11 things to do in Wilmington this weekend: Theater, concerts, Earth Day and more

Here's our weekly list of what's going on in and around Wilmington this weekend.

ALL WEEKEND

'Proof'

April 19-28 at Brunswick Little Theatre: On some level, we all fear turning into our parents. But what if one of your parents was a brilliant, mentally unstable mathematician?

That's the conundrum at the big heart of "Proof," a smart, funny Pulitzer Prize-winning drama by David Auburn that's being staged in compelling fashion at Brunswick Little Theatre under the steady directorial hand of Ken Greenman.

Shannon Reed plays Catherine, the depressed daughter of Robert, a genius math professor who struggled with mental illness for years. Catherine's a talented mathematician in her own right but had to put her career on hold to care for Dad. But now, with her very responsible bulldozer of an older sister, Claire, sweeping in to clean up their late father's estate, and with a possibly predatory former student going through her father's old notebooks as Catherine begins to question her own sanity, will she crack under the pressure?

The story, which shifts about in time, is well played, with Reed giving form to Catherine's stubborn intelligence and sharing a sisterly chemistry with Kate Reddick as the well-intentioned but overwhelmed (and overwhelming) Claire. Victor Gallo is the picture of a beloved professor as Robert and makes a believably emotional descent into madness, with first-time actor Deven Ruane holding his own as Robert's former student, Hal. 7:30 p.m. April 19-20 and 26-27, 3 p.m. April 21 and 28. Tickets are $28.

'Windows'

April 18-28 at Thalian Hall (studio theater): Big Dawg Productions presents this play of eight monologues by Tawni O'Dell inspired by the pandemic shutdown of 2020. This is the just the second production of "Windows" since its off-Broadway debut earlier this year, and the play is in talks to make a Broadway premiere later this year. 7:30 p.m. April 18-20 and 25-27, 3 p.m. April 21 and 28. 910-632-2285.

Brandon Wardell

April 19-20 at Dead Crow Comedy Room: Comic and actor has been seen on HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and Netflix's "I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson," as well as on Comedy Central. Wardell also hosts the popular comedy podcast "Yeah, But Still," and his stand-up has an endearingly awkward, absurdist vibe. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. April 19-20, tickets are $18 and $28.

'Dorothy Gillespie: Courage, Independence and Color'

April 19 and 21 at Thalian Hall: The late sculptor and painter Dorothy Gillespie's work is among the most prominently displayed Wilmington. Thalian Hall will host the world premiere of the first full-length documentary about Gillespie. 5:30 p.m. gala reception, 7 p.m. screening, April 19; 2:30 p.m. April 21. Tickets are $30 per screening, $50 for the April 19 screening and VIP reception. Q&As with the filmmakers and Gillespie's family follow both screenings. 910-632-2285.

Dorothy Gillespie: Wilmington strengthens its connection with an iconic artist via a film and 2 new sculptures

'Cinderella'

April 20-21 at CFCC Wilson Center: Wilmington's City Ballet presents this full-length work based on the famous fairy tale. With choreography by City Ballet founder and artistic director Andrea Hill, and the ballet's famous, original score by Prokofiev. 7 p.m. April 20, 3 p.m. April 21, tickets are $30, and $18 for students and children. 910-362-7999.

'The Importance of Being Earnest'

April 18-28 at UNCW's Cultural Arts Building: Billed as "a serious comedy for trivial people," UNCW's theater department presents Oscar Wilde's brilliant 1895 social satire about lies and the lying liars who tell them. 7:30 p.m. April 18-20 and 25-27, 2 p.m. April 21 and 28. Tickets are $15; $12 for seniors, UNCW employees and alumni; and $6 for students. 910-962-3500.

SATURDAY

Wilmington Earth Day Festival

April 20 at Long Leaf Park: It's the 34th annual Earth Day celebration among the towering pines of Long Leaf Park. With educational booths and vendors, a "kids eco-zone," food trucks and live music from the Yard Doggs (noon), The Rapping Red Oak and the Nature Brigade Parade (1:30 p.m.), Rose Tattoo (2 p.m.), community drummers and dancers (3 p.m.) and The Possums (4 p.m.). Noon-6 p.m. April 20, free.

Record Store Day

April 20 in Wilmington: Annual celebration of music and record stores hits on 4/20 this year, funnily enough, and Modern Legend downtown, Record Bar, Fuzzy Needle and School Kids Records in Wilmington will all have some exclusive releases and a surprise or two. Gravity Records on Castle Street isn't participating in the exclusive releases, but they'll mark down all vinyl selling for $4.99 or less to $1, and getting the party started early from 5-7 p.m. Friday with a 30th anniversary listening party for Nas' "Illmatic" with folks from Wilmington's Three Chambers Festival.

420 Fest

April 20 at Waterline Brewing: Rapper Sheme of Gold and Wilmington artist Spooky Kyd present this annual festival of music, makers and more. Bands include Wilmington punk act Tercel, with Fort Lowell Records spinning the late shift with body-moving tunes for the "Let's Dance!" portion of the evening. 2-6 p.m. outdoor stage and market, 6-10 p.m. indoor stage, April 20.

Suck Rock Records showcase

April 20 at Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Quadruple bill from upstart Wilmington label Suck Rock Records is filled with some of Wilmington's best young bands. On the slate is dynamic blues punk act The Queen's Giant; indie rockers Lawn Enforcement, whose rad new single "Crash Course" has a sweet melody that explodes into an anthemic chorus; Carolina Beach rockers Pearl, led by former Pleasure Island singer Chloe Torres; and Hiding from Texas, which is the new name for the band Cancel, whose jangly, propulsive EP "Heaven Can't Wait" dropped on Suck Rock last year. 7 p.m. April 20, $ at the door.

SUNDAY

The Hot Flashes

April 21 at the Lazy Pirate in Carolina Beach: Wilmington pop/rock/R&B band made up of women of a certain age plays a collection of carefully selected pop bangers, including Elle King's "Ex's & Oh's," Jay-Z's "99 Problems," "Dua Lipa's "Begging" and Rihanna's "Hard," that they often blend into medleys. 3:30 p.m. April 21.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: What's going on in Wilmington, NC for April 19-21, 2024