Busy weekend at opera house

It's going to be a busy few days at the Mauch Chunk Opera House.

Tonight at 8 o'clock the opera house, located at 14 W. Broadway in Jim Thorpe, will present 40 Story Radio Tower's most anticipated show of the season.

Forget throne games, women's prison or record empires. It all happens in the shocking finale in a little clinic called, Crosspital.

Hostages, stabbings, suicide pacts. This month you'll get the whole shebang.

If you haven't been following dear Mr. Crumbel for the past year, his innocent trip to the clinic for a simple blood test spiraled out of control, turning him into a desperate revolutionary.

You can catch up on iTunes/fortystoryradiotower, but it may be too late for Crumbel to catch up, in his struggle against his nurse, doctor and even the love of his short life, Dee. Mr. Crumbel is about to fight back.

Musical guests this month are the hotly anticipated Natural Stranger, from Brooklyn. They are an awesome indie/alternative band that plays best live.

Also expect a new episode of Sh*tmouthtown. Short shorts, Coffee and Death, and a whole bunch of disturbing, hilarious and thought-provoking work.

Join host Joe Ferron Hiatt, Natural Stranger, and a whole cast of actors, poets, writers and frolickers for a cold beer on a hot night in Jim Thorpe, no one has regretted it yet.

Tickets are $10.

Friday's

show

On Friday, Atlas Gray returns to the opera house stage.

Influenced by his jazz and rock backgrounds, dynamic singer, songwriter and pianist Alex Godiksen has developed a style that is at once both lyrical and soul-driven.

Lead guitarist Andy Sorenson and drummer Jon Stoltzfus are childhood friends from Philadelphia who share a love of classic funk and modern jazz.

Guitarist John Brackett returned to Connecticut after several years of absorbing the classic Americana sounds of blues and country in Tennessee.

Bassist Adam "Coffee" Clark also has experience performing euphonium and trombone at a professional level.

While the influences are diverse, they are also at the root of Atlas Gray's ability to create a sound that instantly connects with the audience.

For fans of Steely Dan and Maroon Five this show is a must-see.

Tickets are $10.

Saturday's

show

The excitement continues Saturday when Chatham County Line makes its debut on the opera house stage.

Entering their second decade as a band, Chatham County Line bring a deep reverence for traditional American roots music and timeless bluegrass instrumentation to insightful, poetic original songs that are powerfully contemporary yet rich with the complex resonance of their southern heritage.

Over the course of six studio albums and performances around the world, they have pursued a singular style that is entirely their own, yet sounds familiar to everyone who hears this thrilling band.

In person, the band is a marvel of rugged soulfulness, veering from winningly loose to thrillingly tight.

It's apparent that these four men share a profound friendship and love what they do, which translates to their audience.

Tickets are $20.

Doors open for all shows open at 7 p.m. Showtime is 8.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 570-325-0249 or online anytime at www.mcohjt.com.

Tickets are also available at SoundCheck Records in downtown Jim Thorpe, 570-325-4009, and at the opera house on the day of show.

Parking is available and free after 5 p.m. at the Carbon County lot behind the train station.