Looking for something cultural to do this weekend and beyond? Here are Encore Atlanta’s recommendations (in alphabetical order). Pictured: Veronika Duerr, Jonathan Horne and Veronika Duerr (look closely) in “As You Like It” at the New American Shakespeare Tavern.
Alice in Wonderland. WORLD PREMIERE. Critics are calling this Serenbe Playhouse adaptation “imaginative,” “goofy,” “creative” and “playfully refashioned.” Atlanta playwright Rachel Teagle puts Alice in the past with a band of commedia dell’arte cohorts and into the present with pop culture references. This hourlong site-specific romp for all ages is staged outdoors with music and merriment. Through July 28. 11 a.m. Friday-Saturday. Serenbe is in Chattahoochee Hills, west of Palmetto and about 30 minutes from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. $15; $10 students and children; under 2 free. Details, tickets, directions: www.serenbeplayhouse.com or 770.436.1110. For discounts, visit poshdealz.com.
As You Like It. A cast of 15, including the delightful Veronika Duerr as Rosalind — a woman and a woman pretending to be a man — takes this Shakespeare romp into the woods, so to speak. The New American Shakespeare Tavern specializes in “Original Practice,” which means the play is done as it was when originally staged — costumes but no sets, direct address, sound effects made live by the players onstage. Sample the pub and beer menus before the show and at intermission. Trivia note: As You Like It opened the Tavern way back on May 16, 1984. Tickets: $15-$36. Through July 1. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. 499 Peachtree St. N.E. 404.874.5299. For discounts, visit poshdealz.com.
Folding: anticipatory, routine, closure. Dance and performance artist Nicole Livieratos, joined by dancers Celeste Miller, Kim Kleiber and Erin Weller Dalton, premieres a first draft of her most recent piece. Folding (right) investigates how we fold things, big and small, into our lives. Noon-3 p.m. (continuously) Friday-Saturday. Free. Lobby of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia. A question-and-answer session follows each showing. TULA Art Center, 75 Bennett St. 404.367.8700.
Illyria: A Twelfth Night Musical. In repertory with Much Ado About Nothing. This gender-bending love triangle is set to a mix of rock ‘n’ roll, country, gospel and Andrew Lloyd Webber-ish theater songs. The score is by John R. Briggs (Shrew: The Musical) and Eric Frampton. Company regulars Courtney Patterson, Joe Knezevich and Chris Kayser take the leading roles. Good for ages 6 and up. Picnicking before the show is encouraged. Bring a basket and a bottle of wine or pre-order from Carole Parks Catering. Check the website for a schedule of pre-show and post-show chats and performance dates. Through Aug. 5. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. (The third show in the summer rep, The Importance of Being Earnest, opens July 5.) Season packages still available; single tickets $15-$45. Conant Performing Arts Center at Oglethorpe University, 4484 Peachtree Road N.E. Details, tickets: www.gashakespeare.org or 404.504.1473. For discounts, visit poshdealz.com.
Libby & Lisa’s Summer Camp. FOUR NIGHTS ONLY. Atlanta favorite Libby Whittemore (left) is joined by the fierce Lisa Paige and the Robert Strickland Combo for an evening of summer fun and musical favorites. As is often the case, Libby and Lisa will take care of Act 1, but in Act 2, anything goes. It will feature Miss Connie Sue Day, the 31st lady of country music (Whittemore’s alter ego. Shh, it’s a secret.) 7:30 tonight-Sunday. Tickets: $40 plus tax online; $42 plus tax by phone (404.607.SHOW) or at the box office. Actor’s Express, 887 W. Marietta St., in West Midtown’s King Plow Arts Center.
The Little Pirate Mermaid. Marionettes tell the Hans Christian Andersen story about a mermaid princess turned buccaneer. Adapted and directed by the seriously talented Jon Ludwig. Through July 15. 10 a.m. Tuesday-Friday; 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday; and 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday. $16.50; under age 2 free. Mainstage Theater at the Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St. N.W. Tickets HERE or at 404.873.3391.
Much Ado About Nothing. OPENING WEEKEND. In repertory with Illyria: A Twelfth Night Musical. The second show in Georgia Shakespeare’s summer season is a tale of infidelity, trickery and a faked death. Remember, all’s fair in love and war. As they do in Illyria, Courtney Patterson and Joe Knezevich take leading roles. Producing Artistic Director Richard Garner, who gives a heckuva curtain speech, directs. Good for ages 8 and up. Bring a basket and a bottle of wine or pre-order from Carole Parks Catering. Check the website for a schedule of pre-show and post-show chats and performance dates. Through Aug. 4. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. (The third show in the rep, The Importance of Being Earnest, opens July 5.) Season packages still available; single tickets $15-$45. Conant Performing Arts Center at Oglethorpe University, 4484 Peachtree Road N.E. Details, tickets: www.gashakespeare.org or 404.504.1473. For discounts, visit poshdealz.com.
Musicals Suck, The Musical. If you love to hate musicals or hate to love them, Dad’s Garage promises you’ll love this show. Got that? The story: Sydney, scarred by a musical as a child, hates them to this day. When the Ironic Curse Gypsy turns her life into a musical, Sydney must learn to sing and dance to escape. Written by Travis Sharp and Dad’s Artistic Director Kevin Gillese, who also directs. Music by Eric Frampton (Illyria: A Twelfth Night Musical at Georgia Shakespeare). Through June 30. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. $14-$20 (cheapest if you buy online). Also available: Fancy Pants VIP seats for a $5 upcharge (online and by phone). Dad’s Garage Theatre Company, 208 Elizabeth St. N.E. Tickets HERE or at 404.523.3141.
The Waffle Palace: Smothered, Covered and Scattered 24/7/365. WORLD PREMIERE. This loving sendup of that most Southern of institutions has heart and plenty of quirky humor. The nimble, often hilarious cast features LaLa Cochran, Allan Edwards, Marguerite Hannah, Enoch King, Larry Larson, Eric Mendenhall and Maria Rodriguez-Sager. Horizon is selling waffle-flavored pastries and will have Nana G’s Chicken & Waffles food truck outside the theater from 5 to 8 p.m. this SATURDAY! (Call 404.584.7450, buy a $13 meal voucher and help benefit Horizon). Through July 1. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 3 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday; and 5 p.m. Sunday. $20-$30 plus taxes. 1083 Austin Ave. N.E. at Euclid Avenue. Tickets HERE or 404.584.7450. READ MORE about cast member LaLa Cochran.
Wabi Sabi Performance. Atlanta Ballet and the Atlanta Botanical Garden partner for an evening of world premieres by Atlanta Ballet dancers-turned-choreographers Peng-Yu Chen, Jonah Hooper and Tara Lee. The evening includes pieces by guest choreographers Nathan Griswold (Ballett Augsburg in Germany); Jimmy Orrante (BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio); and Rachelle Scott (Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet in New York City). Staged throughout the evening and the Garden during Cocktails in the Garden. 6-10 tonight (June 21). Free with Garden admission. $18.95; $12.95 ages 3-12; under 2 free. 1345 Piedmont Ave. N.E. Details: 404.876.5859.
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Kathy Janich, Encore Atlanta’s managing editor, has been seeing, covering or working in the performing arts for most of her life. Please email: [email protected]
