Looking for something cultural to do this weekend and beyond? Here are Encore Atlanta’s recommendations (in alphabetical order). Pictured: The cast of Horizon Theatre’s “Time Stands Still” (from left) Robin Bloodworth, Carolyn Cook, Ann Marie Gideon and Chris Kayser.
Kiss of the Spider Woman. Actor’s Express stages this musical thriller from Kander and Ebb (Cabaret, Chicago) based on the Manuel Puig novel and the 1985 movie of the same name. It tells the story of Valentin and Molina, a Marxist revolutionary and a gay window dresser, respectively, who develop an uneasy friendship rooted in surviving a Latin American prison. Directed by Express Artistic Director Freddie Ashley. The critics: “Mr. Ashley … turns Spider Woman into an exotic, ultimately moving evening of musical theater” (Atlanta INtown); “One of the theater’s strongest productions in recent history” (AtlantaTheaterFans.com). The show won seven 1993 Tony Awards including best musical. Through Oct. 7. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. $26-$47, plus tax (tickets are $2 cheaper when purchased online). 887 W. Marietta St. in the King Plow Arts Center. Tickets, details HERE or at 404.607.7469. For discounts, visit PoshDealz.com.
The Man Who Came to Dinner. Georgia Ensemble Theatre opens its 20th anniversary season with this classic comedy by Kaufman and Hart, the duo whose You Can’t Take It With You was GET’s very first production. This one features a cast of more than 25 actors and tells the story of irascible arts critic Sheridan Whiteside, who comes to call and just … won’t … leave. Through Sept. 23. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. $20-$33. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forest St., Roswell. Tickets HERE or at 770.641.1260.
Measure for Measure AND All’s Well That Ends Well. Atlanta Shakespeare Company at the New American Shakespeare Tavern calls this comedic two-pack its September Repertory or “What Could Possibly Go Wrong?” Both shows include the return of Tavern favorite Maurice Ralston, who relocated several years ago. He’s Vincentio, the Duke in Measure and the King of France in All’s Well. $15-$36. Through Sept. 30. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. See Measure on Sept. 16, 21, 23, 27 and 29. See All’s Well on Sept. 13 ($15 preview), 14-15, 20, 22, 28 and 39. 499 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.874.5299, Ext. 0.
My Name Is Asher Lev. FINAL WEEKEND. Theatrical Outfit‘s season opener has received the best word-of-mouth at this point in the fall season. This coming-of-age story about art, family and religion in post-WWII Brooklyn features a first-rate cast: Nick Arapoglou (pictured, right), Lane Carlock and Brian Kurlander (pictured, left), who play a total of eight characters. The critics: “Brilliant … riveting … revelatory” (AtlantaTheater Fans.com); “Nick Arapoglou plays so effectively against type it’s as though he’s been replaced by his own evil twin” (Curt Holman, Creative Loafing); “Played by a top-notch cast … Arapoglou’s energy and charisma is undeniable” (Wendell Brock, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution). $15-$40. Through Sept. 16. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Balzer Theater at Herren’s, 84 Luckie St. N.W., Atlanta. Information at 678.528.1500. Tickets HERE or at 1.877.725.8849. For discounts, visit PoshDealz.com. Get up close and personal with Kurlander HERE.
Our Town. FINAL WEEKEND. Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama — one of the great American plays — explores life, marriage and death in 1900s Grover’s Corners, N.H. It’s really about the everlasting regret of all those moments in life that go unappreciated, even if appreciating every one is impossible. A dedicated cast gets all the big and small moments right in a space that could treat them more kindly. Actor-about-town Bill Murphey makes his directorial debut. $16-$20, plus fees. Through Sept. 16. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday; and 5 p.m. Sunday. The Renaissance Project, 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, H.F. Shepherd Multi-Plex, Building F, Decatur. Details, tickets HERE or at 678.250.4800.
SHIFT, A Place of Possibility. In this program of dance, CORE Performance Company premieres new works by artistic director Sue Schroeder and guest artists Lori Teague and Leslie Scates. Teague’s “I felt my life with both hands” (inspired by an Emily Dickinson line) explores the unknown as a possibility or opportunity, as opposed to a space that creates fear. Scates’ “HERD” explores the qualities inherent in a herd, as performed by four women. Schroeder’s “STILL,” inspired by the poem “La Escuela” by Federico García Lorca, addresses the signs left on people by destiny. Free ($20 VIP admission — Saturday only — benefits the company). 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Decatur High School Performing Arts Center, 310 N. McDonough St., Decatur. Details, reservations HERE or at 404.373.4154.
Tigers Be Still. OPENING WEEKEND. Playwright Kim Rosenstock (writer for TV’s “New Girl”) creates a ferociously funny world of suburban dysfunction centered around the overly eager Sherry Wickman, a young woman with a master’s degree in art therapy who finally gets a job — as a substitute art teacher. Now if only her mother would come downstairs, her drunk sister would get off the couch, her patient would do his take-home assignments, her new boss would leave his gun at home and someone would catch the tiger that escaped from the local zoo. Note: Includes adult content. Directed by Justin Anderson in Aurora Theatre‘s black-box Harvel Lab. $15. Through Sept. 30. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. 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.
Time Stands Still. OPENING WEEKEND. Horizon Theatre Company stages the Southeastern premiere of this New York hit by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Donald Margulies (Dinner With Friends, 2000). It tells the story of Sarah (Carolyn Cook) and James (Robin Bloodworth), a photojournalist and foreign correspondent, respectively, who’ve been together for years and share a passion for documenting the realities of war. When circumstances send them home, conventional domesticity seems to threaten them more than roadside bombs. The cast includes Ann Marie Gideon and Chris Kayser. Directed by Lisa Adler, Horizon’s co-artistic/producing director. Previews at 8 p.m. Sept. 13 ($15). Opens at 8 p.m. Sept. 14. Through Oct. 14. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 3 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday (no 3 p.m. show Sept. 15); and 5 p.m. Sunday. $20-$25. Horizon Theatre Company, 1083 Austin Ave. N.E. (at Euclid Avenue). Details, tickets HERE or at 404.584.7450.
The Tranquil Tortoise and the Hoppity Hare. This Alliance Theatre production, from its Theatre for the Very Young arm, moves to the Goat Farm in West Midtown for two weekends. You might even hear the turkey holler! This piece about the famous race is told with dance, movement, music and storytelling for those 18 months to 5 years old (and their grown-ups). 9:30 and 11 a.m. Sept. 15 and 9:30 a.m. Sept. 22. $10. 1200 Foster St. Details HERE or at 404.733.5000.
What I Learned in Paris. WORLD PREMIERE. Miniskirts and bell-bottoms sold downtown for $8.87. Stevie Wonder sang “Livin’ for the City” on the radio. And change was in the air from Buckhead to Butler Street. This political romance by Pearl Cleage begins the Alliance Theatre‘s 2012-13 season in a big way. The story, a tale of passion and politics that could only happen in Atlanta, begins the night Maynard Jackson is elected mayor. Through Sept. 30. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. On the Alliance mainstage, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. $30-$50. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000. For discounts, visit PoshDealz.com. Read more about the show and the playwright HERE.
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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.
love iot