Things to do: Bon Jovi, Manilow tributes, 'The Elephant Man,' 'Tuesdays with Morrie'

'The Elephant Man' at KSU Stark

The Players Guild Theatre will present "The Elephant Man" over two upcoming weekends in the Mary J. Timken Theatre at Kent State University at Stark.

Based on the life of John Merrick, who lived in London during the latter part of the 19th century, the production will be staged from Jan. 27-29 and Feb. 3-5. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays.

Tickets are $34 and $45, with a buy-one-get-one-free discount when at least two are purchased. Tickets are available at https://www.playersguildtheatre.com/. The box office can be reached at 330-244-3224.

A deformed young man with rare bone and skin diseases, Merrick had become a star of the traveling freak show circuit. When a renowned doctor takes Merrick under his care, he is astonished by Merrick’s intelligence and unshakable faith.

Roles include Henrick Sawczak as Merrick and Michael Glavan as Frederick Treves.

Parking is free on campus. The Players Guild and Timken Theatre are located at Kent State University at Stark in the Fine Arts Building, 6000 Frank Ave. NW in Jackson Township.

Bublé, Manilow and Diamond tribute

Spotlight Entertainment will present a Michael Bublé, Barry Manilow and Neil Diamond tribute show Jan. 21 at La Pizzaria in Jackson Township.

Three male vocalists and two female background vocalists will perform songs backed by a five-piece band. The new tribute show will feature hit songs from each of the three musical artists.

Tickets are $42.50 and include dinner. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. A cash bar will be available.

Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/ when searching for the venue name under Canton or by calling the box office at 330-327-2087. La Pizzaria is at 3656 Dressler Road NW.

The St. Nicholas Balalaika Orchestra in Canton

The St. Nicholas Balalaika Orchestra will perform Russian folk music at 2 p.m. Sunday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 425 Cleveland Ave. SW in Canton.

The free concert is sponsored by the MacDowell Music Club of Canton. Bass Kenneth Kramer will perform with the group. Instruments include a dombra, balalaika and accordion. A Russian-style reception will follow the performance.

Award Nominated Film Series at Palace Theatre

"Tár" will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Canton Palace Theatre as part of the 2023 Award Nominated Film Series.

The movie is set in the international world of Western classical music, centering on Lyida Tár, who is considered one of the greatest living composer-conductors and is the first female music director of a major German orchestra.

Doors open one hour before the 7:30 p.m. movie. A Canton Symphony Orchestra performance will be at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $7 each and available at the door.

Bon Jovi tribute band at Ohio Star Theater

A Bon Jovi tribute band will perform at 7 p.m. Jan. 28 at Ohio Star Theater at Dutch Valley in the Sugarcreek area.

Tickets for CRUSH Bon Jovi Experience, $34 to $54, can be purchased at www.ohiostartheater.com or by calling the box office at 855-344-7547. Ohio Star Theater is at 1387 Old Route 39 NE.

Formed in 2019, the Indianapolis-based band is led by vocalist Doug Shepard, who is joined by his wife and fellow singer Anna Martinez Shepard.

The Intangibles at George's Lounge

Local rock band The Intangibles will perform Jan. 21 at George's Lounge in downtown Canton.

Toolebox & The Crew also will be part of the 8 p.m. show at George's, 229 Cleveland Ave. NW.

The Intangibles released a new album, "Birdlime" late last year featuring 10 tracks. Toolebox & the Crew released the EP, "My Last Day" in 2020.

'Tuesdays with Morrie' on stage in Barberton

'Tuesdays with Morrie' will be presented Jan. 27-29 at Magical Theatre Company in Barberton.

The play will feature Stark County resident Michael Sonata, who performed in November as Frank Sinatra in a Rat Pack tribute show at the Canton Palace Theatre.

Sonata's past roles at Magical Theatre include Otto Frank in "The Diary of Anne Frank" and Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol."

The script is adapted from the bestselling novel by Mitch Albom of the same name.

Friday and Saturday performances are 7:30 p.m. and Sunday is 2 p.m. at 565 W. Tuscarawas Ave. in Barberton. Tickets are $18 and $20 and can be purchased at https://www.magicaltheatre.org/ or by calling 330-848-3708.

Reach Ed at 330-580-8315 and ebalint@gannett.com. On Twitter: @ebalintREP.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: 'The Elephant Man,' Bon Jovi, Bublé tributes, 'Tuesdays with Morrie'