Looking for something cultural to do this weekend and beyond? Here are Encore Atlanta’s recommendations (in alphabetical order). Pictured: Kate Graham as the runaway bride in “Brilliant Traces” at Synchronicity Theatre. Photo by Chris Bartelski).
Avenue Q. Tick, tick, tick … two weeks remain in Horizon Theatre’s reprise staging of the Broadway — and Atlanta — hit. Still running, still worth seeing and still for adults only. Its youthful creators sucker-punched Broadway in 2003; their wiseacre worldview, songs, scenes, puppetry and video are just as timely today. Winner of seven 2011-12 Suzi Bass Atlanta theater awards. Through April 1. Call ahead for tickets. Horizon Theatre, 1083 Austin Ave. N.E. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 3 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday; and 5 p.m. Sunday. $20-$50. tickets.horizontheatre.com. 404.584.7450. (Snapshot: Meet Nick Arapoglou, who won a Suzi for his work as Princeton.)
Billy Elliot the Musical. This touring Broadway hit clocks in at three hours, but we hear time flies when the dancers do their thing. Based on the 2000 movie about a recent, sad chapter in British history and the son of a striking coal miner who trades his boxing gloves for ballet shoes. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E. 8 tonight-Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. $25-$60 plus fees www.ticketmaster.com.
Bond and Beyond. Conductor Michael Krajewski leads the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and guest artist Debbie Gravitte, a Tony Award-winning singer/actor, in a retrospective of classic 007 thrillers and music from The Pink Panther, Austin Powers and Dick Tracy. Symphony Hall. 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday. $25-$64. www.atlantasymphony.org, 404.733.5000.
Brilliant Traces. FINAL SIX SHOWS. Synchronicity Theatre delivers a wild ride with this twisty two-actor mystery about grown-ups who run away from home. Its ups and downs will leave you gasping — and talking. Featuring Kate Graham and Chad Martin. At 7 Stages Backstage Theatre, 1105 Euclid Ave. N.E. Through March 23. 8 tonight and Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday; 7 p.m. March 21; and 8 p.m. March 22-23. $25 adults; $18 students with ID, senior citizens and artists. Tickets: synchrotheatre.com or 404.484.8636.
Clyde ‘n Bonnie: A Folktale. OPENING NIGHT. This brand-new musical about the infamous Depression-era outlaws is a big deal. It comes to Aurora Theatre with a Broadway pedigree. The book is by actor/writer Hunter Foster (Urinetown), the score is by actor/writer/composer Rick Crom, and Lonny Price — who directs — has more credits than we can list here. It’s billed as a side-splittin’, toe-tappin’, gun-totin’ — and historically dubious — good time. Aurora Theatre, 128 Pike St., Lawrenceville. (Note: The parking deck is at 153 W. Crogan St.) Through April 8. At 8 tonight. Continues at 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Wednesday discount matinee ($16) at 10 a.m. April 4. $25-$35. Tickets: boxoffice@auroratheatre.com, 678.226.6222. For ticket discounts, visit poshdealz.com.
I Just Stopped By to See the Man. Three lost souls collide in a musical landscape choked with the heartache and beauty of the Delta Blues. Featuring bluesman “Mississippi” Charles Bevel. Hertz Stage at the Alliance Theatre, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Through April 8. 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. $38 and $40. Tickets: alliancetheatre.org, 404.733.5000.
The Motherf**ker With the Hat. OPENS SATURDAY. A fast, funny-sad and poetically profane cage match fueled by substance abuse, sex, jealousy and mistaken haberdashery. A Broadway hit from Stephen Adly Guirgis. NOTE: Contains extremely strong language and nudity. Actor’s Express, 887 W. Marietta St. Through April 14. Previews at 8 tonight-Friday ($15). Opens at 8 p.m. Saturday ($40). Regular performances at at 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday ($25-$30). All tickets are subject to tax and, if purchased by phone, a $2 processing fee. Tickets: www.actors-express.com, 404.607.7469. For ticket discounts, visit poshdealz.com.
Petite Rouge. More fun than a bender on Bourbon Street (and suitable for all ages). Synchronicity Theatre charms with this zydeco retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood tale. Little Red is a duck, her best friend is a timid cat, and there’s a big, bad gator named Claude (in the wolf role) chasing them through Mardi Gras. Three swift and versatile storytellers join in, playing more than 20 human and animal characters – crayfish, turtle, frog, riverboat tourists, Mardi Gras dancers, funeral-goers and more. It’s a toe-tapping 70 minutes good for ages 3+. Through March 25 at 7 Stages Backstage Theatre, 1105 Euclid Ave. N.E.. 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday; 2 and 4 p.m. Sunday; and 10:30 a.m. Wednesday-Thursday (call ahead). $15-$30. Tickets: synchrotheatre.com or 404.484.8636. (Snapshot: Meet the show’s music director, S. Renee Clark, a two-time Suzi Award winner.)
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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 Synchronicity Theatre and Actor’s Express, both mentioned above. Please email: kathy@encoreatlanta.com.
