4/3
As usual, the Oscars broadcast was a parade of hot men: Clive Owen, Johnny Depp, Don Cheadle, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jamie Foxx. But one stood out from the pack. His fashion sense more daring than even Depp's most Mr. Blackwell-worthy number; his tutu more perky and girlish than Lara Flynn Boyle's 2003 Golden Globes ballerina couture disaster. He was The Snack Fairy. He didn't walk the red carpet, but during commercial breaks Nabisco revealed this hot new spokesmodel: Canadian comedian Colin Mochrie (middle-aged, balding, rubber-faced) in a royal blue polo shirt, khaki pants and pink tutu, carrying a magic wand and a sassy bag full of smart snack choices. And it was love at first sight. Mochrie is best known for his regular appearances on both the British and American versions of the improvisational game show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, playing off frequent partner Ryan Stiles like the funniest, most self-deprecating married couple ever. Mochrie and Stiles were so good together that when Mochrie began touring with Brad Sherwood, another Whose Line-r, we felt like our dad was cheating on our mom with the woman next door. But after some therapy, we're finally over it. We may actually make it to An Evening With Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood at 8 p.m. Sunday at the Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm St. Despite the large venue, the improv tradition of audience contributions and participation will still happen. During the two-man improv show, Mochrie and Sherwood will ask the audience for suggestions for a foundation on which to build original scenes and also call people onstage to participate in the action. Tickets are $29.50 to $51.50 from Ticketmaster. Call 214-373-8000. --Shannon Sutlief
Fair Play
4/6
Need to clean up your act before meeting your date's parents? Take a lesson from My Fair Lady's Eliza Doolittle. She had to relearn how to speak, eat, dress, walk, dance and behave. It may take more than a language lesson in today's global dating game--maybe some Botox and a well-distributed tan. But, hey, Eliza had to change to be loved, too. My Fair Lady, Lerner and Loewe's adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, ran 2,717 performances in London--the longest musical run in history--and Eliza "I could have danced all night!" Doolittle is perhaps the greatest stage role for women. Director Richard Hamburger will re-create the magic April 6 through May 1 at the Dallas Theater Center's Arts District Theater, 2401 Flora St. Tickets range from $18 to $63. Call 214-522-8499 or visit www.dtcinfo.org. --Danna Berger
Mad Man
4/1
Lenny Bruce. Bill Hicks. Sam Kinison. Life isn't easy on renegade comics...especially ones with a genius streak and a penchant for self-destruction. It's arguable that they don't make 'em like they used to, but stand-up comedian and radio personality Artie Lange comes pretty close in terms of adding laughs to his uneasy listening routine. Lange is unabashed about his drug-fueled dismissal from Mad TV, and his resurfacing as Howard Stern's chief (and most consistently funny) cohort proves there's some substance to his shock. See Artie at the Lakewood Theatre, 1825 Abrams Parkway, for two shows Friday (7 p.m. and 10 p.m.) and at Tower Records, 3707 Lemmon Ave., on Saturday at 1 p.m. as he signs his It's the Whiskey Talking DVD. He'll be there. The FCC will not. Call Ticketmaster at 214-373-8000 for tickets ($25 to $41) or visit www.artie-lange.com. --Matt Hursh
Klezma-Tastic
3/31
For years they've been floating in that netherworld separating the futurists from the traditionalists; they're NYC avant-historians, in other words, putting the shtetl to the metal while speeding past all other comers to the Klezmer renaissance. To goyisha ears, they sound antiquated at best and nutty-novelty at worst; if I hear Fiddler on the Roof references one more time, oy. But to my peeps the Klezmatics play soul music, whether they're davening to a mournful melody by a modern-day composer or shaking their tuches to an ancient wedding tune brought over from the Old Country. By the way, even if you don't know what the italicized words in this preview mean, go anyway when the Klezmatics perform at McFarlin Auditorium, 6400 Hillcrest Ave., at 8 p.m. on March 31; they're vunderlekh. Tickets are $12 to $55 from TITAS. Call 214-528-0126. --Robert Wilonsky
Jazz Hands
4/1
My best friend, a self-proclaimed band geek, always wanted to jam in our school's jazz band. But when she asked her band director for a shot, he told her there was no place for a flute player. (Anchorman's jazz flute scene came a decade too late.) She's still bitter. I think I'll take her to the Fifth Annual North Texas Jazz Festival in Addison so she can find some closure. About 45 university, community college, high school and middle school jazz groups will participate from April 1 through April 3 at the Hotel InterContinental. The University of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band and the Chick Corea Trio will perform, plus jazz historian Hal Miller will present his collection of rare jazz flicks. Evening concerts and Sunday breakfast cost $25 for students and $35 for adults. Hotel InterContinental is located at 15201 Dallas Parkway in Addison. Call 972-450-6281 or visit www.addisontexas.net. --Jenice Johnson
