Lots of theater openings tonight:
CLYBOURNE PARK: Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award for best play, this title almost seems like it comes to Fresno straight from Broadway. (I got to see it in New York in 2012, and Bruce Norris’ script is sensational.) The new Fresno State production, which opens tonight at the John Wright Theatre, is the cover story in today’s 7 section. Don’t miss Bee photographer John Walker’s photo gallery of the production.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: Children’s Musical Theaterworks is offering a fresh take on a beloved title with a new production of “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” The show features a cast ages 10-20. The creative concept for the production includes “new ideas on costumes and set pieces.” The production runs at the Fresno Memorial Auditorium through Dec. 15.
A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD: Hard to believe, but it’s a year already since we spent “A Year with Frog and Toad.” StageWorks Fresno brings back the well-received production for another holiday run opening Friday night at Severance Theatre and continuing through Dec. 22.
BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER: The Raisin Cain Players presents the well-known production about a group of siblings that terrorizes a church Christmas pageant in the new downtown Arts Center in Selma.