Want to put some culture in your weekend? See a show! Our top recommendation continues to be the musical “Memphis,” in its final weekend at Aurora Theatre. The show relocates to Theatrical Outfit (at the Rialto Center for the Arts) on Sept. 10. Pictured: Some of “Memphis'” kicking ensemble, with Eric Moore (center). Photo by Chris Bartelski.
RECOMMENDED 
Memphis. CLOSES SUNDAY. This Aurora Theatre/Theatrical Outfit co-pro finishes its Lawrenceville run, then moves to downtown Atlanta (opening Sept. 10 at the Rialto Center for the Arts). Check ahead to make sure seats are available. This musical, inspired by true events, isn’t the best piece of theater you’ll ever see, but Aurora’s 27-member cast and nine-piece band joyfully tear up the joint. The show, which did win the 2010 Tony Award for best best musical (weak season), features pioneering disc jockey Huey Calhoun who moves Southern rock ‘n’ roll from radio to TV. $25-$60. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The theater is at 128 Pike St. Free, attached and covered parking in city lot at 153 E. Crogan St. (Beware the construction on Ga. 316.) Details, tickets HERE or at 678.226.6222. Discount tickets at PoshDealz.com.
OPENING THIS WEEKEND 
Pericles, Prince of Tyre. OPENS FRIDAY | THROUGH SEPT. 6 (two weeks only). A dark and troubling riddle starts the heroic adventure of one man’s lifetime, a story of love gained, lost and gained again. Join the New American Shakespeare Tavern as it follows the noble Pericles (Paul Hester) over continents and decades, goddesses and pirates, jousts and tempests. $15-$39. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Pub menu and delicious pints. 499 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.874.5299. Discount Tavern gift cards available via PoshDealz.com.
THIS WEEKEND ONLY
CREATE ATL: Family Fun at the Woodruff Arts Center. SUNDAY ONLY. An afternoon of free programming led by the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and High Museum of Art. Activities include family festivals, art-making activities, interactive musical story times, composers-in-training sessions, instrument making, drop-in acting classes and more. Noon-5 p.m. Free, but reservations are requested HERE. Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Questions at 404.733.4200.
Step Afrika. SATURDAY ONLY. Step Afrika, the first professional company in the world dedicated to the African-derived tradition of stepping, celebrates its 20th anniversary season as part of the National Black Arts Festival. In this performance, titled Symphony of Step, the dancers are joined by a symphony orchestra and gospel choir. $30-$45. Doors open at 5 p.m. Show at 6 p.m. Center Stage Atlanta, 1374 West Peachtree St. N.W. Details HERE, tickets HERE.
NEXT WEEK
Class Act. OPENS SEPT. 3 | THROUGH SEPT. 19. Rising Sage Theatre Company opens its season with this drama by Oregon playwright Rich Rubin, winner of its Visiting Playwright Series slot, about a young African-American student at a prestigious East Coast university who volunteers to portray a prostitute in an in-class, role-playing exercise. $15-$25. 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 2+ 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. West End Performing Arts Center, 945 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. S.W. Details, tickets HERE.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. PREVIEWS BEGIN WEDNESDAY | OPENS SEPT. 9. The Alliance Theatre has assembled a who’s who of Atlanta actors to tell this story of rebel Randle P. McMurphy, who gets himself committed to a mental hospital instead of serving jail time. There, he runs head-on into the stern, unforgiving Nurse Ratched, and a fierce battle of wills commences. Neal A. Ghant is McMurphy; Tess Malis Kincaid is Nurse Ratched. Also in the cast, a few names you should know: Richard Garner, Ann Marie Gideon, Chris Kayser, Joe Knezevich, Bethany Anne Lind, Eric Mendenhall and Anthony Rodriguez. $20-$68. Through Oct. 20. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 2:30 + 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Several special events are scheduled with this staging, details HERE. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000. For more, see this ENCORE FEATURE. (Pictured: Ghant, Kincaid. Photo by Greg Mooney)
COMING UP 
Calendar Girls. OPENS SEPT. 10 | THROUGH OCT. 4. Georgia Ensemble Theatre opens its 2014-15 season with the U.S. premiere of this comedy-drama based on the 2003 feature film. Nine friends from a British women’s club find their bonds put to the test when a fundraising effort for the local hospital earns the international spotlight. $30 and up. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Also at 4 p.m. Sept. 19 + 26. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. Details HERE or at 770.641.1260. Discount tickets at PoshDealz.com. (Pictured, from left: Jennifer Levison, Courtenay Collins, Meg Gillentine. Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus)
Stupid F*cking Bird. PREVIEWS SEPT. 9-11 | OPENS SEPT. 12. Playwright Aaron Posner’s sort-of adaptation of Chekhov’s The Seagull had its world premiere at D.C.’s Woolly Mammoth in 2013. The Washington Post described it as “a funny, moving slugfest, a ripe mashup of mock and awe.” The Actor’s Express cast includes Lane Carlock, Matt Felton, Stephanie Friedman and Theo Harness. $20 previews; $40 opening night with reception. Regularly $26. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. King Plow Arts Center, 887 W. Marietta St. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.607.7469. Discount tickets at PoshDealz.com.
Winter Journey (Winterreise). SEPT. 12-20. The Atlanta Opera opens its season with a theatrical version of Franz Schubert’s famed song cycle, a romantic journey that includes two cycles of songs telling the story of unrequited love. This production is essentially an “illustrated” Winter Journey, with a projection-mapped set that acts as a self-contained landscape that transforms from song to song. Baritone David Adam Moore sings the title role. In German with English subtitles. $35-$45. 8 p.m. Sept. 12 at Kennesaw State University, Bailey Performing Arts Center. Also, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17; 8 p.m. Sept. 19; and 3 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Conant Performing Arts Center on the Oglethorpe University campus, 4484 Peachtree Road N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.881.8885.
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Kathy Janich, Encore Atlanta’s managing editor, has been seeing, working in or writing about the performing arts for most of her life. Please email: kathy@encoreatlanta.com.
