Looking for something cultural to do this weekend and beyond? Our select list of recommendations includes “Mary Poppins” at Aurora Theatre, with Andy Meeks (striped coat) as Bert and Galen Crawley (center) as Mary Poppins. Photo by Chris Bartelski.
RECOMMENDED
Mary Poppins. THROUGH AUG. 31. The nanny who’s practically perfect takes flight, literally, at Aurora Theatre, supported by 27 regular humans and a live orchestra. This Broadway version of the story is based on author P.L. Travers’ original tales and the Disney movie. Some shows are already selling out; check before you go. Justin Anderson (last season’s Les Miserables) directs. The critics: “How cool to think a new generation of theatergoers will be exposed to the silly pleasures of ‘Chim Chim Cher-ee’ … Like Bert, we are all ‘as lucky as lucky can be’ ” (Wendell Brock, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution). $30-$50. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 2:30 & 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Discount matinees ($20) at 10 a.m. Aug. 6, 13 & 20. No evening show Aug. 6. 128 E. Pike St., Lawrenceville. Free, covered and attached parking in city of Lawrenceville deck at 135 E. Crogan St. Details, tickets HERE or 678.226.6222. Discount tickets at PoshDealz.com.
Modern Life, Modern Music. FRIDAY ONLY. Famed trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and his Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra blow open the National Black Arts Festival‘s inaugural Spotlight Series with this all-new concert curated by Marsalis and featuring compositions by orchestra members. 8 p.m. $45-$90 plus fees. Limited VIP tickets are $175 plus fees and include premier seating, a post-performance reception and toast with Marsalis and orchestra members, and wine and dessert. Atlanta Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Tickets, Details HERE. For more on this year’s NBAF, see this ENCORE FEATURE. Discount ticket packages at PoshDealz.com.
One Man, Two Guvnors. CLOSES SUNDAY. Hurry, before you miss it! Georgia Shakespeare bites lustfully into this laugh-out-loud mix of satire, song, slapstick comedy and one-liners. Aaron Muñoz (Theatrical Outfit’s 2010 Confederacy of Dunces) delivers a tour-de-force performance as the man in the middle. The evening does get a tad long, though, with Beatles-inspired music from the local trio The Head, which plays live onstage before and during the show. Contains naughty bits and language, so parental guidance is encouraged. Creative Loafing’s Curt Holman calls Muñoz’s work “one of the best comedic performances I’ve ever seen at the company.” The AJC’s Wendell Brock calls it “borderline genius.” $14-$33. 8 tonight-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Conant Performing Arts Center at Oglethorpe University, 4484 Peachtree Road N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.504.1473. Discount ticket vouchers at PoshDealz.com.
THIS WEEKEND ONLY
Youth Creates. FRIDAY-SATURDAY. 7 Stages’ training program gives teenagers experiences in playwriting, design and performance that culminates in an original production. This year’s, titled Lost Creations, explores two intersecting worlds, their connection almost broken and dreams almost lost. The piece features students from Atlanta, the Netherlands, Israel and China. $10. 8 p.m. 7 Stages mainstage, 1105 Euclid Ave. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.523.7647.
OPENING THIS WEEKEND
Oklahoma! OPENS TONIGHT | THROUGH AUG. 17. Serenbe Playhouse emphasizes the dark side of the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical about farmers, cowmen and their loves and desires. The large cast includes Edward McCreary as Curly, Kelly Schmidt as Laurey, Bryant Smith as Jud Fry, Lala Cochran as Aunt Eller, Jessica Miesel as Ado Annie, Austin Tijerina as Will Parker, Steve Hudson as Andrew Carnes and Tony Larkin as Ali Hakim. $15-$30. 8:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. This site-specific piece is performed at the Hay Barn at The Inn, 10950 Hutcheson Ferry Road, Chattahoochee Hills. Follows signs to “show today/parking.” Tickets HERE until one hour before show then available on-site. Details HERE or at 770.463.1110. (Pictured, from left: Tony Larkin as Ali Hakim, Austin Tijerina as Will Parker and Jessica Miesel as Ado Annie. Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus.) Discount tickets at PoshDealz.com.
Ravens & Seagulls. OPENS TONIGHT| THROUGH AUG. 17. World premiere. This co-winner of the Essential Theatre Play Festival features three women who face the final days of their ailing sister’s life. The drama is described as emotionally raw and painfully funny. $18-$23. Performances: Opens at 8 tonight. Also at 8 p.m. July 26 and Aug, 1, 4, 6, 9, 12-15 and 2 p.m. Aug. 10 & 17. West End Performing Arts Center, 945 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.756.6465. Discount tickets at PoshDealz.com. For more, see this ENCORE FEATURE.
NOW PLAYING
The Frog Prince. THROUGH JULY 26. Georgia Shakespeare makes merry with a musical retelling of the Grimm Brothers fairy tale about a beautiful princess, a frog and how things aren’t always what they seem. Stay afterward for kids’ crafts and photos with the cast. $10. 11 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Conant Performing Arts Center, 4484 Peachtree Road N.E. Details HERE or at 404.504.1473. (Pictured: Patrick Wade and Devon Hales. Photo: Greg Mooney.)
Guyi-Guyi: The Other Ugly Duckling. THROUGH AUG. 3. The acclaimed Spanish puppet company Periferia Teatro de Títeres performs its version of the famous tale. In this one, a crocodile is accidentally born into a family of ducks and lives happily until he meets another crocodile and learns his true identity. Done with rod and tabletop puppets. Recommended for ages 4 and older. $16.50; under 2 free.10 a.m. and noon Tuesday-Friday; 11 a.m., 1 & 3p.m. Saturday; and 1 &3 p.m. Sunday. Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St. N.W. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.873.3391. Limited discount tickets at PoshDealz.com.
Right On. THROUGH AUG. 31. Horizon Theatre stages a soul-filled story of laughs, tears and a funky beat from playwright Darren Canady, the 2007 winner of the Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition (False Creeds). His story features the reunion of former black radicals and the education of one of their sons. The cast: Donna Biscoe, Marguerite Hannah, Tonia Jackson, Dane Troy, Minka Wiltz and LaParee Young. Contains strong language and adult situations. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Staged in conjunction with the National Black Arts Festival. The critics: “Right On is billed as ‘a soul-filled story with laughs, tears and a funky beat.’ In the end, two out of three ain’t bad” (Bert Osborne, The Atlanta Journal Constitution). $20-$30. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 3 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday; and 5 p.m. Sunday. 1083 Austin Ave. N.E. at Euclid Avenue. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.584.7450.
The Rocky Horror Show. THROUGH AUG. 9. Actor’s Express’ 15-member cast invites you to do the “Time Warp” again. Follow innocents Brad and Janet as they seek refuge in a mysterious castle on a rainy night, encountering the lab of Dr. Frank N. Furter and his gaggle of aliens and misfits. Madness and rock ‘n’ roll ensue. Not for kids. Contains strobe lights, haze, adult language, nudity, violence, sex, loud music and aliens. The critics: “A fun, light-as-a-feather-boa production to see in the summertime, but the feeling … is very Halloween, so it occasionally feels out of place” (Andrew Alexander, ArtsATL.com). $26-$46. No fees if you buy online. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 8 p.m. & midnight Saturday (no Sunday shows). King Plow Arts Center, 887 W. Marietta St. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.607.SHOW.
Same Time, Next Year. THROUGH AUG. 3. Kenny Leon and Phylicia Rashad play lovers who meet by chance on business in 1951 and, though married to others, promise to rendezvous every year at the same time at the same place. The 1975 script is by Bernard Slade. Directed by Actor’s Express co-founder Chris Coleman, who’s been leading Oregon’s Portland Center Stage for the past 14 years. Selling out, so please plan ahead. $35. $20 standing-room tickets (about 12) are available if the performance is sold out. Schedule varies. True Colors Theatre Company at the Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Road S.W. Tickets HERE. Directions HERE.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. EXTENDED THROUGH AUG. 17. Serenbe Playhouse has broken its own box-office records with this signature retelling of the classic L. Frank Baum story featuring a bookish Dorothy who creates magic in her own backyard with organic visuals created by the Center for Puppetry Arts. Don’t expect Judy Garland or a musical. Performed outdoors in the Animal Village (enter at The Inn). Bring your own seating. The critics: “In the theatrical landscape of Atlanta, there really is no place like Serenbe” (Wendell Brock, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution). $15; $10 ages 13 and under. 11 a.m. Friday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday and July 27. 10950 Hutcheson Ferry Road, Chattahoochee Hills. Details HERE. Tickets available HERE until one hour before show time, then on-site.
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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.
