Wednesday 29 – Does anyone else think it’s weird that both the 1997 animated film Anastasia and its stage adaptation are so nostalgic for imperial Russia? Yes, the Romanovs had a better sense of style than the Communists, but they were still autocrats who were too blinkered and insular to govern effectively. Anyway, the show about a princess who escaped execution runs thru Sun at Bass Performance Hall, 555 Commerce St, FW. Tickets are $44-127. Call 817-212-4280.
Thursday 30 – The Stage West folks are probably cursing Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly right now, because the troupe’s Holmes and Watson has nothing to do with the comedy movie that came out last Christmas. Instead, it’s the regional premiere of Jeffrey Hatcher’s play about Dr. Watson being called to an insane asylum three years after Sherlock Holmes’ death to investigate three inmates claiming to be the detective. The show runs today thru Jun 30 at 821 W Vickery Blvd, FW. Tickets are $17-50. Call 817-784-9378.
Friday 31 – A vegan, a cellist, a social activist, and a devotee of Esperanto, Kenji Miyazawa was almost completely unknown during his short lifetime, but in the decades after his death, his stories written for children became widely beloved and adopted into anime and manga. The Artful Readings Book Discussion Group takes up the work of this Japanese writer as its subject at 5:30pm at the Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, FW. Admission is free. Call 817-332-8451.
Saturday 01 – If your small children are into Star Wars, Harry Potter, Doctor Who, or other fantasy and science fiction, you’ll want to attend the Family Fun Comic Con today. Lighthouse Fellowship is running a one-day event with trivia and cosplay contests, as well as a My Little Pony dance troupe, from 10am to 4pm at 7200 Robertson Rd, FW. Admission is free. Call 817-237-2758.
Sunday 02 – A film that singlehandedly depressed merlot sales for a decade, Sideways remains delightful in its tragicomic treatment of two middle-aged bachelors traveling through California wine country before one of them gets married. As part of Lone Star Film Society’s summer film series, the movie screens at 7pm at Four Day Weekend Theater, 312 Houston St, FW. Admission is free. Call 817-924-6000.
Monday 03 – We’re a bit miffed that this year’s Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition is making us venture all the way to Dallas to see it, but previous versions of the competition have showcased a high level of talent, and there is a simulcast available online if you don’t want to make the drive. The contest runs Thu thru Jun 8 at SMU, Caruth Auditorium, 6101 Bishop Blvd, Dallas, and Meyerson Symphony Hall, 2301 Flora St, Dallas. Tickets are free-$99. Call 817-738-9536.
Tuesday 04 – The theatrical scam run by the main characters of The Producers is so simple that real-life criminals have adopted the trick of selling more than 100 percent of a project to investors and law-enforcement refers to the ploy as a “Producers scam.” Casa Mañana puts on the Tony-festooned Broadway musical that Mel Brooks adapted from his own 1967 movie, which runs Sat thru Jun 9 at 3101 W Lancaster Av, FW. Tickets are $49-79. Call 817-332-2272.
