Individual tickets go on sale Monday for one of theater’s legendary shows, The Phantom of the Opera, coming to the Stranahan Theater Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.
The Theater League is bringing Toledo a new production by Cameron Mackintosh of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musical. The production, with newly reinvented staging and elaborate scenic design, will be performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America, according to the Theater League.
Tickets can be purchased beginning Aug. 22 from BroadwayinToledo.com, the Stranahan Theater box office, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, or by calling 419-381-8851. Groups of 15 or should call 1-866-314-7687. Tickets begin at $39 and range to $134, depending on seating and the date of the performance.
For more information on the production and to view a video sneak peek, go to thephantomoftheopera.com/ustour.
Tickets for additional shows in the Theater League’s 2016-17 Broadway In Toledo Series — Pippin (March 16-19), Chicago (April 20-23, 2017), and Kinky Boots (June 6-11), as well as the season add-ons or swap options, which include Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical (Nov. 25), Jersey Boys (Jan. 10-15), and Riverdance (March 29-30), will go on sale at a later date.
Community Day
“Cinemark Community Day,” a first-time event, offers free admission Saturday to five family films and concession discounts: $2 each for a 16-ounce soft drink, a small popcorn, and for all packaged candy.
The films are How to Train Your Dragon 2 (showtimes at 9, 10, and 11:20 a.m.), Kung Fu Panda 3 (9:05, 10:05, 11:15), Home (9:10, 10:10, 11:25 a.m.), Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (9:15, 10:15, 11:30 a.m.), and Shrek (9:20, 9:50, 10:20, 11:35 a.m.)
All of the showtimes above are for the Franklin Park 16 location only. For a complete listing of showtimes for the other area Cinemark-Rave theaters — Fallen Timbers, Levis Commons, and Woodland Mall in Bowling Green — visit ravemotionpictures.com.
Net proceeds from the nationwide promotion will support WE.org in providing youth empowerment and service learning programs.
Meet-and-greet
Tweens and teens still checking off their back-to-school shopping lists might want to head to Monroe this weekend.
The Mall of Monroe is offering more than this season’s trendy threads. Two TV celebrities will be there to greet fans.
Lauren Taylor, who plays Shelby Marcus on the Disney Channel’s Best Friends Whenever, will be at the mall’s Center Court from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. That is followed by a meet and greet with Brendan Robinson from 1 to 4 p.m Sunday. Robinson plays the character role of Lucas Gottesman on Freeform network’s Pretty Little Liars.
Although the event is free, the mall is giving out a fast pass to an express line in exchange for purchases made there. Those wanting one must provide same-day receipts amounting to at least $100, dated July 30 or later. For more details, visit themallofmonroe.com.
Starstruck
RIO DE JANEIRO — Simone Biles, the biggest breakout star of the Rio Olympics, was starstruck. Understandable — despite four gold medals the gymnast is still a 19-year-old meeting movie star Zac Efron.
But Efron might be an even bigger fan of Biles. He spent all week tweeting admiration for the U.S. gymnastics team and sending along congratulations when Biles and the “Final Five” took home the team gold.
They finally came face to face in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday and Efron said his “Olympic dream came true.”
Both Efron and Biles shared pictures of the encounter on Twitter, and Efron said he was rooting on the Americans during the floor exercise final. Biles won the event.
Biles, who was a tween when Efron rose to stardom on High School Musical, said on Twitter: “Just call me Mrs. Efron already.”
First Published August 18, 2016, 4:00 a.m.
