Smiles and scares ahead on area's stages and screens

The Chinese comedy 'The Piano in a Factory' will be shown at 6:15 p.m. Monday in the McMaster Center of the Main Library downtown. Admission is free.

The man who believes anything is possible if you have enough duct tape and know how to use it brings Red Green "Live" Wit & Wisdom Tour Wednesday to the Stranahan Theater.

Steve Smith, the bestselling author and comedian better known as Red Green, will share his relationship philosophies, some handyman tips, and general advice on lowering one's expectations to live a happier life. He's been entertaining audiences for more than 20 years with his homespun wit and wisdom and his 1991-2006 Canadian PBS series The Red Green Show that also aired in the United States.

Red Green "Live" Wit & Wisdom Tour will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd. Tickets are $48.50. Information: 419-381-8851 or stranahantheater.org.

Tippi Hedren is attacked by a bird in a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Birds,' showing at the Valentine Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Admission is $5.

Area flicks

Unexplained bird attacks will flock onscreen Friday when the Valentine Theatre presents Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds.

This 1963 suspense/horror movie starring Tippi Hedren and Rod Taylor used trained birds and mechanical ones to film the horrific scenes of birds viciously attacking people. Hitchcock is said to have based the story on the bizarre 1961 deaths of numerous seabirds that crashed into the sides of Monterey Bay, Calif., homes. Decades later scientists discovered the birds had ingested a toxin-making algae that caused amnesia, seizures, and disorientation.

"The Birds" will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Valentine Theatre, 400 N. Superior St. Admission is $5. Information: 419-242-2787 or valentinetheatre.com.

The Sandusky State Theatre will present Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close starring Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock.

A 9-year-old boy who lost his father in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center searches New York City to find a lock that matches the mysterious key left behind by his father.

"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" will be shown at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at Sandusky State Theatre, 107 Columbus Ave., Sandusky. Admission is $5. Information: 419-626-1950 or sanduskystate.com.

The Chinese comedy 'The Piano in a Factory' will be shown at 6:15 p.m. Monday in the McMaster Center of the Main Library downtown. Admission is free.

Toledo-Lucas County Public Library continues its Independent Film Festival Monday with The Piano in a Factory.

This unrated Chinese comedy is directed and written by Zhang Meng and tells a whimsical tale of Chen, a laid-off steel worker who has two passions: his daughter and music. His estranged wife appears and demands a divorce and custody of their daughter. The daughter tells her parents she will live with the parent who provides the best piano. After several failed efforts to borrow the money and an unsuccessful attempt to steal a piano, Chen decides he will build the piano from scratch.

"The Piano in a Factory" will be shown at 6:15 p.m. Monday in the McMaster Center of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library Main Library, 325 Michigan St. Admission and parking are free. Information: 419-259-5285.

L'apo Theatrical Productions

Opal Dunlap will host an informational meeting for L'apo Theatrical Productions from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday in the Kent Branch of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, 3101 Collingwood Blvd.

Dunlap will introduce her company's three-fold mission: theater production, talent management, and community service.

The company is seeking talented youth, partnerships, sponsors, and parents willing to help L'apo thrive. Information: 567-694-5276 or lapotheatricalproduction@yahoo.com.

Theater items should be sent to jnjaim@theblade.com at least two weeks in advance.