If musical comedy is your thing, see the world premiere of “The Prom” at the Alliance Theatre, which begins previews tonight and is likely headed to Broadway. If you like something a shade darker, “Company” continues kicking it at Actor’s Express. Read on for more choices.
Recommended
Company. THROUGH SEPT. 11. The first show in Actor’s Express‘ 29th season is this 1971 Tony Award-winning Stephen Sondheim hit. Robert (Lowrey Brown), a single New Yorker about to turn 35, confronts bachelorhood in a series of funny-sad-awkward vignettes with his meddling married friends. The ensemble is strong, with nimble movement and powerhouse vocals. The score alone (“The Ladies Who Lunch,” “Marry Me a Little,” “Being Alive”) easily makes this a best bet. Note: Jessica Miesel, as the hilariously manic Amy, plays the role through Aug. 28, returning Sept. 9-11. Abby Nicole Holland plays Amy in her absence. $28 + up. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 2 + 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2 p.m. Sunday. 887 W. Marietta St. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.607.7469. Discount tickets at PoshDealz.com.
[VIDEO: SCENES FROM ACTOR’S EXPRESS’ ”COMPANY”]
The Prom. PREVIEWS BEGIN TONIGHT | OPENS SEPT. 7. World premiere. Is it foolish to recommend a brand-new show that’s barely seen its first audience? We’ll find out. Although director/choreographer Casey Nicholaw’s last Alliance Theatre effort (Tuck Everlasting) tanked on Broadway, his record (The Drowsy Chaperone, Aladdin, The Book of Mormon, Something Rotten!) speaks for itself. This Broadway-bound musical (yes, that’s the terminology being used) tells the story of a high-school prom canceled when officials learn a student plans to bring her girlfriend. A band of aging Broadway stars catches wind and invades the girl’s small town, hoping to help her and stir up a little positive press. Tony Award winner Beth Leavel (The Drowsy Chaperone) leads the cast. $20-$65. Through Sept. 25. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday; and 2:30 + 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Alliance mainstage, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.733.5000. Discount tickets at PoshDealz.com.
[VIDEO: SEE LEAVEL IN HER SIGNATURE ‘DROWSY’ NUMBER]
Openings
Shrek the Musical. OPENS FRIDAY | THROUGH SEPT. 4. This 2008 Broadway musical believes beauty is in the eye of the ogre. If you agree, take a trek with Shrek (a big, green ogre), Princess Fiona, sidekick Donkey and Atlanta Lyric Theatre on a search for home, and peace and quiet. Randi Garza (Serenbe Playhouse’s Evita) is Princess Fiona. $33-$58. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Jennie T. Anderson Theatre (Cobb Civic Center Complex), 548 S. Marietta Parkway, Marietta. Details, tickets HERE or at 303.377.9948.
This weekend only
Wabi Sabi at Serenbe. SUNDAY ONLY. Breaking ballet boundaries and creating new work is the mission of these Atlanta Ballet dancers first corralled by company member John Welker in 2011. They’ll perform a premiere by guest choreographer Sean Hilton of Atlanta’s Fly on a Wall and a piece by Atlanta Ballet dancer Heath Gill. Wabi Sabi takes its name from the Japanese worldview of finding beauty in the sincerity, simplicity and integrity of the natural world, and Serenbe has plenty of nature. $30. 5 p.m. The Pavilion at Serenbe, 1950 Hutchesons Ferry Road, Chattahoochee Hills. Tickets HERE or at 770.463.1110.
Still playing
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). THROUGH SEPT. 4. If you like your Shakespeare in mass quantities and performed at a breakneck pace, this three-person wind sprint is for you. Othello goes hip-hop, Titus Andronicus gets a cooking show and the history plays become a football game. All 37 plays in the bard’s canon are covered, plus 157 sonnets. The Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse cast: Jeremiah Parker Hobbs, Adam King and Vinnie Mascola. Food and drink available. $15-$39. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 6:30 p.m. Sunday. 499 Peachtree St. NE. Directions and parking HERE. Tickets, details HERE or at 404.874.5299.
In the Heights. THROUGH AUG. 28. Two weeks left in the Aurora Theatre run of this partnership with Theatrical Outfit. The 2007 Tony Award-winning best musical, the first Broadway show written by Hamilton auteur Lin-Manuel Miranda, takes place in New York City’s Washington Heights, where the corner bodega serves coffee light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the feel of change. $30-$65. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 2:30 + 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. 128 E. Pike St., Lawrenceville. Free, covered, attached parking in city of Lawrenceville deck at 153 E. Crogan St. Details, tickets HERE or at 678.226.6222. (The Outfit run is Sept. 8-18 at Georgia State’s Rialto Center for the Arts in downtown Atlanta). Discount tickets for both at PoshDealz.com.
Old MacDonald’s Farm. THROUGH SEPT. 11. A Theater for the Very Young production at the Center for Puppetry Arts (best for ages 2+). This interactive show explores a day in the life of a farm, with more than a dozen animal puppets and two farmhand-puppeteers. $20.50. 11:30 a.m. Thursday; 10 + 11:30 a.m. Friday; 11 a.m., 1 + 3 p.m. Saturday; and 1 + 3 p.m. Sunday. For future performances, go HERE. 1404 Spring St. NW. Details, tickets HERE.
Coming up
Art. SEPT. 8-11. Part of Serenbe Playhouse‘s Intimate Indoors series. The venue makes the case for seeing this 1998 Tony Award-winning three-hander by Yasmina Reza. Art and friendship duke it out when one among a trio of pals purchases an all-white canvas. Serenbe, which normally performs outdoors in Chattahoochee Hills, tucks this second show of its indoor series into the Atlanta Contemporary in West Midtown. Serenbe artistic associate Ryan Oliveti directs. The cast: Adam Fristoe, Daniel Parvis and Daviorr Snipes. $25. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. 535 Means St. NW. Details, tickets HERE or at 770.463.1110.
The Threepenny Opera. SEPT. 9-25. A raw musical about power, sex and the evil things one must do to stay alive in a corrupt world. The score includes the iconic “Mack the Knife” along with “Pirate Jenny” and “How to Survive.” Threepenny draws its inspiration from German expressionism cinema and dates to 1928, when playwright Bertolt Brecht (book and lyrics) and composer Kurt Weill were at their peak. Associate artistic director Michael Haverty directs 7 Stages’ 38th season opener. Expect live musicians and a dark, twisty tale. $22.50 + up. 8 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. 1105 Euclid Ave. NE. Details, tickets HERE or at 404.523.7647.
