“Eclipsed” closes Sunday at Synchronicity, “Dancing Granny” is on the move and “Macbeth” opens at Serenbe. Pictured (from left): Breanna Ross, Benjamin DeWitt Sims and Chani Maisonet in “The Dancing Granny.” Photo by Greg Mooney.
** Indicates an Encore Atlanta spring/summer season recommendation.
Recommended
** The Dancing Granny. THROUGH JULY 16. The Alliance Theatre continues its season-long road trip, necessitated by renovations to its Woodruff Arts Center space. Granny is a family-friendly world premiere based on the children’s book by 2017 Newbery honoree Ashley Bryan. In this play with music, Ananse, the clever spider from African folklore, tries to trick Granny into dancing away from her garden so he can take her vegetables. The script is by Alliance/Kendeda Competition alumnus Jiréh Breon Holder (Too Heavy for Your Pocket). $15; $8 ages 6-17; age 5 and under free. See Granny at The Galloway School, 215 W. Wieuca Road NW in Buckhead (June 24-July 2) and Spelman College in southwest Atlanta (July 8-16). Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000.
[LEARN THE STORY BEHIND GRANNY AND HER GARDEN]
** Eclipsed. CLOSES SUNDAY. Regional premiere at Synchronicity Theatre. Five women in the Second Liberian Civil War (2000-2003) negotiate power, protection and peace in a story with hope, resilience and humor by playwright Danai Gurira. This stunning, funny and moving drama was nominated for six Tony awards and made Broadway history as the first show with an all-black, all-female creative team and cast. The cast here: Isake Akanke, Asha Duniani, Charity Jordan, Shayla Love and Parris Sarter. Tinashe Kajese-Bolden directs. Eclipsed has been called “miraculous and savagely funny” (Deadline), “rare and powerful” (The New York Times) and “a moving must-see” (New York Magazine). Synchronicity is among the first regional companies in the country to get post-Broadway rights. $23-$45. 8 tonight-Saturday; 5 p.m. Sunday. At One Peachtree Pointe in Midtown, 1545 Peachtree St. NE. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.484.8636.
Opening this week
Macbeth. THROUGH JULY 9. Serenbe Playhouse puts a contemporary spin on the Shakespeare tragedy, setting it in a war zone (outdoors, of course) in the forest against a waterfall. After receiving a prophecy that he’ll become king of Scotland, Macbeth (Justin Deeley) commits a heinous act fueled by his lust for power and his wife’s wicked influence. The general-turned-king is then beset by guilt and paranoia. A cast of 10 tells the tale. Amy Holtcamp directs. As with the company’s ongoing Robin Hood, Grammy nominee John Burke provides original music. Note: Contains adult themes and violence. $25-$30. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. 11213 Serenbe Lane in Chattahoochee Hills. Directions HERE. Details, tickets HERE or at 770.463.1110. Discount tickets at PoshDealz.com.
Last chance
How to Use a Knife. CLOSES SUNDAY. At Horizon Theatre. Playwright Will Snider’s 2016 comedy takes place in the melting pot of an NYC restaurant, where varied personalities and nationalities clash and coexist. “The writing is visceral, hilarious and up-to-the-minute in its urgency,” co-artistic director Lisa Adler says about choosing the piece. Note: Uses language not intended for children. $25-$45 (subject to change). 8 tonight-Friday; 3 + 8:30 p.m. Saturday; and 5 p.m. Sunday. 1083 Austin Ave. NE at Euclid Avenue in Little Five Points/Inman Park. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.584.7450.
Still running
Cinderella Della Circus. THROUGH JULY 23. The Center for Puppetry Arts reprises this fairy tale adapted by artistic director Jon Ludwig, a story told with marionette, rod and shadow puppets. Recommended for ages 4 and up. $11.25-$19.50. 10 a.m. + noon Tuesday-Friday; 11 a.m., 1 p.m. + 3 p.m. Saturday; and 1 + 3 p.m. Sunday. 1404 Spring St. NW. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.873.3391.
Richard the Third. THROUGH JULY 2. At the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse. The deceptive and sadistic Richard, Duke of Gloucester, will stop at nothing to become king. With intelligence, political shrewdness and a facility for language, he keeps his subjects and his rivals under his thumb. Andrew Houchins is Richard. Pub menu and beverages available. $15-$36. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturdays; 6:30 p.m. Sunday. 499 Peachtree St. NE (across from Emory University Hospital Midtown). Details, tickets HERE or at 404.874.5299.
Robin Hood. THROUGH AUG. 13. Serenbe Playhouse takes to the skies (via zip lines) to tell the story of the outlaw (Jordan Patrick) devoted to Maid Marian (Casey Shuler) and doing good deeds with his Merry Men. The family-friendly adaptation, by frequent Serenbe collaborator Rachel Teagle, includes original music by Grammy nominee John Burke. $10-$20. 11 a.m. Friday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Performed at the Farmers Market Hideaway in Serenbe, Chattahoochee Hills. Directions HERE. Details, tickets HERE or at 770.463.1110. Discount tickets at PoshDealz.com.
Coming up
Little Shop of Horrors. JULY 12-AUG. 29. Actor’s Express goes to Skid Row with this twisty cult favorite about a nebbish flower shop worker, his unrequited love, a demented dentist and an insatiable blood-devouring plant. The musical ran off-Broadway for five years in the 1980s, became a 1986 movie (with Ellen Greene as Audrey, reprising her off-Broadway role) and revived on Broadway in 2003. You may know the tunes “Suddenly Seymour” and “Somewhere That’s Green.” Here, Juan Carlos Unzueta (the Piragua Guy from Aurora/Theatrical Outfit’s In the Heights) is Seymour, Kylie Brown is Audrey and Bill Murphey is Mr. Mushnik. Previews 8 p.m. July 12-14 ($20); opens at 8 p.m. July 15 ($40). Regularly $28 plus tax and up, and subject to change. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. At the King Plow Arts Center in West Midtown, 887 West Marietta St. NW. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.607.7469. Discount tickets at PoshDealz.com.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream. JULY 8-30. Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse. Two pairs of lovers (one requited, one not so much) and a ragtag group of thespians find themselves lost in the woods as the fairy kingdom is turned on its head by its quarreling leaders. What fools these mortals be! Pub menu and beverages available. July 6 preview ($15); July 7 preview ($20). Regularly $15-$39. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 6:30 p.m. Sunday. 499 Peachtree St. NE (across from Emory University Hospital Midtown). Details, tickets HERE or at 404.874.5299.
Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash. JULY 13-29. Georgia Ensemble Theatre and the Chattahoochee Nature Center partner for this concert version of the 2006 Broadway tuner. It tells the Man in Black’s story through more than 20 of his hits, including “A Boy Named Sue,” “Daddy Sang Bass,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Jackson” and “I Walk the Line.” The concert reunites Chris Damiano and Christopher Kent (both in Million Dollar Quartet) and includes Scott DePoy, Laura Lindahl and Mark Schroeder. Picnicking allowed; cash bar on-site. $15 general admission lawn seats; $30 reserved table beneath the Ben Brady Pavilion. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday (Nature Center opens at 6:30 p.m.) 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. Details, tickets HERE or at 770.641.1260.
