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Joe Jefferson Players' "Tartuffe" takes the classic Moliere comedy and re-imagines it in the style of a trashy '80s prime-time soap opera. (Courtesy of JJP)
A scoundrel has come to Mobile, as Joe Jefferson Players presents a timeless Moliere comedy dressed up in the trappings of "Falcon Crest" and "Dynasty." Other imminent entertainment options include a film fest, a symphony concert, a percussion concert and, of course, the start of Mobile's Mardi Gras parade season.
DRAMA
The first Joe Jefferson Players production of 2016 is one that had its premiere in 1664: Moliere's "Tartuffe," a comedy built on the timeless themes of fake virtue and familial intrigue. Timothy Guy directs "a colorful retelling" of the classic, re-imagining it as "a soapy, sudsy prime-time '80s drama."
Joe Jefferson Players: "Tartuffe" opened Friday, Jan. 15 and runs through Sunday, Jan. 31. Showtimes are 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays at 11 S. Carlen St. Tickets are $20, discounted to $15 for seniors and military personnel at $10 for students. To order tickets, or for more information, visit the Joe Jefferson Playhouse Facebook page, call 251-471-1534 or visit www.joejeffersonplayers.com.
CONCERTS
The Mobile Symphony Orchestra enters the new year with the newest concert in its "American Masters" series. The program features works from Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland and Samuel Berber, with soprano Julia Bullock performing selections from "West Side Story."
Mobile Symphony Orchestra, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, at the Mobile Saenger Theatre. Individual tickets range from $20 to $75; they can be purchased online at www.mobilesymphony.org, by phone at 251-432-2010, or at the symphony box office, 257 Dauphin St. More details can be found online at www.mobilesymphony.org.
REALITY TV
Last year, the world got a reality show set in Mobile, with a cast of Mobile-area characters: the Oxygen channel's "Prancing Elites Project." Based on the adventures of a troupe of gay black men who perform the traditionally female dance style known as "J-setting," the show was so upbeat that one media outlet referred to it as "inspiration porn." The show's back and it's bigger: For Season 2, episodes expands from a half hour to an hour.
"The Prancing Elites Project" Season 2 premiere, airs at 7 p.m. Central time on the Oxygen channel; availability varies. For previously aired episodes, additional videos and other information, visit http://www.oxygen.com/the-prancing-elites-project.
FILM & FAITH
The Mobile Area Jewish Federation opened its annual Mobile Jewish Film Festival on Jan. 10, and screenings continuing through Jan. 24. Organizers describe this as a year of firsts: The first screening of a kid-friendly film ("Secrets of War"), the first return screening of a classic Jewish film ("Hester Street") and the first time the fest has spanned three weekends.
2016 Mobile Jewish Film Festival, through Jan. 24; information, including film synopses, trailers and ticket ordering, can be found at www.mobilejewishfederation.org. Tickets for most screenings are $8, discounted to $6 for youths 18 and under, seniors 55 and older and college students with ID; the Jan. 20 screening of "Hester Street" is free. For more information or to order tickets by phone, call 251-343-7197. Upcoming films include the family-friendly WWII drama "Secrets of War," 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, at Springhill Avenue Temple; Holocaust docudrama "A Blind Hero: The Love of Otto Weidt," 7 pm. Tuesday, Jan. 19, USA Fairhope Campus; "Hester Street," 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, Ben May Main Library; feel-good schoolroom drama "Once in a Lifetime," 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, Ahavas Chesed Synagogue.
MARDI GRAS
The barricades have been up for a while now, and Mobile's parade season gets rolling on Friday, Jan. 22, when the Conde Cavaliers roll. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. and rolls on Route A.
On Saturday, Jan. 23, the Bayport Parading Society and the Mystic DJ Riders roll on Route A at 2:30 p.m.; that evening, the Pharoahs Mystic Society and the Conde Explorers roll at 6:30 p.m., also on Route A.
Saturday also brings a different Carnival tradition, the annual M.O.O.R.E Ball. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at Soul Kitchen, 219 Dauphin St., for a lineup including Zoogma, CBDB and Post Pluto. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of show; visit www.soulkitchenmobile.com for more information.
RHYTHM
The University of South Alabama Percussion Studio will host a guest artist performance on Friday, Jan. 22, presenting the Duo Tierra Fria. According to information provided by the USA Department of Music, Tierra Fria was formed by Brant Blackard and Connor Stevens while both were students at the Eastman School of Music, focusing on performing contemporary music within the percussion duo repertoire as well as presenting their own arrangements of classic repertoire.
Duo Tierra Fria in concert, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, at the USA Laidlaw Performing Arts Center. Tickets for this Department of Music event will be sold at the door only. Admission is $8 general and $5 for USA faculty & staff, USA students, youths under 18 and all senior citizens (cash or check only). Persons needing more information about this event or in need of special accommodation may call 251-460-7116 or 251-460-6136.