'Smokey Joe's Cafe' and 'Godspell' are among stage offerings

• "MASTER HAROLD . . . AND THE BOYS," Athol Fugard's 1982 Tony Award-nominated drama, is being staged from Thursday through March 19 by People Productions, a Salt Lake company that produces dramas focusing on African-American issues. First produced at Yale Repertory Theater in 1982, it's based on Fugard's early life in South Africa set against the infamous policies of apartheid during the 1950s.

Linda Moon Thorn is directing a cast that includes Joseph Silverzweig as Hally, the young boy; Brian Jones as Sam and Anthony Gaskins as Willie.

Performances are Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. in the Old Lab Theatre, located on the second floor of the University of Utah's Performing Arts Building, just west of the campus book store. There will also be a free matinee on March 19 at 2 p.m.

• "SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE," an off-Broadway revue showcasing classics ("Stand By Me," "Love Potion No. 9," "Yakety Yak," "Hound Dog") from the 1950s and '60s — all written by collaborators Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, will be staged Friday through March 28 by the Pleasant Grove Players in the Keith Christeson Little Theater, located in the Pleasant Grove City Library, 30 E. Center St.

Eldon Randall is directing a cast of 11 singers and dancers, accompanied by Jennifer Long-Pratt and Eric Manning.

Tickets, available at the door, are $7 for adults and $6 for students and senior citizens, with a $25 family ticket (for immediate family members only).

• "THE PUNISHMENT OF THINGS," an original play by local playwright Calvin Haul, will have a free staged reading on Thursday, at 6 p.m. in Conference Room C, Main Library, 210 E. 400 South.

This is the third of six newly written plays to be featured in Wasatch Theatre Company's "Page to Stage" program. The remaining will be read during the next three months. One of the six will be chosen for a full-fledged production later in the fall. Following Thursday night's reading those attending will be invited to offer their feedback.

Any writers with short scripts (10-15 minutes in length) have until March 20 to submit them to Wasatch Theatre Company for possible inclusion in their annual "Short Shorts" festival. Send scripts to Wasatch Theatre Company, 10776 S. Pine Grove Way, South Jordan, UT 84095. (The company is also interested in looking at new, original full-length scripts.)