an old-time repertory cinema. Over a series of Saturday nights and with a little help from their "friends" — Bogart, Davis and Astaire — they fall in love amidst the onscreen magic and popcorn. Playing at the Varscona Theatre, April 26 - May 13.

Music
Enjoying a career that spans forty years, Rod Stewart has achieved numerous hit singles worldwide including such early chart toppers as Maggie May, Tonight's the Night and The First Cut is the Deepest. In recent years, Stewart has concentrated on singing standards from the '30s and '40s with his four-album “Great American Songbook” series. However 2006 saw Stewart return to his rock music roots, with the release of Still the Same… Great Rock Classics of Our Time. This newest album that features rock milestones debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts. Take in what is sure to be a great night of music, past and present, when he revisits Rexall Place, March 6.

A great night is also in store for fans of Christina Aguilera who brings her 67-city Back to Basics tour to Edmonton this spring. The pop diva's latest album of the same name as the tour, combines elements of soul, jazz and blues and features the hit single Ain't No Other Man, nominated last year for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, as was the Back to Basics album for Best Pop Vocal Album. Check out this dynamic show, March 14 at Rexall Place.

Next up, "Slowhand" himself is returning to the City of Champions. Often viewed by critics and fans alike as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Grammy Award-winning guitarist, singer and songwriter Eric Clapton (who lent his unique guitar style to the Beatles' hit While My Guitar Gently Weeps) has garnered an unprecedented three inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. From Cocaine to Tears In Heaven, his music has, and still does, resonate with a wide-ranging audience. Treat yourself to some terrific tunes on March 25 at Rexall Place.

And terrific is precisely what many have deemed Il Divo — the international operatic pop group that is the brainchild of American Idol's Simon Cowell. Uniting classically trained vocalists with contemporary ballads, standards and yes, some classic opera and film scores, this handsome quartet, that sings in five different languages, mixes the sound of Three Tenors with the look of Armani. Listen and gaze on April 19, Rexall Place.

And speaking of opera...Verdi, the greatest operatic composer of his time, takes on William Shakespeare, the greatest playwright of all time, in the grim tragedy, Macbeth. Sung in Italian with English supertitles, this remarkable new co-production between Edmonton Opera, Portland Opera and Vancouver Opera, about greed, power, murder and madness is a must-see. On at the Winspear Centre, April 21, 24 and 26.