Oleanna: David Mamet wrote Oleanna shortly after the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings, which were a huge factor in bringing the term "sexual harassment" into household usage. It's a two-character play, told with Mamet's trademark overlapping dialogue and high tension, that explores the notion of sexual harassment through the interactions of a female student and her professor, whom she's called out as "sexist." The audience is left to decide whether the good prof deserves tenure or a ruined career; whether he was actually inappropriate or the victim of a psycho with a political agenda. This production, by Sidewinder Actors Theatre, runs through May 6 at Carefree Amphitheatre, 101 Easy St., Carefree. Call 602-680-0817.
Aida: What do gay rock icons do with their downtime? Why, they write Disney rock musicals, of course. Set in ancient Egypt, Sir Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida grafts a pop-rock score busting with ballads and high-kicking dance numbers onto that old saw about an Ancient Egyptian princess who falls in love with her conqueror, the Egyptian captain Radames. Disney's take on Nubian handmaidens is certainly more wholesome than anything the pre-Sir version of Sir Elton might have presented, but Aida is still hardly a show for the whole family. See for yourself at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 5247 E. Brown Rd., Mesa. Call 480-325-6700 for showtimes and prices. Through June 10.
Jungle Book: Based on the classic Rudyard Kipling tale about a young boy raised by wolves, this kid-friendly perennial wraps up Valley Youth Theatre's kiddy season. (A more adult-friendly production of Bye Bye, Birdie will be performed this summer at the Herberger.) Mowgli learns various life lessons as well as the ways of the jungle with assistance from a talking bear, panther and python in a script that owes a little more to the Disney animated feature than to the original story. Through May 7 at Valley Youth Theatre, 525 N. 1st St., Phoenix. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Fridays, noon and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are $15 each; to reserve them, call 602-253-8188.
Jesus Christ Superstar: Who in the world does He think He is? He'll tell you -- in song! -- if you'll get yourself down to Desert Stages Theatre. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's tuneful retelling of the greatest story ever told makes music out of the final seven days of Jesus' life, as reported by his former pal Judas Iscariot. This one's directed by Gregg Temple, with Edgar Andrew Torrens as Judas and Myles Vann as Mr. The Christ. This done-to-death rock opera was first introduced as a concept album in 1970 before opening on Broadway. The score popped off two chart hits: the title song from the original cast recording, and a cover of "I Don't Know How to Love Him" by Helen Reddy. No, really. The show runs through Sunday, April 30; performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $22 in advance, $25 day of show. Seniors and students pay only $20. Reservations are recommended. Desert Stages Theatre is located at 4720 N. Scottsdale Rd. in Scottsdale. Call 480-483-1664 for more information.
