Music is the theme of this Week Ahead! Get your diva fill with Liza and Barbra (no last names required)…Groove along to the funkadelic beats of Asiko…Chill out with Jazz legend Kenny Werner and his band…Or take in the melodious sounds from The Metropolitan Opera at an outdoor screening of their most beloved performances.

Tune in, tune lovers!
Blake 

Friday, August 28

GO→ Fresh off of her Tony win for Liza’s at the Palace, Liza Minnelli is back and this time, Liza’s at the Bowl! (Through August 29, Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Avenue, tickets or call 323.850.2000)

GO→ The cast of Hair has been an ongoing collective voice for love and equality as the debate over gay marriage continues to heat up. In anticipation of October’s Equality March on Washington, the Tony winning cast will hold a mobilization rally at the Delacorte on Friday. (2:30pm, Delacorte Theatre in Central Park, enter at 81st Street and Central Park West or 70th Street and Fifth Avenue, info) 

WATCH→ QVC will be filled with the sounds of Streisand this Friday! In anticipation of the legend’s newest release, Love is the Answer, Barbra’s longtime friend, collaborator and co-director Richard Jay-Alexander, will be hosting a special with the shopping channel offering exclusives and pre-order specials for QVC viewers. (10pmET/7pmPT on QVC, info) 

GO→ The hit show Fela!, a tribute to the late Nigerian musician and activist Fela Kuti, will make the transfer to Broadway this fall. If you are a newbie to the sounds of Fela Kuti, stop by Zebulon Café Concert on Friday to hear Asiko, a diverse band made up of musicians from both the US and Africa. Asiko credits Fela as a major musical influence stating that their lyrics “speak truth to power in the spirit of the late Fela Kuti”. (11pm, Zebulon Café Concert, 258 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, info or call 718.218.6934)

Saturday, August 29
GO (FREE)→ The Metropolitan Opera will hold the first outdoor screening of the new “Summer HD Festival” starting on Saturday. The fest will feature free screenings of some of The Met’s most popular productions including Anthony Minghella’s staging of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly and Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, conducted by Plácido Domingo. (Through Sept. 7, Lincoln Center Plaza, enter on 62-64th Streets, between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues, schedule)

Sunday, August 30

BEFORE IT CLOSES→ After 50 previews and 685 performances, Arielle will take her final swim on Broadway in Disney’s The Little Mermaid this Sunday. (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 West 46th Street)

BEFORE IT CLOSES→ Jonathan Groff, Andre De Shields and Anthony Mackie star in the famous Euripides tragedy The Baccahe, playing through Sunday at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park. (Delacorte Theatre, enter at 81st Street and Central Park West, info)

Monday, August 31

GO→ Multi-Tony Award Winner, Audra McDonald, Tony Award Winning Actor/Playwright, Ruben Santiago-Hudson and Tichina Arnold (last seen in The Wiz) will be among those honored at the 19th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards in Los Angeles. (Directors Guild of America, 7920 W Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, tickets)

Tuesday, September 1

OPENING→ Sebastian Barry’s The Pride of Parnell Street, an intimate look at life on the streets of Dublin, will make its New York debut this Tuesday. (Through October 4, 59E59 Theatres, 59 e. 59th street, between Madison and Park Avenues, info)

Wednesday, September 2
GO→ The Kenny Werner Trio will play at the Blue Note this Wednesday. Werner, a celebrated jazz musician, has gained notoriety in the Broadway world as a longtime collaborator of Tony winner, Betty Buckley. (Through September 6, Blue Note, 131 W 3rd Street, btwn 6th Ave and MacDougal Street, tickets)

What to do, see and not miss all this weekend and week.

If you feel like you are literally swimming through the humidity outside in New York, you are not alone. It is HOT (and not in a good way). Thankfully, this Week Ahead is filled with things that might cool you down (or at least keep you occupied and not thinking about how hot you are or what is growing on your flip flops–thanks a lot, Daily News).  

Springer invades New York via Chicago…say a final “thank you” to a friend who indeed is a “pal and a confidant”…and slap on a bracelet, moose up your mullet and spend some time back in the 80s!

Stay cool!
Blake  

Friday, August 21
GO→ If you are a New Yorker and you haven’t yet taken the trip out to Coney Island to ride the Cyclone…for shame! Nothing is more “New York” than eating a Nathan’s hotdog and riding the Cyclone (not necessarily in that order…tossing your cookies is NOT a time honored New York tradition). Also make sure to check out the fireworks display on Friday nights. (Fireworks are from 8-9pm, Coney Island Beach, info)

   EAT THIS…

Saturday, August 22
GO (FREE)→ Jazz legend Allen Toussaint will bring the music of New Orleans to New York in a performance with Lizz Wright for Lincoln Center’s Out of Doors festival. (7pm, Damrosch Park, southwest corner of the Lincoln Center Plaza, at 62nd St. btwn Columbus and Amsterdam Aves, the Out of Doors festival ends on Sunday)

Sunday, August 23
BEFORE IT CLOSES→ Ah Golden Girls—the groundbreaking show that made the life of your Boca-bound Grandma seem interesting (and kinda creepy if your nana was of the “Blanchette” variety). Check out the all-drag musical version inspired by the feisty foursome, Thank You For Being a Friend, before it closes on Sunday. (The Kraine Theater, 85 East 4th St. between 2nd & 3rd Aves, tickets)

BEFORE IT CLOSES→ Jon Marans’ incredibly poignant and important play The Temperamentals will close on Sunday. The story of Harry Hay and his cohort/lover Rudi Gernreich and their struggle for acceptance in the early 1950’s is one that still resonates today as the gay community is (sadly) still struggling to gain equal rights in this country.  This is an important one to see. (The Barrow Group Theatre, 312 W. 36th St, btwn 8th and 9th aves, 3rd floor, tickets)

GO→ If you are a regular reader of Playbill.com, you already know that the Actors Fund is an incredible organization that helps any and all people working in the arts. The work they do providing healthcare services, counseling, housing and financial assistance to people working in the performing arts is absolutely vital to the Broadway community and as such, the shows regularly set aside special performances where proceeds go directly to this wonderful organization. This month it’s Jersey Boys! (The August Wilson Theatre, 245 West 52nd St. between Broadway and 8th Aves, tickets)

Monday, August 24
GO→ Jerry Springer must have caught some very serious dancing fever when he appeared on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars a few seasons ago. He’s now taking his dancing feet over to the Ambassador to star as Billy Flynn in Chicago. And after he’s done taking on New York, Springer is set to continue his reign as the smarmy lawyer of Chi-town on a few stops of the National Tour. Now, if Tom Delay gets the urge to try his hand at playing the Phantom—that’s where I draw the line. (Through Sept. 6, Ambassador Theatre, 219 W. 49th st., tickets)

Tuesday, August 25
GO→ The Film Society of Lincoln Center will wrap their tribute to Natalie Wood on August 25. The series included screenings of West Side Story, Miracle on 34th Street, and Gypsy (through August 25, Walter Reade Theater, 165 West 65th Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam Aves., info)

Wednesday, August 26
WATCH→ Last year’s Passing Strange, the semi-autobiographic musical written by the larger-than-life Tony Award winner Stew, left audiences intrigued by this indie-rocking supernova. One particular audience member was Spike Lee, who decided to document the final days of Strange’s life on Broadway. The result: Passing Strange The Movie. The film is set for air on PBS in 2010, but you can get a sneak preview when the movie plays On Demand this Wednesday. For you New Yorkers, the IFC Center is also screening the film and on Friday, Aug. 21st Stew and his co-songwriter, Heidi Rodewald will be there for opening night screenings.  (Sundance Selects, info)

Thursday, August 27
GO→ Has Rock of Ages left you with a fever for more 80’s rock classics that your “Sounds of the 80’s” double-CD-disc set can just not cure?! Then head on down to B.B. Kings where this Thursday is “80’s Night” featuring Rockin’ the Paradise (aka the “#1 Styx Tribute Band in America”)—who knew there was more than one?!, the Invisible Sun (wailing Police songs) and The Paul Green School of Rock All Stars (a guitar hero-esque mash up of REO, Journey and Foreigner). (9pm, BB. Kings, 237 W. 42nd st., tickets)

Legally Blonde was the first to get an MTV makeover and now it’s West Side Story.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane, shall we?  We’ll see how West Side Story has inspired artists, muppets and even helped to sell a pair of khakis or two.  

***

First, it was Michael Jackson.  What is Officer Krupke’s line to Bernardo when he catches the Sharks inside Doc’s? “Beat it.”  Coincidence?  

Then it was a Muppet…

(more…)

What to do, see and not miss all this weekend and week. Ah the hazy days of summer! It is the time of year when TV is filled with reruns and commercials reminding you that “back-to-school” time is sadly just around the corner. So live it up now, dear Playbillians!

This week ahead: make sure to catch the Queens vacate their Broadway throne for a prince, break out your ponchos and love beads for Woodstock’s 40th Anniversary and brace yourself for the next Idol wave to hit the theatre scene.

Friday, August 14
GO→ The 2009 New York Fringe Festival will kick off this Friday. With over 200 shows crammed into a two-week period, you’d be hard pressed not to find at least one show that catches your eye. Check out their full schedule here.
SEE→ Ang Lee’s new film Taking Woodstock will hit theatres just in time for the 40th Anniversary of the famed festival that helped shape a generation. Tony Award Nominee Jonathan Groff will co-star in the flick alongside Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Demetri Martin and Emile Hirsch. (opens in theatres everywhere on Friday)

Saturday, August 15
BEFORE IT CLOSES→ The Off-Broadway show Slipping has enjoyed a successful sold-out run at the Rattlestick. The show will close this Saturday. (Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, 224 Waverly Place, info)

Sunday, August 16
BEFORE IT CLOSES→ The revival of the critically acclaimed show Mary Stuart, will end its run this Sunday to make way for royalty of another kind. In September, Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, will take up the thrown at the Broadhurst left vacant by Queens Elizabeth and Mary. (Broadhurst Theatre, 235 W. 44th Street, tickets)

SEE→ Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff of Dancing with the Stars fame will end their short run in Broadway’s Burn the Floor. Another pair of reality-TV stunners, Anya Garnis and Pasha Kovalev (of So You Think You Can Dance? notoriety), will fill their dancing shoes for the remainder of the run. (Through October 18, Longacre Theatre, 220 W. 48th st, btwn. Broadway and 8th Aves, tickets)

Monday, August 17
GO→ You may assume that all theatres in NYC are “dark” on Mondays, but you’d be wrong! There are plenty of shows both On- and Off- Broadway playing on Monday nights. Check out my roundup of shows that will help make your Mondays a little less manic.

Tuesday, August 18
GO (FREE)→ Break out the cosmos and Manolos. The Central Park Film Festival starts with the ultimate chick-flick, Sex and the City. And if the fab four don’t float your boat, not to worry, the Festival lineup also includes Oceans 11, Twightlight and the private dick that’s a sex machine to all the chicks(…Shaft!) Can you dig it?  (8pm, info)

Wednesday, August 19
OPENS→ A revival of the 1930’s Lennox Robinson comedy, Is Life Worth Living? will premiere at the Mint Theater on Wednesday. In 1933, Variety called the show “a cheerful comedy for gloomy times.” Sound familiar? (Mint Theatre, 311 W. 43rd St., 3rd floor, tickets)

Thursday, August 20
GO→ It seems you can’t swing a PLAYBILL in this town without hitting an Idol! American Idol alums Constantine Moralous, Frenchie Davis, Tamyra Gray, Fantasia Barino and Taylor Hicks have all found their way onto a New York Stage. Season 3’s Diana DeGarmo must have loved her experience in Hairspray so much that she’s willing to make another go of it. This time, DeGarmo will try Off-Broadway as she assumes the role of Sarah in the musical, The Toxic Avenger. (New World Stages, 340 West 50th St., tickets)

What to do, see and not miss all this weekend and week in NYC. See some great summer shows (before it’s too late), take a ride on a bicycle built for two and get your grub on with an old fashioned Lobster Bake!

Happy Friday!
Blake  

Friday, August 7

GO (OUTDOORS)→ Take advantage of the beautiful summer weather by playing outdoors today. Ride a bike to Governors Island as part of their “Free Bike Fridays” program and work up your appetite for the Red Hook Lobster Bake at the the Brooklyn Yard. This is classic NYC summer! (6pm, 400 Carroll St. btwn. Bond & Nevins, info)

                          + 

Saturday, August 8

BEFORE IT CLOSES→ Geoffrey Nauffts’s Next Fall closes this Saturday. Next Fall has earned all the rave reviews it received from both critics and audiences alike. It’s especially important viewing in light of our country’s ongoing debate for equal rights. (Peter Jay Sharp Theater, 416 W. 42nd St, btwn. 9th and 10th Aves., tickets) 

BEFORE IT CLOSES→ Lila Rose Kaplan’s Wildflower has gotten as much buzz for the last five minutes of the show than most shows get for their entire run. If you haven’t seen it, finally getting in on the secret of what happens in that final scene is worth the trip. (Second Stage’s McGinn/Cazale Theatre, 307 West 43rd Street, tickets) 

Sunday, August 9

BEFORE IT CLOSES→ The musical version of the enormously successful play Vanities will end its run at Second Stage this Sunday. (Second Stage, 307 W.43rd st, btwn 8th and 9th Aves.,  tickets)

Monday, August 10

GO→ Avenue Q’s former front man, John Tartaglia, will debut “A New Fangled Variety Shot” at Comix in the Meatpacking District. The show is described as follows: “Take a dash of Dean Martin, a pinch of Carol Burnett, a dabble of Laugh In and a dose of Saturday Night Live, shake vigorously and you’ll get The New Fangled Variety Show starring John Tartaglia!” (7pm and 9pm, Comix, 353 W. 14th st, east of 9th Ave., tickets)

GO→ Broadway’s original Annie has grown up to be one heck of a belter! I just saw her perform with our pal Seth Rudetsky at The Actors Funds’ “Nothing Like a Dame” benefit and may I just say…Dang! Girl can sing! (through August 9th, Metropolitan Room, 34 W.22nd St. btwn 5th and 6th Ave, tickets)

Tuesday, August 11

GO (FREE)→ Fresh off of the successful run of Twelfth Night, Shakespeare in the Park follows up with the Euripides tragedy, The Bacchae staring Jonathan Groff, André De Shields, Anthony Mackie and set to the sounds of Philip Glass. (8pm, The Delacorte, Central Park West, enter at the mid 80’s, info)

OPENING→ Playwright Cusi Cram debuts a new Off-Broadway play, A Lifetime Burning—but it’s Cram’s own life that proves to be just as interesting. You can read all about it in Playbill Magazine this month! (Through September 5, 59 E. 59th st, tickets)

Wednesday, August 12

OPENING→ Another Man’s Position takes over the space recently vacated by Next Fall. The show, set in the 1970’s, follows a struggling comedian who gets the opportunity to have his own TV show.  (Through August 23, Peter Jay Sharp Theater, 416 W. 42nd St, btwn. 9th and 10th Aves., (212) 279-4200)

Thursday, August 13

GO (FREE)→ “Broadway in Bryant Park” ends its summer run with performances from Billy Elliot, South Pacific, Mamma Mia! and Altar Boyz. (12:30-1:30pm, Bryant Park, 40-42nd st, btwn 5th and 6th aves).

Barbra Streisand, one of the most talented women to ever grace this planet, will be coming back to New York…but not in the huge, arena-sized spectacular we’re used to seeing her in.  Streisand will be performing in the intimate Village Vanguard on September 26.  The last time Barbra played there was in 1961 as an opening act for Miles Davis.

In the interest of full disclosure, I’ll tell you I am a very lucky lady to have not only seen Barbra perform once, but to have gone on tour handling press for her 2006-2007 US and European STREISAND tours.  Whether we were in Toronto, New York City, Boston, Vienna, or Paris, Barbra never failed to leave her audience breathless and awe struck.  She is, as I said, a talent that comes around once in a lifetime.  And to boot..she is a pretty cool lady if I do say so myself!

This is just the first bit of exciting news we’ll hear from the Streisand camp this year.  Her new album, Love is the Answer,  is supposed to be phenomenal and I have no doubt that the 100 lucky people who get to go to this show at the Vanguard will see something that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.  I know I’ll remember every note I’ve ever heard Barbra sing.  

For more info, go to www.barbrastreisand.com 

This morning I received a press release from the good folks at Roundabout announcing the exciting additions of Mark-Paul Gosselaar & Justin Kirk to the cast of Theresa Rebeck’s The Understudy.

The adult theatre-lover in me was thrilled to see the addition of these two very talented individuals joining Tony winner, Julie White in what is sure to be (like all of Rebeck’s work) a witty, honest and fascinating look at life.

But it was my inner twelve year-old that let out a little yelp and thought “like, oh my gawd!”

Like many a young lass who grew up religiously watching Zack Morris and the gang every Saturday morning on Saved By The Bell, who grew up to be the young woman who religiously (and secretly) watches reruns on TBS will tell you…there is something about Zack (or Preppie, Running Zack, “Detention” Morris…whatever name you prefer).

Perhaps it’s Zack’s recent “attack” on the Late Show with Jimmy Fallon or the reunion with Kelly, Slater, Lisa and Jessie for last week’s People cover, that has caused my inner adolescent to rear her awkward head. She’s the girl who would love to see Jordan Catalono cast in Hamlet or Dylan McKay take on the role of Conrad Birdie. The sane adult in me pushes these horrible ideas aside…but the girl in me, dressed in Z Cavariccis, a multi-neon colored B.U.M sweatshirt and high-top Doc Martins wants to see Corey Haim give it a go.