Stay cool,
Blake
Friday, July 30
OPENING (Regional)? A new musical featuring the songs of four-time Academy Award winners Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen, gets its world premiere at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre. Robin and the 7 Hoods—A New Musical is inspired by the classic Rat Pack film of the same name and stars Will Chase (Billy Elliot), Eric Schneider (Jersey Boys), Amy Spanger (Rock of Ages) and Kelly Sullivan (Young Frankenstein). The musical is said to be coming to Broadway during the 2010-2011 season. (Through August 22, Old Globe Theatre, San Diego, CA, info/tickets)
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Saturday July 31 
BEFORE IT CLOSES? Harry Connick, Jr.’s brief Broadway engagement comes to an end. Harry Connick, Jr. in Concert On Broadway features the Tony nominee singing standards like “The Way You Look Tonight,” “Some Enchanted Evening,” and “Smile.” (Neil Simon Theatre, 250 W. 52nd Street, btwn. Broadway and 8th Ave., Click Here for Playbill Club Discount Tickets)
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Sunday August 1 
BEFORE IT CLOSES? Shakespeare in the Park’s Merchant of Venice will take to the stage at Central Park’s Delacorte Theater one last evening before going into hibernation. The critically acclaimed show, starring Tony and Oscar winner Al Pacino, will play a limited engagement this fall at the Broadhurst Theatre. The Winter’s Tale, Shakespeare in the Park’s second repertory production this season, will close a day before on July 31. (Delacorte Theater, Mid-Park at 80th Street at the Southwest corner of the Great Lawn, info on how to get free tickets)
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Monday August 2 
GO? Anthony Rapp, John Tartaglia and Liz Callaway make up a tapestry of Broadway stars performing at the benefit concert Free to Dream. The show promises an eclectic mix of pop, rock, country and blues songs penned by Doug Katsaros and William Schermerhorn, the songwriting duo behind the music of the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular. Proceeds benefit The New York Pops’ music education programs. (7pm and 9:30pm, Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St., $45-$125, info/tickets)
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GO (FREE)? Emmy-winning comedienne Kathy Griffin makes an appearance in New York to sign copies of her memoir Official Book Club Selection. The no-holds-barred firecracker is sure to be a crowd pleaser—if you’re the kind of crowd that enjoys celebrity dish, dirty words, and shameless self-promotion—guilty! (7pm, Borders Columbus Circle, in the Time Warner Center, call 212.823.9775 for more information)
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Tuesday August 3 
GO? The Barrow Street Theatre’s acclaimed production of Our Town has announced it will close this September. Michael McKean will return to the role of Stage Manager on Aug. 3, following Helen Hunt’s month-long stint. The production’s original Stage Manager (and director) David Cromer will also return to the role at the end of the month. (Through Sept. 12, The Barrow Street Theatre, 27 Barrow St., at 7th Ave., South of Christopher St., $45-$95, info/tickets)
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Wednesday, August 4 
GO (FREE)? Asphalt Orchestra, the 12-piece street band that has done for the marching band what “Glee” has done for chorus kids, will take to the streets as a part of the Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival. Asphalt combines jazz, indie, afro-pop and avant-garde classical music with the sounds of traditional band music, while integrating the lively dance moves of Susan Marshall and Mark DeChiazza. (7pm, Broadway Plaza, 1941 Broadway at 65th St., info)
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Thursday August 5 
GO (FREE)? Creator and former star of In the Heights, Lin-Manuel Miranda, honed his rapping skills with Freestyle Love Supreme, the hip-hop/comedy group he co-founded with Heights’ director Thomas Kail, orchestrator Bill Sherman and co-star Christopher Jackson. This high-energy, improvisational rapping troupe also includes performers Chris "Shockwave" Sullivan, Anthony Veneziale, Utkarsh Ambudkar and Arthur Lewis. (8pm, Gramercy Theater, 127 E. 23rd St., btwn Lexington and Park Ave., $17-$35, info/tickets)
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GO (FREE)? Pull up a lawn chair and relax for a special outdoor screening of "Auntie Mame" starring Rosalind Russell and Peggy Cass. The duo originally starred in the non-musical version of Broadway show. Cass won a Tony Award for her performance in the play, while Russell was nominated. Both Russell and Cass reprised their roles of Mame and Agnes Gooch for the 1958 film, garnering Oscar nods for both for their performances. The screening is a part of the River to River Festival’s “Broadway2Battery” series. (8pm, The Elevated Acre at 55 Water Street, tickets given out on a first-come, first-serve basis starting at 6pm, info)
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GO? The cast of Rock of Ages celebrates its first National Tour with an after-theatre party featuring Lipstick-N-Leather, an '80s tribute band. Constantine Maroulis, the show’s Tony nominated star, will leave the show’s Broadway home to headline the tour, which launches Sept. 21 in Chicago. (11pm, $10 cover charge/free with Rock of Ages ticket, B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, 237 W. 42nd St., btwn. 7th and 8th Aves., info/tickets)
