Looking for something cultural to do this weekend and beyond? Our recommendations include “Mary Poppins,” in its final weekend, at Aurora Theatre. Pictured: Andy Meeks as Bert and Galen Crawley as Mary Poppins. Photo by Chris Bartelski. RECOMMENDED Mary Poppins. CLOSING SUNDAY. All good things come to an end, and so it is with Aurora Theatre’s staging of this well-told tale. Make sure tickets are available before you go. 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 tonight-Friday; 2:30 & 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. 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. 
The Savannah Disputation. THROUGH SEPT. 7. Theatrical Outfit begins its 38th season with this holy war of words in which two plain-as-potatoes Roman Catholic siblings forget all about Southern charm when a peppy evangelical Christian comes to their door. Bless their hearts. Tess Malis Kincaid directs the comedy by Georgia-born Evan Smith. The cast: Alex Bond, Lane Carlock, Shannon Eubanks and Mark Kincaid. The critics: “Cleverly acted and genuinely funny” (Kenny Norton, Atlanta Theater Fans). $20-$50. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 2:30 & 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Balzer Theater at Herren’s, 84 Luckie St. N.W. Tickets, details HERE, at 678.528.1500 or 1.877.725.8849. Limited discount tickets at PoshDealz.com. (Pictured, from left, Bond and Eubanks. Photo: Greg Newington) Wabi Sabi. FRIDAY ONLY. Atlanta Ballet’s modern dancers return to the High Museum of Art’s piazza and the Mi Casa, Your Casa installation. The program is schedule to include Angels’ Share by John Heginbotham, En Route by Tara Lee and Yours Is Mine by Robert Dekkers, with live music by Sonic Generator. Free. 7:45 p.m. Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details HERE. Photo by Kim Kenney. 
OPENING THIS WEEKEND Chainz/Broken. BEGINS FRIDAY | CLOSES SEPT. 14. Rising Sage Theatre ends its first season with this pair of one-acts by playwright and co-founder Paris Crayton III. In Chainz, four men come together in a police holding cell in the aftermath of a murder and, while there, learn about each other and being an endangered species in America. In Broken, five women tell their stories after losing children to gun violence. $20-$30. 8 p.m. Friday; 2 & 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. Details, tickets HERE. 
CLOSING THIS WEEKEND Right On. THROUGH SUNDAY. Horizon Theatre stages this story from playwright Darren Canady, the 2007 winner of the Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition (False Creeds). It 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. The critics: “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 tonight-Friday; 3 & 8:30 p.m. Saturday; and 5 p.m. Sunday. 1083 Austin Ave. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.584.7450. (Photo by Greg Mooney) THIS WEEKEND ONLY 2014 National Puppet Slam. TODAY-SATURDAY. Center for Puppetry Arts. This year’s 10 curated pieces come from California, Connecticut, Maryland, Minnesota and New York and include such titles as Moon Gas (a rock opera set in in a subterranean moon tavern); Hot Carl (a tabletop piece with a dancing skeleton); and Real Puppetry of the Penis (go see for yourself). $12. 8 nightly. 1404 Spring St. N.W. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.873.3391. LOOKING AHEAD Bull Durham. BEGINS SEPT. 3 | THROUGH OCT. 5. Baseball and romance go toe to toe at the Alliance Theatre in this world premiere musical, which has all the earmarks of a show bound for Broadway. It’s based on the 1988 movie and writer Ron Shelton’s own minor-league baseball experiences. The big three are Will Swenson (Broadway’s Hair and Les Miz) as “Crash” Davis; John Behlmann as “Nuke” LaLoosh; and Melissa Errico (Broadway’s White Christmas, High Society, My Fair Lady) as Annie Savoy. Please note: Contains sexual content/innuendo. Recommended for ages 16 and up. $30-$75. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Alliance mainstage, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000. Discount tickets for Sept. 9 only at PoshDealz.com. 
Curious Encounters 2. SEPT. 4-7. Returns to 7 Stages with six curated performances from some of Atlanta’s more contemporary and original performers, all playing with the notion of interactive art. Lineup includes Shana Robbins and the Nomadic Love Mesa, Josh Brooks & Megan Jance, the Object Group, Mike Stasny & Maggie Ginestra, and Johnny Drago. The performances take place throughout 7 Stages and environs, and patrons move among them. $15 advance; $20 at door. 7-10 p
.m. Thursday-Saturday; 6-9 p.m. Sunday. 1105 Euclid Ave. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.523.7647. Les Liaisons Dangereuses. OPENS SEPT. 6 | THROUGH OCT. 5. Two rivals and ex-lovers play a dangerous game of sexual conquest in pre-revolutionary France in this season opener at Actor’s Express. Based on a scandalous 1782 novel and familiar, perhaps, from the Oscar-winning movie. Melissa Foulger (Pluto, Wolves) directs a nine-person cast that includes Park Krausen (Théâtre du Rêve), Edward McCreary (Serenbe’s recent Oklahoma!) and AE favorite Kathleen Wattis (Pluto). Director’s Rough Cut preview at 8 p.m. Sept. 3 (pay what you can at the door); previews at 8 p.m. Sept. 4-5 ($20.) Opening night is $40 and includes a post-show reception. Regularly $26-$45 (buying online saves $2). 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. 887 W. Marietta St. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.607.SHOW.
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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.
