FILM FESTIVAL 'Nights' opens Cannes on starry note

The duo of Gary Markasky and Sunny Berger will be the featured artists at the weekly music showcase at Jump In Jack's, 9159 Market St., Boardman. Markasky was the guitarist in the Michael Stanley Band during the Cleveland rock band's heyday in the late '70s and early '80s. Berger is a songwriter who accompanies Markasky on vocals and rhythm guitar. Markasky and Berger will perform two 30-minute sets during the evening, which runs from 8 p.m. to midnight. Interested musicians can also perform on a first-come, first-serve basis. Contact Samantha Saint Ives at (724) 652-9284 for more information. The showcase is the brainchild of Saint Ives and Randy Bass, who make up the duo Sinners & amp; Saints, and has been in existence for several weeks.
Here's what's playing on area theater stages this weekend:
"Sweeney Todd," 8 tonight and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Youngstown Playhouse, off Glenwood Avenue; call (330) 788-8739 for tickets.
"The Amorous Ambassador," 8 tonight and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Trumbull New Theatre, 5883 Youngstown-Warren Road; (330) 652-1103.
"Bat Boy: The Musical," 8 tonight and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oakland Center for the Arts, 220 W. Boardman St.; (330) 746-0404.
ZZ Top has been going at it for about four decades, but they aren't even close to slowing down. The little ol' band from Texas brings its big sound to Chevrolet Centre for an 8 p.m. show. Go to Gettix.net for tickets.
Touring on the strength of their new album "The Paramour Sessions" is Papa Roach, who will perform at The Wedge in Austintown with opening act Blackstone Cherry. Show starts at 8 p.m. Go to Atthewedge.com for tickets.
The Motown Legends Tour, featuring the Temptations Review, the Miracles, Joe Billingslea and the Contours and the Spyder Turner Show, comes to Chevrolet Centre for a 7 p.m. concert.
Gather up the little ones to see Thomas the Tank Engine, the star of the wonderful PBS children's show, as he rolls into the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad today and Sunday. Thomas will be at the Boston Mill train station, next to the ski resort at 7029 Riverview Road, Peninsula. Train rides, activities and an opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt are part of the fun. Call (866) 468-7630 for tickets, or log onto cvsr.com.
An acoustic evening with "American Idol" star Bo Bice and special guest Gary Nichols comes to the Kent Stage, 175 E. Main St., Kent, for an 8 p.m. show. Call (330) 677-5005 for tickets. Bice finished second in season four of the popular singing contest show behind Carrie Underwood. All ticket holders will be invited to meet Bice after the show, which is the only one in Ohio of the current tour.
Warren's own Austin Pendleton returns with his Tony Award-winning co-stars Judy Kaye, Alice Playten, David Green and members of Trumbull New Theatre for an evening of music and drama with the Warren Philharmonic. It all happens at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Packard Music Hall in Warren. Call (330) 841-2931 for tickets.
Rock band the Drowning Pool comes to the Wedge in Austintown on June 5 for an 8 p.m. show. Also coming to the Wedge on June 15 is country singer Josh Gracin. Go to Atthewedge.com for tickets for both shows.