Scouting out 2009: Variety of entertainment options headed to Cape Girardeau

Mega action

The Show Me Center kicks off its entertaining season of 2009 with a weekend of Mega Monster Trucks. Missouri's own Big Dawg defends his territory from the national threat of Rock Star. Miss Behaven sets the boys straight that girls can crush, too. The two shows will have truck racing, car crushing and freestyle motorcycle stunts.

Where: Show Me Center

When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 and 24

Raw entertainment

WWE presents RAW and ECW live. John Cena will take on Chris Jericho in a world heavyweight championship match. Rey Mysterio and Shawn Michaels will take on Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes and Manu.

Where: Show Me Center

When: 2 p.m. Feb. 1

Hooking up Cable

Larry the Cable Guy returns to Southeast Missouri, encouraging you to "Eat, Drink and Be Larry." With his bare arms and camo hat, he'll be here to tickle you pink. It's funny. I don't care who you are.

Where: Show Me Center

When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12

They've got game

The Harlem Globetrotters will again stop in Southeast Missouri to show off their ball handling, coordination and zany tricks. The Globetrotters are now in their 83rd season and just as entertaining as the first with dunking, trick shots and ball wizardry and a little bit of comedy tossed in for good measure.

Where: Show Me Center

When: 7 p.m. March 25

Choo! Choo!

A little something for the kiddies in May will be the live Thomas and Friends show, "A Circus Comes to Town." In this new musical, Thomas must prove once again that he is a helpful engine. Thomas the Train, Percy, James and Gordon join the townspeople to properly and excitedly welcome the circus to town.

Where: Show Me Center

When: 6:30 p.m. May 26, 11 a.m. May 27

A classic(al) show

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra returns to the River Campus for a late winter concert in the Bedell Performance Hall. The symphony's recordings have won several Grammy Awards and dozens more nominations.

Where: Bedell Performance Hall

When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3

Sweet

See the Tony Award-winning musical "Sweet Charity" by Neil Simon, Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields. This adult-appropriate musical follows Charity, a dance hall hostess, as she deals with the "fickle finger of fate."

Where: Bedell Performance Hall

When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 to 28; 2 p.m. March 1

Beehive yourself

"Hairspray" feeds the theory that everything that was once hip, eventually comes back around. When a plus-size fashion trendsetter sets out to dance her way onto a television show and into the heart of a guy, she takes on the snotty current "it" girl.

Where: Bedell Performance Hall

When: 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. March 8

Angels in America

"Angels in America," Tony Kushner's Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning play dealing with love, AIDS, sexuality, religion and society. This adults-only play to be performed by students in the theater department marked a turning point in the history of gay and American drama and literary culture.

Where: Rust Flexible Theatre

When: 7:30 p.m. March 26 to 28; April 1 to 4

Happy feet

The musical "Footloos," based on the 1984 movie of the same name, will be on the Bedell stage to show audiences you can't hold back the dance.

Where: Bedell Performance Hall

When: 7:30 p.m. April 20

Fairy tale dancing

The Russian National Ballet comes to Cape Girardeau for a spring performance. Members of the troupe tell the tale of "Cinderella" through dance.

Where: Bedell Performance Hall

When: 7:30 p.m. May 1

Telling tales

The first weekend in April is quickly becoming a favorite. The second Cape Girardeau Storytelling Festival is scheduled for April 3 to 5 with tents sprouting up in downtown Cape Girardeau to hold Andy Offutt Irwin, St. Louis native Bobby Norfolk, Barbara McBride and Bil Lepp as well as several regional storytellers.

Where: Downtown Cape Girardeau

When: April 3, 4, 5