Coming soon to downtown Mesa: big changes to one of the city’s acclaimed all-ages attractions.

Coming soon to downtown Mesa: big changes to one of the city’s acclaimed all-ages attractions.

Start marking your calendars with all the shows you plan to see this season. Arizona Theatre Company has announced its 2013-2014 lineup.

“The Sunshine Boys”: Neil Simon’s play about a retired comedy duo who hate each other but join forces for a final television performance is sure to keep audience members laughing.

Arizona Theatre Company’s production portrays an imaginary 1939 meeting between Sigmund Freud, the famous atheist, and C.S. Lewis, the renown Christian apologist. They discuss God, love, sex and the meaning of existence.

Sometimes, something’s so bad you can’t help but watch. Take any number of reality or competition TV shows, or highlight reels of grotesque sports injuries that should make your stomach turn but instead have you rewinding to watch again in slow motion.

Sixty-two nominations from 18 Arizona communities were submitted in six categories for the 32nd annual Governor’s Arts Awards — honors given to individuals and businesses who have made substantial and outstanding contributions to arts and culture statewide. The East Valley has quite a few names in the running.

Thirty-five student teams from The Design School at the Arizona State University Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts will begin a 10-day competition to develop ideas to improve, enhance and redesign interior and exterior spaces at the Arizona Museum for Youth in Mesa.

It is a universally acknowledged truth that a Jane Austen story, with several film and television versions, must be in want of a musical re-write. At least Paul Gordon, the creative genius behind “Jane Austen’s Emma,” on stage through Jan. 20 at Herberger Center Theater, thinks so. His hilariously dazzling production, produced by Arizona Theatre Company, makes it difficult for Austen novices or fans to disagree.

Enjoy a romantic evening watching this musical rendition of Jane Austen’s novel, telling the story of a young woman who assumes the role of matchmaker but learns valuable lessons of the heart instead. The show features music by Tony Award-nominated composer Paul Gordon and stars Anneliese van der Pol in the title role. Monday’s performance includes a pre-show champagne and sparkling cider reception.

Bright, clear, 80-degree days. This is what you get with a desert December, and it’s what youngsters and their families can explore Dec. 1 at ASU Art Museum.

Know someone who works tirelessly to support Arizona’s arts and culture? You could put them in the running for a big award.

If the handful of theater-goers in head-to-toe Packers gear aren’t a clue, the stage — with a lit-up scoreboard, stadium lights and a football field backdrop — is.

Martin Taylor’s email is said in jest, but sums up life in his Chandler family’s home very well: “Sorry we haven’t been in touch. It’s a circus around here.”

The man behind the legend takes the spotlight in “Lombardi,” a play, billed by the Wall Street Journal as “an extremely well-crafted piece of intelligent theatre.”

Our military protects and defends us, but it’s a lesser known fact that they also entertain us. The United States Air Force Concert Band and the Singing Sergeants do just that with a free community performance October 25 at ASU Gammage.

Don’t Stop the Music: Local musicians including Unified Fusion, Yourchestra and All Together Now, play continuously for 24 hours at this family event to raise money and awareness for music therapy. Prizes will be raffled off every hour and at midnight there will be a Midnight Madness Drum Circle, led by Frank Thompson of AZ Rhythm Connection.

Performing Arts 2012-13 season preview

Performing Arts 2012-13 season preview

Performing Arts 2012-13 season preview

Performing Arts 2012-13 season preview