What to see, what to do this first weekend of March? Our top picks include the family-friendly “Fancy Nancy the Musical” at Synchronicity Theatre; the opening of Lauren Gunderson’s “The Revolutionists” at 7 Stages; and the incomparable Libby Whittemore in concert at Actor’s Express. Pictured: Sterling McClary as Lionel (and a rapping shark) in “Fancy Nancy.” Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus.
Recommended
Fancy Nancy the Musical. THROUGH MARCH 19. Based on the uber-popular Fancy Nancy book series. Nancy and BFF Bree can’t wait to be mermaids in the school ballet, but when Nancy is cast as tree, she wonders if she can bring her signature style to such a small role and stay true to her fancy philosophy. $15-$30. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 1 + 4 p.m. Saturday; 2 + 5 p.m. Sunday. Student matinees at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday-Thursday (call ahead to verify performance). Synchronicity Theatre, 1545 Peachtree St. N.E. (in the Peachtree Pointe building). Details, tickets HERE or at 404.484.8636.
Libby at the Express: Greatest Hits. TONIGHT-SUNDAY Powerhouse vocalist Libby Whittemore returns to Actor’s Express for a show dedicated to favorites from past Express gigs. She’ll pull from shows about the 1960s, the ’70s, the Gershwins, Rodgers & Hart and Broadway, among others. Dare we hope for “Mountain Greenery,” “You Don’t Own Me” and … wait for it … “Where the Boys Are?” Whittemore is joined onstage by Lisa Paige and Shawn Megordon and backed by Robert Strickland and His Super-Sized Combo. $40. 7:30 nightly. King Plow Arts Center, 887 W. Marietta St. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.607.7469.
The Revolutionists. PREVIEWS TONIGHT | OPENS FRIDAY. Any script with playwright Lauren Gunderson‘s name attached must be seen. 7 Stages presents this new comedy, yes, comedy, from the prolific Decatur-born, San Francisco-based writer. Revisit 1793 Paris, during the Reign of Terror, where four powerful Frenchwomen tackle gender inequality, racial tension and rising violent radicalism while facing the guillotine and writing a play of their own. Cast: Rachel Frawley, Stacy Melich, Parris Sarter and Park Krausen, as Marie Antoinette. $22.50. Through March 20. 1105 Euclid Ave. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.523.7647.
New this weekend
Much Ado About Nothing. PREVIEWS TONIGHT-FRIDAY | OPENS SATURDAY. Confirmed bachelor Benedick and the independent Beatrice engage in Shakespeare’s second-most-famous battle of the sexes. Matt Nitchie and Tiffany Porter play the battling B+B. Pub menu, brews and a full bar. Through March 26. $15 tonight; $20 Friday. Regularly $30. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 6:30 p.m. Sunday. New American Shakespeare Tavern, 499 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.874.5299, Ext. 0.
This weekend only
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. TONIGHT + SATURDAY. Augustin Hadelich, who won the 2016 Grammy Award for best classical instrument solo, plays Sibelius’ Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D minor, Opus 47. Also on the program: Boris Blacher’s Variations on a Theme by Niccolo Paganini, Opus 26, and Brahms’ Symphony No. 4. Guest conductor Marc Piollet is on the podium. All tickets include admission to a chamber music recital at 6:45 tonight. $20-$49. Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000.
[HEAR HADELICH’S GRAMMY-WINNING SOLO]
Off the EDGE. TODAY-SATURDAY. This biennial dance festival features seven companies and 10 pieces over two nights. Scheduled performers include Gauthier Dance (Germany); Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie (Toronto); the all-male MADBOOTS DANCE (New York); the Kennesaw State University Dance Company (with choreography by Israel’s Ido Tadmor); Atlanta Ballet modernists Wabi Sabi; and the radical modern flamenco of Montreal’s La Otra Orilla. $28-$62. Co-presented by Georgia and Kennesaw state universities. At the Rialto Center for the Arts, 80 Forsyth St. N.W. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.413.9822.
Last chance
American Buffalo. THROUGH SUNDAY. Three small-time crooks pull off a big-time heist in this scathing, oft-produced drama by Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet (Glengarry Glen Ross). Neal A. Ghant (Race, the Alliance’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest) leads the True Colors Theatre cast. Really adult language. For ages 15 and up. $15-$60. 8 tonight-Friday; 2:30 + 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Road. Details HERE. Tickets HERE or at 877.725.8849 (Ticket Alternative).
The Sound of Music. THROUGH SUNDAY. The refreshed version of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, directed by five-time Tony winner Jack O’Brien, has its eyes on Broadway. Ashley Brown, Broadway’s original Mary Poppins, plays the Mother Abbess. Newcomer Kerstin Anderson left her sophomore year of college to play Maria. At the Fox Theatre. $30-$100. 7:30 tonight; 8 p.m. Friday; 2 + 8 p.m. Saturday; and 1 + 6:30 p.m. Sunday. 660 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 855.285.8499. Meet Ben Davis, who plays Captain von Trapp in this ENCORE FEATURE.
[VIDEO: A MONTAGE FROM THE NEW ‘SOUND OF MUSIC’]
Start Down. THROUGH SUNDAY. World premiere. Eleanor Burgess’ play, the 2016 winner of the Alliance/Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competition, questions the way we live, the way we educate our children and our core values around technology. $20-$39. 7:30 tonight; 8 p.m. Friday; 2:30 + 8 p.m. Saturday; 2:30 + 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Hertz Stage, Alliance Theatre, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000.
[FEATURE: ELEANOR BURGESS TALKS ABOUT HER PLAY … AND CHAMPAGNE]
Still playing
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. THROUGH MARCH 20. Tess Malis Kincaid (as the White Witch) and Enoch King (as Aslan the great lion) lead a nine-member Alliance Theatre cast in a family-friendly, one-act staging of the famous C.S. Lewis story about siblings who journey through a wardrobe and into the magical land of Narnia. Expect the unexpected from the dancers and circus-type artists. $20 children; $35 adults. 1 + 3:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. March 13 shows at 1:30 + 4 p.m. Alliance Theatre mainstage, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000.
[READ MORE: SHOW’S DESIGN + PROPS BECOME LIVING, BREATHING THINGS]
Peter and the Starcatcher. THROUGH MARCH 13. Georgia Ensemble becomes one of the first regional theaters allowed to do this swashbuckling Peter Pan prequel, a play with music that ran on Broadway in 2012-13. A cast of 12 creates more than 100 characters in this piece by Rick Elice (Jersey Boys). $25-$35. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday; 4 p.m. matinees March 5 + 12. At the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. Details, tickets HERE or at 770.641.1260. Discount tickets at PoshDealz.com.
The Toxic Avenger. THROUGH MARCH 13. We’re hearing good things about the Horizon Theatre staging of this 2008-09 Outer Critics Circle Award-winning (off-Broadway) rock musical. It’s based on the 1984 superhero horror comedy movie and features Nick Arapoglou — who’s been away from the stage too long. Also in the cast: Leslie Bellair, Julissa Sabino and Michael Stiggers. $25 and up. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 3 + 8:30 p.m. Saturday; 5 p.m. Sunday. At Austin and Euclid avenues in Little Five Points/Inman Park. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.584.7450.
Woman of the Year. THROUGH MARCH 12. Take a stroll through a calendar year in a pair of high heels and see life from a lady’s perspective. This scripted, sketch-comedy at Dad’s Garage says it will smash patriarchy right through the glass ceiling. Written by Dad’s regulars Perry Frost, Linnea Frye and Megan Leahy, among others. Contains blood, adult language, sexual innuendo and violence. $10.50-$20.50 (buy online and save money). 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. At the new Dad’s Garage, 569 Ezzard St. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.523.3141.
[MEET DAD’S FUNNY LADY TAYLOR M. DOOLEY IN THIS ENCORE SNAPSHOT]
Next week
ASO: A Shaw Choral Celebration. MARCH 10 + 12. Celebrate the 100th birthday and incomparable legacy of longtime Atlanta Symphony leader and choral genius Robert Shaw. Norman Mackenzie, Shaw’s successor as director of choruses, leads the symphony, chamber chorus and full chorus in a program comprising Mozart’s Coronation Mass, Brahms’ Nänie, Mendelssohn’s Heilig and Elijah, Verdi’s Stabat Mater, Poulenc’s Gloria, Durufle’s Requiem and Bach’s Mass in B Minor. With soloists Magdalena Wor (mezzo-soprano), Jeanine De Bique (soprano), Tom McNichols (bass) and Richard Clement (tenor). $25-$84. 8 nightly. Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000.
