The Fourth Wall to bring vaudeville-inspired classical show to Sidney

SIDNEY, Neb. — The Fourth Wall will bring its interactive classical variety show “Fruit Flies Like a Banana” to the Sidney High School Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Friday, March 6, as part of the High Plains Arts Council’s 2025-26 season.

The Massachusetts-based trio — flutist Hilary Abigana, bass trombonist C. Neil Parsons and percussionist Greg Jukes — blends music, theater, dance and acrobatics in a fast-paced performance that reimagines traditional classical music. The group describes the show as “serious music by seriously talented musicians in a show that does not take itself seriously at all.”

Performances include unconventional interpretations of well-known composers, such as playing Chopin on hoverboards, performing Satie while hanging upside down and presenting Scott Joplin pieces on plastic boomwhacker tubes. The show also features a tango in which the musicians double as dancers.

Reviewers have described The Fourth Wall’s performances as combining slapstick comedy with virtuosic musicianship. Each show is interactive, with audience members selecting the order of more than 20 pieces prepared for the performance.

The group has performed throughout North America in venues ranging from schools and festivals to an off-Broadway run at the SoHo Playhouse in New York City and an appearance on ABC’s “The Gong Show.”

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, $5 for students, including Western Nebraska Community College students, and free for children under 5. Tickets will be available at the door.