"The Secret Garden," "Annie Jr." (an abbreviated, children's version of the Broadway musical), a new work by local playwright David Kranes and a special, signed performance of Salt Lake Acting Company's new comedy, "Gun-Shy," are among new offerings this week for theatergoers in the region.A LOSS OF APPETITE, David Kranes' poignant drama about a widowed, 60-something couple dealing with loss and renewal, will have a staged reading on Monday at 7:30 p.m. in Salt Lake Acting Company's Upstairs Theatre, 168 W. 500 North.
Gail Hickman and Gene Pack portray the couple, who meet by chance in a florist shop. Ellie (Hickman) impetuously invites Ross (Pack) to her home for dinner. But Ellie is not at all sure this was a good idea. Ross is recalcitrant, stodgy and socially inept.
But, as the evening wears on, Ellie -- and the audience -- will be treated to some fairly remarkable surprises.
David Kirk Chambers has directed the reading, which is free and open to the general public.
Earlier works by Kranes, which have received fully staged productions at SLAC, include "Winter of the Deer," "The Salmon Run," "Cantrell" and "1102/1103." An instructor at the University of Utah, Kranes has also published five novels (a sixth, "The National Tree," is due out in October).
Another play by Kranes, "House, Bridge, Fountain, Gate," received a staged reading recently at SLAC and will be produced by the Lark Theatre in New York City later this year.
THE SECRET GARDEN, the Broadway musical based on the popular children's book, will be presented April 21-June 5 by the Terrace Plaza Playhouse, 99 E. 4700 South, Ogden.
Jan Williams-Smith is directing a cast that includes Alexis Pearce as Mary, Brandi Jackola as Lily, Jeff Parry as Archibald Craven, Bryan Mortensen as Colin and Kim Florence as Dr. Craven.
Performances will be Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. All seating is reserved. For tickets, call 393-0070.
METAMORPHOSIS, a student-directed play in the U. Lab Theatre, is scheduled for five performances in the school's Performing Arts Building April 20-23.
(Be prepared for considerable congestion in the facility's narrow hallways. A rehearsal hall in the north end of the building is being utilized for the closing performances of "Cabaret" on the same dates. Both theaters are accessible from an entrance on the south side of the building, off the parking lot and just west of the campus book store.)
Playwright Steven Berkoff adapted Franz Kafka's surreal book for the stage. The set will resemble a giant bug, which facilitates interaction with the central character's family.
Performances will be 7:30 p.m. April 20-22, 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 23, and one matinee on Friday, April 21, at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for all students. Tickets may be purchased at the door or reserved in advance by calling 581-6961.
GUN-SHY, Richard Dresser's comic look at romantic relationships, will have a special signed performance for the hearing-impaired on Wednesday, April 19, at 8 p.m. in Salt Lake Acting Company's Upstairs Theatre.
This performance will have general admission seating, with all seats $20 each ($10 for students with valid identification). All tickets can be purchased at the door, 168 W. 500 North.
"Gun-Shy" contains adult themes and some offensive language. It is recommended for mature audiences.
LEHI HIGH SCHOOL'S theater department has been selected to participate in the American High School Theater Festival in Scotland in 2001.
Some 350 high schools were nominated for next year's festival, with only 12 being selected. This marks the first time a school from Utah has been chosen.
CAST AND CREW from Weber State University's production of "The Serpent" are in Washington, D.C., for performances in the Terrace Theatre of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as part of this year's American College Theater Festival.
WSU's theater department was one of the finalists in the nationwide competition.
"The Serpent" will be presented on Monday evening, followed by a reception, with a second performance on Tuesday evening. The Utah troupe will return to Utah on Thursday afternoon.
Information on stage productions or auditions must be submitted at least two weeks in advance. Compiled by Ivan M. Lincoln, Deseret News theater editor, 1-801-236-6017. Fax: 1-801-237-2550; e-mail: ivan@desnews.com