'Curtains,' 'Annie' open this week

The old saying goes, "run don't walk," but in this case perhaps it's better to say, "dance and sing, don't walk" your way over to Hale Centre Theatre as they open the regional premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical, "Curtains."

Written by Kander and Ebb ("Chicago" and "Cabaret"), Broadway's longest-running composing duo, the score is a tip of the fedora to good old-fashioned musical comedy.

Written in 2007, the musical really pays homage to not only the era, but to the genre of backstage murder-mystery plots.

It's opening night of a new musical playing in Boston, and the leading lady is murdered. The cast, since they're all suspects, is locked in the theater until the detective, a fan of musical theater, can solve the mystery. While figuring out whodunit, he also helps the cast with a few numbers and reworks a bit of staging.

Don't let the unfamiliar title fool you. The show is filled with colorful characters, memorable tunes and wonderful group numbers.

Starring: Paul Cartwright, Debra Stewart, Cecily Ellis-Bills, Camille Van Wagoner and JaNae Cottam.

"Curtains," through Nov. 21, Hale Centre Theatre, 3333 S. Decker Lake Drive. Shows are nightly, except Sunday, with matinees available, $15-$26 (801-984-9000 or www.halecentretheatre.org)

Here are the rest of this week's theater openings:

"Annie, Jr.," Oct. 9-17, Draper Historic Theatre, 12366 S. 900 East, Draper.

Created from the beloved 1977 musical, "Annie, Jr." is takes the lovable characters and songs and condenses it into a 70-minute version, perfect for the whole family.

Shows are Friday, Saturday, Monday nights, 7:30 p.m., with matinees available, $7-$11 (801-572-4144 or www.drapertheatre.org)

"Dracula," Phoenix Theatre Company, Oct. 10-30, Academy of Performing Arts, 2207 S. Main.

The blood-thirsty vampire is back, on stage in this new open-air venue. Bring your blankets and jackets (garlic optional) and brace yourself as the most infamous of vampires creeps around the stage. Starring: Collin Kreuzer, Rose Bench, Tanya Felkner, and Jeff Spafford.

Shows are Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 8 p.m., $10-$14 (801-486-2728 or www.academyofpa.org)

e-mail: ehansen@desnews.com