Living Loud

WaterTower puts Mom on stage

5/26

Dallas Observer Pop Culture Quiz #213, this time in fun-size multiple-choice form! Tonight heralds the premiere of Living Out, which is: A) The blockbusting new Jennifer Lopez vehicle, in which lovable “Lo” is a plucky Latin American mom who takes the job of caretaker of a high-rolling attorney’s (think Emma Thompson) disheveled and detached personal life. Throughout laughter and tears, they discover alarming similarities within their apparent polarities. B) A hot, happening and “now” made-for-cable series that pushes the envelope of being a gay person in today’s American society. Featuring edgy storylines and controversial portrayals, it’ll be everyone’s favorite new water cooler conversation! C) WaterTower Theatre’s latest local stage production running through June 19, based on Lisa Loomer’s original story, directed by René Moreno and featuring accomplished returning performers. If you said “C,” you’ve an eye for the obvious…but it’s also “A.” Take out J. Lo’s inverse Midas touch, insert local actors such as Lydia Mackay and Cara Statham Serber, and you have the immigrant-turned-nanny storyline, only with a focus on the caretaker role, asking the question “Who cares for the kids while the parents make a living?” Smart and celebrated, Living Out will be performed at the Addison Theatre Center, 15650 Addison Road. Call 972-450-6232 or visit www.watertowertheatre.org for tickets. –Matt Hursh

In Memoriam

5/29

The truth is, no matter whose side you are on, one thing is clear: The war has created motherless and fatherless families and brought about the unfortunate task of parents burying their own children. The Dallas Peace Center gets it. The loss isn’t just for Americans; the same scenes play out on the Iraqi side as well, and both deserve to be honored. That’s the idea on May 29 when lives lost during the U.S./Iraq conflict will be remembered during a Memorial Day concert at the Cathedral Sanctuario De Guadalupe, 2215 Ross Ave. From 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., there will be a reception and art exhibition, which will include Islamic calligraphy. From 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., music featuring Iraqi performing artists and a classical symphony string quartet will solidify the remembrance of both fronts. As representatives of the peace center say, “This is about benefiting everyone.” Tickets are $10. Proceeds benefit the Dallas Peace Center and the work of dismantling racism. Call 214-823-7793. –Jenice Johnson

King of Kings

5/27

Despite the astoundingly Polish-sounding name of their conductor and the fact that they were founded in Rochester, Jeff Tyzik & the Mambo Kings have pleased audiences nationwide with their jazzy contemporary Latin music. See them at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St., at 8 p.m. May 27 and May 28. Ticket prices range from $20 to $90. Call 214-692-0203 or visit www.dallassymphony.com. –Mary Monigold

Opera Lite

5/26

The lyrics of O Mio Babbino Caro sum up the feelings most people have about opera: “I fret and suffer torments! Oh, God, I would rather die!” Yet it’s possible that somewhere out there are folks who actually enjoy a good aria now and then but couldn’t care less about that other crap like, say, costumes or a plot. For those frustrated semi-culterati, help has arrived. Italian songbird Angela Papale will perform O Mio Babbino Caro and various other arias at North Lake College. Papale has performed in Milan, Berlin and Paris. So how does she feel about Irving? See the lyrics above. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. May 26 at Northlake College, 5001 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving. Tickets are $15 by calling 972-235-4920. –Rick Kennedy