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8 stage shows to see in January

John Staton StarNews Staff

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'Mamma Mia!'

Opera House Theatre Co. starts the new year with ABBA's optimistic jukebox musical about a young woman, her mother and the three men who might be the young woman's father. Directed and impressively choreographed by Ray Kennedy, Opera House's production captures the musical’s effervescent spirit. Featuring winning, well-sung performances by Kendra Goehring-Garrett and Sydney Smith Martin as mother and daughter, respectively. Details: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10-12 and 17-19, 3 p.m. Jan. 6 and 13, and 2 p.m. Jan. 19. $32. 910-632-2285 or ThalianHall.org.

'Evita'

Broadway tour of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical about Eva Peron, who rose from poverty to become one of the most powerful women in the world. Details: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12 and 2 p.m. Jan. 13 at CFCC Wilson Center, 701 N. Front St., Wilmington. $42-$95 plus taxes and fees. 910-362-7999 or CapeFearStage.com.

'Amahl and the Night Visitors'

Opera Wilmington presents its first winter production, staging Gian Carlo Menotti’s petit, made-for-TV "Amahl and the Night Visitors." The opera tells the story of a boy who encounters the three wise men on their way to find the baby Jesus. Along with the the UNCW Chamber Choir and the Wilmington Boys Choir, the 50-minute performance features singers Maria Beery, Rusty Kling, Quentin Lovette, Carl Samet and more. Details: 2 p.m. Jan. 13 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 16 N. 16th St., Wilmington. $25, $8 for children. 910-962-3500 or OperaWilmington.org.

'Masters of Illusion'

Touring magic show billed as "the world's largest" promises to be filled with flash and pizazz. Details: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at CFCC Wilson Center, 701 N. Front St., Wilmington. $25-$69 plus taxes and fees. 910-362-7999 or CapeFearStage.com.

'Almost, Maine'

Brunswick Little Theatre presents this sweet, surreal play by John Cariani comprised of a series of loosely connected stories about love. It's set in the fictional town of the title, which takes its name from being "almost" in Canada, among other reasons. In one story, a woman carries around the pieces of her broken heart in a bag. Both whimsical and surreal. Details: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17-19 and 24-26, 3 p.m. Jan. 20 and 27 at Brunswick Little Theatre, 8068 River Road SE, Southport. $20, $12 for students. 910-447-2586 or BrunswickLittleTheatre.com

'Senior Moments 2: Betta Daze'

Ella Reischer directs area writer Don Fried's follow-up to the comedy "Senior Moments," which played as dinner theater at TheatreNOW in January of 2018. "SM2" stars Michelle Reiff, Lupin Byers and Norman Aronovic in a story about a tech-challenged senior citizen who gets a robot assistant. Hijinks ensue. Details: 6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. show, Fridays and Saturdays Jan. 18-Feb. 16, with a special Valentine's Day show Feb. 14. $44-$47, includes dinner and show but not beverages or tip. $20-$26 show only. 910-399-3669 or TheatreWilmington.com.

'Stuart Little'

Thalian Association Community Theatre's youth program presents this musical about the lovable mouse. Details: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18-19 and 25-26, 3 p.m. Jan. 20 and 27. $15. 910-251-1788 or Thalian.org

'Bossy in Space'

It's the public performance of Pied Piper Theatre's annual production for hundreds of area schoolchildren. The fun-loving, lighthearted musical by Steve Cooper concerns the title cow, a Broadway star on a special space mission. Conflict arises when a rival bovine, Saucy, tries to bring Bossy down. Details: 3 p.m. Jan. 27 at Thalian Hall, 310 Chestnut St., Wilmington. $10. 910-632-2285 or ThalianHall.org.

Contact John Staton at 910-343-2343 or John.Staton@StarNewsOnline.com.