Looking for something cultural to do this weekend and beyond? Here are Encore Atlanta’s recommendations (in alphabetical order). Pictured: Topher Payne as a caped crusader in Essential Theatre’s “Bat-Hamlet.” Photo by Nancy Johnson.
Alice in Wonderland. TWO WEEKENDS LEFT. This isn’t the Alice we grew up with. Critics call this Serenbe Playhouse adaptation “imaginative,” “goofy,” “creative” and “playfully refashioned.” This world premiere treatment by Atlanta playwright Rachel Teagle puts a diffident Alice in the forest with a band of merry music makers. The hourlong site-specific adventure is good for all ages. 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.
Bat-Hamlet. Part of Essential Theatre‘s 2012 festival of new plays. What if Shakespeare had conceived the melancholy Dane as a costumed crimefighter, wonders playwright Jordan Pulliam. The result: A mashup blending comic books and the Bard of Avon, a tale of murder and revenge, poetry & BAM! SOCK! POW! Through Aug. 4. In repertory with the company-created piece The Local and Evelyn in Purgatory by Topher Payne. See the Essential Theatre schedule for details. $23. Festival passes available. Performances at Actor’s Express, 887 W. Marietta St., in the King Plow Arts Center.
Celebrate the Beatles. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra joins Classical Mystery Tour — a Beatles tribute band — for an evening devoted to the Fab Four. Expect to hear more than 20 hits, from “Yesterday” to “Penny Lane.” 8 p.m. Saturday. $15-$35. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta. Tickets HERE.
The Emperor and the Nightingale. Ancient China comes to life through song, dance and puppetry in Georgia Shakespeare’s world premiere family musical (with Seth Langer, left, and Terrance Jackson). Through July 28. 10 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday; also 1 p.m. this Saturday and July 28; and 7 p.m. Tuesday. $13. Conant Performing Arts Center at Oglethorpe University, 4484 Peachtree Road N.E. Details, tickets: www.gashakespeare.org or 404.504.1473.
Evelyn in Purgatory. Part of Essential Theatre‘s 2012 festival of new plays. This world premiere by Atlanta’s Topher Payne is about five public school teachers caught in the limbo of a disciplinary holding area. He calls it “a Breakfast Club for teachers.” Critics call it “smartly crafted,” “a very funny dramatic comedy” (with an ambiguous ending that is “problematic”) and the playwright’s “strongest work to date.” You decide. Through Aug. 2. In repertory with the company-created piece The Local and Bat-Hamlet by Jordan Pulliam . See the Essential Theatre schedule for details. $23. Festival passes available. Performances at Actor’s Express, 887 W. Marietta St., in the King Plow Arts Center.
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. True Colors Theatre Company presents a world premiere based on the 1967 Sidney Poitier-Katharine Hepburn-Spencer Tracy movie about a family whose liberal beliefs are tested when their daughter brings home her handsome, wealthy, brilliant and successful fiancé — who happens to be black. Critics have called the performances of Tom Key, Tory Kittles and Tess Malis Kincaid “luminous”; others are troubled by a script that seems dated. Through July 29. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. $20-$75. Tickets HERE or at 877.725.8849. Rialto Center for the Arts, 80 Forsyth St. N.W.
Illyria: A Twelfth Night Musical. In repertory with Much Ado About Nothing and The Importance of Being Earnest. This gender-bending love triangle is set to a rock ‘n’ roll, country, gospel and Andrew Lloyd Webber-ish score. Got that? Good. 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. $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. Meet Courtney Patterson, Illyria’s Viola HERE.
The Importance of Being Earnest. In repertory with Much Ado About Nothing and Illyria: A Twelfth Night Musical. Oscar Wilde’s satirical comedy concerns a couple of pals, each with his eye on a different lady, who masquerade as a libertine named Ernest in order to close the deal. Good for ages 8 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. 3. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. $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. Meet Courtney Patterson, Earnest’s Gwendolyn Fairfax HERE.
Liquid Culture — A Utopia Station Series. The dance and performance artists of gloATL continue this series with the help of Atlanta Opera artists, giving some of opera’s great masterpieces a fresh point of view. 8:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday. At Sol LeWitt’s “54 Columns” sculpture (right) outdoors at Highland Avenue and Glen Iris Drive. Free. Just show up and enjoy.
The Local. Part of Essential Theatre‘s 2012 festival of new plays. A collaborative project about the city of Atlanta created by playwrights, poets, choreographers, photographers, designers, songwriters, rappers, dancers and more. It’s about about belonging (and not belonging), how you shape the place you live and how it shapes you. Actor-director Ellen McQueen directs the project she developed, funded in part through a Kickstarter campaign. Through Aug. 3. In repertory with Evelyn in Purgatory and Bat-Hamlet. See the Essential Theatre schedule for details. $23. Festival passes available. Performances at Actor’s Express, 887 W. Marietta St., in the King Plow Arts Center. $18-$23
Much Ado About Nothing. In repertory with Illyria: A Twelfth Night Musical and The Importance of Being Earnest. A tale of infidelity, trickery and a faked death. Remember, all’s fair in love and war. 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. $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. Meet Courtney Patterson, Much Ado’s Beatrice HERE.
The Red Herring. The Collective Project Inc., one of the newer kids in Atlanta theater, stages a detective story described as “comedic noir.” The leading man is named Detective Stainless Steel (Matthew Myers, left), if that gives you an idea of what you’re in for. The playwright is Atlantan Greg Garrison. Through July 29. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. $15, plus service fees. Recommended for ages 18+. Goat Farm Arts Center (Rodriguez Room), 1200 Foster Street in West Midtown. Photo by Justin Hadley.
Sheddin’. The next chapter in the life of empty-nesters Walt and Ruthie (from 2009’s A Cool Drink a Water). They’re preparing to welcome home son Trane, a rising hip-hop artist. The critics: “familiar and refreshing … but, like water, can sometimes leave you wanting something more”; “an expertly crafted atmosphere of enormous dramatic potential … turning it into real drama proves difficult”; “extraordinary and singular in its use of language.” Part of Horizon Theatre’s New South Play Festival and the National Black Arts Festival. Through Aug. 19. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 3 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday; and 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $20 HERE or at 404.584.7540. Horizon Theatre, 1083 Austin Ave. N.E.
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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: kathy@atlantametropub.com
