Looking for something cultural to do this weekend and beyond? Here are Encore Atlanta’s recommendations (in alphabetical order). Pictured: Tony Larkin as the Minotaur and Rachel Frawley as Ariadne in Synchronicity’s world premiere staging of “The Minotaur.”
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). Justin Anderson, a name you should know, directs. Note: Contains strong language and adult content. 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.
Atlanta Contemporary Jewelry Show. The sixth annual Atlanta Contemporary Jewelry Show features the handcrafted work of 28 renowned artists happy to show and sell you their masterpieces. The works range from elegant and traditional to edgy, sculptural and one-of-a-kind. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday (artists wine reception 6-9 p.m.); 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday (special events and giveways 2-4 p.m.). $7. The Defoor Centre, 1710 Defoor Ave. N.W. Details at info@ajcshow.com, 404.239.0308 and HERE. For a ticket-and-dinner package, visit PoshDealz.com.
The Devil Tree. FINAL WEEKEND. The Collective Project takes us to Laurel County, a stretch of South Georgia with deep roots and deeper secrets. This world premiere is an adaption of original short stories by eight Atlanta writers. The critics: “Shows the imaginative focus and elaborate, smartly realized vision that confirm the 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. $15 and $17.50, plus fees. Goat Farm Arts Center in West Midtown, 1200 Foster St. Details HERE. Tickets HERE.
The Minotaur. WORLD PREMIERE. 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 smart and sexy modern retelling of the famous myth. The critics: “Fascinating, fun and lively territory for cast, creators and audience” (Andrew Alexander, ArtsATL.com); “Provides theatergoers with a unique and thought-provoking production” (Kenny Norton, AtlantaTheaterFans.com). 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.
Mozart | Suite From Die Meistersinger. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra welcomes Canadian pianist Stewart Goodyear for a program featuring Mozart’s Rondo in D Major and Piano Concerto No. 24 – Third Movement; R. Strauss’ Death and Transfiguration; and Wagner’s Suite from Die Meistersinger. Israeli maestro Asher Fisch conducts. 8 tonight-Saturday. $24-$75. Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000.
Next to Normal. This brave Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, now at the Alliance Theatre, is among the most powerful stage experiences of recent years. At its core, it’s the story of one suburban family dealing with mental illness. The critics: “An intense telling of an insanely good work of art” (Wendell Brock, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution); “The Alliance has given the material its best possible realization. The cast is splendid” (Andrew Alexander, ArtsATL.com); “The most riveting, don’t-miss play at the Alliance since August: Osage County” (Manning Harris, Atlanta INtown Paper). 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 this weekend, visit PoshDealz.com. Learn how the musical came of age in this Encore FEATURE.
The Real Tweenagers of Atlanta: The Final Assembly. FINAL WEEKEND. 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. There is nothing like it at any theater in the nation. Conceived and directed by Rosemary Newcott. Cast: Danielle Deadwyler, Bernard D. Jones, Claire Rigsby, Jacob York and musician Keith A. Hale. 1 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday. $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 Encore FEATURE.
Tanz Farm. GloATL dance company and the Goat Farm Arts Center launch the inaugural season of experimental performances. The fall version features New York dance company Sidra Bell, Atlanta’s French-language Théâtre du Rêve and Los Angeles vocalist Eliza Rickman (Rickman performs Saturday only). Future installments will come in winter, spring and summer. 8 tonight-Saturday. $15-$25; $10-$15 artists/ students. Season subscriptions $80. The Goat Farm is at 1200 Foster St. N.W. Details, tickets HERE.
Titus Clown! Out of Hand Theater Founding Artistic Director Maia Knispel returns after two years in London with this beautiful, horrible and terribly funny 45-minute spin on Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus. She and husband Tyler Owens, a stage director and Fulbright scholar, created this three-person clown show that toured the United Kingdom; he directs, she’s in the cast. Six shows only. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; 11 p.m. Nov. 9-10, 14 and 16-17. $8-$15. Running in conjunction with the New American Shakespeare Tavern staging of Titus Andronicus (Nov. 1-25), the bard’s first tragedy and bloodiest play. 499 Peachtree St. N.E. Titus Clown! details, tickets HERE. Titus Andronicus details, tickets HERE.
Two Drink Minimum. WORLD PREMIERE. 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: Wendy Melkonian, William S. Murphey, Matthew Myers and Susan Shalhoub Larkin. The critics: “An accomplished play … a great match for Atlanta audiences: tender, funny, nostalgic, plain-spoken and charming” (Andrew Alexander, ArtsATL.com); “That plays often serve a therapeutic purpose for their writers doesn’t always translate into a universally meaningful experience for an audience” (Bert Osborne, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution). Through Nov. 18. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; 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.
