Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps at Great Lakes Theater
A novel adapted into a movie adapted into a play, The 39 Steps garners an impressive array of intrigue; a romantic subplot tied to a plane crash married to an espionage quagmire. If that doesn’t get you to Great Lakes Theater this weekend, this will: More than 150 characters are to be played by four insanely skilled actors in this two-hour run time. $15-$89, April 29-May 22, various times, 2067 East 14th Street, Cleveland, 216-241-6000, greatlakestheater.org
Big Creek 23rd Annual Cleanup at Brooklyn Fire Station
Earth Day may have been last week, but any day one interacts with the planet ought to present reason to care for it. Big Creek’s cleanup is one of several upcoming events to take part in case you missed it. Volunteers are asked to wear long sleeves, pants and closed-toe shoes. Gloves and bags will be provided. Free, April 30, 9 a.m.-noon, 8400 Memphis Ave., Brooklyn, 216-524-6580, cuyahogaswcd.org
Fan Expo Cleveland at Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland
Now’s the time to run to Michaels for the finishing touches of the super suit you’ve been perfecting and swoop up tickets to Cleveland’s Fan Expo. This weekend’s devoted to comic, sci-fi, anime, gaming and horror fans alike. Be awed by original artwork, memorabilia and the chance to meet your heroes. $37-$299, April 29-May 1, Fri. 4 p.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. & Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 300 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland, fanexpohq.com
Garden Bros Nuclear Circus at the I-X Center
An advertisement which names a Human Slingshot, Wheel of Death, Motorcycles in the Sphere of Fear and Showgirls Hanging from their Hair as attractions may cause alarm to an outsider, so we’re here to let you in on the loop: Garden Bros Nuclear Circus has come to the CLE. This family friendly event has plenty for kids of all ages. $14.50-$60, April 28-May 8, various times, 1 I-X Center Dr., Cleveland, gardenbroscircus.com
Lake Erie Folk Fest at Shore Cultural Centre
For its sixth year, the former high school turned downtown Euclid arts center is opening its doors for the skilled, the novice and the curious alike, with free music workshops from fiddles, to ukuleles, the craft of songwriting, drums and more — all for the joy of traditional music. An evening concert ($15 in advance) follows. Free-$20, April 30, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. workshops, 7:30 p.m. concert, 291 E. 222nd Street, Euclid, 216-289-8578, lakeeriefolkfest.com
Meteor Shower at the Beck Center for the Arts
If the authorship of Steve Martin doesn’t prick your ears, you may need to have your funny bone examined. The play that left Entertainment Weekly begging for a new “cry-laughing” emoji to be designed is hitting Lakewood and promises to be a night of hilarious antics and fizzing wit. $10-$34, April 1-May 1, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m. & Sun. 2:30 p.m., 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org
Mother: The Fashion of Love at 616 E. 185th Street
May is the month of Mother’s Day, and for an early start at celebrating the women who most inspire us, Mother: The Fashion of Love arrives with a fashion show and pop-up shops, providing both a casual-yet-chic outing with mom and promoting local vendors. $10, May 1, 2 p.m.-6 p.m., 616 E. 185th Street, Cleveland, eventbrite.com
SNAP at Playhouse Square
Since 2010, Grue Jarm Production has awed audiences with a fleet of talented magicians, bent on weaving the perilous lines between reality and illusion with comedic, nonverbal comedy that throws back to the days of vaudeville. While seeming supernaturally talented, one is to be assured the ensemble hails from South Korea. $15, April 30, 3:30 p.m., 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
The Three Musketeers at Cleveland Play House
There’s no way to brace yourself to get swept away by Alexandre Dumas’ larger-than-life characters and epic adventures of by-gone times and romantic lands. It just happens. With some reimagined aspects, come for some swashbuckling action, intriguing plots and the immortal personalities of the three (really four) musketeers. $25-$85, April 30-May 22, various times, 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-400-7000, clevelandplayhouse.com
Tiempo Muerto at LatinUs Theater Co.
Tiempo Muerto is considered the masterpiece of Puerto Rican journalist and radio broadcaster Manuel Mendez Ballester. The three-act classic tragedy tells the story of a family in Aguadilla during the “dead time.” This metaphorical name for the off season soon comes alive as the family is pushed to the brink of human dignity under economic strain and systematic oppression. $25-$30, April 8-May 1, Fri.-Sat. 7 p.m. & Sun. 2:30 p.m., 2937 West 25th St., Cleveland, 216-369-7158, latinustheater.com
To Kill a Mockingbird at Playhouse Square
To Kill a Mockingbird continues to resonate, and Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s famous novel promises not to disappoint, heralding praise from Rolling Stone, The New York Times and New York Magazine. $20-$129, April 26-May 15, various times, 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org