From mutts to soul music, the Palace Theatre is wrapping up April with a host of events

Perhaps April showers bring May flowers, but April will bring a huge variety of entertainment to the Marion Palace Theatre.

As we close out the final quarter of “The Season of Enchantment,” we are putting the final touches on the Palace’s 96th season, which will be called “Catch the Magic!” The last of the contracts need to be signed., but we guarantee next season will be the fullest season the Palace has seen since the end of the 2019-2020 season had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Next season will be a combination of family-friendly musicals, foot-stomping country stars and some of the best tribute acts the country has to offer.

April brings us three dynamic and varied entertainments. Today, April 14, is your last opportunity to witness what great talent Marion, Ohio, has to offer with the 2 p.m. matinee of our Palace-produced play, Ken Ludwig’s "Lend Me A Tenor," sponsored by the Kathleen E. O’Shea Fund at the Marion Community Foundation.

'Mutts Gone Nuts' and rhythms of the '60s and '70s

Friday, we will be featuring our canine cabaret, "Mutts Gone Nuts" − a show that will be great for the whole family, sponsored by Alluvial Private Wealth & PHAM Orthodontics.

For the fans of great '60s and '70s rhythm and blues, we have a tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin starring Cece Teneal in "Portrait of a Queen" on April 26, sponsored by Rex & Carolyn Parrott. Teneal herself is an award-winning singer and does true justice in her embodiment of Franklin in a show that will set the Palace Theatre ablaze.

For a touch of local talent, Diverse Moves Dance Studio, under the direction of Quiana Revere, will take the stage April 27 with their spring dance recital.

Tickets for Palace shows can be purchased in person at our box office or by calling 740-383-2101 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. every weekday except Wednesday − or online at marionpalace.org. Keep in mind there is a $5 per ticket convenience fee added to online purchases.

The Palace Cultural Arts Association is 501c3 organization that receives funding from the Ohio Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Kirk Detweiler is the executive director of the Marion Palace Theatre. For more information about theatre events and activities, go to marionpalace.org.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Wide variety of shows on tap in April at Marion Palace Theatre