Sunday, August 17, 2008
A+E, In this Issue..., Theater
The Spotlight Awards
SP's annual roundup of the very best of local theater
Coming Attractions
Photo courtesy of the Delta International Series
Jungua”—a fusion of Chinese culture, kung fu, acrobatics and dance—comes to the Fox Theatre in September.Other arts offerings of note
By Woodrow Manning
Besides the embarrassment of riches provided by our local theater scene, there are plenty of other noteworthy performances worth checking out this fall. Here are our picks for the next few months:
FOR THE KIDS: It’s never too early to get your little ones started thinking about a career path: SESAME STREET LIVE: WHEN ELMO GROWS UP (Sept. 11-14, Philips Arena) provides the perfect way to open the discussion, as Elmo, Bert and the gang explore what they’d like to be when they grow up. DISNEY ON ICE: WORLDS OF FANTASY (Oct. 22-26, Philips Arena) whisks your wee ones away to the familiar worlds of “Cars,” “The Lion King,” “The Little Mermaid” and Tinker Bell and her fairy friends. (www.philipsarena.com.)
FOR THE TEENS: Your more sophisticated youngsters aren’t interested in seeing Ariel on ice skates, but they’re probably even more entranced by a certain other Disney property. They’ll no doubt be packing the Fox Theatre when the touring production of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 twirls into town Nov. 6-16. (www.theaterofthestars.com.)
FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART: In conjunction with its long-running “Jim Henson: Puppeteer,” Midtown’s Center for Puppetry Arts debuts JIM HENSON: WONDERS FROM HIS WORKSHOP on Sept. 16. The exhibit spotlights some of the innovations behind “Fraggle Rock,” “Labyrinth” and others that have had a lasting impact on the puppetry field. (www.puppet.org.)
The brand-new Center Theatre, meanwhile, ushers in the holiday season with a spirited production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC Nov. 28-Dec. 28, with singalong performances each Sunday in December. (www.atlantajcc.org.)
FOR THE FUNNY BONE: “NewsRadio” actor and former “Fear Factor” host JOE ROGAN performs at the Punchline on Sept. 5, and then again the weekend of Oct. 3-5. (www.punchline.com.) KATHY GRIFFIN holds court at the Fox Theatre on Sept. 5. (www.foxtheatre.org.) The politically minded comedy troupe THE CAPITOL STEPS makes a whistle-tour stop at the Ferst Center on Oct. 3. (www.ferstcenter.gatech.edu.) And actor and legendary comic LARRY MILLER (“Get Smart,” “Best in Show”) makes a rare appearance at the Punchline Nov. 14-16.
FOR EXPANDING YOUR HORIZONS: The DOUG DANK PROJECT, which takes place at 10 p.m. every Wednesday at Push Push Theater, features a guest monologist who provides the inspiration for a cast of improv artists to do their stuff. (www.pushpushtheater.com.)
Celebrated performance artist LAURIE ANDERSON brings her new song cycle “Homeland” to the Ferst Center for the Arts on Sept. 14.
The 2008-2009 DELTA INTERNATIONAL SERIES at the Fox Theatre kicks off with “Jungua,” a high-energy fusion of Chinese culture, kung fu, acrobatics and dance (Sept. 4). The season continues in 2009 with the State Ballet Theater of Russia performing “Cinderella”; Ireland’s the Chieftains; Kodo, which focuses on the Japanese drum; and Australia’s Ten Tenors.
FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENING: The ATLANTA OPERA debuts its 2008-2009 season with Puccini’s stunning “Madame Butterfly” (Oct. 4-12), followed by “Cinderella” (Nov. 15-23). On the horizon in 2009: Philip Glass’ “Akhnaten,” Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” and “The Flying Dutchman.” (www.atlantaopera.org.)
Settling into its new home at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, meanwhile, the ATLANTA BALLET presents a roster including “Swan Lake” (Oct. 23-Nov. 2); the company’s annual production of “The Nutcracker” remains at the Fox Theatre, Dec. 5-28. 2009 highlights: “Dracula,” “The Firebird,” “Don Quixote” and “Snow White.” (www.atlantaballet.com.)
Last but not least, THEATER OF THE STARS continues its current season at the Fox with productions of “Les Miserables” (Sept. 19-28) and the aforementioned “High School Musical 2.” Coming in ’09: “Tarzan,” based on the 1999 Disney animated film, complete with music by Phil Collins, and the percussive extravaganza “Stomp.” SP