Looking for something cultural to do this weekend and beyond? Our select list of recommendations includes Synchronicity Theatre’s “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon,” based on Grace Lin’s Newbery Honors novel. Photo by KVC Photography.
RECOMMENDED
Fugitive: EROS and The Chemicals Between Us. THROUGH SUNDAY. Keep your eye on actor-turned-playwright Theroun D’Arcy Patterson, who’s early in his writing career. His work is already being produced around the country and his latest, That Uganda Play, gets its world premiere this summer as the 2014 winner of the Essential Theatre New Play Festival. This twin bill — Fugitive: EROS and The Chemicals Between Us — features a couple of heartbreakers. In the first, Eros, the Greek god of love, has left the heavens when the love lives of some small-town couples coincidentally take a strange turn or two. Chemicals questions the benefits of romance in an age when love can be deconstructed and sold over the counter. $17-$22 in advance; $20-$25 at the door. 8 tonight-Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. Out of Box Theatre, 585 Cobb Parkway, Suite C-1, Marietta. Details, tickets HERE or at 678.653.4605.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. THROUGH MARCH 9. Based on Grace Lin’s popular 2010 Newbery Honors book. The story: Young Minli lives with her parents near Fruitless Mountain, surviving on the meager fare they can produce. Inspired by the rich tales her father tells her (and by a magical goldfish), Minli determines she will find the Old Man of the Moon who, it is said, knows the secret of good fortune. Told with actors, puppetry, masks and flying kites. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Justin Anderson directs this Synchronicity Theatre staging. $10-$40. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday; and 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday. Synchronicity at the 14th Street Playhouse, 173 14th St. N.E. at Juniper Street. Details, tickets HERE.
LAST CHANCE
The Best of Enemies. THROUGH SUNDAY. Based on the true story and book of the same name. Two very different people — a civil rights activist (Elisabeth Omilami) and a high-ranking KKK official (Bruce Evers) — come together for a common good. Enoch King and Lala Cochran complete the Theatrical Outfit cast. The critics: “[Not] the sharpest or most comprehensive of plays, but in its own quiet way it works, proving timely and debate worthy” (Jim Farmer, ArtsATL.com). $20-$35. 84 Luckie St. N.W. Schedule varies, details HERE. Tickets HERE or at 877.725.8849. Ticket discounts at PoshDealz.com.
In Love and Warcraft. THROUGH SUNDAY. The 2013-14 winner of the Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition. In this world premiere by Madhuri Shekar (University of Southern California), we meet Evie, a master of relationships (other people’s relationships). She soothes egos using the skills she learned as a World of Warcraft champion. The critics: “A cute little comedy that should delight its target audience of college students and gamers” (Andrew Alexander, ArtsATL.com); “A canny blend of Jane Austen and Cyrano de Bergerac — as viewed through a geeky collegiate lens (Wendell Brock, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution); “The irony of In Love and Warcraft is that the play never feels more alive than when it departs from real life” (Curt Holman, Creative Loafing). $25-$33. 7:30 tonight; 8 p.m. Friday; 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Hertz Stage, Alliance Theatre, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Tickets, details HERE or at 404.733.5000. Discount ticket-and-drink packages at PoshDealz.com. Meet the playwright in this ENCORE FEATURE.
Whistling Psyche. THROUGH SUNDAY. Recommended. This challenging, beautiful and moving piece features well-known Atlanta actors Kathleen McManus and Joanna Daniel. They play two 19th-century innovators who wait in a Victorian railway station for a chance to tell their stories, stories that change the course of medicine. This drama will lead to the launch of Arís (uh-REESH) Theatre — Irish for “encore” — a new Irish-Celtic-Scottish company producing its first show in June. $15-$25. 8 tonight-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Third-floor, black-box space at the Alliance Theatre, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Ticket and parking discounts at PoshDealz.com. For more on Whistling Psyche and Arís Theatre, see this ENCORE FEATURE. Pictured: Daniel as Florence Nightingale (left) and McManus as Dr. James Barry. Photo by Safaa Sammander.
DON’T MISS
Women in the Arts Panel Luncheon. 11:30 A.M.-2 P.M. FEB. 27. Synchronicity Theatre holds its 12th annual confab on the arts, business and the business of the arts in Atlanta under the theme “Creative Placemaking: The Arts and Economic Development.” This year’s session is particularly timely, in light of Fulton County’s recent slashing of arts funds. The panelists: Lee Cuthbert of of the Georgia Film Office, Garnie Nygren of the Serenbe development in Palmetto, Kristina Christy of Turner Broadcasting, actor-singer Crystal Fox and Aurora Theatre’s Ann-Carol Pence. Synchronicity Co-Producing Artistic Director Rachel May will moderate. The event will honor philanthropist Stephanie Blank and Moving in the Spirit co-founder Dana Lupton. $65; $50 nonprofit. Table sponsorships available. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.484.8636.
OPENING THIS WEEKEND
Shrek the Musical. OPENS SATURDAY | THROUGH MARCH 16. The Alliance Theatre presents an hourlong musical version of the snarky story about an ogre, a donkey and a princess. Directed by Rosemary Newcott. 3:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 3:30 p.m. Sunday (Saturday showtimes change throughout the run; Sunday showtimes are the same). Mainstage, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000. Discount tickets (this weekend only) at PoshDealz.com.
THIS WEEKEND ONLY
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. 8 TONIGHT | 7:30 P.M. SATURDAY. Music director Robert Spano leads the ASO in an all-Vaughan Williams program that includes The Lark Ascending, featuring concertmaster David Coucheron. Soprano Jessica Rivera and baritone Brett Polegato join the ASO Chorus and Orchestra for Williams’ Dona nobis pacem and his Fourth Symphony. $24-$75. Atlanta Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000.
Libby’s at the Express. 7:30 TONIGHT-SUNDAY. Powerhouse vocalist Libby Whittemore is joined by gal pals Lisa Paige and Wendy Melkonian for an all-new musical revue of songs from the 1950s and ’60s. Yes, they’ve paid tribute before, but this show is ALL NEW. They’re ably supported by by musical director Robert Strickland and his combo. Note: After more than six months of construction, the new parking deck is open. It’s $5 and can be paid at the deck exit or at a self-pay kiosk near the Express entrance (no cash; credit or debit cards only). $40. Actor’s Express, King Plow Arts Center, 887 W. Marietta St. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.607.SHOW (buy online and save).
NOW PLAYING
Romance Repertory. THROUGH MARCH 30. Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo and Juliet and The Taming of the Shrew rotate performances at the New American Shakespeare Tavern. British pub menu (and libations) available. $20. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 6:30 p.m. Sunday. 499 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.874.5299.
Shakespeare’s R&J. THROUGH MARCH 2. In this adaptation of Shakespeare’s play, four prep school students, weary of routine, dig into a copy of the tragedy and discover how it mirrors their own structured lives. Brian Clowdus of Serenbe Playhouse directs a cast featuring Chase Steven Anderson, Kyle Brumley, Brian Hatch and Justin Walker. The Joe Calarco play is at Fabrefaction Theatre Conservatory. $18-$22. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. 999 Brady Ave. Details, tickets HERE. Ticket discounts at PoshDealz.com.
Tamer of Horses. THROUGH MARCH 2. A teenage rapper on the run takes up residence in an old barn owned by a former teacher, who tries to inspire the boy through an examination of Homer’s The Iliad. Jaclyn Hofmann directs the William Mastrosimone drama at Aurora Theatre as part of the Harvel Lab Series. The cast: Anthony P. Rodriguez, Maria Rodriguez-Sager and Dane Troy. Includes adult language and situations. $15. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday. 128 East Pike St., Lawrenceville. Free, covered, attached parking in the city of Lawrenceville deck at 153 East Crogan St. Details, tickets HERE or at 678.226.6222. Discount tickets at PoshDealz.com. Pictured: Rodriguez (left) and Troy. Photo: Chris Bartelski.
LOOKING AHEAD
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. 8 P.M. THURSDAY | 7:30 P.M. SATURDAY. Guest conductor Thierry Fischer makes his ASO debut in a program that features Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 and and Nielsen’s Violin Concerto. The latter features the much-in-demand Hilary Hahn. $24-$75. Atlanta Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000.
The Great Gatsby. FEB. 27-MARCH 16. The breathtaking glamour and decadent excess of the Jazz Age come to the stage in an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel. Self-made millionaire Jay Gatsby passionately pursues the elusive Daisy Buchanan, while newcomer Nick Carraway is drawn into their world of obsession, greed and danger. Tess Malis Kincaid directs a cast that features Elizabeth Wells Berkes, Robin Bloodworth, Bryan Brendle, Rachel Garner, Vicki Gray Ellis, Steve Hudson, Jason MacDonald, Stacy Melich and David Plunkett. $10-$33. Georgia Ensemble Theatre, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. Details HERE or at 770.641.1260. Discount tickets at PoshDealz.com.
Race. BEGINS TUESDAY | THROUGH MARCH 23. A suspense story from David Mamet that the Chicago Tribune called “intellectually salacious.” The story: Two high-profile lawyers — one black, one white — are called to defend a wealthy white client charged with the rape of an African-American woman. They soon find themselves in the middle of a complex case where blatant prejudice is as disturbing as the evidence at hand. John Dillon, who has worked across the country as well as in England, Russia, Egypt and Japan, directs a cast featuring Andrew Benator, Neal Ghant, Tiffany Hobbs and Ric Reitz. Note: It’s Mamet, so of course it contains adult language. $15-$50. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. True Colors Theatre Company at the Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Road S.W. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.532.1901. Limited number of discount tickets at PoshDealz.com.
Red Badge of Courage. FEB. 27-MARCH 23. This staging, a co-production of 7 Stages and Kennesaw State University’s College of the Arts, uses tabletop puppetry, live actors, and a multi-layered web of projected silhouettes and animation to tell Stephen Crane’s story about the Civil War and a Union soldier named Henry Fleming. $10-$20. Co-created by 7 Stages’ Michael Haverty and KSU’s Jane Barnette. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 5 p.m. Sunday. Also at 2 p.m. March 15 & 22. 1105 Euclid Ave. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.523.7647. Discount tickets at PoshDealz.com. (Pictured: Josh Brook)
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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. Full disclosure: She’s affiliated with Synchronicity Theatre listed above. Please email: kathy@encoreatlanta.com.
