Best Performing Arts February

Posted OnJanuary 25, 2019

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Best Performing Arts February: February offers the ladies perspective onstage from Twisted Valentine’s and The Vagina Monologues to Menopause: The Musical. Plus dance at PAC, Kurt Weill, and theatre in Pleasantville.

February

Ain’t Misbehaving, Westchester Broadway Theater, Thurs 1/31-Sun, 2/24: check dates: The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s comes to life in this three-time Tony Award-winning musical revue. Experience the heart and soul of Harlem where the swing, ragtime and jazz converge in an explosive musical movement. Journey through the timeless music of Thomas “Fats” Waller with memorable songs such as “Honeysuckle Rose”, “Ain’t Misbehavin’”, “Black and Blue”, “This Joint is Jumpin’ ” and “I’ve Got a Feeling I’m Falling.” (One Broadway Plaza, Elmsford; www.broadwaytheatre.com)

Local! Dancing Lessons, Arc Stages Pleasantville, Fri-Sat, 2/1-16: 8pm & Sun, 2/10: 2pm: The New York Times called it “Two Aloof Neighbors, All the Wrong Moves” in their 2015 review. Set in Manhattan, this two-person play follows a science professor with Aspergers’s Syndrome (Ever) who hires an injured dancer (Senga) to give him dancing lessons. Mark St. Germain’s (Becoming Dr. Ruth) writing deftly moves from Ever’s witty “autism spectrum” repartee to the physical humor of Senga, in full leg cast, teaching him to groove to Maroon 5’s “Moves Like Jagger”. Worth the trip! (147 Wheeler Ave., Pleasantville; www.arcstages.org)

LoHud Comedy, Schoolhouse Theatre, Fri, 2/1: 8pm: NYC comedy club stalwart and co-author and co-star with Jon Cryer of the movie The Pompatus of Love is joined by Liz Barrett and Jon McBee for a night of standup at this 99 seat theatre in Croton Falls. Ms. Barrett, she of the deadpan one-liners, is a regular at Caroline’s and Gotham Comedy Club. Mr. McBee, a fave at The Comedy Cellar has made two appearances on Gotham Comedy Live. (3 Owens Rd., N. Salem; www.schoolhousetheatre.org)

Vic Dibitetto, Ridgefield Playhouse, Fri-Sat, 2/1-2: 8pm: Often described as a cross between Rodney Dangerfield and Ralph Kramden, Vic DiBitetto was a 1991 Grand Prize-winner on America’s Funniest People. Twenty-two years later, he was working as a school bus driver on Staten Island when his YouTube video Bread and Milk went viral with over 16 million views. A year later, he appeared with Kevin James in Paul Blast: Mall Cop 2. (80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Diavolo: Architecture in Motion, Performing Arts Center, Sat, 2/2: 8pm: For 25 years, Artistic Director Jacques Heim and Diavolo have defied traditional definitions of dance and gravity. Leaping, flying, and falling, this one-of-its-kind contemporary dance company utilizes trust, teamwork, and imagination in large, surreal architectural playgrounds to create metaphors of life through dance and movement. (735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)

Local! Twisted Valentines, Axial Theatre Pleasantville – Thurs-Sat, 2/8-10 & 15-17: The Axial Theatre’s Twisted Valentines returns for its third consecutive year with 6 original one-act plays, each with it’s own take on the modern relationship. Including Sleeping Dogs, Dream Lover, The Ninth Circus of Hell and Requiem for a Third Wheel. Expect to laugh and cry. (St. John’s Episcopal Church, 8 Sunnyside Avenue, Pleasantville, 914.286.7680; www.axialtheatre.org)

The Vagina Monologues, Tarrytown Music Hall, Wed, 2/13: 7pm: V-Day Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow presents Eve Ensler’s 1996, Obie Award-winning play, The Vagina Dialogues. This episodic play features a series of monologues touching on matters of sex, body image, love, birth and sexual violence. Natioinwide, V-Day organizations have raised over $100 million for organizations that work to stop violence against women. This production will benefit Hope’s Door and My Sisters’ Place. (13 Main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

Demetri Martin, Ridgefield Playhouse, Sat, 2/16: 8pm: Actor, comedian and NY Times best-selling author, Demetri Martin brings a night of stand-up to The Playhouse! Best known for his deadpan delivery, the Comedy Central show “Important Things with Demetri Martin,” and contributing to “The Daily Show,” Martin recently earned raves for directing the indie film, Dean. (80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Editor’s Choice! The Music of Kurt Weill, Schoolhouse Theatre, Fri, 2/22: 8pm: The Soulful Yiddish diva, Eleanor Reissa and the Grammy Award-winning “mystical high priest of New Wave Avant-Klez jazz” Frank London prep for their Kurt Weill program for spring engagements in Germany at the 99 seat Schoolhouse Theatre. Ms. Reissa and Mr. London will also be performing From Shtetl to Stage at Carnegie Hall. (3 Owens Rd., N. Salem; www.schoolhousetheatre.org)

Menopause The Musical, Westchester Broadway Theater, Thurs, 2/28-Sun, 3/24: check dates: It’s a short trip from #MeToo to Menopause The Musical. This hilarious musical parody set to classic tunes from the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s follows four women who meet over a black lace bra at a lingerie sale. Then it’s all “you go girl;” with the hot flashes, memory lapses, night sweats, chocolate binges, meh sex and more! MTM debuted in Orlando, FL (where else?) in 2001, went to Broadway and is now resident at Harrah’s Las Vegas. Save yourself a trip and see it in Elmsford! (One Broadway Plaza, Elmsford; www.broadwaytheatre.com)

March

Barbara Eden and Hal Linden in A.R. Gurney’s Love Letters, Ridgefield Playhouse, Sat, 3/2: 8pm: Barbara Eden (“I Dream of Jeannie”) and Hal Linden (“Barney Miller”) star in A.R. Gurney’s bittersweet comedy about two friends have exchanged letters for over 50 years. From second grade, through college, and well into adulthood. they have spent a lifetime discussing their hopes and dreams. But after the letters are done, the question remains: Have they made the right choices or is the love of their life only a letter away? (80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Broadway! Lisa Howard, Emelin Theatre, Fri, 3/8: 8pm: A Drama Desk Award winner for her role in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Ms. Howard was also nominated for a Drama Desk Award in the musical comedy It Shoulda Been You. Her other Broadway credits include Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, 9 TO 5, South Pacific and her most recent role, Tammy in Escape to Margaritaville. (153 Library Ln. Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org)

Lea DeLaria, Performing Arts Center, Sat, 3/9: 8pm: “Big Boo” on the Netflix hit Orange is the New Black, brings her live jazz and comedy show to The PAC for one night only. Her new show features hits from her latest album House Of David: delaria+bowie=jazz, and shows off not just DeLaria’ s comic genius but her spectacular vocal range. “[DeLaria] swings hard, and scats… notes in a style that suggests a no-frills Betty Carter on steroids.” The New York Times (735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)

RHONY Star, Luann De Lesseps: Countess & Friends, Ridgefield Playhouse, Sat, 3/9: 8pm: Fresh off earning rave reviews for her performance at NYC’s Feinstein’s 54 Below, Luann De Lesseps, an original cast member of Bravo’s hit TV show The Real Housewives of New York, brings a night of cabaret to The Playhouse. Her global dance hits include “Money Can’t Buy You Class”, “Chic C’est La Vie” and “Girl Code.” (80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Young Kids! Trusty Sidekick Theatre Company: Shadow Play, Performing Arts Center, Sun, 3/10: 3pm: Follow the playful adventures of Flash and his quest to reunite with his shadow in this multimedia performance for the youngest of audiences (ages 2-5) — and the young at heart. Based in New York City, Trusty Sidekick Theater Company’s ensemble of collaborators includes artists trained in physical theatre, puppetry, music, dance, animation, and video projection. (735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)

Tape Face, Ridgefield Playhouse, Thurs, 3/14: 7pm: Sam Willis, a multi-award winning New Zealand prop comic, busker, clown and mime was a 2016 finalist on Season 11 of America’s Got Talent, Tape Face returns in a hilarious new show! Here he returns to our area with his new show. So what does he do exactly?Tape Face is a mime with noise, a stand-up comedian who doesn’t talk, who performs a drama with no acting. In 2016 he was awarded a International Achievement Award from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand. (80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Lewis Black, The Joke’s On US Tour, Tarrytown Music Hall, Thurs, 3/14: 8pm: Grammy-winning comedian, Yale Drama School grad, Comedy Central Top 100 Stand-up of All Time, and self-proclaimed “Kind of Rant”, Lewis Black returns to Tarrytown with his new show. Black, whose angry rants about history, politics and religion often escalate into simulations of a mental breakdown, performs live on stage shows over 200 times a year. (13 Main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Performing Arts Center, Sat, 3/16: 8pm: Aspen’s bold vision – top global choreographers, distinctive groundbreaking repertoire, and virtuoso dancers – has fostered a jewel of a dance company that reflects the pioneering spirit of the American West. Dedicated to curating new ballets, ASFB brings a European sensibility and an American spirit to the contemporary classical genre. (735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)

Local! Proof, Hudson Stage Company, Whippoorwill Hall Theatre, Fri-Sun, 3/29-4/7 & Fri-Sat, 4/12-13: Armonk’s Hudson Stage Co. presents Proof, David Auburn’s mind twister about an enigmatic young woman, Catherine, her manipulative sister, their brilliant father, and an unexpected suitor. They are all pieces of the puzzle in the search for the truth behind a mysterious mathematical proof. Originally produced on Broadway in 2000, the play won the Pulitzer Prize, the Tony Award for Best Play and the Drama Desk Award. (North Castle Public Library, 19 Whippoorwill Rd. E., Armonk, www.hudsonstage.com)