‘It’s a Small World’ Exhibit
Jan. 11-April 9
Connections Café exhibition space
Tempe Public Library
3500 S. Rural Road
    Valley artists Keith Stanton and Ernie Button show what life looks like through a different kind of lens. Stanton uses a macro lens that allows him to present small objects to the same scale as snapshots “of the family picnic” and enjoys emphasizing suburban culture. Button’s photographic series, Cerealism, shows off a playful side of the more “adult” cereals. For information, visit www.tempe.gov/ arts/events/cafe.htm.

‘Moulthrop Generations’ Reception
7-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18
ASU Art Museum
SE corner, Mill Ave. & Tenth St.
480-965-9076
    The museum currently is hosting an exhibit titled “Moulthrop Generations: Turned Wood Vessels by Ed, Philip, and Matt Moulthrop,” through Feb. 24. The Moulthrops are a dynasty of artists—grandfather, son, and grandson—who have made significant contributions to the field of woodturning and share a consistency of vision and process. Ed began turning as a teenager in the 1930s; Philip began turning in the 1970s; Matt, who has spent his life around wood, is just beginning his career. “Moulthrop Generations” presents more than 70 turned wood vessels from 1979 until today by the three artists. A color catalogue for the exhibition is available in the ASU Art Museum Store; call to order. For more information, visit http://asuartmuseum.asu.edu/moulthropgenerations.

Etruscan Art: a Journey to the Underworld
7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23
Life Sciences Center A-191
Arizona State University
602-439-3356
    Larissa Bonfante, a professor at New York University, will give a free lecture on “The Etruscan Underworld.” According to Bonfante, Etruscan art represents many images of the Underworld, perhaps not surprisingly, since much of it comes from graves in central Italy dating from 1000 to 100 B.C. Many of the images depict characters from Greek myth, which the Etruscans adopted as an integral part of classical culture and used to express their own customs, ideas and religious beliefs. The lecture is sponsored by the Central Arizona Society of the Archaeological Institute of America and the ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change.

‘Menopause The Musical’
Jan. 10-March 30
Theater 4301
Galleria Corporate Centre
4301 N. Scottsdale Road
480-994-ARTS (2787)
    The ensemble production features four women at a department store’s lingerie sale with nothing in common but a black lace bra and hot flashes, night sweats, memory loss, chocolate binges, not enough sex, too much sex, and more. A joyful parody of 25 re-lyricized classic baby boomer hits, the 90-minute show features chart-toppers including  “I Heard It Thru the Grapevine You No Longer See 39,” “Puff, My God I’m Draggin,” and the disco favorite “Stayin‘ Awake! Stayin‘ Awake!” Tickets are $42.50. Show times are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.menopausethemusical.com.

Phoenix Comicon
Jan. 26-27
Mesa Convention Center
263 N. Center St.
602-697-4007
    Only in comic books and movies can these characters have their stories told, and only at the Phoenix Comicon can you meet the actors who brought them to life; along with comic book artists, anime voice actors, and best selling authors. Expected guests include: Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk), Walter Koenig (Star Trek’s Lt. Chekov), Tim Russ (Star Trek: Voyager Lt. Tyvok), Peter Mayhew (Star Wars’ Chewbacca), Jeremy Bulloch (Star Wars’ Boba Fett), and Jeph Loeb (writer & producer Lost and Heroes). There also will be a Zombie Beauty Pageant, a Jedi Lightsaber training for kids, Japanese fashion show, art auction, musical performance by Star Trek’s Tim Russ, costume contest, dance, and anime dodgeball. Doors open at 10 a.m. Full events tickets are $25, with single-day passes available. Kids 10 and under get in free with a paid adult. Tickets are available online at www.phoenixcomicon.com and at local comic book stores.

‘Anything Goes’
Tues.-Sat., through Feb. 9
Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre
5247 E. Brown Road, Mesa
480-325-6700
    This gloriously funny show features a cast of zany characters, a classic score and a whole ship full of tap-dancing sailors and chorus girls. The rousing plot takes place on a transatlantic cruise liner and features some of Cole Porter’s most memorable tunes, including “You’re the Top,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “Blow, Gabriel, Blow,” “Friendship,” “It’s De-Lovely” and of course the show-stopping “Anything Goes.” Adult ticket prices range from $45 to $54 and include a gourmet buffet meal. Tickets for children 12 and under are $22. Show Only seats are available for $25. Purchase tickets online at broadwaypalmwest.com.

‘Cloris!”
Feb. 6-9
Tempe Center for the Arts
700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy.
480-350-2822
    Academy Award, and nine-time Emmy winner Cloris Leachman will workshop her new one woman show “Cloris!” in Tempe before embarking on a 11-city U.S. tour. “Cloris!” will play for five shows only. Performances are 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $30-$35. For more information, visit http://tca.ticketforce.com/ default.asp.

‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’
Selected dates in February
Tempe Center for the Arts
700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy.
480-350-2822
    Presented by Tempe Little Theatre and based on the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz. This delightful musical comedy is filled with little moments picked from the days of Charlie Brown and his friends. Show dates and times are 8 p.m. Feb. 15-16 & 22-23, 7 p.m. Feb. 21, and 2 p.m. Feb. 16-17 & 23-24. Tickets are $20 for adults and $18 for students/seniors. For  tickets, visit www.tempe.gov/TCA.

‘Twelve Angry Men’
Feb. 19-24
ASU Gammage
1200 S. Forest Ave.
480-965-3434
    A young delinquent awaits sentencing for the manslaughter of his aggressive father. Twelve jurors are corralled in a room for their deliberations in a murder trial. One juror, played by well-know TV actor Richard Thomas, feels that there is a “reasonable doubt”—to the frustration of his eleven colleagues —thereby preventing a quick verdict. During the heated debate, the hidden preconceptions and assumptions of the jurors are revealed. When faced with playing the hangman, each juror is forced to face himself. Presented by Roundabout Theatre Company. Tickets range from $19.75 to $56 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com or from the Gammage Box Office.