See ‘Miss Saigon’ anniversary
After the rousing success of Les Misérables, its creative team went on to produce Miss Saigon, a retelling of Madam Butterfly set during the last days of the Vietnam War. Its helicopter scene epitomized the spectacular staging of the big British musicals of the era. After 25 years, it’s time for a revival, which lands on Broadway in March. You can get a preview at 7 p.m. with a showing of the 25th-anniversary celebration from London, featuring an appearance by original stars Jonathan Pryce, Lea Salonga and Simon Bowman. Theaters include Montrose 12 and Valley View 24. www.fathomevents.com.
Watch preview at Coach House
Coach House Theatre’s first production in its new season is A Thousand Clowns, a 1962 play about an eccentric TV writer raising his nephew. It officially opens Friday, but there’s a preview performance at 8 p.m. Thursday with $12 tickets. It runs through Oct. 16 at the theater, 732 W. Exchange St., Akron, at 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $22, $12 for students 800-718-4253, www.coachhousetheatre.com.
HearBlues great Mayall in Kent
British bluesman John Mayall has played with and mentored some of the greatest musicians in the business, including Eric Clapton and future members of Fleetwood Mac, the Rolling Stones, Cream and Free. He’s still recording and performing well into his 80s, and comes to the Kent Stage at 8 p.m. Tickets are $26 at 330-677-5005, www.thekentstage.com.