Kid Sister at Majestic Repertory Theatre
Hot off the success of August’s production of Hair, Majestic Repertory is surfing the zeitgeist with a season of timely plays. Hair delved into themes of war and political resistance. Kid Sister explores poverty and class through the story of a white-trash tragedy.
There’s only one hope of achieving the American Dream left for 19-year-old Demi, and it’s a long shot: American Idol. But talent isn’t the only thing that stands in the Floridian’s way. There’s also a psycho ex-boyfriend and the infant child they share. So Demi calls in a secret weapon: her sexy ex-con older brother, who will make everything right.
If it sounds like a recipe for disaster … well, you’re probably right. Advertised as a “pulp thriller” and “thrilling Southern Gothic noir,” Will Kern’s Kid Sister should have you quaking in your seat. September 28-October 14,Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 5 p.m.;, $25; Alios, 1217 S. Main St. –C. Moon Reed
Freakling Bros’ Trilogy of Terror 25th Anniversary
Happy birthday to Las Vegas’ homegrown haunt. This year, Freakling Bros. Horror Shows features three mazes: Coven of 13, a witchy attraction that draw visitors down the path of the black arts; the Transylvania-themed Castle Vampyre; the waiver-required, R-rated Gates of Hell, with foul-mouthed monsters who are allowed to touch you. And then there’s the Victim Experience, a sold-out, late-night exercise in “psychological, emotional and sensory torture.” September 29-October 31, $15-$17 per maze, $39 for all three, 4245 S. Grand Canyon Drive. –C. Moon Reed
Vegas VegFest at Clark County Government Center
Vegan menus are a relatively new phenomenon around here, which means the vendors of VegFest—a daylong celebration of plant-based diets, featuring live entertainment and health talks—might be new to you, too. Make a point of sampling the all-natural delights, from brownies to burritos to beer. September 30, Free, vegasvegfest.com. –Geoff Carter
The Lique at Windmill Library
Hip-hop, jazz and classical orchestration slam together at the westside library, where two of Las Vegas’ most unique live acts join forces for one night only. The Lique—a four-piece jazz combo fronted by dynamic rapper Rasar—will collaborate with the rising musicians of Las Vegas’ age-22-and-under Youth Artists Orchestra. It’s open to all-ages, fittingly, with tickets ($10-$20) on sale now at September 30, 7 p.m., lvyao.yapsody.com/event/book/128986/510946. –Spencer Patterson
Tiffany Haddish at the Mirage
“Tiffany Haddish is the funniest person alive right now,” Vanity Fair wrote in July. The actress has been a stand-up comic for nearly two decades—she’s been performing at LA’s Laugh Factory since she was a teen—but it’s her recent role as the audacious and wild Dina in the R-rated Girls Trip that has people talking. She’s said to have outshined her big-screen counterparts, Hollywood vets like Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett-Smith.
Haddish’s rise to fame hardly happened overnight. She spent parts of her childhood in and out of foster care and started doing comedy on a directive from her social worker. It’s a talent she’s been fine-tuning ever since. After making appearances on The Tonight Show, Chelsea Lately and, more recently, The Carmichael Show, Haddish now heads to the Terry Fator Theatre for a headlining show of her own. September 30, 10 p.m., $30-$40. –Leslie Ventura
Apocalyptica at The Joint
The Finnish band—whose lineup included Las Vegas vocalist Franky Perez on its last tour—returns to its roots this time, revisiting 1996 debut album Plays Metallica by Four Cellos and reuniting with early member/fourth cellist Antero Manninen for a show that string-ifies Metallica classics like “Master of Puppets,” “The Unforgiven” and “Welcome Home (Sanitarium).” October 1, 8 p.m., $33-$85. –Spencer Patterson
Las Vegas Jazz Society 40th Anniversary Picnic at Winchester Cultural Center
Not many Las Vegas cultural traditions have lasted four decades. But in 1977, the Las Vegas Jazz Society held a picnic concert, did it again in 1978 and here we are in 2017, still gathering on the grass to hear local musicians share their talents. This year’s bill includes alto saxophone player Tom Hall and the Simply Bebop septet, trombonist Curt Miller and the resurrected Boneheads trombone group, an octet led by tenor saxophonist/clarinetist Julian Tanaka, and trombonist Neil Maxa playing with the Groove Brothers’ B-3 Quintet. Note: You can bring grub or buy it there. Free.October 1, 2 p.m. –Mike Prevatt
The Little Mermaid at The Smith Center’s Reynolds Hall
Disney’s The Little Mermaid just keeps swimming. The 1989 animated film began Disney’s reign of the princesses—a charm offensive that’s resulted in nearly three decades of songs about wanting to be independent and free. But Mermaid remains, arguably, the freshest of the bunch: No one back then expected those bright colors, that wonderful Howard Ashman/Alan Menken songbook or the Jamaican crab. These things make the animated classic a natural to adapt to the stage, which it gracefully does in this two-hour-plus production featuring flying performers and new songs. October 3-8, Tuesday-Sunday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 2 p.m.; $36-$127. –Geoff Carter
