PLAN AHEAD
SEPT. 8-OCT. 13
‘The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane’
Childsplay, the Valley’s only professional theater for young audiences, revives one of its most acclaimed hits, an original adaption of Kate DiCamillo’s novel about a self-centered rabbit doll who learns the meaning of love as he is passed from owner to owner. Be sure to bring Kleenex — and not just for the kids. Our curmudgeonly theater critic saw it twice and cried both times.
Sept. 8-Oct. 13. Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix. $12-$30. 602-252-8497, her bergertheater.org, childsplayaz.org.
— Kerry Lengel
SEPT. 13-JAN. 12 Roberto Benavidez: ‘Medieval Piñata’
California artist Roberto Benavidez elevates the piñata to fine art with papier-mache sculptures that playfully engage with issues such as gender and race. For this show, he’s looking backward to “The Garden of Earthly Delights,” the famed Bosch painting from the Renaissance, for visual inspiration.
Sept. 13-Jan. 12. Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, 1 E. Main St. Free. 480-644-6500, mesaartscenter.com.
— Kerry Lengel
SEPT. 19 Florida Georgia Line
The duo’s 10-times-platinum breakthrough single, “Cruise,” topped Billboard’s country chart on the way to becoming the fastest-selling single by a country duo in digital history, inspiring a remix with rapping by Nelly. Other multi-platinum hits include “Get Your Shine On,” “Round Here,” “Stay,” “This is How We Roll,” “Dirt” and “H.O.L.Y.” This is the duo’s Can’t Say I Ain’t Country Tour, which is perhaps a matter of opinion.
7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19. AkChin Pavilion, 2121 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix. $44.25 and up. 602-254-7200, livenation.com.
— Ed Masley