Staff Picks No. 72
Sex Variants of 1941 : The Civilians, James LaBella, Steve Cosson, Jessica Mitrani, Stephen Trask, Aaron Whitby, Martha Redbone, Michael Friedman, Whitney Andrews, David Greenspan, Robert M. Johanson, Jo Lampert, Irene Lucio, Heath Saunders and MORE!
NYU Skirball
November 14th-24th 2024
A show about Depression-era queers! (What'd you call me??) It promises a "candid portrait of queer America in the 1930s. Racy bits and all." Sign me up! Anything for The Civilians, anything for James, any reason to go to Skirball.
Staffer: Billy McEntee
There is one seat this week I am making it a priority for my butt to meet, and it is at NYU Skirball to marvel at the latest from The Civilians - including writing from the mischievous, surprising, and eternally enchanting James La Bella. Oh, and not to mention music from Stephen Trask of HEDWIG fame. SEE YOU THERE!!!
Staffer: Matthew Antoci
BIAS ALERT: Co-writer James La Bella is a friend!! But here's why I recommend this: I always want to know more queer history, especially when it comes to studying SEX! What were the words used, the "problems" identified? And contributions from Stephen Trask and Michael Friedman, I'm so there.
Staffer: Travis Amiel
Not to pile on, but I gotta pile on. GO TO THIS GO TO THIS GO TO THIS. For all previously stated reasons PLUS David Greenspan.
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister
a plump single-color bulb, or a dance : Wally Cardona with Jonathan Bepler
New York Live Arts
November 14th-16th 2024
There is something delightfully old-school about Wally Cardona's process. From my brief interaction with him at his drop-in composition class, I found him singularly interested in his chosen artistic task: making a dance with a small red ball, a mallet, and himself. In a time when funders and institutions want artists who will fix the world, I am refreshed by Wally's quiet insistence that you can make something relevant and engrossing with just the things in front of you, and that is enough. I've been looking forward to this show for months. I am so excited to sit back, open my eyes, and be surprised.
Staffer: Noa Rui-Piin Weiss
This Is My Favorite Song : Francesca D’Uva, Sam Max
Playwrights Horizons
November 19th-December 8th, 2024
Playwrights has, along with many theaters, adapted post-2020; in their case, it means breaking a normal rule (we love change!) and embracing (largely for financial reasons) solo works. Last year brought forth Ike, Milo, and Alex; now we get Francesca. It will surely be a special altar to worship at, and what more can I really look for these days.
Staffer: Billy McEntee
I've been very fortunate to see Francesca perform a lot over the years and her getting a platform like this rules. I would go to 42nd Street for this and I do not say that often. So, mark your calendars, invite a friend and have a great weird time in Times Square!
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister
CATCH : So many phenomenal artists - Tiresias, Kennie Zhou, Laurel Atwell, Ben Holbrook, Federico Solmi, Jordan Demetrius Lloyd, Matthew Antoci & Meaghan Robichaud, Nubian Néné / A Lady In The House Dance Company)
Invisible Dog
Saturday, November 16th 2024
One of my biggest regrets in life is that I won't be in town for this!! A fantastic line-up of artists, a karaoke (!!) after-party, what more could you ask for? All of these artists are consistently creating something cool. Don't miss it!
Staffer: Hillary Gao (seconded by Theresa)
Unsound Festival : Kali Malone, SUNN O))), Mabe Fratti
Lincoln Center
November 15th-17th 2024
The Kraków-based Unsound Festival curates a series of performances at Lincoln Center this weekend. All shows are Pay-What-You-Can! And the lineup is stacked with brilliant musicians/composers working with patience, noise, beauty, peace, strangeness, resistance, spellcasting, all opening new possibilities with sound. I’m particularly stoked to experience Kali Malone’s slow-moving organ drones in Alice Tully Hall. And to be enveloped in SUNN O)))’s feedback and drift at David Geffen Hall. Getting cheap seats to see weird stuff at Lincoln Center is the best! Come through!!
Staffer: Joshua Dumas