“Matilda The Musical”
This musical version of the Roald Dahl novel (not the 1996 Danny DeVito film adaptation) concerns a precocious five-year-old girl who uses her telekinetic powers to exact vengeance on her neglectful parents and nasty school headmistress. The musical won seven Olivier Awards and five Tony Awards. See it at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, on April 4-16. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $30 and up. For more information, call 513-621-2787 or visit www.cincinnatiarts.org.
“Disenchanted!”
A band of renegade Disney princesses (Snow White, Pocahontas, Cinderella, and others) take their revenge on the male-driven formulas that oppressed them in this humorous musical send-up that is most definitely not for the kids. See it at the Hall Auditorium at Miami University, 101 S. Campus Ave., Oxford, on April 5 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12-$24. For more information, call 513-529-3200 or visit www.miamioh.edu/boxoffice.
Lewis Black
If you thought his head was going to explode before, just listen to his response to the Trump era. The comedian who turned cantankerousness into an art form is taking his “Rant, White and Blue” tour to the Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Cincinnati, on April 6 at 8 pm. Tickets are $39.50-$65. For more information, call 513-232-6220 or visit www.tafttheatre.org.
Helen Welch
This acclaimed chanteuse recreates the vocal chops of musical divas from multiple eras and genres, including Judy Garland, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Etta James, Peggy Lee, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, and others. See her at the Fairfield Community Arts Center, 411 Wessel Drive, Fairfield, on April 7 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18-$20. For more information, call 513-867-5348 or visit www.fairfield-city.org/cac.
Monster Jam
El Toro Loco, Pirate’s Curse, Megaladon, Alien Invasion, Grave Digger and several others will provide your monster truck racing and freestyle fix as the Jam once again stops in Cincinnati. See it at the U.S. Bank Arena, 100 Broadway St., Cincinnati, on April 7-8. Performance times are 7 p.m. Friday, and 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $15-$60. For more information, call 513-421-4111 or visit www.usbankarena.com.
“Two on Tap”
This duo will take you back to the Hollywood of yesteryear, that of Fred and Ginger and Mickey and Judy with classic songs, choreography, and tap dancing. See it at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts, 101 S. Monument Ave., Hamilton, on April 8 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. For more information, call 513-863-8873 or visit www.fittoncenter.org.
Easter Extravaganza
This comprehensive Easter outing includes visits with the Easter Bunny, kids’ crafting, contests, and egg hunts. For the latter, there will be separate hunts for kids aged 3 and younger, 4-5, and 6-8. Check it out at Harbin Park, 1300 Hunter Road, Fairfield, on April 8 at 10:30 a.m. There is no admission cost. For more information, call 513-867-5348.
Rhonda Vincent and the Rage
The “Queen of Bluegrass,” Rhonda Vincent, will give a local performance with The Rage, her five-piece backing band that features the banjo, fiddle, guitar, and dobro. See her at the Dave Finkelman Auditorium at Miami University-Middletown, 4200 N. University Blvd., Middletown, on April 8 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $16-$25. For more information, call 513-529-3200 or visit www.miamioh.edu/boxoffice.
Victory of Light Expo
This psychic festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary in Cincinnati. The expo features 275 readers, healers, and vendors, 85 seminars, and lots of merchandise. Check it out at the Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Cincinnati, on April 8-9 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Admission is $15 (single day) and $25 (weekend). There are student/senior discounts and children 12 and younger are admitted free. For more information, visit www.victoryoflight.com.
Contact this contributing writer at aaronepple@gmail.com.
About the Author