Looking for something cultural to do this weekend and beyond? Here are Encore Atlanta’s recommendations (in alphabetical order). Pictured: Victor Love as Hecate and Neal A. Ghant as Macbeth in Georgia Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” Photo: Bill Loach Photography.
Apples & Oranges. WORLD PREMIERE. Alfred Uhry (Driving Miss Daisy, Return to Ballyhoo) returns to the Alliance Theatre with this piece based on Marie Brenner’s memoir of the same name. It tells the story of Marie and brother Carl, who are as different as a red state and a blue state. He lives in the Pacific Northwest, cultivating his apple orchards, polishing his guns and attending church. She’s a journalist and author, who leads a cosmopolitan life among New York’s liberals. A crisis eventually creates some common ground. The cast: Patricia Richardson (TV’s “Home Improvement”) and Tony Carlin. Directed by Lynne Meadow, artistic director of Manhattan Theatre Club. Through Oct. 28. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Hertz Stage, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. $20-$39. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000. To hear some of Uhry’s insights, go HERE.
Betrayal. Husband-and-wife Tess Malis Kincaid and Mark Kincaid (last season’s Body of Water) return to Aurora Theatre in master playwright Harold Pinter’s most famous piece. Their story is a love triangle — husband, wife, best friend and seven years of infidelity — told from end to beginning. The critics: “All in all, Betrayal seems like a great exercise for actors, designers and director. It’s fantastic to see this talented group cutting its teeth on this material, and when it all works, it’s very impressive” (Andrew Alexander, ArtsATL.com). Through Oct. 28. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday (10 a.m. show only on Oct. 24). $14-$30. 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. For discounts, go to PoshDealz.com.
Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín. Actors, soloists and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra tell the story of courageous Jewish prisoners in the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp during World War II, who learned Verdi’s Requiem Mass by rote and performed it 16 times as a statement of defiance and resistance. The concert/drama features a full performance of The Requiem along with video testimony from surviving choir members and original Nazi propaganda film footage. Murry Sidlin conducts. Sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League. 8 tonight (Oct. 11). $55-$100 (no late seating). Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000.
Dracula: The Rock Opera. FINAL WEEKEND. Let 7 Stages and Atlanta’s L5P Rock Star Orchestra transport you to Transylvania, bringing Bram Stoker’s chilling 1897 novel to life with sex, blood, rock ‘n’ roll and a 16-performer ensemble. The critics: It’s “a great fit for 7 Stages, never afraid to be experimental” (Jim Farmer, ArtsATL.com); “Rob Thompson’s Dracula is brilliant; he is riveting — it’s a totally committed performance” (Manning Harris, Atlanta INtown). Bonus: The theater is attached to Java Lords, a terrific, if hole-in-the-wall-ish coffeehouse/bar. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; and 7 p.m. Sunday. $30. 1105 Euclid Ave. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.523.7647. For discounts, visit PoshDealz.com.
44 Plays for 44 Presidents. Like the title suggests, this show packs 44 short plays (one for each U.S. president) into one show. Most are funny, and all are true. Laugh, learn things and be a patriot! Dad’s Garage first produced this show 10 years ago. This time Alison Hastings and Matt Horgan direct. Through Nov. 6 (election night!). 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; also at 8 p.m. Oct. 15 and Nov. 6. $7-$27. Dad’s Garage Theatre Company, 280 Elizabeth St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.523.3141 (you’ll save money by buying online).
The Ghastly Dreadfuls: The Last Ghast! Say so long and farewell to the Ghastly Dreadfuls, making a final run at the Center for Puppetry Arts with their eerie stories, spooky songs and devilish dances. The show comes from the twisted minds and talented hands of puppet-play-makers Jon Ludwig and Jason von Hinezmeyer. Recommended for ages 16 and older. Through Oct. 27. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. $25. 1404 Spring St. N.W. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.873.3391. For discounts, visit PoshDealz.com.
Macbeth. Shakespeare’s dark tale of murderous ambition moves from Scotland to the Caribbean, where island mysticism reigns and true horror unfolds. This Georgia Shakespeare staging commemorates Orson Welles’ landmark 1936 Voodoo Macbeth and features a predominantly African-American cast led by Neal A. Ghant (Macbeth) and Cynthia Barker (Lady Macbeth). Presented in partnership with the National Black Arts Festival. The critics: “Stellar acting, timid production” (Andrew Alexander, ArtsATL.com). Through Oct. 28. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; and 2 p.m. Sunday. $13-$45. Conant Performing Arts Center at Oglethorpe University, 4484 Peachtree Road N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.504.1473. For discounts, visit PoshDealz.com.
Some Girl(s). This Neil LaBute comedy follows a writer whose has it all — a blossoming career and a beautiful fiancee waiting to get married and rush off to Cancun. He reacts with a case of nerves that has him start calling, and visiting, old girlfriends. From Pinch ‘n’ Ouch Theatre. The cast: Lala Cochran, Jackie Costello, Kelly Criss, Julissa Sabino and Grant McGowen. The critics: “Criss is the standout, giving a remarkably subtle yet captivating performance with what is perhaps the most identifiable of the four women. Her pain and longing are visible” (Andrew Wesley, AtlantaTheaterFans.com); “The women are skillfully depicted by four smartly cast actresses…. Cochran is the standout as spiky, vengeful, older college professor Lindsay” (Andrew Alexander, ArtsATL.com). Through Oct. 21. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; and 5 p.m. Sunday (also at 8 p.m. Oct. 15). $25. 1085 Ponce De Leon Ave. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 1.800.838.3006.
Time Stands Still. FINAL WEEKEND. Horizon Theatre Company gives us 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 and James (Carolyn Cook and Robin Bloodworth), a photojournalist and foreign correspondent, who share life, love and a passion for documenting the realities of war. It’s the home front that proves more threatening. The critics: “It is the gifted Carolyn Cook’s star turn that simultaneously elevates and grounds the drama” (Bert Osborne, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution); “An unforgettable theatrical experience” (Andrew Wesley, AtlantaTheaterFans.com). 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 3 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday; 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.
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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.
