Staff Picks No. 41
The Vicky Archives: Nick Auer, Sam Myers, Dan Kuan Peeples
The Tank
April 18th - May 18th 2024
For the first time in its history, the Vicky Archives is being unveiled for the public. What stories will poor out? It's giving modern Pandora's box, baby, so sign me up for mayhem and magic. Brouhaha, the collective behind the mysterious piece, has staged wonders in bar basements and Prospect Park; now, its newest immersive wonder spans the entirety of The Tank's Attic, its sixth floor. Take the elevator up and don't look back!
Staffer: Billy McEntee
Exquisite Drones: Wick Simmons
The Tank
April 14th - April 16th 2024
Exquisite Corpses is a great artistic game, but Exquisite Drone's concept is incredibly exciting. It reminds me of the fugue in Ulysses, which is just the fugue in music reused in fiction - so I guess we're back at the fugue, but in a new way, an incredibly intriguing way.
Staffer: kanishk pandey
An Adaptation of That King of the Hill Episode Where Peggy Falls Out of a Plane: James La Bella, Emma Richmond, Matthew Antoci, Meaghan Robichaud, Luke Taylor
The Brick Theater’s !?: New Works
April 9th & April 19th 2024
The name James La Bella has been floating around the scene as if riding on the wind: "James" coasting on a gust of a theater door's quick closing on a late seater or as if the rustle of the trees amounts to "ohhh that monologue at PRELUDE"... Having just read Mr. Burns for the first time last month, I am thrilled that this adaptation of 2000s animated comedy will be my first intro to James' work — a real bonus, since the 10 year anniversary of Mr. Burns at Playwrights later this year is completely sold out and completely out of my price range ;)
Staffer: Lena Engelstein
Young Boy Dancing Group
Performance Space New York
April 11th - April 13th 2024
I am simultaneously obsessed and repulsed by YBDG...to misquote Mean Girls: "one time, YBDG splashed me with piss. It was awesome"
They improvise chaotic movement and assemble impressive pyramids in tableau that evokes zombie cheerleaders. They are hilarious! And so serious! You will have the time of your life.
Staffer: Travis Amiel
Films of Maya Deren, live-scored by The Flushing Remonstrance
Francis Kite Club
Thursday, April 11th 2024
Pretty much everything I love about experimental cinema can be traced back to Maya Deren's pioneering work in the 1940s. Expansive, mystic, moody, feminist, textured, strange and profoundly beautiful. So, I'm super excited for this program of her film works, live scored by The Flushing Remonstrance, at one of my favorite new gathering spaces, the Francis Kite Club. Come through!
Staffer: Joshua Dumas
The Greenery: Samuel Leon
The Tank
April 12th - April 14th 2024
I think a lot about what sociologists call "third places": not where you live, or where you work, but where you gather. These places — churches, theaters, barber shops — are integral to community and, in an increasingly expensive city, also increasingly fragile. The ever-lovely Samuel Leon explores the demise of one such space, a Bushwick arts venue, in a new play "The Greenery." Check it out!
Staffer: Billy McEntee
so long, so long: PEP TALK (Marin Day + Maddie Hopfield)
The Brick Theater’s !?: New Works
April 12th & April 14th 2024
?!: New Works is picking up this collaboration after a smash-hit show in 2023 at Lifeworld (that prompted the appearance of the mystical impromptu-night-of-dancing feat. the infamous Azealia Banks' 212-mosh pit) and I expect the energy to be no different this week at The Brick. Marin and Maddie are dexterous at collaging high energy, high complexity Dance with text and material. And the incomparable, genius Xinan Helen Ran is doing the set design, so you can be sure you'll get that ?!?!??!?!? New Works feeling coursing through your veins...making you want to mosh in the 212.
Staffer: Lena Engelstein
Sundays on Broadway: Yvonne Rainer, Patricia Hoffbauer, Cristina Caprioli featuring Valley Wanderer, and Josie Bettman
WeisAcres 537 Broadway #3
Sunday, April 14th 2024
Co-curators Owen Prum and Cathy Weis present the first show in Sundays on Broadway's 10th Anniversary season! It's so cool when something lasts, especially when it peddles in experimentation and ephemerality. 10 years is a whole generation of art. Anniversary's smash the past and present together in commemoration. On Sundays in April and May, you can come to this "eternal" space and experience the performance continuum. For me, shows are church. The ongoing practice of continuing to see them (regardless of...) is the faith. No better day to worship than Sunday, eh?
Staffer: Lena Engelstein
T4T: Tax Day: hosted by Ella Yurman & Terrence Dugan
Metropolitan Bar
Monday, April 15th 2024
Stalwart Williamsburg gay dive Metropolitan hosts this month's edition of T4T, a recurring showcase of trans comedy talent- the bill includes the exquisitely sardonic Spike Einbinder and "Best Mistakes" podcast's Nika Sylvain.
Staffer: Eric Shethar