14 things to do in Wilmington for a pre-Valentine's Day, Super Bowl weekend

It took a while, but I think it's finally safe to say that live theater in Wilmington is fully back from the pandemic.

There are five shows to see on area stages this weekend, counting a Broadway tour, which is probably the most there's been at one time since everything shut down back in 2020.

But it's not just theater this weekend. There's some comedy, a few cool concerts, a step show and a little something called the Super Bowl. And, if the thought of going out on Valentine's Day next Tuesday fills you with dread, get a jump on the holiday with some fun weekend events perfect for all the couples out there.

ALL WEEKEND

'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown'

At the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center: "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" has been a staple of community theater ever since it debuted on Broadway more than 50 years ago, thanks in part to its simple set and costumes, not-too-challenging songs and the built-in goodwill that comes from almost everyone having a warm and fuzzy feeling about the well-drawn "Peanuts" characters it depicts.

Longtime Wilmington comedy and theater troupe Pineapple-Shaped Lamps, known mainly for staging original sketch shows, edgy plays and the occasional raunchy musical, takes a step into the mainstream here, and the results are sweet and sometimes surprising. It doesn't hurt that they've got a ringer for a director − Kevin Lee-y Green of Wilmington's Techmoja Dance & Theatre Co., who molds the show into an endearing little package that delivers some standout moments and nails the "Peanuts" tone of smart, relatable humor with complex psychological underpinnings.

There's not really a plot, just a series of scenes and chirpy songs featuring the day-to-day triumphs and (mostly) travails of kids who are played by adults: Charlie Brown (Brett J. Young, capturing a mix of insecurity and determination); his little sister, Sally (Amy Carter, adept at swinging from innocence to indignation); mean girl Lucy (Anna Gamel Huber, scoring laughs with some intentional caterwauling); her blanket-wielding brother, Linus (Zeb Mims, effective at waxing philosophic); and Beethoven-loving pianist Schroeder (Beau Mumford, exasperation incarnate).

And then there's Charlie Brown's dog, Snoopy, played by Reilly Callaghan, who chews the scenery like Snoopy attacking his food bowl.

No one really wows you with their vocals, although Carter and Young have their moments, but the cast makes scene after scene great, watchable fun, whether Huber's Lucy is relating dead-wrong "facts" to Linus or Carter's Sally calls her teacher's competence into question. (If she was such a good teacher, how did Sally get a "C"?)

And while "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" isn't really a dance show, aside from a frantic duet with Carter and Callaghan that comes off like a real-life scene from Looney Tunes, the choreographic hand of Green is evident, with performers moving in gracefully interesting ways, getting in a kick line and doing some of the distinctive "Peanuts"-style dancing that comes off like kids just making up weird, exuberant moves as they go along.

The basic and cartoonish but effective set seals the deal, with a fun, multi-segmented school bus and a picture-perfect rendering of Lucy's psychiatry booth. It's a good show, Charlie Brown. 7:30 p.m. Feb.10-11, 3 p.m. Feb.12. Details and tickets at PSLcomedy.com.

'Airness'

At Thalian Hall's Stein Studio Theatre: Big Dawg Productions opens this award-winning play by Chelsea Marcantel. It's about Nina (Bianca Shaw), who finds her tribe in the unlikeliest of places: An air guitar competition. Rife with rock songs, it's a rock'n'roll comedy with a heart. Jace Carlyle Berry directs. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9-11 and 16-18, 3 p.m Feb. 12 and 19. 910-632-2285.

'The Philadelphia Story'

At Thalian Hall: It's rare for a non-musical play to get a spot on the main stage at Thalian, so expect some sumptuous sets and period costumes in this 1930s-set screwball comedy that inspired the classic movie starring Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart and Katherine Hepburn. The story follows the romantic travails of Tracy Lord (Alissa Fetherolf), whose impending nuptials are thrown into disarray by the appearance of her ex-husband. Wilmington musical theater standout Kendra Goehring directs. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10-11 and 17-18, 2 p.m. Feb. 12 and 19. 910-632-2285.

'Moon Over Buffalo'

At Brunswick Little Theatre: Fast-moving farce by Ken Ludwig about a married couple, both washed-up stage actors, who spy their big chance to break into the pictures when they find out Frank Capra is coming to the next performance of their play.

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Naturally, everything goes spectacularly wrong. Stars Stuart Pike and Maria-Luisa Winslow as the couple in question. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9-11 and 3 p.m. Feb. 12. BrunswickLittleTheatre.com.

Ralph Barbosa

At Dead Crow Comedy Room: Up-and-coming comedian appeared on HBO Max and Comedy Central for the first time last year, and just three weeks ago he made his debut on "The Tonight Show" with Jimmy Fallon. In that appearance, Barbosa talked about growing up with his Spanish-speaking Latino grandmother and how he often used her inability to speak English to his advantage. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Feb. 10-11, tickets are $18 and $28.

THURSDAY

'The Book of Mormon'

At the CFCC Wilson Center: There might still be a few tickets left to the final (of three) local performances of this touring Broadway musical comedy. From the creators of "South Park," the long-running Tony winner is about the sometimes-raunchy misadventures of young Mormon missionaries. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9, tickets start at $31. 910-362-7999.

FRIDAY

The Wright Ave.

At Bourgie Nights: Up-and-coming Greensboro jam band band rolls into downtown for what should be a packed house. Opening act is Wilmington songwriter David Dixon. 9 p.m. Feb. 10, $12 in advance, $15 day of show.

Comedy at the Kettle

At The Brewer's Kettle: Wilmington comic Ellie Coleman heads this fundraiser and comedy show to raise money for a local woman's medical bills. Stacked lineup includes Wilmington comics Jack Nelson, Lew Morgante, Meghan Cook, Steve Melia and more. 8 p.m. Feb. 10, $10.

'The Devil's Stomping Ground'

Pointe 14 cinemas: After premiering at Wilmington's Cucalorus Film Festival last November, Wilmington filmmaker Jon Landau's found footage horror film gets a theatrical release. The movie follows a crew of young independent filmmakers shooting a movie at a supposedly haunted site in the woods, where they fight, make out, and eventually come to A Very Bad End.

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Raise the Ruff concert

At the Brooklyn Arts Center: Beatles tribute band Here There & Everywhere plays an assortment of Beatles classics, with special focus on the album "Let it Be," to raise money for Paws Place, a no-kill, non-profit shelter. 6 p.m. Feb. 10, $55.

NPHC Homecoming Step Show

At Kenan Auditorium: As part of UNCW's homecoming weekend, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, which is comprised of historically Black sororities and fraternities, will put on its 24th annual step show. If you're not familiar with step shows, or stepping, it's a form of percussive dance that can be pretty exhilarating, and thrives on enthusiastic audience response. 7 p.m. Feb. 10, $15 and $12 for students in advance, $25 day of show.

SATURDAY

6th annual Cape Fear Hooley Under the Bridge

At Waterline Brewing: Annual fundraiser for Wilmington's St. Patrick's Day parade (March 11 this year) is a full day of entertainment in itself. UNCW's Community Music Academy Youth Choir will sing traditional and classic Irish songs, and the Banna Band, the Wilmington Police Pipes and Drums, Celtic dancers and others will perform as well.

11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 11. Donations accepted.

Supersuckers

At Reggie's 42nd Street Tavern: Primo rock show at Reggie's this weekend headlined by this twangy rock act, which has been around since the 1980s. Opening acts are two excellent Wilmington bands, garage rockers The Girls and hard-rock heroes Evening Shadows. 7 p.m. Feb. 11, $15.

The Paper Stars

At Live at Ted's: Rare show by this top-notch Wilmington indie folk act is sure to sell out. Led by singer and songwriter Tres Altman, last year the group put out an excellent EP, "Far Away," filled with groovy melodies and easy, deeply felt vocals. 8 p.m. Feb. 11, $12.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Things to do in Wilmington NC this weekend, Feb. 9-12