Best Performing Arts Winter 2019

admin Posted OnNovember 30, 2018

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Best Performing Arts Winter 2019: There’s lots of laughs, theater, dance and Broadway this winter. Did we mention Tape Face or RHONY star Luann de Lesseps, the Countess?

January

Beauty and the Beast, White Plains Performing Arts Center, Fri, 12/21- Sat, 1/13/2019: 2 & 7pm: Based on the Disney Academy Award-winning animated motion picture, Beauty and the Beast features spectacular costumes and scenery, a live orchestra and Broadway actors. With songs including “Be Our Guest”, “Gaston” and of course “Beauty and the Beast.” (White Plains Performing Arts Center, 11 City Place, 3rd Floor, White Plains; www.wppac.com)

Thomas John, The Seatbelt Psychic, Ridgefield Playhouse, Sun, 1/13: 7:30pm: Trusted adviser to Courteney Cox and Goldie Hawn, Thomas John is the star of Lifetime’s Seatbelt Psychic, where he poses as a ride-share driver and gives readings to his passengers. He has made numerous predictions about celebrities that have come to pass including the deaths of Michael Jackson and Whiteney Houston and the Tome Cruise/Katie Homes split up. (80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

The Book of Moron, The Palace Stamford, Fri, 1/18: 8pm: The Denver Post called Robert Dubac’s latest Off-Broadway hit, The Book of Moron “a brain injured TED Talk.” In his Mark Twain-esque satirical one-man show, The Book of Moron, Dubac is a brain-injured patient rediscovering himself and the world one clue at a time. Variety said his 2002 show The Male Intellect: an Oxymoron “provide(s) hilarious insights into the coming-of-age struggles of an average guy.” (61 Atlantic St., Stamford, CT; www.palacestamford.org)

Frank Caliendo, Ridgefield Playhouse, Sat, 1/19: 8pm: This Mad TV vet has made a career for himself doing impressions in comedy clubs, on late night TV, Fox NFL Sunday Pregame, and his own series Frank TV. His best-known impressions include Donald Trump, Morgan Freeman, Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Robert DeNiro; George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, John Madden, Charles Barkley, Dr. Phil, Jay Leno, and David Letterman. (80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Leading Ladies of Broadway, Emelin Theatre, Sat, 1/26: 8pm: In this concert event, four leading ladies of Broadway recreate their most memorable moments and celebrate their starring roles. Including Kissy Simmons (The Lion King), Rona Figueroa (Les Miserables, Nine, Miss Saigon), Anika Larsen ( Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) and Sara Jean Ford (Phantom, Cats, A Little Night Music). (153 Library Ln. Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org)

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)

February

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)

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)

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 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)

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)