Staff Picks No. 74
Suppose Beautiful Madeline Harvey : Object Collection and Richard Foreman
La MaMa
December 13th-22nd 2024
Well what have we here? The first new Foreman piece in a decade, and just look at that treasure trove of collaborators. This doesn't start until December 13, but let's get the word out: this will sell, and this premise is catchy. "Beautiful Madeline Harvey has a problem: she is not certain whether she does or does not, in fact, exist." If you've been disassociating, or disassociating from your disassociating, this may be the show for (from?) you.
Staffer: Billy McEntee
This is a show I am SO fucking stoked for that I am flying from Kansas to New York and jumping through hoops to come out for the final performance. So, if effort and force of will and genuine fucking love mean nothing to you, I guess skip this show. But, if those things hold value AND you like it weird, technical, unique and magical... come see this show.
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister
Full List of Collabs:
By Object Collection
Written by Richard Foreman
Directed and adapted for the stage by Kara Feely
Music composed by Travis Just
Featuring Maggie Hoffman, Daniel Allen Nelson, Catrin Lloyd-Bollard, Avi Glickstein, Richard Foreman, Nicolas Noreña, Timothy Scott, Yuki Kawahisa and Alessandro Magania
Musicians : Chloe Roe, Jack Lynch and Travis Just
Produced by Shannon Sindelar
Scenic Design by Peter Ksander
Lighting by Kate McGee
Costumes by Karen Boyer
Sound by Robin Margolis
Video by David Pym
Production Manager: Devon Wade Granmo
Stage Manager: Kate Purdum
Sound Technician: Erin Gray
Stamptown : Zach Zucker and other comedians, including Ike Ufomadu
Bell House
Monday, December 9th 2024
I know about this show because of Ike's wonderfully bland substack, 5 Boring Observations. If you are not on that substack, you should get on that substack. And also if you want to have a laugh, go to this show.
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister
The Beginning After the End of Humanity Circus and The Possibilitarian Imperative Everything Show & Gray Lady Cantata #9 : Bread and Puppet
Theater for the New City
December 4th-15th 2024
If you've never seen Bread and Puppet live, now is a great time. You'll hear outrage against the never-ending war machine that runs our world told through brass band exuberance. Large puppets to express a bold vision of liberation. And yes, there is bread to eat afterwards.
Staffer: Travis Amiel
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade : Macy’s… Snoopy… Santa et al.
Central Park West, 6th Ave, NBC & Peacock
Thursday, November 28th 2024
Oh you think you’re above this? Ha! No one’s above this. Our beautiful and complicated annual paean to the technicolor ghosts of culture’s past, reminding us how far we’ve fallen in recent decades, from Snoopy to Paw Patrol. Still the Thanksgiving Day Parade manages to make my heart warm and bring me into the holiday spirit. Why not become a tourist in your own city, or do what millions around the country at home will do, which is be a pre-pubescent child ogling at the colors, discovering Hoda Kotb’s hair. Say what you want about America’s traditions, but we know more than anyone how to put on a show. Why not sucker from the teat of Mother Liberty’s turkey breast? Or lap up Santa’s milk at the parade’s climax?
Theatre fans (if they still exist) will note the usual musical excerpts are reduced this year, I’m sure due to the drought of substance and relevance on Broadway, but ha! They forget the real spectacle was never the numbers, nor the 60-foot, death-bearing inflatables soaring above (which are truly amazing). The real reason to watch is for the out-of-towners, who crowd into squashed cattle pens in the greatest city on earth, gerning for their second on television, mouthing along to the lipsync’d vocals of whoever…. or in their high school bands, presenting the most important routine of their lives with militaristic cheer. This combined worship of New York City, tradition, and live television come together into a holiday brew that somehow makes the day feel much more than what it ever is. So why not?
Staffer: Matthew Antoci
DeliaDelia! The Flat Chested Witch! : Amando Houser and Kedian Keohan
The Brick Theater
December 4th-14th 2024
I have recommended this show before and I will do it forever! It is a heartwarming and evil romp that should be required viewing, quite honestly. I would take my parents, my friends of all ages, my exes, my collaborators, my co-workers... pretty much anyone other than my legit enemies. And these openers? What an embarrassment of riches.
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister
List of Openers:
CHARLENE INCARNATE (Dec 4)
MADELEINE ROWE (Dec 5)
CLAYWOMAN (Dec 6)
I’M GOING TO MARRY YOUR DAD (Dec 7)
BECCA BLACKWELL (Dec 11)
ABBY LLOYD (Dec 12)