Theater
Senior sunshine
Neil Simon's comedy "The Sunshine Boys" comes to life in Anchorage Community Theatre's production directed by Kevin T. Bennett. The script is both touching and hilarious as a pair of former vaudevillians reunite for a television special, despite the fact that they hate each other with an intensity only showbiz folks can experience. Patrons have the chance to stage their own vaudeville routine when they enter the lobby -- just to get everyone in the mood. Show times are 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday from April 10-May 10, and tickets are available at centertix.net or by calling 868-4913.
Debate
April apoplexy
It's sort of like March Madness, with college teams facing off in a bracket system, except the competitors are debaters. UAA will host the United States Universities Debating Championship from Friday through Monday. Nearly 200 teams from 58 schools are expected to take part. (Hint: Don't get in an argument with a stranger on those dates; you'll probably lose.) Eight rounds of preliminary debating, as many as 48 simultaneous events, will take place all over the campus, with topics and teams announced at the Student Union. The top 32 teams will be announced at a banquet at the Hotel Captain Cook, with a "knockout" round at the Cook on Monday morning. The final four will then head to Wendy Williamson Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Monday to go for the finish -- if they have any voice left. Tickets for the final showdown are available at uaatix.com. Otherwise, all the debates are free and open to the public. Get details and catch a live screening of the debates at usudc2015.com. Consider this a warmup for the Seawolves' one-on-one faceoff with the Oxford, England, debate team. Tickets for that are at centertix.net.
Theater
Zombies in London
UAA presents a "comedy in five bites" that should amuse fans of both "King Lear" and "The Walking Dead." "William Shakespeare's Land of the Dead: A True and Accurate Account of the 1599 Zombie Plague" by John Heimbuch takes the current rage for all things zombie back in time to the premiere of Shakespeare's "Henry V," where the actors and patrons of the Globe Theatre have to defend themselves against throngs of deranged people swarming the place. Queen Elizabeth and Francis Bacon are just a few of the characters who take part in this mix-up of history, references to theater and, yes, swords. Tom Skore directs. A pay-what-you-can show takes place at 8 p.m. Thursday at UAA's Mainstage, with additional shows at 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday through April 26. Tickets are available at uaatix.com or by calling 786-4849. Discounts on Saturday, April 11, for those showing up in Renaissance garb or zombie makeup.
Museums
Fourth birthday bash
The Alaska Veterans Museum will celebrate four years with free admission, free food and free entertainment from 1-4 p.m. Saturday. There'll be a craft and coin show, children's movies, face-painting and other activities. It promises to be "a great day to come learn about Alaska's unique military history" as well as a place to connect with the individual stories of Alaska servicemen and servicewomen. Donations will be accepted to help with the museum's expansion plans. Check it out at 333 W. Fourth Ave., Suite 227 (behind the statue of the Eskimo Scout), or call for details, 696-4904 or 677-8802.