ART PREVIEWS GEORGE EZRA
Terminal 5 We cannot wait to see this brooder in the ‘hood. George Ezra emerged last year as an artist to watch and has pretty quickly gained a dedicated fanbase that loves his unique pop sound and soulful voice. The 21-year-old songwriter and guitarist happens to be pretty easy on the eye too. This should be an energetic show filled with young people, but don’t be fooled. His tunes have a universal appeal and his lyrics have a surprising maturity – Sir Ian McKellen is a fan, seen bopping and lipsyncing alongside the artist in his video for Listen To The Man. Basically, there’s more than one reason to look forward to George Ezra at Terminal 5 on July 28. Get excited by listening to his first single Budapest, and our personal favorite, Cassy O. www.terminal5nyc.com
INFORMED CONSENT
Primary Stages Details about Primary Stages’ 2015-16 season keep rolling out and we couldn’t be more excited for what one of our favorite theater companies has in store for this year. Informed Consent is one of the few shows you’ll be able to catch this summer, generally speaking. Many theaters go dark for summer months, with seasons opening in early fall, so with an opening date set for August, this will definitely be a hot ticket in the neighborhood. The new work by playwright Deborah Zoe Laufer deals with the question of genetics and whether or not DNA determines a person’s destiny. The show, having its off-Broadway premiere and coming off of rave reviews during its run at Cleveland Playhouse, is based on a recent court case between the Havasupai tribe and Arizona State. It’s presented in co-production with Ensemble Studio Theatre as a part of the Alfred P Sloan Foundation Science & Technology Project, so expect a real dive into the question of science versus belief. www.primarystages.org
NEW SEASON
Signature Theatre Keep an eye out for more info about Signature Theatre’s 25th Anniversary season as it’s released in the next few months. From special series and events, the 2014 Regional Tony Award winner is poised to have another inspiring, artful season. Again, their space is a good place to look during quiet months when Broadway openings are few and far between and some of the larger theater companies are taking summer breaks. At Signature, things get started in July with John, a work by resident playwright Annie Baker and directed by Sam Gold. Looking ahead in the season, we are STOKED (sorry, it’s really the only word) for Bill Irwin’s return with Old Hats. Love and Money is another summer premiere to get hot under the collar for; it’s a comedy by AR Gurney – ’nuff said. It’ll be a stellar season. If you’ve thought before about becoming a Signature subscriber, this might be the year to finally do it. www.signaturetheatre.org
ANDREI TARKOVSKY CINEMA SERIES
MAD Museum The Russian filmmaker directed seven feature films that influenced both his contemporaries and many who came after him. With unconventional dramatic structure and the kind of themes that make you really think, MAD is the perfect setting for this summer film series, where quiet museum screening rooms will give audiences the space to take in some seriously design-heavy cinema. The museum promises the following (a lofty promise that will be a welcome difference from the summer blockbusters playing down the street): “Reconsidering the role of films in an age of increasing technology, Tarkovsky saw cinema as not merely communicating information but as ‘a moral barometer in a sea of competing narratives.’” www.madmuseum.org
RUTHLESS!
St Luke’s RUTHLESS! (yes, all caps and exclamation point included) claims it’s coming after Matilda’s fan base. And while we doubt the show will give the Royal Shakespeare Company and Tim Minchin a run for their money, this Gypsy meets Toddlers in Tiaras take on stage moms still looks like a lot of fun. The lead kiddo, Tina Denmark (doncha just wish her name was Ruth?) is a “diabolical tot who will do anything to be a star.” Now she’s returning after 22 years away, as many child stars are wont to do. But this show, which earned a Drama Desk and Outer Critics Award when it originally ran in NYC all those years ago, is a nipped, tucked, tightened-up version. See the tantrums anew in this two act, 90-minute revision of the original. www.RuthlessTheMusical.com
THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY
Westside Theatre This show is coming off of a critically acclaimed run at Dixon Place, if you’re into that kind of thing. (Hint: you really should be. Charles Isherwood doesn’t hand out raves very often, and that’s definitely how we’d describe his February review of The Absolute Brightness.) Yes, it’s a one-man show. Yes, it’s a murder mystery thriller. These factors combined might make you think The Absolute Brightness will be tired and trite, but then you read the description of this show and you see the potential for new life. Funny, since it’s a show about a death. Anyway, the incredible James Lecense leads the show, playing every role. He’s the kind of performer who has the talent and dexterity to make you feel the exact opposite of that “I could do that!” feeling. Come for the twisty-turny plotline, but get prepared to walk away dreaming of his tour de force performance. www.absolutebrightnessplay.com
Left to right: RUTHLESS!; pop cutie George Ezra; AR Gurney is all about the comedy this season.
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