Phoenix, your weekend's planned.
A Steady Rain @ Playhouse on the Park When Actors Theatre's financial challenges pre-empted its season last winter, the arts community was discouraged indeed. But the troupe's swimming on with a return to regular production: A Steady Rain, a take on the buddy-cop genre in which, in the words of AT's own publicity, one of the partners is a "racist bully" and the other a "spineless drunk." Also: cannibalism, adultery, a drive-by that gets personal, and explaining the whole megilla to Internal Affairs.
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The play was a huge seller on Broadway in 2009, starring Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig, who might be getting too old for this shit if the hotly rumored Spielberg film version ever gets made. In the meantime, two of the Valley's very best actors, Christopher Haines and Joseph Kremer, will bring the Chicago flatfeet to life through Sunday, November 10, at Playhouse on the Park in the lobby of the Viad Building, 1850 North Central Avenue.
Jump on in for the preview performance at 8 p.m. Friday, October 25. Tickets range from $18 to $45 at www.actorstheatrephx.simpletix.com or 602-888-0368. -- Julie Peterson
8th Annual Wild Western Festival @ Sahuaro Ranch Park Historical Area Around this time a century ago, Arizona was just one year into its fledgling statehood. But it was already the most badass state in the union. Long before Valentine's Day 1912 -- Arizona's birthday -- Tombstone had garnered a violent and rugged reputation, while Jerome had been dubbed "the wickedest town in the West." It's fair to argue that, despite its overdramatized, Hollywood-hijacked history, America's Wild West was wild indeed, and Arizona was at the heart of it. So for those of you who have yet to experience our state's rough 'n' tumble history, you're in luck. For one weekend a year Glendale's Wild Western Festival brings all the excitement of the unbridled western frontier to the Valley.
With a list of activities more impressive than Wyatt Earp's mustache, this family-friendly event looks to be a real hog-killin' time. Festivities kicks off at 10 a.m. at Sahuaro Ranch Park, 9802 North 59th Avenue, on Friday, October 25. Tickets range from $5 to $10. Visit www.wildwesternfestival.com or call 623-521-3856 for details. -- Rob Kroehler
Zombie Walk @ Historic Heritage Square Looking at the big picture, being a zombie doesn't seem all that bad. You're never in a hurry (and shuffling around is easy on the legs), you're impervious to pain (Broken arm? Missing jaw? No worries!) and you get to eat great food (in some countries, brains are a delicacy). Not a bad gig, if we say so ourselves.
You can get a little taste of the zombie good life at Zombie Walk 5, one of the largest gatherings of the undead in the country. Held yearly at Heritage and Science Park, the party brings together more than 10,000 walking dead for food, music, and an annual shuffle of walkers, which commences at dusk when the Zombie King and Queen (crowned at last week's Zombie Homecoming) lead the undead horde on a 1.2-mile route through the city.
Zombie Walk 5 shuffles across Phoenix beginning 2 p.m. Saturday, October 26, at 115 North Sixth Street. Admission and participation are free. Visit www.downtownphoenix.com/zombie for more. -- Zachary Fowle
Jason Alexander @ Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Hair is fluid in Hollywood. It's cut, dyed, fried, extended, shaved, colored as roles and directors see fit. Few hairstyles are sacred. Clark Gable's moustache in Gone with the Wind. Julia Roberts' red, cascading curls in Pretty Woman. Jason Alexander's bald head as George Costanza in Seinfeld.
That is, until recently. Alexander debuted his new 'do -- a full head of dark brown hair -- in late 2011, taking to Twitter to explain that the change was for a "combination of personal and professional reasons." These days, Alexander is spends less time on the small screen and more time on stage, hair in tow. He'll be at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts this Saturday -- just don't expect many bald jokes.
Showtimes are 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, October 26, at the Virginia G. Piper Theater, 7380 East Second Street. Tickets range from $45 to $79. Call 480-499-8587 or visit www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org.
Haunted Hotel Ball @ Hotel Valley Ho Listen up, slutty Cinderellas and zombie Prince Charmings. It's time to put on the six-inch glass pumps and smear on the fake blood as the Hotel Valley Ho conjures up an evening of booze, boos, and ballroom dancing. The Haunted Hotel Ball is inviting thrilling costumes and "Thriller" dance moves to Old Town Scottsdale's favorite midcentury resort. Enjoy live music on three decked-out dance floors with a soundtrack from DJ Xcalibur, DJ DECiPHA, and D.j. Tranzit. And be sure to go all out with your Halloween costume for a chance to win a $1,000 cash prize.
The Haunted Hotel Ball returns Saturday, October 26, at 6850 East Main Street. The music, mixed drinks, and mayhem start at 9 p.m. and run until 2 a.m. with special room rates offered to Haunted Ball guests. Tickets are $50 with additional table and group packages available online. Visit www.hauntedhotelball.com or call 480-248-2000. -- Katie Johnson
