Looking for something cultural to do this weekend and beyond? Here are Encore Atlanta’s recommendations (in alphabetical order). Pictured: The cast of “The Real Tweenagers of Atlanta: The Final Assembly” at the Alliance Theatre. From left: Danielle Deadwyler, Bernard D. Jones, Jacob York and Claire Rigsby. Photo: Jeff Roffman.
Apples & Oranges. WORLD PREMIERE. Fans of Alfred Uhry (Driving Miss Daisy, Return to Ballyhoo) might enjoy this two-hander at the Alliance Theatre. It tells the real story of Marie and Carl Brenner, siblings who couldn’t be more different or antagonistic but find a way to love each other. Cast: Patricia Richardson (TV’s “Home Improvement”) and Broadway actor Tony Carlin. 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.
Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus
Assassins. The brilliant Stephen Sondheim explores the dark side of the American dream through the lives of nine individuals who assassinated, or tried to assassinate, a U.S. president. The critics: “I was amazed at the quality of the production of this odd and wonderful Sondheim gem, and I’d easily place it among my top ‘can’t-miss’ shows of the year” (Andrew Alexander, ArtsATL.com); “Fabrefaction’s cast and staging do justice to some genuinely troubling material, acknowledging the flawed humanity of the characters without reducing them to ironic jokes” (Curt Holman, Creative Loafing). Note: This show contains strong language and adult content. Justin Anderson directs. Through Nov. 11. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; and 3 p.m. Sunday. Fabrefaction Theatre Company, 999 Brady Ave. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.876.9468. For discounts, visit PoshDealz.com.
Betrayal. Husband-and-wife Tess Malis Kincaid and Mark Kincaid, along with Anthony Rodriquez, storm Aurora Theatre‘s mainstage 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: “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, visit PoshDealz.com.
The Devil Tree. EXTENDED THROUGH NOV. 3. Check out what the upstarts at the Collective Project are into now. With this world premiere they take you to Laurel County, a stretch of South Georgia with deep roots and deeper secrets. The drama is adapted from original short stories by eight Atlanta writers. The critics: “Shows the imaginative focus and elaborate, smartly realized vision that confirm he Collective Project is a new, young theater group to watch” (Andrew Alexander, ArtsATL.com); “A creepy, intense twist on Faustian tales pulled straight from Southern folklore” (Kenny Norton, AtlantaTheaterFans.com). 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Also 5 p.m. Oct. 27. $15 and $17.50, plus fees. The Goat Farm Arts Center in West Midtown, 1200 Foster St. Details HERE. Tickets HERE. (Photo: Justin and Rickelle Hadley)
Macbeth. FINAL WEEK. 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 D. Barker (Lady Macbeth). Presented in partnership with the National Black Arts Festival. The critics: “Stellar acting, timid production” (Andrew Alexander, ArtsATL.com); “The cast features many wonderful performances, including the strong pairing of Neal A. Ghant and Cynthia D. Barker as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth” (Christi Whitney, AtlantaTheaterFans.com). 8 nightly through 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. Meet Lady McB (Cynthia D. Barker) up close and personal in this Encore SNAPSHOT.
The Minotaur. OPENING FRIDAY. A rabbi, a priest and a lawyer walk into a Greek myth … and thus begins the story of The Minotaur, about the part man, part bull trapped in a twisty labyrinth. Ariadne, his sister, betrays him. Theseus, the hero, wants to kill him. The rabbi, the priest and the lawyer try to keep the story on the straight and narrow. Synchronicity Theatre opens its 15th season with this world premiere by playwright Anna Ziegler, a smart and sexy modern retelling of the famous myth. She creates a whimsical, haunting and poignant tale about how we write our own stories and how love just might conquer all. The cast: Suehyla El-Attar, Rachel Frawley, Anthony S. Goolsby, Tony Larkin, Brandon Partrick and Nicholas Tecosky. Through Nov. 11. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; and 5 p.m. Sunday. Synchronicity at Horizon Theatre, 1083 Austin Ave. N.E. (at Euclid Avenue). Details, tickets HERE or at 404.484.8636. For discounts, visit PoshDealz.com.
Next to Normal. This brave Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, now at the Alliance Theatre, is among the most powerful stage experiences of recent years. It questions what “normal” means, with a rock, pop, jazz and classical score that includes a couple of waltzes, and won Tony Awards for creators Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey. At its core, it’s the story of one suburban family dealing with mental illness. Through Nov. 11. 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. $25-$75. Alliance Theatre mainstage, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000. For discounts, visit PoshDealz.com. Learn how this musical came of age in this Encore PROFILE.
The Real Tweenagers of Atlanta: The Final Assembly. FOUR SHOWS ONLY! This one-of-a-kind improvised musical is based on writings by real Atlanta middle-school students. It features audience participation and lets middle-schoolers discover themselves onstage. What is a tweenager? Where is the cool between betwixt and between? Find out in this show conceived and directed by Rosemary Newcott. There is nothing like it in trhe rest of the country. Cast: Danielle Deadwyler, Bernard D. Jones, Claire Rigsby, Jacob York and musician Keith A. Hale. 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and 1 and 3:30 p.m. Nov. 3. $20; $15 age 12 and under. Alliance Theatre mainstage, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000. Meet Rigsby in this Encore SNAPSHOT; read more about the show in this FEATURE.
Two Drink Minimum. OPENING SATURDAY. This world premiere comedy by Atlanta philanthropist William Balzer details the journey of a boy and his mother through four stages of her life: the Great Depression, World War II, before he married and afterward. The Theatrical Outfit cast features Wendy Melkonian, William S. Murphey, Matthew Myers and Susan Shalhoub Larkin (pictured, left) as the mother. Previews continue Oct. 25-26. Opening night is Oct. 27 (no 2:30 p.m. show that day). Through Nov. 18. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 2:30 p.m. matinees ($15-$20) on Nov. 1, 3. 10 and 17. $15-$40, plus fees. 84 Luckie St. N.W. Details, tickets HERE or at 1.877.725.8849. For discounts, visit PoshDealz.com.
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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’s affiliated with both Synchronicity and Fabrefaction theaters listed above. Please email: kathy@atlantametropub.com.
