Staff Picks No. 33
Three Scenes in the Life of a Trotskyist: Andy Boyd, Jake Beckhard
The Tank
February 22nd - March 17 2024
Beckhard, who directed the lovely "What Else is True?" last year, comes to the Tank for a timely piece about corrosive politics through the lens of a fictional leftist revolutionary's demise into right-wing propaganda. I appreciate that the play creates a fictional character (bio-theater tends to not be my speed), so I'm intrigued about how this created tale will make for a realistic mirror!
Staffer: Billy McEntee
NYC Indie Theatre Film Festival: Included films: ARROW OF TIME, THE KARAMAZOVS, THE MARTIN DECKER SHOW, NICE PEOPLE, RAMONA AT MIDLIFE and WAKE
Jeffrey and Paula Gural Theatre
February 15th - February 18th 2024
I am excited that this program has landed in a new home, as it proves that good ideas can survive the brutal realities for real estate and institutions shifting and closing. I am especially excited for Allyson Dwyer and Arrow of Time, which is meaningful on about 700 different levels for me. Allyson is passionate about the accessibility of art and this experiment in film and audio is one way in which she continues to create space, encourage change & thoughtfulness and also generate really gorgeous art. ALSO, it came out of SOUNDLAB, a project I started with Harrison David Rivers (great playwright and ancient friend) in 2019. ALSO, it was part of The Exponential Festival, as we continue to value and encourage creation of digital content. ALSO, I got to be a part of the creative process, directing the voice over actors who are all amazing - Susannah Perkins, Ben Holbrook, Abe Goldfarb, Leonie Bell, Ryan William Downey.
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister
You Don't Have to Do Anything: Ryan Drake, Ryan Dobrin
HERE Arts Center
February 8th - February 23rd 2024
This week my staff pick is a haunting queer coming-of-age story that takes place in the early 2000s. Which of course means: the dawn of modern internet (AOL?, Skype?, Omegle (rip)?) before the rise of internet literacy. I'm so excited for the writing and extra excited for the design.
Staffer: hillary gao
Rhythms & Movements of African American Culture Festival: Arkestra Africa
Abrons Arts Center
February 12th - February 18th 2024
I totally adore the bright polyrhythms of mid-century West African guitar music, Highlife and JuJu. So I’m stoked for Arkestra Africa’s performance, this Friday Feb 16, at the Rhythms & Movements of African American Culture Festival. The weeklong fest, organized by the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation at beloved Abrons Arts Center, has a ton of great music and dance programming from historic forms to hip-hop, jazz, and house. Come through!
Staffer: Joshua Dumas
The Following Evening: 600 Highwaymen and Talking Band
Perelman Performing Arts Center
February 1st - February 18th 2024
Two couples that make experimental theatre talk and dance and reminisce. It's sentimental in the right way, cozy and funny. Although the website says it's sold out, and although I found the whole building this show is hosted in kinda dismal...I think you should try and see this show. If you are an idealistic artist, you may like me sit and listen and cry for the majority of its 80 minutes.
Staffer: Travis Amiel