Here’s the rundown: Closing are “City of Conversation” (Horizon), “Of Mice & Men” (Serenbe), “West Side Story” (Lyric) and “Wizard of Oz” (Fox). Libby Whittemore plays four nights at Actor’s Express. “Taming of the Shrew” opens at the Tavern.
Recommended
The City of Conversation. CLOSES SUNDAY. “Smart, literate and funny,” according to The New York Times. We agree. Anthony Giardina’s comic drama follows the machinations of one politically active D.C. family from the Carter years through the election of Barack Obama. The must-see Horizon Theatre cast: Deborah Bowman, Carolyn Cook, Allen Edwards, Rachel Garner, Chris Kayser, Tess Malis Kincaid, Joshua D. Mitchell and Justin Walker. $25 and up. 8 tonight-Friday; 3 + 8:30 p.m. Saturday; 5 p.m. Sunday. 1083 Austin Ave. N.E. at Euclid Avenue. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.584.7450.
[ENCORE SNAPSHOT: MEET ‘CITY’ ANTAGONIST RACHEL GARNER]
Libby’s at the Express. TONIGHT-SUNDAY. Popular cabaret artist Libby Whittemore closes out a seventh season of Actor’s Express shows with a return to the 1970s and songs by such artists as Al Green, Carole King, Kenny Loggins and Carly Simon. She’s joined by Lisa Paige, Wendy Melkonian, Shawn Megorden, and Robert Strickland and his Super-Sized Combo. Expect medleys featuring rock ‘n’ roll, Fleetwood Mac, protest songs and disco. $40. 7:30 nightly (Saturday is sold out). King Plow Arts Center, 887 West Marietta St. N.W. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.607.7469.
Of Mice & Men. CLOSES SUNDAY. The John Steinbeck novel is adapted for the outdoor spaces of Serenbe Playhouse, which becomes a working farm in Depression-era California. Daniel Parvis and Blake Burgess play farmhands George and Lennie in this story about friendship, fortitude and fate. You’ll see it in Serenbe’s barn, alongside a horse or two. Best for ages 15+. $30. 8 tonight-Sunday. 10950 Hutchesons Ferry Road in Chattahoochee Hills. Details, directions, tickets HERE or at 770.463.1110. Discount tickets at PoshDealz.com.
Pancakes, Pancakes! THROUGH JULY 10. A world premiere, with original music, inspired by the Eric Carle picture book. Adapted by Kenneth Lin (Alliance Theatre’s Warrior Class, said Saïd), original songs by Atlanta playwright/composer Phillip DePoy (Edward Foote). $15; $8 age 6-17; under 5 free. 11:45 a.m. Tuesday; 10 + 11:45 a.m. Wednesday-Friday; 11 a.m., 1 p.m. + 3:30 p.m. Saturday; and 1 + 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Staged by the Alliance Theatre in conjunction with the High Museum of Art exhibit I See a Story: The Art of Eric Carle. Hertz Stage, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000.
[READ: MORE ABOUT CARLE AND ‘PANCAKES!’]
Last chance
West Side Story. CLOSES SUNDAY. Romeo and Juliet relocate to 1950s New York and become lovers Tony and Maria in this classic musical by Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein and a young Stephen Sondheim. As summer temperatures rise, so do the tensions between two rival gangs — the Jets (Americans) and the Sharks (Puerto Ricans). $38-$58. 8 tonight-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Atlanta Lyric Theatre, Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, Cobb County Civic Center Complex, 548 S. Marietta Parkway, Marietta. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.377.9948. Discount tickets at PoshDealz.com.
The Wizard of Oz. THROUGH SUNDAY. This North American tour of a new stage adaptation augments the classic score (“Over the Rainbow,” “If I Only Had a Brain”) with new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, and technical wizardry intended to make theatergoing more “cinematic.” $30-$80. 7:30 tonight; 8 p.m. Friday; 2 + 8 p.m. Saturday; and 1:30 + 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 855.285.8499.
[READ: HOW THIS TOUR BECAME A WHIZ OF A ‘WIZ’]
This weekend only
HEADS UP! 2016. TONIGHT-SATURDAY. The Lucky Penny, which creates and presents contemporary performance events, offers a dance showcase featuring the work of choreographers Anicka Austin, Lucky Penny co-founder Blake Beckham, Bella Dorado, Corian Ellisor, Sarah Freeman, Okwae A. Miller, MaryGrace Phillips, Hez Stalcup, Melissa Word and Dance Truck. $20 advance; $25 at the door. 8 nightly. Dance studio, Emory University Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts (free parking in Fishburne deck), 1700 North Decatur Road. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.889.7651.
Opening this weekend
The Taming of the Shrew. PREVIEWS TONIGHT | OPENS FRIDAY. Matt Nitchie is Petruchio and Dani Herd is Katherina in this famous battle of the sexes. It arrives at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse with this delicious caveat: “Contains graphic Elizabethan poetry of a lascivious nature performed by professional actors whose job it is to make it clear.” Consider yourself warned, or encouraged. Full pub menu and bar. $15 preview; regularly $18-$35. Through July 10 (July 1 sold out). 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 6:30 p.m. Sunday. 499 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.5299.
Still playing
Charlotte’s Web. THROUGH JULY 31. Best friends Wilbur and Charlotte, a pig and spider, tell truths about life, death and hard choices in this staging based on the E.B. White children’s book. At Serenbe Playhouse, where the action unfolds outdoors, real animals keep you company, and a cast of six plays live folk music. $10-$20. 11 a.m. Friday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. The Animal Village in Serenbe, 10950 Hutchesons Ferry Road in Chattahoochee Hills. Details, directions, tickets HERE or at 770.463.1110. Discount tickets at PoshDealz.com.
The Little Pirate Mermaid. THROUGH JULY 17. The mermaid princess-turned-pirate sails back into the Center for Puppetry Arts in this piece, adapted and directed by artistic director Jon Ludwig. It’s told with rod, marionette, shadow and black-light puppets. For ages 4+. $20.50. Show times: 10 + 11 a.m. Tuesday-Friday; 11 a.m., noon and 1, 2, 3 + 4 p.m. Saturday; and 1, 2, 3 + 4 p.m. Sunday. 1404 Spring St. N.W. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.873.3391.
