Monster trucks, a singing Jesus, rock stars and a Cable Guy will bust February's typical pink-hearts and chocolate mold at the Casper Events Center.

"We don't have any dull moments here," said Tiffine Canepa, marketing director for the center.

Today the events center is being turned into an 8-inch deep, 17,000 square foot sand box for the monster truck show coming in Saturday, Canepa said.

But the monster trucks are only the beginning of a month full of big-name entertainment offerings.

Here's a look at what's rumbling and rocking Casper in February.

Monster Truck Winter Nationals and Thrill Show

Dave Harkey has jumped and/or crushed automobiles under tires that are taller than the average female since 1988. (For those who need hard numbers, the tires are 66 inches or 5 and 1/2 feet in diameter.)

He drives "Bigfoot," the Ford F350 some consider to be king of the monster truck circuit. Five other top monster trucks will challenge him Saturday in side-by-side drag racing that involves plenty of jumps to execute and cars to crush.

After the ear-splitting rounds of drags, the trucks will prepare a few more vehicles for recycling in the freestyle contests, a time when drivers get to play and show off a bit.

"It's very rough and bumpy at times," Harkey said. "But the new trucks are so forgiving for individuals."

Back in the 1970s, a truck named Bigfoot was a weekend play toy for Bob Chandler, the man who started monster trucks, Harkey said.

Chandler's truck had 8 inches of suspension. Harkey's has 28 inches - and a six-point harness device that gives Harkey complete confidence, even when clearing 16 cars in one jump.

Monster trucks have the horsepower to zip from 0 to 80 miles per hour in less than four seconds, he said.

"There's no such thing as a friend on the race track," he said. "Monster Moose and Public Disturbance are real tough competitors. They're nobody you can let your guard down on."

A Wyoming versus Colorado ATV Quad war, a hot rod car show and other locally driven races will top off the night.

"If you're not deaf, you will be," Harkey said.

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Tickets: Advance tickets $11 for children 12-and-under, $18 adults general admission; $16 for children, $26 adults reserved. Adult prices are $2 more on Saturday.

'Jesus Christ Superstar'

The Best of Broadway series continues Monday with the 1971 Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical that earned five Tony Award nominations.

Ted Neeley, the star of the 1978 movie, makes his final national tour as Jesus. He is joined by Corey Glover, lead singer of the rock band Living Colour, who plays Judas. Glover has also been in "Platoon," "Godspell" and "Fallen Angel."

"Neeley has a stage presence that will blow you away," Canepa said.

The play is set in two acts and tells the story of the final seven days in the life of Jesus Christ. It shows his entry into Jerusalem, the unrest he caused with his preaching, his clearing of the temple, his betrayal by Judas, his trial before Pontius Pilate and his crucifixion. It was quite controversial when it first released but proved its quality and relevance, frequently being named in people's top five Broadway productions, the official "Superstar" website said.

The presentation is tastefully yet graphically done, said local fan Robbie Humble, who will see the show for her 10th time Monday.

When: 7:30 p.m. Monday.

Tickets: $32.50, $37.50 and $42.50.

Goo Goo Dolls and Augustana

Jude Carino, owner of Sonic Rainbow in downtown Casper, has followed the Goo Goo Dolls for more than 20 years.

In the late 1970s, he lived in Erie, Penn., which is only about 100 miles from the band's hometown of Buffalo, N.Y. His mother had a dear friend who was the next door neighbor of Goo Goo Dolls bass player, Robby Takac. This friend would listen to the punk musician practice every day, Carino said. That friend-of-a-friend connection started his decades-long appreciation for the band.

"It is one of my guilty pleasures that I absolutely love the Goo Goo Dolls," Carino said. "They are a band who's done what's known in the business as 'putting in their time.' They've played in every dive bar, every garage. They have worked very hard to get where they are."

Carino, whose day job is director of the Historic Trails Interpretive Center, started Sonic Rainbow 15 years ago to give his passion for music an outlet.

"It's all about passion," he said. "These guys have it; that's why they're here."

Augustana, one of VH1's "You Oughta Know" artists, will round out the concert with their easygoing rock ballads and piano anthems that are reminiscent of Coldplay or The Fray, Sonic Rainbow employee Betsy Taucher said. When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20.

Tickets: All seats are reserved. $29.50 tickets still available.

Larry the Cable Guy

The last time Larry the Cable Guy was in Casper, his show sold out, Canepa said. She expects he will pack the events center again this month.

The "Blue Collar Comedy Tour" comedian has a unique style that resonates with America's working class population, a press release said. He jests all over the country and has appeared in several movies in the last year, including voicing Toe Mater in the animated movie "Cars."

Larry's Right to Bare Arms tour is based on a solo album released in March of 2005. The album was seventh on 2005's Billboard 200. It covers a range of topics from shooting quail to Las Vegas to faith healers and weight problems.

Larry grew up in Nebraska and moved to Florida when he was 16. He started his comedy career at a club in Blue Springs, Mo., and moved on to radio comedy in 1991. His "Larry" character was created after he was asked to call into a station as a fictional cable installer.

When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25.

Tickets: $42, all seats reserved. Cash discount available at the events center box office.

**Reach Hannah Wiest at (307) 266-0535 or hannah.wiest@casperstartribune.net