THEATER

American Idol: Who Killed Simon?, Murder On Us Dinner Theater, The Barnsider, 375 South Main St., Providence. 245-5850; www.murderonus.com. Comedic murder mystery. 8 pm. $39.95, includes four-course dinner, show, tax, gratuity. Through June.

Bedroom Farce, Newport Playhouse and Cabaret Restaurant, 102 Connell Highway, Newport. 848-7529, www.newportplayhouse.com. Comedy about three couples, three bedrooms and one long Saturday night. Buffet 6:15 pm, show 8 pm. Dinner/show $48.95, includes tax and post-show cabaret. Show only $33.95. Reservations recommended. Closes May 18.

Bless Me, Father, Mill River Theater, 499 High St., Central Falls. 721-0909; www.millrivertheater.com. Comedy about parish life in a small suburban London town in the early 1950s. Dinner 6:30 pm, show 8 pm. $35.50 dinner and show, $20 show only. Closes Sat.

Bye Bye Birdie, LaSalle Academy, 617 Academy Ave., Providence. 351-7750. Musical about a drafted singing star who gets a big send-off from his grieving fans. 7:30 pm. $12, students/seniors $10. Closes Sat.

Coincidentally, Firehouse Theater, 4 Equality Park Place, Newport. 849-3473; www.firehousetheater.org. One-act play by Geri Sereno about two women, strangers to each other, who find they have more in common than they realize. 8 pm. $20; mention The Providence Journal and receive $5 off up to six seats. Post-show performance by The Bit Players Improv Troupe. Closes May 18.

Disney’s High School Musical, RISE on Broadway, Columbus Theatre, 270 Broadway, Providence. 621-6123; www.arttixri.com; www.riseonbroadway.org. Contemporary musical comedy about a popular high school basketball star and a shy newcomer who discover they share a secret passion for singing. 7:30 pm. Gold circle $20, orchestra $15. Closes Sun.

The Drowsy Chaperone, Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset St., Providence. 421-2787; www.ppacri.org. Die-hard musical-theater fan plays his favorite cast album and the musical literally comes to life in his living room. 8 pm. $41-$68. Closes Sun.

The Etymology of Bird, Providence Black Repertory Company, 276 Westminster St., Providence. 351-0353; www.blackrep.org; 621-6123; www.arttixri.com. Love story about neighbors and the choices they make that change everything. 8 pm. $20, students/seniors $10. Closes May 18.

Fuddy Meers, 2nd Story Theatre, 28 Market St., Warren. 247-4200; www.2ndstorytheatre.com. Comedy revolves around a woman suffering from a rare form of amnesia. 8 pm. $10. Closes June 8.

I Ought to Be in Pictures, Granite Theatre, 1 Granite St., Westerly. 596-2341; www.granitetheatre.com. Neil Simon comedy about a Brooklyn teen who goes to Los Angeles to make movies and renew her relationship with her father. 8 pm. $18, 62+ $15, children 12 and younger $11. Closes May 25.

In the Mood, with the In the Mood Singers and Dancers and the String of Pearls Big Band Orchestra, Stadium Theatre, 28 Monument Square, Woonsocket. 762-4546; www.stadiumtheatre.com. Big band theatrical swing revue. 7:30 pm.

Paris by Night, Trinity Repertory Company, 201 Washington St., Providence. 351-4242; www.trinityrep.com. Musical, unconventional love story involving two couples. 8 pm. $20-$60. Closes June 1.

The Secret Garden, Academy Players, East Greenwich High School Auditorium, 300 Avenger Drive, East Greenwich. 885-6910; www.academyplayers.org. Frightened orphan discovers the wonders of life on the Yorkshire moors with the help of two local boys and a mysterious, abandoned garden. 8 pm. $20, seniors $16, students $14. Closes Sun.

Sweet Disaster, Perishable Theatre, 95 Empire St., Providence. 331-2695; www.perishable.org. New multimedia play combines theater and animated film. 8 pm. $20; students, seniors, military $15; members $10. Closes Sun.

The Wizard of Oz, Center-Stage Theater, Courthouse Center for the Arts, Route 138, Kingston. 782-1018, www.courthousearts.org. Hip-hop musical adaptation of the L. Frank Baum classic about Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion and their trip to Emerald City. 7 pm. $15; $12 seniors and members; $10 students. Closes May 17.

COMEDY

Catch A Rising Star, Twin River, 100 Twin River Rd., Lincoln. 723-3200, (800) 720-7275, www.catcharisingstar.com/providence.html. Ben Gleib. 8, 10 pm. $20.

Comedy Connection, 39 Warren Ave., East Providence. 438-8383, www.ricomedyconnection.com. Ira Proctor. 9 pm. $15.

Friday Night Live: Improv Comedy for the Masses, Carriage House Stage, 7 Duncan Ave., Providence. 831-9479, www.everettdancetheatre.org. 7-8 pm. $5.

MUSIC

CLASSICAL

Brown University, Grant Recital Hall, 1 Young Orchard Ave. (behind Orwig Music Building), Providence. www.brown.edu. Recitals by solo and chamber music students. 8 pm. Free.

Community College of Rhode Island Opera Workshop, Amanda Santos directing, CCRI’s Knight Campus, 400 East Ave., Warwick, Room 0540. 7 pm. $5.

Newport Navy Choristers, JoAnn Loewenthal, St. Lucy’s Church, West Main Road, Middletown. 849-4823, 848-6623; www.newportnavychoristers.org. Proudly We Sing. 7:30 pm. $8, seniors/children 11 and younger $6, families $20.

Robin Spielberg, pianist, Belcourt Castle, 657 Bellevue Ave., Newport. 846-0669 or e-mail belcourt2006@aol.com. 7:30 pm. $25, children $15. Champagne candlelight tour before concert at 6 pm, $10.

POP

Another Option, The Bay State, The Jesse Minute, Nakatomi Plaza and Brookside, rock, The Living Room, 23 Rathbone St., Providence. 521-5200. 8 pm. All ages.

Backlash, rock, J.R.’s Bourbon Street Rock House, Mardi Gras Multi Club and Johnny Bahama’s Complex, 1500 Oaklawn Ave., Cranston. 463-3080. 9 pm-1 am.

Bailey’s Fault, rock, Eddie’s 529 Club, 529 Warwick Ave., Warwick. 941-9423, www.eddies529club.com. 9 pm-12:30 am. No cover.

The Bandstand Revue, oldies and swing, Tri-City Elks Lodge #14, 1915 West Shore Rd., Warwick. 737-9510. 8:30 pm-12:30 am. $5. Fish fry, 5:30-7:30 pm, $7.

The Benjamins, rock, Twin River, Lighthouse Bar, 100 Twin River Rd., Lincoln. 723-3200, (877) 827-4837, www.twinriver.com. 10 pm. No cover. 18+.

Black & White, featuring Ted Stevens and Dave Howard, rhythm and blues, Narragansett Cafe, 25 Narragansett Ave., Jamestown. 423-2150. 9:30 pm-1 am. No cover.

Brass Force, rhythm and blues and pop, The Room at Waterstreet Cafe, 36 Water St., Fall River. (508) 672-8748, www.waterstreetcafe.com. 9:30 pm. $7.

Peter Breen and Otis Read, folk, India, 520 Main St., Warren. 245-4500. 6-10 pm. No cover.

Brother to Brother, pop, Starz, 1458 Park Ave., Cranston. 490-5555. 9 pm-1 am.

Steve Burke, jazz, Li’l Bear Lounge, 983 Main Rd., Tiverton. 624-9164. 5-9 pm.

Roger Ceresi, Gary “Guitar” Gramolini and Richard Ribb, rock and rhythm and blues, Duffy’s Tavern, 235 Tower Hill Rd., North Kingstown. 295-0073. 8:30 pm-12:30 am.

Michael DiMucci and Friends, Linden Place Ballroom, 500 Hope St., Bristol. 253-5390; www.lindenplace.org. A Tribute to the American Songwriter. Featuring vocalist/pianist Michael DiMucci, keyboard player Diane Gualtieri, percussionist Karen Mellor and horn player Dick Parent. 7:30 pm. $15, student with valid ID/Linden Place members $10. Colt Circle members free. Wine reception follows.

The Dunn Brothers, rock, Oak Hill Tavern, 565 Tower Hill Rd. (Route 1), North Kingstown. 294-3282. 9 pm. No cover.

Sheena Easton, pop, rock and rhythm and blues, Mohegan Sun, Wolf Den, Mohegan Sun Boulevard (exit 79A off Route 395), Uncasville, Conn. (888) 226-7711, www.mohegansun.com. 8 pm. No cover.

Far Off Place and One Life, rock, Nostalgia, 557 Warwick Ave., Warwick. 467-8998, www.nostalgiari.com. 9 pm-1 am.

The Bobby Fleet Band, blues, Corinne’s Restaurant and Lounge, 67 Garrity St., Pawtucket. 725-4260. 9 pm.

Full Circle, rock, Rusty’s, 44B Wave Ave., Middletown. 846-8141. 9 pm.

G.Q. and the Lady, pop, Wharf Tavern, 215 Water St., Warren. 245-5043. 8 pm-midnight.

Larkin Grimm, Drew Danbury and John McCauley, rock, AS220, 115 Empire St., Providence. 831-9327. 9 pm. $6. All ages.

The Hitmen, rock, Good Times Restaurant and Pub, 1668 Diamond Hill Rd., Cumberland. 333-8828. 9 pm.

Bruce Jacques, rock, One Pelham East, 270 Thames St., Newport. 847-9460. 10 pm.

The Kulprits, rock, Gillary’s Tavern, 198 Thames St., Bristol. 253-2012. 9:30 pm.

Kristen Locke, Christian, praise and worship, The t.G.i.f. Coffeehouse, Bethany Village Church, 516 Newport Ave., South Attleboro. (508) 761-7698, www.tgifcoffeehouse.com. 7:30 pm. No cover.

Joanne Lurgio, acoustic rock, Lobster Pot, 119 Hope St. (Route 114), Bristol. 253-1900. 8-11 pm. No cover.

Joanne Lurgio and Mark Makrush, acoustic rock, Greenwich Hotel, 162 Main St., East Greenwich. 884-4200. 4:30-6:30 pm.

The Bob Mainelli Trio, jazz, Capriccio, 2 Pine St., Providence. 421-1320. 9 pm-1 am.

Ed McCarron, pop, River Falls Restaurant and Lounge, Piano Lounge, 74 South Main St., Woonsocket. 235-9026. 8 pm-midnight.

Mike Miller, Dennis Pratt, Woody Carland and Chris Brooks, jazz, RISD Museum, 224 Benefit St., Providence. 454-6674. 5:30-8:30 pm.

Mac Odom and Chill, rhythm and blues and Motown, Camille’s, 71 Bradford St. (off Atwells Avenue), Providence. 751-4812. 8:30 pm-12:30 am.

Jean McKenna O’Donnell and Mike Renzi, jazz, Chan’s Restaurant, 267 Main St., Woonsocket. 765-1900. 8 pm. $15.

Otherwise and The Alchemystics, dub, reggae and electronica, The Wheelhouse, 294 Great Island Rd., Narragansett. 284-0246. 9 pm. 18+.

Joe Parillo, jazz, The Rhumbline, 62 Bridge St., Newport. 849-3999. 6:30-10 pm.

Rizz, rock, Bovi’s Town Tavern, 287 Taunton Ave., East Providence. 434-9670. 9 pm-1 am.

The Rock, rock, East Bay Tavern, 305 Lyon Ave., East Providence. 228-7343. 9 pm-1 am.

Steve Smith and the Nakeds, rhythm and blues, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Atrium Lounge, Route 2, Mashantucket, Conn. (800) 200-2882, www.foxwoods.com. 9 pm.

Tech N9ne, Paul Wall and Ill Bill, rap, Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel, 79 Washington St., Providence. 331-5876, 272-5876, www.etix.com. 9:30 pm. $25.

Uptown Sound, pop, The Hi-Hat, 3 Davol Square, Providence. 453-6500, www.thehihat.com. 9 pm-1 am.

PERFORMANCES

Albano’s Ballet: Spring Fling, Dance Thing, Mohegan Sun, Cabaret, Mohegan Sun Boulevard (exit 79A off Route 395), Uncasville, Conn. (888) 226-7711, www.mohegansun.com. 7:30 pm. $30.

State Ballet of Rhode Island: Spring Ballet Celebration (48th Annual), Rhode Island College, Roberts Auditorium, 600 Mount Pleasant Ave., Providence. 456-8144, www.ric.edu/pfa, www.stateballet.com. Featuring Claire de Lune, Gansel & Hetal: A “Sweet” Family Fairytale, Swan Lake Divertissement and Graduation Ball. 7:30 pm. $25; $16 children 12 and under.

KIDS’ EVENTS

Carousel Village, Roger Williams Park, off Elmwood Avenue, Providence. 785-9450. 10 am-5 pm, weather permitting. $1.25 per ride.

Providence Children’s Museum, 100 South St., Providence. 273-5437, www.childrenmuseum.org. Hands-on activity center for children 1-11 and their families. Tue-Sun 9 am-6 pm. $6.50; members free. Celebrate Mom, ages 3-5 hear a Mother’s Day story, make a present for Mom and share a spring snack 9:10 am-1:40 pm. Walk-in registration on a space-available basis for an $8 fee above the price of admission.

NATURE

Audubon Society of Rhode Island Bird Walks, Fisherville Brook Refuge, Exeter. 949-5454, ext. 3041; www.asri.org. Advance registration. Walks canceled in event of inclement weather (more than just a little sprinkle). Explore the refuge in search of neo-tropical migrants. Observe birds, including northern waterthrush, prairie warblers, bluebirds and scarlet tanagers. Bring binoculars. 8 am.

ETC.

Animatronics, EPOCH Assisted Living, One Butler Ave., Providence. 275-0682. Discussion of animatronics, robotic toy companions for children and adults 2 pm. Free.

Annie’s Runway Show, Brown University, List Art Building, second-floor terrace, 64 College St., Providence. 7 pm. Rain date Sat.

Philbrick Poetry Award Presentation, The Providence Athenaeum, 251 Benefit St., Providence. 421-6970. Poet and writer Forrester Gander will present the award to John Brush. 7 pm.

FULL REVIEWS of movies now playing: projo.com/moviesandtv