Upcoming shows in the Jackson area

New Stage Theatre, the only equity theatre in Mississippi, is opening a new show, titled "Three Days of Rain." I'm not familiar with the script, and I wasn't too excited about going to see it until I heard a plot synopsis, which sounds intriguing:

Greenberg (the playwright) offers a simple and breathtakingly poignant study of a brother and a sister unraveling the truth behind their father's death, along with their childhood friend. Both fathers had been renowned architects and the siblings’ mother was a “Southern woman who admits to thirty.” In the second half of the play, the trio of young characters becomes their predecessors thirty years earlier to play out the life-changing events that happened during "three days of rain."

I've heard that director Pat Benton has cast some fresh faces for this show, which will be nice to see. I may go catch it after all. If you're interested, their box office number is 601-948-3531. Tix are $20 for adults.

Also, a friend of mine is debuting a new play next month (May) in Jackson. John Webb wrote "The Sound of Steel," and he's workshopped it through the Fondren Theatre Workshop. Although it was originally scheduled to open sooner at The Cedars, it's been pushed back to open on Friday, May 13 in the Mississippi Metropolitan Dance Academy building (540 Taylor Street, one block south of Que Sera off of N. State St., across from the old Woodlands restaurant). Curtain is at 7:30 p.m., and admission is $12. Because these small FTW productions tend to sell out, I highly suggest that you call for ticket reservations if you're interested - 601-353-9053. (I have showed up at the door for some of these without a reservation, and I've paid the price. Call ahead if you want to see the show.) The last time I talked to Webb, the plot revolved around two reporters - one grizzled and cynical, one young and optimistic - who are both covering an execution.