Escape the heat with flights of fantasy! This month’s family-friendly live performances take you back in time (“Newsies”), under the sea (“The Little Mermaid”), to the farm (“Old Macdonald”) and into lots of other imaginative adventures.
Cinderella: A Rock-n-Roll Fairytale” (Fri-Sun June 3-June 19). Ages 8-19. This lighthearted, funny original musical/comedy tells the classic story of Cinderella with a slight twist: all the characters are based on famous rock stars. 7pm Fri-Sat; 2pm Sat-Sun. $14 Spotlight Youth Theatre, 10620 N 43rd Ave, Glendale. 602-843-8318 or spotlightyouththeatre.org.
Disney’s “Newsies” (Tues-Sun June 14-19). Inspired by the real-life newsboy strike in 1899, the musical tells the story of a band of underdogs who become heroes when they stand up for the most powerful men in New York. 7:30pm Tues-Fri; 2 and 7:30pm Sat; 1 and 6:30pm Sun. $20-$150. ASU Gammage, 1200 S Forest Ave, Tempe. 480-965-3434 or asugammage.com.
Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” (Thur-Sun June 10-26). A mermaid dreams of a world on dry land and gives up her voice to find her true love. Performed by Valley Youth Theatre. 7pm Thurs-Fri; 2 and 7pm Sat; 2pm Sun. $18 plus facility and online fees. Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St, Phoenix. 602-253-8188 x307 or vyt.com.
Glendale Summer Band Series (Thursdays June 2-30 and July 7-21, Sat July 23). An eight-week concert series for music lovers of all ages. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. 8pm. Free. Murphy Park Amphitheater, 58th and Glendale avenues. 623-930-2299 or glendaleaz.com/events.
“Hairspray” (Fri-Sat Jun 24-July 2). Performed by actors ages 13 to 18 from Actor’s Youth Theatre. 7pm Mon-Fri; 3 and 7pm Sat. $15 plus $1.75 box-office fee. Tuscany Theatre, 861 N Higley Rd, No. 105, Gilbert. 480-907-7050 or actorsyouththeatre.org.
“Me and My Girl” (Thur-Sat May 19-June 11). Sophisticated Bill Snibson finds out he’s the long-lost Earl of Hereford and must choose between fitting in with proper society or losing his main girl. 7:30pm Thurs-Fri; 3 and 7:30pm Sat. $18-28. Hale Centre Theatre, 50 W Page Ave, Gilbert. 480-497-1181 or haletheatrearizona.com.
“Miss Minnie’s Melodrama-Odeon!” (Fri-Sun May 27-June 12). Miss Minnie faces her biggest challenges ever when she becomes the manager of her father’s melodrama theater. 7pm Fri-Sat; 2pm Sun. $18 adults, $15 age 17 or younger. Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N Saguaro Blvd, Fountain Hills. 480-837-9661 x3 or fhtaz.org.
“Old Macdonald” (Wed-Sun June 22-July 10). That famous farmer and his animal friends are making noises and having fun. 10am Wed-Sat; 2pm Sat-Sun (no show July 4). $10; $7 age 12 or younger. Reservations recommended. Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W Latham, Phoenix. 602-262-2050 or azpuppets.org.
“Pinkalicious!” (Fri-Wed June 10-22). Pinkalicious, who can’t stop eating pink cupcakes, learns a powerful lesson of self-control and the importance of moderation. Call for prices and times. Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W Paradise Ln, Peoria. 623-776-8400 or azbroadway.org.
Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus presents Xtreme (Thurs-Sun June 23-26). Explore a world of extreme beauty, flexibility, strength and dexterity. Times vary. $10-$80. Talking Stick Resort Arena, 201 E Jefferson St, Phoenix. 800-745-3000 or ringling.com.
Saturday Summer Concert Series (Sat May 7-June 25). Dance along to music from local bands in the outdoor amphitheater. 7-9pm. Free. Superstition Springs Center, 6555 E Southern Ave, Mesa. 480-396-2570 or superstitionsprings.com.
“Shrek the Musical” (Fri-Sun May 20-June 26). Follow the irascible but lovable ogre as he learns about friendship, embracing what makes him special and of course, true love. 7:30pm Fri; 1, 3 and 7:30pm Sat; 1 and 3p.m. Sun. $15. Desert Stages Theatre, 4720 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale. 480-483-1664 or desertstages.org.
“Snow White and Rose Red: The Untold Story of Heroes” (Thur-Sun June 16-25). The story of two sisters who befriend a bear who returns one day to reward them royally for their kindness. Presented by East Valley Children’s Theatre. 7pm Thur-Fri; 4 and 7pm Sat; 2pm Sun. $15; $11 ages 2-17. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E Main St. 480-644-6500 or mesaartscenter.com.
“Still Life With Iris” (Fri-Sun June 10-12). A girl goes on a journey in a strange and whimsical world. Presented by Youth Ensemble Theatre Incorporate (YETi), a teen theater-production ensemble created by Childsplay. 7pm Fri; 2 and 7pm Sat; 2pm Sun. $12-$15. Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway. 480-350-2822 or childsplayaz.org/YETi.
“The Earth: An HD Odyssey” (Fri-Sat June 3-4). A multisensory performance by the Phoenix Symphony showcasing classical favorites with a multimedia presentation. 7:30pm. $18-$80. Symphony Hall, 75 N 2nd St, Phoenix. 602-262-6225 or phoenixsymphony.org.
“The Music Man” (Fri-Mon June 24-27). Follow fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys band he vows to organize. 7pm. $12.50. Queen Creek Performing Arts Center, 22149 E Ocotillo Rd. 480-987-7469 or qcpac.com.
“The Princess, the Unicorn and the Smelly-Foot Troll” (Wed-Sun June 1-19). It is Prince Harriet’s birthday and everyone is invited! There will be plenty of singing, sparkles and stinky-feet hilarity. 10am Wed-Fri; 10am and 2pm Sat; 2pm Sun. $10; $7 age 12 or younger. Great Arizona Puppet Theater, 302 W Latham St, Phoenix. 602-262-2050 or azpuppets.org.
