Looking for something cultural to do this weekend and beyond? Here are Encore Atlanta’s recommendations (in alphabetical order). Pictured: John Wilkes Booth and Sara Jane Moore (Brian Clowdus, Heidi Cline McKerley) in Fabrefaction Theatre Company’s “Assassins.” Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus.
Apples & Oranges. WORLD PREMIERE. Alfred Uhry (Driving Miss Daisy, Return to Ballyhoo) returns to the Alliance Theatre with the real story of siblings Marie and Carl Brenner, who are as different as a red state and a blue state. A crisis may or may not bring them together. The cast: Patricia Richardson and Tony Carlin. Directed by Lynne Meadow (Manhattan Theatre Club). The critics: “With its onstage talent and touching story, this play will be well worth the price of admission, and it will leave you appreciating your family all the more” (Kenny Norton, AtlantaTheaterFans.com); “Apples & Oranges is undoubtedly the best thing on any Atlanta stage at the moment, but there’s still something slightly amiss” (Andrew Alexander, ArtsATL.com); “Raucous and acerbic, sentimental at the core, ultimately devastating, it is a sibling drama that Uhry seems to know as intimately as if it were writ from his own blood” (Wendell Brock, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution). Through Oct. 28. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Hertz Stage, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. $20-$39. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000. To hear some of Uhry’s insights, go HERE.
Assassins. OPENING WEEKEND. The brilliant Stephen Sondheim gives us a thought-provoking, haunting and alarmingly funny musical that considers the lives of nine individuals who assassinated, or tried to assassinate, a president of the United States. From John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald, this Tony Award-winning musical is a historical account that explores the dark side of the American dream. As Sondheim says, “Everybody’s got the right to be happy.” Or do they? Note: This show contains strong language and adult content. Justin Anderson directs. Through Nov. 11. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; and 3 p.m. Sunday. Fabrefaction Theatre Company, 999 Brady Ave. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.876.9468. For discounts, visit PoshDealz.com.
Betrayal. Husband-and-wife Tess Malis Kincaid and Mark Kincaid, along with Anthony Rodriquez, storm Aurora Theatre‘s mainstage in master playwright Harold Pinter’s most famous piece. Their story is a love triangle — husband, wife, best friend and seven years of infidelity — told from end to beginning. The critics: “It’s fantastic to see this talented group cutting its teeth on this material, and when it all works, it’s very impressive” (Andrew Alexander, ArtsATL.com). Through Oct. 28. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday (10 a.m. show only on Oct. 24). $14-$30. 128 Pike St., Lawrenceville. To reach the free parking deck attached to the theater, go to 153 W. Crogan St. Details, tickets HERE or at 678.226.6222. For discounts, visit PoshDealz.com.
The Devil Tree. WORLD PREMIERE. Check out what the upstarts at the Collective Project are into now. They take you to Laurel County, a stretch of South Georgia with deep, deep roots that. It’s the gut-wrenching setting for this piece, adapted from original short stories by eight Atlanta writers. Through Oct. 28. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; and 2:20 p.m. Sunday. Also at 5 p.m. Oct. 27. $15 and $17.50, plus fees. The Goat Farm Arts Center in West Midtown, 1200 Foster St. Details HERE. Tickets HERE.
The Ghastly Dreadfuls: The Last Ghast! Say so long and farewell to the Ghastly Dreadfuls, making a final run at the Center for Puppetry Arts with their eerie stories, spooky songs and devilish dances. The show comes from the twisted minds and talented hands of puppet-play-makers Jon Ludwig and Jason von Hinezmeyer. Recommended for ages 16 and older. Through Oct. 27. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. $25. 1404 Spring St. N.W. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.873.3391. For discounts, visit PoshDealz.com.
Halloween on Hogwarts. It wouldn’t be Halloween without the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra‘s annual family concert. A wise old wizard (conductor Jere Flint, left) has all sorts of tricks up his flowing sleeves as the orchestra performs selections from Harry Potter movies. Dress as your favorite witch, sorcerer or other fantasy character and delight in the annual musicians’ costume contest. With Lee Harper & Dancers and a contribution from the Alliance Theatre. 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Sunday. $15-$20. Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000.
Macbeth. Shakespeare’s dark tale of murderous ambition moves from Scotland to the Caribbean, where island mysticism reigns and true horror unfolds. This Georgia Shakespeare staging commemorates Orson Welles’ landmark 1936 Voodoo Macbeth and features a predominantly African-American cast led by Neal A. Ghant (Macbeth) and Cynthia D. Barker (Lady Macbeth). Presented in partnership with the National Black Arts Festival. The critics: “Stellar acting, timid production” (Andrew Alexander, ArtsATL.com); “The cast features many wonderful performances, including the strong pairing of Neal A. Ghant and Cynthia D. Barker as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth” (Christi Whitney, AtlantaTheaterFans.com). Through Oct. 28. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; and 2 p.m. Sunday. $13-$45. Conant Performing Arts Center at Oglethorpe University, 4484 Peachtree Road N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.504.1473. For discounts, visit PoshDealz.com. Meet Lady McB (Cynthia D. Barker) up close and personal in this Encore SNAPSHOT.
Next to Normal. This brave Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, now at the Alliance Theatre, is among the most powerful stage experiences of recent years. What is normal, it asks, accompanied by a rock, pop, jazz and classical score that won Tony Awards for creators Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey. At its core is the story of a suburban family dealing with mental illness. Previews through Oct. 23. Opens Oct. 24 (8 p.m. curtain) and runs through Nov. 11. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. $25-$75. Alliance Theatre mainstage, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000. For discount tickets to preview performances, visit PoshDealz.com. Learn how this musical came of age in this Encore PROFILE.
Some Girl(s). FINAL WEEKEND. Neil LaBute’s comedy follows a writer whose has it all — a blossoming career and a beautiful fiancee waiting to get married and rush off to Cancun. He reacts nervously, and starts visiting old girlfriends across the country. From Pinch ‘n’ Ouch Theatre. The cast: Lala Cochran, Jackie Costello, Kelly Criss, Julissa Sabino and Grant McGowen. The critics: “Criss is the standout, giving a remarkably subtle yet captivating performance…. Her pain and longing are visible” (Andrew Wesley, AtlantaTheaterFans.com); “The women are skillfully depicted by four smartly cast actresses…. Cochran is the standout as spiky, vengeful, older college professor Lindsay” (Andrew Alexander, ArtsATL.com). 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; and 5 p.m. Sunday. $25. 1085 Ponce De Leon Ave. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 1.800.838.3006.
Two Drink Minimum. WORLD PREMIERE. This comedy by Atlanta philanthropist William Balzer details the lifelong journey of a boy and his mother through four stages of her life: the Great Depression, World War II, before he married and afterward. The Theatrical Outfit cast: Wendy Melkonian, William S. Murphey, Matthew Myers and Susan Shalhoub-Larkin. Previews begin Oct. 24. Opening night is Oct. 27 (no 2:30 p.m. show that day). Through Nov. 18. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 2:30 p.m. matinees ($15-$20) on Nov. 1, 3. 10 and 17. $15-$40, plus fees. 84 Luckie St. N.W. Details, tickets HERE or at 1.877.725.8849. For discounts, visit PoshDealz.com.
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Kathy Janich, Encore Atlanta’s managing editor, has been seeing, covering or working in the performing arts for most of her life. FULL DISCLOSURE: She is affiliated with Fabrefaction Theatre’s “Assassins” listed above. Please email: kathy@atlantametropub.com.
