What To Do: Theatre, Dance & Comedy Winter 2015

What To Do: Theatre, Dance & Comedy Winter 2015: Camelot, South Pacific and a one-man circus. The local theatre line-up offers an eclectic mix of the theatre’s most iconic characters including King Arthur, Bloody Mary and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. The Paul Taylor Dance Company is the jewel in the crown of the winter dance season. And, as always the local comedy scene serves up big names like Bill Cosby and Paula Poundstone as well as up and comers and even some nobodies of comedy. Check it all out!  

Theatre

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Armonk Players: The Armonk Players set William Shakespeare’s, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, in modern times offering an imaginative take on the Bard’s most popular comedy. The play, set in the Athenian woods inhabited by fairies, follows four young and confused lovers through a woodsy romp set against the backdrop of the marriage of Theseus, the Duke of Athens to Hippolyta. Director Christine DiTota promises lots of surprises but guarantees “what happens in the woods stays in The Woods.” Sat, 12/6: 8pm, Sun, 12/7: 4pm, Thurs-Sat, 12/11-13: 8pm & Sun 12/14: 2pm. (Whippoorwill Hall, North Castle Public Library, 19 Whippoorwill Rd., East, Armonk; www.armonkplayers.org)

beyond words, Bill Bowers: International mime sensation Bill Bowers returns with a collection of mime, monologues and music! In Beyond Words, Mr. Bowers chronicles the traumatic business of becoming a man. Set against his hometown of Missoula, Montana, he explores sound, silence and small-town America. To see Bill Bowers is to see the technical elements of a style that bring Marcel Marceau readily to mind. Mime can be wonderful…the air between him and us was his palette.” – The New York Times. Sun, 12/7: 3pm. (Schoolhouse Theatre, 3 Owens Rd., Croton Falls; www.schoolhousetheater.org)

Circus-Minimus – The One Man Circus in a Suitcase: Just in time for the holidays comes an opportunity for family theater audiences to participate in a whimsical celebration of imagination. From Kevin O’Keefe’s suitcase an entire circus emerges: tent, band, lights, and a host of zany characters. However, the most important performers emerge from the audience, making for a unique and light-hearted collaboration! Sat, 12/13: 11am. (Schoolhouse Theatre, 3 Owens Rd., Croton Falls; www.schoolhousetheater.org)

The Little Mermaid: Based on the Disney animated film, The Little Mermaid, tells the story of a beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, who longs to leave her home in a magical kingdom beneath the sea to live in the world above. With an irresistible score by eight-time Academy Award winner, Alan Menken, that includes the hit songs “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl” and “Part of Your World.” 12 performances from Fri, 12/19-Sun 1/4: check times. (White Plains Performing Arts Center, 11 City Place, 3^rd. Floor, White Plains; www.wppac.com)

It’s Back! South Pacific: After a nine week run this fall, Rodger’s & Hammerstein’s award-winning South Pacific returns for a four week encore engagement with all the great songs: “Some Enchanted Evening,” “Younger Than Springtime,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out-a My Hair,” “I’m In Love With a Wonderful Guy” and “There Is Nothing Like a Dame.”  Wed-Sun, 12/31-1/25: check times. (Westchester Broadway Theatre, One Broadway Plaza, Elmsford; www.broadwaytheatre.com) 

R&J Star Crossed Death Match: The Emelin Theatre presents the NYC theatre company, Three Day Hangover, in a raucous adaptation of Romeo and Juliettt … in a bar. Literally, the production takes place over every inch of Molly Spillanes bar in Mamaroneck. While the production is true to the language, meaning and power of Shakespeare’s tragic masterpiece, the troupe incorporates audience members into the performance, where they are encouraged to dance and play bar games. Grab a pint with the cast after the show. “Rowdy, bawdy, fun …” – Broadway World. Thurs-Sat, 1/15-17: 8pm. (Molly Spillane’s, 211 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck; www.emelintheatre.org)

To Kill A Mockingbird, National Players: The National Players present Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize winning story of racial injustice with its protagonist Atticus Finch, Scout and Jem, Dill, Boo Radley, and Tom Robinson who is falsely accused of raping a white girl. To Kill A Mockingbird, the only Harper Lee ever wrote, is one of the most widely read novels in the American classroom and was made into an Oscar-winning movies in 1962 starring Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch. The National Players touring company has brought classic plays to communities at affordable rates for 65 years. Sat, 1/24: 8pm. (Academic Arts Theatre, Westchester Community College, 75 Grasslands Rd., Valhalla; www.sunywcc.edu)

Camelot: Lerner and Loewe’s timeless masterpiece. about King Arthur and his new queen, Guenevere, who rule their kingdom with ideals of chivalry and peace, but the arrival of Sir Lancelot threatens the realm in one of the most fabled love triangles of all time. And the songs: “If Ever I Would Leave You”, “The Lusty Month of May”, “How to Handle a Woman”, “I Loved You Once in Silence”, “What Do the Simple Folk Do?.” Wed-Sun, 1/29-4/5: check times. (Westchester Broadway Theatre, One Broadway Plaza, Elmsford; www.broadwaytheatre.com) 

David Mamet’s, A Life In the Theatre: Philadelphia’s Walnut Street Theatre On Tour presents Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet’s A Life in the Theatre. The New York Yorker called Mamet’s behind-the-scenes look at backstage ego trips, feuds, fears, and acting tips, “a love letter to the theatre.” The play was first produced at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre in February 1977 and opened off-Broadway later that year. Memorable productions have starred the Joe Montegna, F. Murray Abrahman and Patrick Stewart. Tues, 2/3: 8pm. (Performing Arts Center, 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org) 

Men are from Mars; Women are from Venus: The number one best-selling book, (like 50 million copies) from John Gray, now comes to life as a hilarious one-man theatrical comedy, starring Peter Story. Just in time for Valentine’s day. “This sexy, salacious fast-paced show is for adults, but will leave audiences laughing and giggling like kids!

“You leave the theatre with the intent to live in harmony with your partner. Not to be missed!” – ELLE Magazine. Sat, 2/7: 8pm. (The Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.palacestamford.org) 

Not to be missed! Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, The Small Town Theatre Company: Director Tom Kramer and The Small Town Theatre Company take on Christopher Durang’s 2012 Tony-winner for Best Play. VSM&W, a comedic mash-up of Chekhov themes and characters, peaks into the sclerotic lives of two siblings named after Chekhov characters; Vanya (gay) and Sonia (adopted) who live in their parents home in Bucks County – having cared for them their entire adult lives. Until Sister Masha, an actress and her boy top Spike come to visit, and upset The Cherry Orchard, so to speak. Send us our tickets Sam, we never miss Durang – also known for his plays “Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You, “ “Beyond Therapy,” and “The Actor’s Nightmare.” (All hilarious.) Fri-Sat, 2/27-28: 8pm. (Hergenhan Center, 40 Maple Ave., Armonk; www.smalltowntheatre.com)

The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-In-The-Moon Marigolds, Schoolhouse Theatre: The Schoolhouse presents Paul Zindel’s Pulitzer Prize winning play, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds. Since its premiere in 1971, this masterful and moving drama about an eccentric widow and her two adolescent daughters has continued to hold its place as a mid-20th century American classic. Fri-Sun, 3/6-29. Check times. (Schoolhouse Theatre, 3 Owens Rd., Croton Falls; www.schoolhousetheater.org)

Spank! The Fifty Shades of Parody: The musical spoof of the Fifty Shades book (and upcoming movie) returns to the Music Hall. See all the naughty fun of the best selling book come to life in sharp-witted comedy, musical numbers, sexy striptease performances, and more. In 2013, the show played in over 170 cities, making it the world’s #1 theatrical parody. “The audience went wild. SPANK! is a raucously hilarious, perfect girl’s night out!” – BroadwayWorld.com. Sun, 3/8: 7pm. Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main St., Tarrytown; 8pm. www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

The Pigeoning: The Pigeoning, from Robin Frohart, is a comic epic that mixes innovative techniques and an original score from composer Freddi Price with traditional Japanese puppet theatre (bunraku) to create a parable about the modern mania for cleanliness, safety, and control. The story pits Frank, a man obsessed with order, against the pigeons that are a part of his daily life and serve as the embodiment of the freedom and filth of the natural world. The divide between order and chaos in the context of the end of the world is the site of an intensifying battle between these forces, depicted through articulate puppetry, live music, and lo-fi special effects. Sat, 3/14: 8pm. (Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck; www.emelintheatre.org)

Worth The Trip

The Elephant Man: Bradley Cooper stars in Scott Ellis’ revival of the story of John Merrick (the Elephant Man) who rose from a desperate existence in a Victorian freak show to become the toast of London society. Opens Sun, 12/7. (Booth Theatre, 222 W. 45^th St., NYC; www.schubert.nyc) 

On The Twentieth Century: The Roundabout Theatre Company’s revival of Cy Coleman’s screwball comedy about a temperamental actress and her director stars Kristin Chenowith and Peter Gallagher. With music and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. First preview on Thurs, 2/12. Opens on Thurs, 3/12. (American Airlines Theatre, 227 W. 42^nd St. NYC; www.roundabouttheatre.org) 

The Audience: The Audience imagines a series of pivotal meetings between Queen Elizabeth II and each of her 12 Prime Ministers at Buckingham Palace. Starring Helen Mirren. Written by Peter Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon) and directed by Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot.) Opens Sun, 3/8: (Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, 236 W. 45^th St., NYC; www.newyorkcitytheatre.com)  

The King And I: Kelli O’Hara and Ken Watanabe star in this revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic musical of Anna, a British schoolteacher, who is hired by King Mongkut of Siam as part of his drive to modernize his country. Previews begin Thurs, 3/12. Opens Sun, 4/12. (Vivian Beaumont, 5o Lincoln Center Plaza, NYC; www.lct.org) 

An American In Paris: A classic American film with music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin, about young souls in Paris is re-imagined for the Broadway stage. This production will make its  world premiere in Paris in December before moving to Broadway. Previews begin Fri, 3/13. Opens Sun, 4/12. (Palace Theatre, 1564 Broadway, NYC; www.palacetheatreonbroadway.com) 

Dance

Suzanne Farrell Ballet, Swan Lake: The Suzanne Farrell Ballet has risen in less than ten years from a small educational program at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, to one of the most highly lauded ballet companies in the country. Farrell, a principal dancer for George Balanchine’s New York City Ballet, was one of the world’s greatest lyric ballerinas. She continues to this day as a keeper of the flame for Balanchine’s legendary dances – staging his works all over the world. The company’s program at PAC includes his enchanting one-act classic, Swan Lake. Sun, 12/7: 3pm. (Performing Arts Center, 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)

Dance Off The Grid: OTG: Dance critic Valerie Gladstone’s Dance Off The Grid presents an eclectic mix of cutting edge talent in tap, ballet, postmodern, flamenco, puppetry and beyond.Here she showcases four dancers including Jared Grimes, the 2014 Astaire Award winner for Outstanding Male Performer in a Broadway show! And Bridgman/Packer Dance, Guggenheim Fellow in Choreography, who the New York Times called “ingenious … magical and fascinating.” Fri, 2/27: 8pm.  (Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck; www.emelintheatre.org)

Paul Taylor Dance Company

Paul Taylor Dance Company: The Paul Taylor Dance Company celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2014. Taylor’s choreography is known for its great wit and penchant for genre studies that re-imagine historical eras like the Middle Ages, the Depression, the 60s, and World War II. Taylor danced with Merce Cunningham, Martha Graham and George Balanchine before launching his company. He, in turn, has launched the careers of such choreographers as Twyla Tharp, David Parson, Laura Dean and others. In 2011 PAC was the site of the world premiere of his acclaimed Gossamer Gallants, a colorful and witty exploration of the mating rituals of the housefly. Sat, 2/28: 8pm. (Performing Srts Center, 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org) 

Swan Lake, Moscow City Ballet: This company takes ballet back to its traditional Russian roots, creating a production that tells a beloved classic story through spectacular dance, set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic music. Moscow City Ballet is renowned for perfection and sets the highest performance standards in the best traditions of the Russian school of classical ballet. Fri, 3/13: 8pm. (Academic Arts Theatre, Westchester Community College, 75 Grasslands Rd., Valhalla; www.sunywcc.edu)

Compagnie Käfig: Artistic Director Mourad Merzouki’s dance troupe from Rio de Janeiro blends hip-hop, bossa nova, samba, and capoeira with electronic music in two new works of family entertainment that showcase the dancers’ virtuosity and offer innovative uses of props. Correria plunges its dancers into a rat race world where they must don extra appendages to keep up. In Agwa, a paean to water, complex configurations of water cups are used like slinkies, stacked like Legos, rearranged, then smashed by the dancers. Sat, 3/21: 8pm. (Performing Arts Center, 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase: www.artscenter.org)

Dance Off The Grid: Dance critic Valerie Gladstone’s Dance Off The Grid presents an eclectic mix of cutting edge talent in tap, ballet, postmodern, flamenco, puppetry and more. Here she showcases four dancers including Doug Varone and Dancers, who performed at PAC last year; Baryshnikov protégé Aszure Barton & Company, and Emery LeCrone, praised by The New Yorker for her “off-kilter movement.” Fri, 3/20: 8pm. (Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck; www.emelintheatre.org)

Comedy

Gabriel Iglesias: Known for his shows I’m Not Fat… I’m Fluffy and Hot & Fluffy, Gabriel Iglesias uses storytelling, affected voices and sound effects in his act, who’s other trademarks are references to his weight and his use of Hawaiian shirts. Hector Saldaña of the San Antonio Express News called him a “comedy genius.” Thur, 12/4: 8pm. (Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford: www.palacestamford.org)

Bill Cosby: From 1965 to 1987, Bill Cosby won 7 Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album. Spin Magazine named his 1969 album To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With the Best Comedy Album of All Time. Beating out Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, George Carlin, Woody Allen, Steve Martin, Lenny Bruce, Mike Nichols & Elaine May, Jonathan Winters and Robin Williams. That’s how funny Bill Cosby was. Sat, 12/6: 8pm. Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

Jenny McCarthy’s Dirty, Sexy, Funny: With the help of an all-female slate of stand-up comedians, Jenny McCarthy takes a look at life as a contemporary woman: from single motherhood! Sat, 12/06: 8pm. (The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Chicago City Limits: New York City’s longest-running show with over 10,000 performances over 30 years comes to Stamford with their own brand of improv for Friday night shows with a ticket price of only $15.50. Fri, 12/12: 8pm. (Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford: www.palacestamford.org)

LoHud Comedy Night at The Schoolhouse: Comedian and local resident Adam Oliensis’ LoHud Comedy brings world-class funny to the Lower Hudson Valley with a roster of comedians who have appeared on late-night television, film and theater. Past shows have sold out!! Don’t wait to order tickets! Sat, 12/13: 8pm. (Schoolhouse Theatre, 3 Owens Rd., Croton Falls; www.schoolhousetheater.org)

David Pendleton: Anything can talk, says ventriloquist David Pendleton. Watch him make his cast of comedic characters do just that. Including: blunt Aunt Tilly, a 94 year-old spinster; the classic quick-witted trouble maker, Mack Elroy; the dopey yet adorable hound dog, Buford; and the slightly misguided albino vulture, Vern. Audience participation alert: He may even make you talk! (Fri, 1/23: 7:30pm.  (The Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.palacestamford.org)

Ivy League of Comedy: Straight from late-night TV and Comedy Central, Shaun Eli, Carmen Lynch and Wali Collins bring their “elite” brand of stand up comedy to the Emelin Theatre. Shaun Eli, from Pelham, has written for Jay Leno’s monologues on The Tonight Show. He calls his jokes “brain champagne.” Sat, 1/24: 8pm. (Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck; www.emelintheatre.org) 

Jim Breuer: He was “Goat Boy” on Saturday Night Live, and Thurgood Jenkins’(Sir Smoke-a-Lot) friend Brian in the 1998 stoner comedy Half Baked. Jim Breuer’s award winning HBO and Comedy Central Specials, that showcased his charismatic stage antics, dead-on impressions, and family friendly stand-up, have made, him one of the most recognizable comedians in the business. Fri, 2/13: 8pm. Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

New York Comedy Night: Come see 2 of the brightest stars on the NYC Stand Up circuit! Artists to be announced. Thurs, 2/19: 8pm. (The Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.stamfordpalace.org)

Bobby Collins: From Catch a Rising Star to Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, Bobby Collins mines a deep vein of jokes about growing up in New York and moving to California. In “Eat Around It” he offers a bi-coastal contrast to how people react to finding foreign substances in their food. (Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main St., Tarrytown; Fri, 2/20: 8pm .www.tarrytownmusichall.org) 

Vic DiBitetto: His Bread and Milk rant received 12 million You Tube hits. He’s “Ticked Off Vic” on WPLJ radio and was the Grand Prize winner on America’s Funniest People. He’s crazy and crass. But he’s getting his own comedy series on Hulu, and a role in the upcoming Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2. Whatever. Sat, 2/21: 8pm. Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

Paula Poundstone: Poundstone is recognized as one of Comedy Central’s 100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time and has won an American Comedy Award for Best Female Standup Comic. In 2010, Poundstone was voted into the Comedy Hall of Fame. As a member of NPR’s Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me, she is now heard in 5 million homes across the country as she matches wits with some of the country’s leading pundits. Sat, 2/28: 8pm. (Ridgefield Playhouse, 60 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Sklar Brothers: Delivering jokes at breakneck speed and peppering the show with short sketch bits, the Sklar Brothers’ (identical twins) fresh and funny take on modern life has won over audiences across the country. They have them guest starred on Curb Your Enthusiasm, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Grey’s Anatomy and Entourage.  Sat, 3/7: 7:30 & 9:30pm. (Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck; www.emelintheatre.org) 

Nobodies of Comedy: Touring since 2002, the Nobodies of Comedy features “the funniest comics you’ve never heard of.” The show is produced by Michael Mills, legendary connoisseur of comedy, who handpicks the most talented up-and-coming comedians from across the country. Sat, 3/21: 8pm. (The Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.palacestamford.org)