Country Star Blake Shelton Performs at Consol; ‘Sister’s Easter Catechism’ Nearing End of Class at City (Sat., 3/19/16)

1) Blake Shelton‘s background pegs him a genuine old-school country boy. Born and raised in Ada, Oklahoma, he learned to pick and sing from family members, then at 17 moved directly from Ada to Nashville. But Shelton also typifies the cutting-edge modern face of country music—open to eclectic influences, and reaching out to all audiences, as he tried to illustrate in his famous video of “Boys ‘Round Here” (above). In songs like “Sangria” and “Neon Light,” he mixes traditional country themes with new musical touches. And Shelton makes all his tunes work by virtue of how naturally he comes across. With a fine natural singing voice and an easy, engaging manner, he doesn’t have to shout or showboat to bring life to a song; he just brings himself. A multiple Grammy winner and Grand Ole Opry member, Shelton was named the Country Music Association’s Male Vocalist of the Year five years in a row. He’ll be at Consol Energy Center. 7 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. (MV)

2) Practically everybody in Pittsburgh knows Sister, or ought to. She’s the daffy nun played by Kimberly Richards in the Late Night Catechism live comedy series. The latest Late Night entry, Sister’s Easter Catechism by Maripat Donovan, is designed to be good, clean fun for all ages with just the requisite touches of irreverence. In this installment, Sister explains the roots of the seemingly bizarre traditions that accompany the Easter season—from bonnets to baskets, and from chocolate rabbits to Peeps. She also answers deep questions children may have, like the one used for the subtitle of the show: Will My Bunny Go to Heaven? 2 and 5:30 p.m. Performances through March 20. In the Lester Hamburg Studio at City Theatre, 1300 Bingham St., South Side. (MV)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dcpno_6Vzf4

3) Hello My Name is Doris – Have you had it up to here with movies about, shall we say, mature men who inexplicably managed to romance women young enough to be their grand daughters? Well, the orthopedic pump’s on the other foot with this comedy from Michael Showalter. Something of a legend in the alternative comedy scene, Showalter is the creator behind such TV shows as “Stella” and “The State” as well as Wet Hot American Summer. In this latest movie, Sally Field plays a 60-something mousy office worker who takes a self-help seminar and decides to shake up her life. And in doing so she begins a highly complicated relationship with a 20-something man in her office, played by Max Greenfield. Tyne Daly, Peter Gallagher, Stephen Root also appear. And I don’t want to hear any complaining; if it didn’t bother you when Woody Allen was cradle snatching, it shouldn’t bother you now. Check Fandango for screens and times. (TH)

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