You thought April was going to be a barren month. Not so. There are enough exhibits, concerts, and plays around here to inspire us all to bloom right along with the daffodils and tulips.

For Mansfield University Festival Chorus performance of Handel’s Messiah, Peggy Dettwiler has enlisted professional soloists, all of whom studied voice at MU: soprano Elizabeth Jacobs; alto Laurie Tool; tenor Jason Auman; Tenor; and bass Thomas Jones. During the same weekend Rob Verdi, will present Saxophobia as the Wellsboro Community Concert Association’s sixtieth season finale. Verdi, accompanied by a trio and with his collection of rare instruments, will offer an entertaining, rich, and riveting history of the saxophone.

Can you believe a play with a title like Urinetown is a Tony Award-winning musical? According to director Peter Davis, it’s actually family fare: “This show both salutes and makes fun of musicals in general and is appropriate for audiences of all ages.” I’m looking forward to seeing it because of the positive reviews—and because the cast is made up of twenty-one talented MU students. It’s about a crippling water shortage causing a ban on all private toilets, followed by the takeover by a pay-toilet monopoly, and the following citizen revolt.

Here’s how to learn more about these and other upcoming events:

APRIL DESIGNS
What: Pine Creek Decorative Artists Mixed Media Exhibit
Where: Gmeiner Art and Cultural Center, 134 Main Street, Wellsboro
When: April 6-27. Opening reception 2 to 4 p.m. April 6. Gallery talk at 3 p.m. Gallery open 2 to 5 p.m. daily. Free
Information: (570) 724-1917 

PIANO ENSEMBLE
What: Gmeiner Brown Bag Program. (Bring lunch; beverages provided.) Classical and jazz piano performed by groups of two or three Mansfield University music students.
Where: Gmeiner Art and Cultural Center, 134 Main Street, Wellsboro
When: 12:10 to 1 p.m. April 8. Gallery open 2 to 5 p.m. daily. Free
Information: (570) 724-1917

HANDEL’S MESSIAH
What: Mansfield University Festival Chorus concert 
Where & When: 7:30 p.m. April 12 at Steadman Theatre, Mansfield University and 3 p.m. April 13 at Corning Museum of Glass Auditorium, Corning, New York
Reservations: at http://music.mansfield.edu or (570) 662-4710
 
SAXOPHOBIA
What: Wellsboro Community Concert. Rob Verdi showcases vintage saxes and the sounds of Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, and others.
Where & When: 2:30 p.m. April 13 at Wellsboro United Methodist Church
Admission: by WCCA subscription or adults $25; students $10
Information: (570) 724-2299 and 
www.WellsboroCCA.org

BENEFIT DINNER DANCE
What: Dinner by Timeless Destination and music by X-Ray Big Band to benefit Hamilton-Gibson’s Children’s Choir. BYOB (set-ups available), raffles, auction.
Where & When: 6 p.m. April 19 at Tioga County Fairgrounds
Reservations: required: $45/person or $320 for table of eight. Call (570) 724-2079 or e-mail bevdoc@epix.net

CABARET CONCERT
What: The Wellsboro’s Men’s Chorus and featured guests, the Wellsboro Women’s Chorus, in an afternoon of lighthearted choral works, solos, quartets, and skits. 
Where & When 3 p.m. April 20 Trinity Lutheran Church, Wellsboro
Tickets: available from chorus members or call (570) 659-5584. Adults $5; seniors $4; high school students $3

URINETOWN
What: The 2002 Broadway musical comedy, winner of three Tony Awards.
Where & When: 7:30 p.m  May 1-3; 2:30 p.m. May 4 at Arcadia Theatre, Main Street, Wellsboro
Information & Reservations: adults $9; students $6. Call (570) 724-9371

Larry Biddison is professor emeritus of literature at Mansfield University. You can contact him at onstageoffthewall@mountainhomemag.com.