‘Alice in Wonderland’

April 27 to May 19, 2012

Adventure and wonder often go hand in hand — especially if your name is Alice. Watch what happens as she falls into Wonderland at Theatre Cedar Rapids. Her Mad Tea Party opens Friday on the Main Stage and continues through May 19. Local writer Jason Alberty puts a contemporary twist on Lewis Carroll’s classic tale bridging the real and the fantastic. All your favorite characters will be there: the March Hare, the Queen of Hearts and the Caterpillar, all ready to make you grin like a Cheshire Cat. And the White Rabbit? Go ask Alice, I think she’ll know.

“Alice in Wonderland”: 7:30 p.m. Friday (4/27) to May 19, various times, Theatre Cedar Rapids, 102 Third St. SE; $20 and $25 adults, $15 youths, TCR Box Office, (319) 366-8591 or theatrecr.org

Martini Madness

April 28, 2012

The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art is concocting a fundraiser with a ’60s twist Saturday night. Whether you’re mad about “Mad Men,” martinis or art, all will be on tap at Martini Madness: Mad Men Mash-Up. You’re invited to be part of the in crowd at Stamats Communications. Grab your skinny tie and mini dress for an evening of sipping martinis and classic cocktails, nibbling on ’60s themed appetizers, stirring and shaking things up to the Fred Gazzo Band from Des Moines. It’s a hip hop back to the future — a blast from the past to help the Museum of Art deck the halls with stunning exhibits for years to come.

Martini Madness: 7 p.m. Saturday (4/28/12), Stamats Communications, 615 Fifth St. SE, Cedar Rapids; $58 and $68, (319) 366-7503, Ext. 206, or Crma.org

Upright Citizens Brigade Tour Co.

April 27 and 28, 2012

And now for something completely different, Orchestra Iowa is bringing comedy into its new venue, the Opus Concert Cafe, next to the Paramount Theatre. Get ready for some uptown improv in the downtown location with the Upright Citizens Brigade. The troupe, originating in Chicago and now based in Los Angeles and New York, has launched a galaxy of stars of “Saturday Night Live,” “30 Rock” and “The Daily Show,” including Amy Poehler and Ed Helms. Its touring company offers 90 minutes of improvisational comedy by the next wave of superstars, juggling new shows every night, without a safety net.

Upright Citizens Brigade Tour Co.: 7 and 9 p.m. Friday (4/27) and Saturday (4/28), Opus Concert Cafe, 119 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids; $23 general admission, (319) 366-8203, 1-(800) 369-8863 or Orchestraiowa.org