Broadway Across America-Columbus brings another highly anticipated show to Columbus this week with The 39 Steps .

Adapted from the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film of the same name, this play has already proven itself a hit with people of all ages. It just finished a two-year run on Broadway, and the original production is in its third year in London. Critics have taken notice as well, awarding the play two Tony Awards and the Olivier Award for best new comedy in 2007.

Credentials aside, this is a show unlike anything I had seen before. Four actors play over 150 characters, and in the process create a frenzied pace that never slows down. The play transports you to a world of make believe—one in which four chairs can be believed to be a car, men can pass for women and a windy day can be conveyed with the mere shaking of the actors own clothes.

The best part? You, the audience, are in on the joke. The actors do not pretend to be fooling anyone. Instead, they embrace the minimal props and get creative with what they’ve got. They even go as far as to purposely slip up on occasion—forgetting to switch into a new character or leaving a prop behind a little too long—just to remind you they know you’re there.

Based on the reaction of the opening night crowd—people were laughing, a lot—I would say this show is a winner. But don’t take my word for it, catch one of the seven remaining performances at the Palace Theatre and judge for yourself. Tickets range from $20-$55 and can be purchased here .

Tip from the CAPA Facebook page : If you act fast, you have the opportunity to purchase two tickets for only $39 to the Wednesday or Thursday show. To redeem this offer, call the CAPA ticket office at 614-469-0939 and use the password “TRAINS”

If you are looking for a fun night out this week, I highly recommend going to see Mamma Mia! at the Ohio Theatre . As a bride-to-be, I was quite intrigued by the storyline: On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago.

The music was fabulous and I guarantee anyone who goes will know no less than six songs in the show. From "Dancing Queen" to "Take A Chance On Me," the audience was singing along the whole way through.

Insider tip: After the cast takes their bow, DON’T LEAVE! I’m not going to give it all away, but it involves sequin pants and platform shoes.

The show runs through Sunday - check here for more details and tickets from Broadway Across America-Columbus .

And if you’re an ABBA fan, note that there’s more fun to come later this month. Sweden’s best ABBA tribute band, WATERLOO, will play at the Columbus Symphony’s Picnic with the Pops on July 25 .  Bring your own picnic to enjoy during the outdoor show, or reserve a table for your group. You can buy tickets here .

Last night, I attended the opening of The Color Purple . The Ohio Theatre was packed, and from the moment the orchestra started playing I was captivated by the cast and the music.

Kenita Miller, who played Celie, has a voice that is flawless and powerful. I had chills when she sang her opening number, "Somebody Gonna Love You." The rest of the numbers offer a variety of music, from gospel to jazz to ragtime.

The Color Purple’s inspiring story is about a woman’s soul-searching journey and her triumph over hardship and adversity. The core of the story will tug at your heartstrings, but there is plenty of comic relief throughout the show that will have you laughing in your seat. Lynette Dupree plays Sofia, and her performance of the song "Hell No!" along with her quick wit and tell-it-like-it-is attitude had the audience in stitches.

With only a few days left in Columbus, I highly recommend going before it’s gone. Tickets are available here .

You can also follow two of the cast members on Twitter:
LaToya London (who plays Nettie) @llondon
Tiffany Daniels (who plays Squeak) @Tiffeesha

Spring Awakening has arrived .

Thanks to Broadway Across America-Columbus , I had the chance to catch the show at the Palace Theatre on Tuesday night.

In a word, wow.

The Broadway musical bills itself as "the groundbreaking fusion of morality, sexuality and rock and roll." It lives up to the hype (and its eight Tony Awards).

It’s a fascinating production that manages to tell a tale set in 1890s Germany through modern and emotional rock tunes composed by Duncan Sheik. The poignant story explores adolescent struggles with sexuality, abuse, death, oppression…not exactly pick-me-up topics, but there’s comic relief, too.

You will likely feel moved at least once. You might feel uncomfortable. Or enlightened. Or empathetic. Or sympathetic. Or any other range of things.

I was captivated. I loved it. So did my 19-year-old cousin, an Ohio State student who joined me for her first trip to the beautiful Palace . Older teens are some of the show’s greatest fans, and she was no exception.

On that note, due to mature content, Spring Awakening isn’t for everyone. Parents in particular should consider carefully if this is something to share with your children. A Parents’ Guide is provided here .

If you’re hoping to see Spring Awakening, move fast - tickets are still available , but the show ends Sunday.

I’m not the first to mention that it’s the season for gift giving . I set out to find a Christmas gift for my mom a few weeks back and decided to turn to Columbus’ arts and entertainment scene for unique ideas.

The task was easier than expected. I searched the Columbus Events Calendar and found plenty of gift options, ranging from tickets to a Duran Duran concert to a Radio City Rockettes performance. I landed on an obvious winner - tickets to the musical Grease . What could be more perfect? After all, "Grease is the word" for my mom’s generation.

Broadway Across America-Columbus is bringing this popular musical to the Palace Theatre , Dec. 16-21. Named Time Magazine’s 2007 pick for “#1 musical of the year,” this is a show worth seeing. Tickets range from $22.50-$64.50 and are available online or at the Experience Columbus Visitor Center .