COMPILED BY SCOTT STIFFLER
EDWARD II
The WOW Café Theatre presents this visionary all-female version of playwright Christopher Marlowe’s equally unconventional “Edward II” — a historical fictional account of King Edward II’s fall from grace (caused in no small part by his failure to court popular support by butching it up and otherwise playing down his sexual preferences). Masks, interpretive dance and heightened theatricality are used to take you on a journey of power, privilege and forbidden desires. Your journey to into Edward II’s heart of darkness will help others provide a light at the end of the tunnel for queer and homeless youth. The proceeds will benefit Chelsea Now’s favorite cause: The Ali Forney Center(see page 19 for more info on AFC). Visit aliforneycenter.org, Edward-ii.tumblr.com and wowcafe.org. April 21-23 and April 28-30, at 8pm. At WOW Café Theatre (59-61 E. 4th St.). Tickets ($20) available at the door ($15 pre-sale online at fabnyc.orb). Student and senior discounts available at the door.
EARTH DAY BENEFIT: BROADWAY RECYCLED
Unlike the last few months of “Spiderman” performances, the fat trimmed off of some Broadway experiences shouldn’t wind up in landfills. Compost heaps, perhaps. But landfills? What kind of monster (or investor; or producer) would throw out a perfectly good song? Earth Day gets the musical theatre muffin treatment, in this imaginative fundraising concert comprised of songs cut from musicals that shouldn’t go to waste. Proceeds from the event go to benefit the nonprofit At Hand Theater Company. Their mission, to produce original work using environmentally conscious means, is the perfect cause for Earth Day (and the other 364). Concertgoers can expect to hear songs cut from old growth classics like “Hair” and “Chicago,” plus more obscure musicals such as “Betty Boop” and “Working.” The free range and fresh cast includes Sean Bradford (“The Lion King”), Gideon Glick (“Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark”) and Kate Pazakis (“South Pacific”). Mon., April 25, 7pm & 9:30pm. At Joe’s Pub (located in The Public Theater at 425 Lafayette St. at Astor Place). Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door, subject to availability. A limited number of $60 tickets, which include preferred table seating and a poster autographed by the cast, are available. To purchase, call 212-967-7555 or visit joespubcom. Also visit athandtheatre.com
Photo courtesy of Anthology Film Archives
Anthology Film Archives founder Jonas Mekas, circa 1984.
ANTHOLOGY FILM ARCHIVES 2011 FILM PRESERVATION HONORS & 40TH ANNIVERSARY BENEFIT CONCERT
Check out the name of that event…what a mouthful! But do what Anthology Film Archives does for 40 years, and we’ll gladly publish the name of your event in caps and bold print. Proceeds from this benefit will support Anthology’s operations, film preservation work and capital improvements. If you admire the Anthologies mission (preserve, study and exhibition film and video, with a particular focus on independent, experimental and avant-garde cinema), then you’ll also have a soft spot for the night’s honorees. Performances, music and tributes will cast a deserving (although, we suppose, not harsh) klieg light on filmmaker Albert Maysles; Vlada Petric (founding director of the Harvard Film Archive); film scholar Tony Pipolo; Technicolor; and the Library of Congress (for creating the National Film Registry). Featured performers and speakers include Harmony Korine, Marina Abramovic, Richard Barone and Transgendered Jesus.
April 27, at City Winery (155 Varick St.). Proving you should never be late for an event, even in NYC, Anthology says the schedule will be as follows: Doors open at 7pm. Performances start at 7:30pm. At 8pm,the Presentation of Honors begins. At 8:45pm the Auction of custom-made “Anthology Film Archives” wines and DVD sales of the Maysles film “The Gates” happens. At 9pm, performances continue. For tickets ($40 general admission; table seats with light dinner & wine, $200), visit citywinery.com.
