Looking for something cultural to do in the next week or so? Here’s our select list of recommendations. Pictured: Joe Knezevich (standing) as Hamlet and Chris Kayser as Claudius in Georgia Shakespeare’s staging of “Hamlet.”
RECOMMENDED
Hamlet. CLOSES SUNDAY. Georgia Shakespeare gives the bard’s greatest murder mystery a fast-paced, good-looking and muscular treatment — with a body count. Featuring Joe Knezevich as Hamlet, Carolyn Cook as Gertrude, Chris Kayser as Claudius and Ann Marie Gideon as Ophelia, plus a first-rate supporting cast. The critics: “A swiftly moving, fluent, ‘no fear’ production” (Andrew Alexander, ArtsATL.com). $16-$48. 8 tonight-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Conant Performing Arts Center on the Oglethorpe University campus, 4484 Peachtree Road N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.504.1473. Ticket discounts at Poshdealz.com.
Harabel: A Sparrow Over a Minefield. PREVIEWS TONIGHT-FRIDAY | OPENS SATURDAY | THROUGH NOV. 10. This one-woman triumph received its world premiere in a two-night run at Theatrical Outfit last winter and is back for a well-deserved three weeks. It’s written and performed in stunning fashion by Jonida Beqo (Yo-NEE-duh BAY-chow), known on the international slam poetry scene as Gypsee Yo. The autobiographical piece is told in poetic snapshots that follow one brave girl’s journey from her home in war-torn Albania to the American South and her transition from stranger to American. Talkbacks follow Nov. 1-2 and 8-9 shows. $20-$50. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. 84 Luckie St. N.W. Details HERE or at 678.528.1500. Ticket discounts at Poshdealz.com.
Third Country. LAST CHANCE. This Horizon Theatre world premiere, by Atlanta playwright Suehyla El-Attar, is in the final days of an extension. The script is inspired by real-life events in Clarkston and features a tour-de-force performance from Cynthia D. Barker as a refugee named Nura. Especially strong work also comes from Eric J. Little as Asad An-Naim. While you’re at Horizon, stop in the Blue Room downstairs and check out items crafted — and for sale — by refugee women. $20-$30. 10:30 a.m. today and 8 tonight; 10:30 a.m. Friday. 1083 Austin Ave. N.E. (at Euclid Avenue). Details, tickets HERE or at 404.584.7450. For more on Eric J. Little, see this Encore SNAPSHOT.
THIS WEEKEND ONLY
Movie Music Spectacular. Atlanta Symphony Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski (pictured, at right) leads the ASO and its chorus in a trip to the movies, where memories often are made by the music. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday. $22-$60. Atlanta Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000.
NOW PLAYING
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark. THROUGH NOV. 10. Hollywood in the 1930s was a place of glamour, humor, personality and screwball comedy. It also cultivated insecurity, cutthroat competition and scarce opportunities — especially for women of color. This is where you’ll meet a beautiful force of nature named Vera Stark, one of those women. By the Way, Meet Vera Stark, at the Alliance Theatre, is the newest play from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage (Intimate Apparel, at the Alliance in 2006). It was inspired by the life and career of Theresa Harris, a pioneering African-American movie actress. $30-$75. Through Nov. 10. 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. 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000. Ticket discounts at PoshDealz.com. For more on Nottage, read this Encore FEATURE.
The Dragon King. THROUGH-NOV. 3. Tanglewood Marionettes of Ware, Mass., deal with drought in this story about a Dragon King who’s holding back China’s precious rain and the Grandmother willing to go to the bottom of the sea to find out why. Recommended for ages 4 and up. 10 and 11:30 a.m. Tuesday-Friday; 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday; and 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday. $16.50; under 2 free. Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St. N.W. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.873.3391.
Elevate 2013. This city-sponsored nine-day art, music, dance and theater festival ends its run with theater performed outdoors and on MARTA trains. At 5 and 7 tonight: If Heaven, written and directed by Theroun Patterson, is based on Beth Malone’s neon installation Y’all Gotta See This. Free. At 6 tonight and 7 p.m. Friday: Mass Transit Muse, by Mike Molina and 7 Stages, examines the concept of “other.” It begins at the Inman Park MARTA station, continues at the Georgia State station and concludes at the Little Five Points station. Details HERE.
Warrior Class. PREVIEWS THROUGH OCT. 29 | OPENS OCT. 30 | THROUGH NOV. 17. This critically acclaimed political drama by Kenneth Lin follows the fortunes of a rising Asian-American Republican. He has a sparkling reputation, Obama-like charisma and seems unstoppable — until an ex-girlfriend enters the picture. Lin, the winner of the 2006 Alliance/Kendeda Playwriting Competition, returns to celebrate the event’s 10th anniversary. $33-$38. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Alliance Theatre, Hertz Stage, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details HERE or at 404.733.5000. Ticket discounts for this weekend at PoshDealz.com. For more on playwright Kenneth Lin, see this Encore FEATURE.
LOOKING AHEAD
24-Hour Opera Project. 8 P.M. NOV. 2. This third annual competition, sponsored by the Atlanta Opera, shows what happens when Verdi meets reality TV. Composers and lyricists who’ve applied to take part are randomly paired, then given 12 hours to create an opera scene. The pieces then go to directors, who draft singers, and have eight hours to rehearse before performance time. The final showcase will be webcast. Free. 14th Street Playhouse, 173 14th St. N.E. (at Juniper Street). Details HERE or at 404.591.2931 or at education@atlantaopera.org.
The Grimm Lives of the Inbetweens. 7 P.M. MONDAY. The Alliance Theatre builds on its series of plays about the middle-school years with this piece, a collision of fairy tales and the experiences of real tweenagers. It uses digital storytelling, interactive theater techniques and quirky renditions of classic tales. $15-$20. Mainstage, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000.
Pluto. WORLD PREMIERE | OCT. 30-NOV. 24. Steve Yockey. Actor’s Express. World premiere. National New Play Network. This should be some kind of fun. Yockey (pictured, at right), who brought Wolves to the Express last season and Octopus a few years back, turns his dark and twisty imagination to a mother and son, who, in the wake of a tragedy, try to jump-start their relationship across the breakfast table. Pluto reunites Wolves‘ actor Joe Sykes and director Melissa Foulger. With Wyatt Fenner, Stephanie Friedman, Alison Hastings and Express regular Kathleen Wattis. Director’s Rough Cut at 8 p.m. Wednesday (pay what you can at the door); previews at 8 p.m. Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 ($15); opens at 8 p.m. Nov. 2 ($40 with reception); regular performances 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sundays. $26-$45 plus fees. Tickets less expensive online. 887 W. Marietta St. Note: The King Plow Arts Center parking lot is under construction. Alternate parking options HERE. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.607.SHOW. Ticket discounts at PoshDealz.com.
Tanz Farm. TUESDAY-NOV. 3. Glo and the Goat Farm launch a second season of multidisciplinary contemporary performance and intimate encounters between artists and the public. This event features three performances and four interactive (free) initiatives with performances by Niv Sheinfeld and Oren Laor of Israel, and a sound installation by C.D. Howe of Canada. The launch event TanzFEED, a conversation with spirits, is free and open to the public. 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Goat Farm’s Goodson Yard. Performance tickets are $15 and $25. 1200 Foster St. N.W. Tickets and details HERE.
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Kathy Janich, Encore Atlanta’s managing editor, has been seeing, working in or covering the performing arts for most of her life. Please email: kathy@encoreatlanta.com.
