Looking for something cultural to do this weekend and beyond? Here are Encore Atlanta’s recommendations (in alphabetical order). Pictured: Caitlin Reeves as Puck in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Serenbe Playhouse, opening this weekend.
Alice in Wonderland. WORLD PREMIERE. Critics call this Serenbe Playhouse adaptation “imaginative,” “goofy,” “creative” and “playfully refashioned.” Atlanta playwright Rachel Teagle puts Alice in the past with a band of commedia dell’arte cohorts and into the present with pop culture references. This hourlong site-specific advenure for all ages is staged outdoors with music and merriment. Through July 28. 11 a.m. Friday-Saturday. Serenbe is in Chattahoochee Hills, west of Palmetto, about 30 minutes from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. $15; $10 students and children; under 2 free. Details, tickets, directions: www.serenbeplayhouse.com or 770.436.1110. For discounts, visit poshdealz.com.
As You Like It. FINAL WEEKEND. A cast of 15, including the delightful Veronika Duerr as Rosalind — a woman, and a woman pretending to be a man — takes this Shakespeare comedy into the woods, so to speak. The New American Shakespeare Tavern specializes in “Original Practice,” which means the play is done as it was when originally staged — costumes but no sets, characters who speak to the audience, no recorded sound effects. Sample the pub and beer menus before the show and at intermission. Trivia note: As You Like It was the Tavern very first show, on May 16, 1984. Tickets: $15-$36. 7:30 tonight-Saturday; and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. 499 Peachtree St. N.E. 404.874.5299. For discounts, visit poshdealz.com.
Illyria: A Twelfth Night Musical. Now in repertory with Much Ado About Nothing. This gender-bending love triangle is set to a mix of rock ‘n’ roll, country, gospel and Andrew Lloyd Webber-ish theater songs, with company regulars Courtney Patterson, Joe Knezevich and Chris Kayser taking the leading roles. Good for ages 6 and up. Picnicking before the show is encouraged. Bring a basket and a bottle of wine or pre-order from Carole Parks Catering. Check the GS website for performance dates and a schedule of pre-show and post-show chats. Through Aug. 5. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. (The third show in the summer rep, The Importance of Being Earnest, begins July 5.) Season packages still available; single tickets $15-$45. Conant Performing Arts Center at Oglethorpe University, 4484 Peachtree Road N.E. Details, tickets: www.gashakespeare.org or 404.504.1473. For discounts, visit poshdealz.com.
The Little Pirate Mermaid. Marionettes tell the Hans Christian Andersen story about a mermaid princess turned buccaneer. Adapted and directed by the seriously talented Jon Ludwig. Through July 15. 10 a.m. Tuesday-Friday; 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday; and 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday. $16.50; under age 2 free. Mainstage Theater at the Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St. N.W. Tickets HERE or at 404.873.3391.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream. OPENING WEEKEND. Rage and jealously. Lust and laughter. Longing and love. The bard’s celebrated romantic comedy gets a sumptuous makeover in the enchanted forests of Serenbe Playhouse, with a nod to the music and aesthetic of the 1950s. In the open-air room at The Inn at Serenbe. (Entrance on Atlanta Newnan Road, before main Serenbe entrance.) Through July 15. 8 tonight-Sunday. $15-$25, plus tax. Serenbe is in Chattahoochee Hills, west of Palmetto, about 30 minutes from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Details, tickets, directions: www.serenbeplayhouse.com or 770.436.1110. For discounts, visit poshdealz.com.
Much Ado About Nothing. In repertory with Illyria: A Twelfth Night Musical. The second show in Georgia Shakespeare’s summer season is a tale of infidelity, trickery and a faked death. Remember, all’s fair in love and war. As they do in Illyria, Courtney Patterson and Joe Knezevich (left) take leading roles. Producing Artistic Director Richard Garner directs. Good for ages 8 and up. Bring a basket and a bottle of wine or pre-order from Carole Parks Catering. Check the website for performance dates and a schedule of pre-show and post-show chats. Through Aug. 4. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. (The third show in the rep, The Importance of Being Earnest, begins July 5.) Season packages still available; single tickets $15-$45. Conant Performing Arts Center at Oglethorpe University, 4484 Peachtree Road N.E. Details, tickets: www.gashakespeare.org or 404.504.1473. For discounts, visit poshdealz.com.
Musicals Suck, The Musical. FINAL WEEKEND. If you love to hate musicals or hate to love them, Dad’s Garage promises you’ll love this show. Got that? The story: Sydney, scarred by a musical as a child, hates them to this day. When the Ironic Curse Gypsy turns her life into a musical, however, Sydney must learn to sing and dance to escape. Written by Travis Sharp and Dad’s Artistic Director Kevin Gillese, who also directs. Music by Eric Frampton (Illyria: A Twelfth Night Musical at Georgia Shakespeare). 8 tonight-Saturday. $14-$20 (cheapest if you buy online). Also available: Fancy Pants VIP seats for a $5 upcharge (online and by phone). Dad’s Garage Theatre Company, 208 Elizabeth St. N.E. Tickets HERE or at 404.523.3141.
The Waffle Palace: Smothered, Covered and Scattered 24/7/365. FINAL WEEKEND. This world premiere, a loving sendup of that most Southern of institutions, has heart and plenty of quirky humor. The nimble, often hilarious cast features LaLa Cochran, Allan Edwards, Marguerite Hannah, Enoch King, Larry Larson, Eric Mendenhall and Maria Rodriguez-Sager. 8 tonight-Friday; 3 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday; and 5 p.m. Sunday. $20-$30 plus taxes. 1083 Austin Ave. N.E. at Euclid Avenue. Tickets HERE or 404.584.7450. READ MORE about cast member LaLa Cochran.
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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. Please email: [email protected]
