Just Do Art!

prod-chalkcircledenver#4-(2) — Denver Chin, as the heroine, in Yangtze Rep’s “The Chalk Circle.”

THE CHALK CIRCLE Yangtze Repertory Theatre of America’s multilingual adaptation of Li QianFu’s thirteenth-century Zaju verse story recounts a celebrated court case presided over by the wise and fair-minded Judge Bao of the Song Dynasty — who ferrets out the deception of a jealous wife who accuses her husband’s concubine of murder. Hong Kong’s Denver Chiu, a leader in the revived art of men playing female roles in Cantonese Opera, stars as the heroine in this production characteristic of Yuan Dynasty plays (think tragic narrative, soaring arias, slapstick, mime and acrobatics). Chen ShaoMai, a Cantonese Opera actress since 1957 specializing in the Warrior Heroine part, transcribed ancient lyrics into colloquial Cantonese for the production.

In English, Mandarin and Cantonese with Chinese and English supertitles. May 3-20, Wed.-Sat. at 8pm, Sun. at 3pm. At Theater for the New City’s Cino Theater (155 First Ave., at E. 10th St.). Tickets: $25; students/seniors and groups of 10 and above: $20 (Wed., “Pay What You Can.”). To order, call 212-868-4444. Visit yangtze-rep-theatre.org.

FACEBOYZ FOLLIEZ Like the phases of the moon, a friend in need or seasonal depression, Faceboyz Folliez has settled into a dependable pattern — but by no means, a rut. Once a month, the Folliez ensemble (led by your amiable host Faceboy) draws on their eclectic talents and collective experiences to take the Parisian pleasures of the 1800’s to the diverse denizens of the Downtown scene. This month’s installment, “Full Moon Madness,” stars St. Rev. Jen Miller, Velocity Chyaldd, Stormy Leather, Amanda Whip and Paaije Flash — with short films from ASS Studios (directed by Courtney Fathom Sell). Also along for the wild, curvy ride: guest writer Daniel Indalecio Guzman, musical guest Ben Lerman and burlesque guest Scooter Pie.

Sun. May 6, 10pm to midnight, at Bowery Poetry Club (308 Bowery, btw. Bleecker & Houston Sts.). $10 cover. For info, call 212-614-0505 or visit bowerypoetry.com and faceboyzfolliez.com.