Coheed and Cambria in Concert at Stage AE; Commedian Sebastian Maniscalco Plays Heinz Hall (Thurs., 5/18/17)

1) Coheed and Cambria, whose music is a mix of progressive, punk, and metal, are in concert at Stage AE. Rising out of Nyack, New York, Coheed and Cambria’s releases are mainly concept albums based on a sci-fi storyline called The Amory Wars, written by the band’s lead vocalist, Claudio Sanchez. They have been transcribed into comic books and a novel. On their last album, The Color Before the Sun, released in October 2015, the band departed from the Amory Wars theme. On the release, Sanchez chronicles personal journeys including his move from the country to the city, and his child, Atlas. Sanchez’s vocals are sung at a higher register, similar to Rush’s Geddy Lee. Special guest is The Dear Hunter. Doors open at 7 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (RH)

2) You don’t have to be an Italian-American to appreciate comedian Sebastian Maniscalco’s humor, but it helps. Topics include a childhood home that was always filled with food and gossiping with his mother over the phone about all the trouble his cousins have gotten into. He was born in Chicago and started performing in bars and bowling alleys while a waiter at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. His career got a boost when Vince Vaughn invited him and three other comedians to tour with him in 2006. The tour was the subject of the documentary Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days and 30 Nights — Hollywood to the Heartland. Maniscalco has since appeared in three Showtime specials, most recently 2016’s “Why Would You Do That?” He was a guest on the seventh season of Jerry Seinfeld’s web series, “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.” His upcoming memoir is titled Where You Wanna Eat? He plays Heinz Hall. 8 p.m. 600 Penn Ave., Cultural District. (CM)

3) Are we living in an age of fantasy? It does seem that the popular arts are dominated by stories set in imaginary realms. Cultural literacy requires knowing the lore of at least 50 such places and institutions, from Westeros and Gotham City to Hogwarts and the Black Pearl. And speaking of supernatural incidents related to piracy, if you have not been briefed on Peter Pan’s backstory, catch Peter and the Starcatcher at Stage 62. This theatrical prequel to J.M. Barrie’s classic began as a children’s novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, who felt the world ought to know why Peter can fly but cannot grow up. Their book became a bestseller while the stage adaptation has wowed audiences from Broadway to Boise. Peter and the Starcatcher picks up young Peter as an orphan sold into servitude aboard a rickety old ship called the Never Land. (That’s two words, with a double meaning—got it?) The Never Land  is carrying magical cargo coveted by pirates, which leads to surreal swashbuckling silliness. Song-and-dance numbers include a vaudeville routine performed by mermaids. 8 p.m. Performances continue through May 21. In the Music Hall at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library, 300 Beechwood Ave., Carnegie. (MV)

4) Our battlin’ Buccos play the Washington Nationals again today in the third game of a three-game match. The Phillies come to town tomorrow. 12:35 p.m. PNC Park, 115 Federal St., North Shore.

Share on Social Media