“Lord of the Dance” at DuPont Theatre, “My Fair Lady” at Clear Space, Delaware Young Playwrights Festival, and great art and antique shows

Dance Fever

Michael Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance” is a classic tale of good versus evil based on Irish folklore that brings a passionate love story to life. You’ll hear stirring music, witness stunning pyrotechnics and be thrilled by precision dancing—both traditional and modern—when the show steps into DuPont Theatre March 20-25. Passion flares when the Lord of Darkness challenges the Lord of Light. For more than a decade, this one has thrilled people and sparked interest in Celtic dancing around the world. Now it’s Wilmington’s turn. 656-4401, duponttheatre.com

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Fair Play

When professor Henry Higgins tries to transform cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle into a proper lady, the relationship evolves into something more. Find out what when Clear Space Theatre Company in Rehoboth Beach stages the classic American musical “My Fair Lady” March 16-April 1. Erin Williams plays Eliza opposite Delaware Comedy Theatre founder David Warick in the CSP production, which scales the original Broadway cast of 48 down to 11, under the direction of David Button and Doug Yetter. Fear not—the small size diminishes the charm and energy not a whit. 227-2270, ClearSpaceTheatre.org

The New 40?

Those who have yet to pass the milestone and those who left it behind long ago will get a charge out of “Four Sides of Forty.” Four comedians examine different experiences of the age. Eric McMahon, father of three, riffs on 20 years of marriage. Lenny Marcus talks about dating in the Big Apple. Al Ducharme is trying to adjust to his new marriage after years of carefree bachelorhood. And Patty Rosborough is more than happy to tell you about her ex. They’ll all have you rolling in the aisles. See them at The Schwartz Center for the Arts in Dover on March 16. 678-5152, schwartzcenter.com

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Water World

Making a living on the water is an essential part of Delmarva’s cultural history, yet economic and environmental issues have significantly changed the profession in the past 40 years. The documentary “Watermen” shows community life where work is dependent on water in the 1960s. The film, from 1969, examines three years in the life of skipjack captain Art Daniels, his family and his colleagues in oystering, crabbing, and living on the Chesapeake. It is a simple, powerful story that is sure to move you. After the screening, Michael Lewis, a Salisbury University professor who specializes in Delmarva’s environmental history, will conduct a brief Q&A about waterman culture past and present. See it at the Milton Fire Hall on March 16. 645-9095, rehobothfilm.com

Masterpiece Theater

“Every man does have a star. The star of one’s honesty. And you spend your life groping for it, but once it’s out it never lights again.” —Dr. Jim Bayliss in Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons”

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That was the quote that inspired the winners of this year’s Delaware Young Playwrights Festival, organized by the Delaware Theatre Company. Of the 50 plays submitted by students from several high schools, each exploring the idea of seeking truth, six were selected to be performed at DTC March 19. The winners are:

“Alexander’s Last Battle” by Sarah Gianakon, Charter School of Wilmington

“The Last Canvas” by Sanjay Pelinski, Newark High School

“A Late Night Dance of the Exhumed Truth” by Katy Wicks and Hillary Marinelli, St. Elizabeth High School

“The Lost Cause” by Alexander Cook, Cab Calloway School of the Arts

“One Truth” by Heather McAdams, Charter School of Wilmington

“Thoughts on My Brother” by Lillian Kairis, Charter School of Wilmington

After weeks of polishing their plays, with advice from theater pros, the students’ works will be performed by professional actors in a showcase of scenes on March 19. From them, an overall winner will be named. The event is open to the public free of charge, which makes it the best theater bargain going—and one of the most enlightening. 594-1100, delawaretheatre.org

Twin Peeks

The Delaware Symphony Orchestra’s Classical Series continues March 23-24 with guest artists Christina and Michelle Naughton joining on piano in Struggles & Glories. The program begins with Ravel’s Ma Mre Oye (Mother Goose). The Naughtons—identical twins who graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia—join for Mozart’s Concerto for 2 Pianos, then, after intermission Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5—always a crowd pleaser. (652-5577, delawaresymphony.org) If opera is more your style, visit OperaDelaware for the latest in its Studio Series. You’ll hear the best regional talents sing classic arias while you enjoy the Cabaret-style setting. Visit March 23-25. 652-5577, operade.org

Show of Shows

The 30th annual Chester County Antiques Show happens at the Westtown School Campus March 16-18. See exceptional exhibitors from across the country, many offering museum-quality furniture and pieces, such as 18th and 19th Century American and Continental antiques. Don’t miss lectures by experts, as well as an opportunity for appraisals of your pieces. (610-692-4800, chestercohistorical.org/antiquesshow.php) Then mark your calendars for the 63rd annual Chadds Ford Art Sale & Show at Chadds Ford Elementary March 23-24. You’ll see more than 70 regional artists, and you’ll have an opportunity to hear Catherine Quillman, author of “100 Artists of the Brandywine Valley,” lecture about the Brandywine Tradition. The featured artist of this year’s show is Paul Scarborough, whose work is featured in private and public collections throughout the country including a commission by NASA currently hanging in the National Air and Space Museum. (610) 388-1112, cfes.ucfsd.org/artshow

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