This weekend, you can contemplate the mysteries of the universe, revisit the ’90s or watch a giant robot dinosaur crush cars. Worcester likes to keep its options open.
The lineup also includes nationally known improv performers at Off The Rails and Shakespeare’s most famously doomed couple at the BrickBox Theater. Whether your tastes run toward high culture, high-flying trucks or something entirely unpredictable, there’s plenty to choose from.
Here are five picks for the weekend:
- No script, no safety net: Bluebird Improv brings some serious comedy credentials to Off The Rails on Sunday, Oct. 11, for a show in which even the performers don’t know what’s about to happen. The nationally touring troupe builds each performance from a brief conversation with the audience, spinning it into completely improvised characters and scenes. The Worcester lineup includes Marc Evan Jackson of “The Good Place” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” Stephnie Weir of “MADtv” and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” Brad Morris of “The Bear” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and Second City and Boom Chicago veteran Joe Canale. The show begins at 7 p.m. at Off The Rails, 90 Commercial St.
- How’s about some hot stuff? Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live roars into the DCU Center Saturday, Oct. 10, with oversized versions of childhood favorites doing things that would be frowned upon in most parking lots. The Glow-N-Fire tour features Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, Bone Shaker, Bigfoot, Skelesaurus and newcomer Rhinomite, along with FMX riders performing high-flying stunts. And because giant trucks apparently weren’t enough, there’s also a fire-breathing, car-crushing robot dinosaur. The family-friendly mayhem begins at 6:30 p.m.
- No walk of shame after a one night band: One-Night Band takes over Electric Haze Saturday, Oct. 10, for two sets devoted to the decade that gave us grunge, alt-rock and a whole lot of songs we still know every word to. The one-night-only lineup brings together Kendra of A Strange Invitation on ukulele, theremin and vocals; JJ and Brad of Ramshackle on guitar and percussion; and Dave of The Bluesberries on bass. They’ll start acoustic, plug in for the second set and spend the night reinterpreting ’90s favorites. Music runs from 8-10 p.m.
- A big bang for your six bucks: Could tiny black holes left over from the Big Bang hold the answer to one of the universe’s biggest mysteries? MIT physicist David Kaiser tackles that question Saturday, Oct. 10, during the EcoTarium’s October Astrophysics Speaker Series at the Alden Planetarium. His talk, “Could Tiny Black Holes from the Big Bang Solve the Mystery of Dark Matter?” explores an intriguing possibility behind the invisible stuff that makes up much of the universe. The presentation runs from 5 to 5:45 p.m. and is open to all ages, though recommended for ages 15 and older. Tickets are $6 for members and $7 for nonmembers, with no additional museum admission required for attendees arriving after 4:30 p.m.
- Star-crossed lovers, meet Worcester: Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” gets an intimate staging courtesy of THT Rep, The Hanover Theatre’s professional theater company, at the BrickBox Theater in the Jean McDonough Arts Center. Against a backdrop of feuding families and escalating violence, two young lovers find themselves caught between passion and a conflict that threatens to destroy them both. The production brings one of theater’s most enduring tragedies into the BrickBox’s up-close setting, where Verona’s troubles are never very far from the audience. Performances are Thursday and Friday, Oct. 8-9, at 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11, at 2 p.m., with Sunday marking the production’s final performance.
For more events, visit the Discover Central Massachusetts events calendar.
Have an event, news tip, idea for a feature, information, joke, favorite recipe or anything else you’d like to tell us about? You should. Contact carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
