Angele Masters and Kevin Stillwell
At ‘The Breakers,” presented by 7 Stages, you’ll join the party inside the home of Elliot (Kevin Stillwell) and Alice (Angele Masters) and watch from the outside windows as trouble brews and bubbles. You literally walk around the house and peer into the rooms–or even go directly inside them as part of the cast–in this audience participatory drama filled with dancing, bondage and sadomasochism. Elliot rubs some sort of cream on his face that sends him into an acid-like trip of the imagination, and delights in the shoving and slapping he and Alice indulge in.
The audience follows the characters, which include a hot, sexy, tall leggy blond interloper, Gold Woman (Emma Yarbrough), and the couple’s personal assistants (Mick Surbey, Markell Williams, and Michael Morgan), as the couple tries to get their finances and life in order as their business and marriage fall apart.
While I never thought being a peeping Tom was my cup of tea, being a voyeur into this mad world makes for a must-see show.
“The Breakers,” written and directed by Michael Haverty, runs through May 10. Tickets are available at 7 Stages.
The Maccabeats, the a cappella group that has become a YouTube sensation on Facebook, will be performing at the Marucs Jewish Community Center Atlanta (MJCCA) Sunday from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Formed in 2007 at Yeshiva University, the group has performed around the country and at the White House. The Maccabeats has released three albums and has had 10 million views on YouTube.
Ticket prices run from the member rate of $8 to the nonmember rate, $15.
Atlanta Ballet is bringing back three of audiences’ favorite innovative works from past seasons.
Atlanta Ballet’s eclectic mixed-rep program Modern Choreographic Voices (MCV) showcases the freshest and most innovative works from all corners of the globe. The ballet presents Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin’s ultra-modern and infectiously raucous “Minus 16,” Alexei Ratmansky’s hypnotic “Seven Sonatas,” and Gina Patterson’s imaginative “Quietly Walking.”
The program, billed this season as The Best of Modern Choreographic Voices will run for one weekend only, March 17-19, at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
MCV is an evolution of the program created by Atlanta Ballet in 2010, titled then Ignition: New Choreographic Voices. Over the past five seasons, artistic director John McFall has molded the program into a barometer of what’s new and exciting in the dance world, presenting new works by up-and-coming artists as well as premieres by modern day greats.
Ohad Naharin’s “Minus 16”
Atlanta Ballet will go “Gaga” once again with the return of renowned Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin’s critically acclaimed “Minus 16.” “Gaga” is Naharin’s signature, free-flowing movement style that embraces the unconventional and thrives on the unexpected. “Minus 16” made its Atlanta Ballet debut in March 2013 and is also a part of the repertory of companies such as New York’s Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Chicago’s Hubbard Street Dance. “Minus 16” has been described as a choreographic masterpiece, with a musical score that ranges from Dean Martin and mambo to traditional Israeli songs. The unique experience calls for the audience to get in on the action as well as they are invited to be a part of the dance, breaking the barrier between performer and spectator.
Alexei Ratmansky’s “Seven Sonatas”
Power, precision and stamina are three words that may spring to mind when watching Alexei Ratmansky’s intense, fast-paced “Seven Sonatas” – a work that has become a hallmark for the Russian dancer-turned-choreographer, who, at 46, has already become an icon in the ballet world.
Ratmansky, who currently serves as artist in residence at American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in New York, is known as one of the prolific choreographers of his generation and was even regarded by The New York Times as “the most looked-to choreographer in Western ballet” and “the most gifted choreographer specializing in classical ballet today.”
Atlanta Ballet premiered “Seven Sonatas,” on its March 2014 Modern Choreographic Voices. The work is a classical piece for six dancers who engage with each other in a variety of intricate combinations, set to seven “Keyboard Sonatas” by composer Domenico Scarlatti. It was one of the first works Ratmansky created for his dancers at ABT in 2009 and Atlanta Ballet has the distinction of being the first outside of ABT to perform it – a major tribute to the growing national reputation of the Company. “Seven Sonatas” has been described by critics as “remarkable,” “miraculous,” “spellbinding,” and an “indelible imprint of beauty.”
Gina Patterson’s “Quietly Walking”
Hailed as a choreographer of “startling originality” (Back Stage) and “a standout on the soulful front” (Sun-Sentinel), choreographer Gina Patterson will reprise her “Quietly Walking,” which originally debuted on Atlanta Ballet’s inaugural New Choreographic Voices program in 2011.
Atlanta Ballet’s The Best of Modern Choreographic Voices opens Friday, April 17 and runs for four performances at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre (2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339). Tickets start as low as $20 and are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit www.atlantaballet.com or call 404-892-3303. For groups of ten or more, call Atlanta Ballet Group Sales at 404-873-5811, ext. 207.
Clayton Landey and Joe Knezevich; Photo: BreeAnne Clowdus
As of 4/15, the show has been extended another week and will run through May 3.
Pulitzer prize-winning author John Patrick Shanley’s “Storefront Church” is playing at Theatrical Outfit and features a fantastic cast of actors. The script, however, is not so good. Arguments tend to drag on too long, and Shanley’s attempt at making us wonder who really is right and who is wrong is reminiscent of “Doubt: A Parable” and feels contrived here.
Shanley, who won numerous awards for “Doubt”and an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for “Moonstruck,” seems to have looked back in time for inspiration, trying to confuse the audience once again as to who the real protagonists and antagonists are. I’m not moved that an older couple may lose their home. I like watching them fight for what they believe is theirs, but I’m not moved like I’d like to be. However, the couple sitting next to me was moved, in a way. After intermission they never returned for the second half of the show.
With actors who do a wonderful job, it’s a shame I don’t care about their characters. Well, maybe I feel a little bit for Reed Van Druyten (Joe Knezevich), the poor man who has been shot in the face when I hear his back story. Knezevich plays him so well. All the actors do a great job. I look forward to seeing them again in a better play.
Directed by David de Vries, “Storefront Church” runs at Theatrical Outfit through May 3.
Cast:
Jessie Cortez . . . . . . . . Donna Briscoe
Tom Raidenberg . . . . . . . . Tom Key
Ethan Goldklang . . . . . . . . Clayton Landey
Chester Kimmich . . . . . . . . E. Roger Mitchell
Donaldo Calderon . . . . . . . . Anthony Rodriguez
Blue Man Group is gonna rock The Fox Theatre this week. Hailed as “One of the most delightful performance pieces ever staged” by The New York Times, Blue Man Group has performed around the world and is marking its Atlanta debut since the group began in 1991.
Grammy-nominated recording artists, Blue Man Group has released five albums, has contributed to various film scores and has performed with orchestras around the country.
Blue Man Group performs April 7-12 at the Fox Theatre.
Tiffany Mitchenor, Falashay Pearson. Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus
“Marcus; or The Secret of Sweet” may be somewhat about homosexuality in the black community, but it is more a coming-of-age story about relationships, love and betrayal at any age. Although it has a slow start, stay with it because it’s worth it. A good cast does this show justice.
The playwright, Tarell Alvin McCraney, graduated from Yale School of Drama’s playwriting program where he received the Cole Porter Playwriting Award. He also has been nominated for the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement and won the Alliance Theatre’s Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competition.
Directed by Karen Robinson, “Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet” runs through April 26 at Actor’s Express.
Cast:
Terry Guest . . . . . . . . . Marcus
Enoch King . . . . . . . . . Ogun
Shon Middlebrooks . . . . . . . . . Shua
Bernardine Mitchell . . . . . . . . . Elegua
Tiffany Denise Mitchenor . . . . . . . . . Oba/Shun
Falashay Pearson . . . . . . . . . Osha
Avery Sharpe . . . . . . . . . Terrell
Olubajo Sonubi . . . . . . . . . Oshoosi
Ashley Tate . . . . . . . . . Shaunta lyun
Photo by Greg Mooney
The Alliance Theatre brings the world premiere of Phillip DePoy’s “Edward Foote” to the Hertz Stage. If you like Sam Shepard, you could end up loving this because it’s so Sam Shepard, or you could end up disliking it because no one does Shepard like Sam Shepard. Think of Shepard’s plays about love and evil, family dysfunction and poor mountain country folks. Mix “Curse of the Starving Class,” “Lie of the Mind” and “Fool for Love,” fraught with lies, abuse and incest, and you’ve got a good idea of what to expect in “Edward Foote” on the Hertz Stage at the Alliance Theatre.
A well-acted play, directed by Chris Coleman, “Edward Foote” runs through April 19 on the Hertz Stage at the Alliance Theatre.
Cast:
Jeremy Aggers . . . . . . . Reece
Lowrey Brown . . . . . . . Mr. Nevins
Steve Coulter . . . . . . . Ray Earl
Jeannette DePoy . . . . . . . Townsperson
Scott E. DePoy . . . . . . . Townsperson
Ann Marie Gideon . . . . . . . Nigella
Trevor Winfield Goble . . . . . . . Barlow
Bethany Anne Lind . . . . . . . Mrs. Nevins
Hayley Platt . . . . . . . Ann
Atlanta Ballet performs the world premiere ballet based on the 1953 Tennessee Williams classic play “Camino Real.” The story is told from the perspective of Kilroy, a character based on patriotic iconography from the WWII era. The work grapples with human mortality, the burning desire to connect, and the will to live. Atlanta Ballet commissioned a brand new score for this full-evening ballet, which will be performed live by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra.
Friday evening there will be a pre-show party at 6:30 p.m. in the Grand Tier Lounge of the Cobb Energy Centre, featuring a complimentary cocktail, an appearance by company dancer Kiara Felder and prize giveaways.
Choreographed by Atlanta Ballet choreographer in residence Helen Pickett, “Camino Real” runs Friday through Sunday at 8 p.m. March 20-21, and 2 p.m. March 21-March 22. at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre at 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 404-892-3303. Tickets: 23-$124. www.atlantaballet.com.
Families are invited to experience the opening night of a big, loud, funny, silly, visually arresting production of Blue Man Group at the Fox Theatre. In honor of the occasion, Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta is throwing a family-focused event on Tuesday, April 7. The FREE Family 2 Family Kids Night on Broadway celebration will take place in the Grand Salon Ballroom from 5:30 p.m-7 p.m. Attendees can enjoy sweet treats from Jake’s Ice Cream, snack-on pouches from GoGo squeeZ, learn circus skills from Circus Camp, participate in fun science demonstrations by the Children’s Museum of Atlanta and more. As if the deal couldn’t get any sweeter, half price tickets are available now for the 7:30 p.m. performance of Blue Man Group that evening using code “KIDSNIGHT.”
WHAT: Family 2 Family Kids Night on Broadway
An interactive pre-show event in the Grand Salon Ballroom at the Fox Theatre from 5:30-7 p.m. including Jake’s Ice Cream sweet treats, samples from GoGo squeeZ, Circus Camp activities and Children’s Museum experiments, plus a Blue Man Group photo opportunity and more
WHEN: Tuesday, April 7, 2015, 5:30 p.m-7 p.m.
Show begins at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Grand Salon Ballroom at the Fox Theatre
660 Peachtree Street Northeast
Atlanta, GA 30308
This Tuesday Laura Lippman, author of six New York Times bestsellers, will be at the Marcus Jewish Community Center Atlanta to discuss her latest mystery, “Hush, Hush.”
Since the publication of her first novel in 1997, “Charm City,” Laura Lippman has won virtually every major award given to U.S. crime writings, including the Edgar Award, Anthony Award, Agatha Award, Nero Wolfe Award, Shamus Award, and the Quill Award.
In “Hush, Hush,” Lippman brings back private detective Tess Monaghan, introduced in the classic “Baltimore Blues,” in an absorbing mystery that plunges the new parent into a disturbing case involving murder and a manipulative mother.
Lippman will be speaking at 7:30 p.m. The first two people to leave a comment at the bottom of this post requesting tickets will receive a pair of passes to the show. All others can get $5 off the MJCCA member rate of $10 or the nonmember rate of $15 by going to the ticket page and typing in ASHERPR (in all uppercase letters) at the Coupon Code.
The MJCCA is located at 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody.
