Two, at 54 Below: Charles Busch (R) and Tom Judson are “Ridin’ High.”
CHARLES BUSCH: RIDIN’ HIGH
The Lady in Question has declared her upcoming run at 54 Below to be a boa-free zone. Otherwise, anything goes — including we’re assured, “laughter, music, tears and sequins.” That, filtered through the sassy lips and ample pipes of Tony-nominated playwright and drag legend Charles Busch, makes “Ridin’ High” a must-see for lovers of tall tales, tough gals and tunes from the American Songbook.
Armed with more zingers than a chorus boy can shake his stick at, Busch will dish on certain actresses he’s known and tell anecdotes about his long career. He’ll also be doing a parody of 1940s film noirs and a new monologue for Miriam Passman — the inspiration for his Broadway play, “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife.” Songs from the camp icon, whose approach is far more affectionate than ironic, include an Irving Berlin number, a Sinatra classic and a few choices likely inspired by recent time spent taking his act on the road (“Route 66,” “Kansas City”). Accompanist Tom Judson, who toured with Busch, tickles the ivories.
Always sweet and only bitter when it serves the punchline, Busch is, nonetheless, more than a little salty — so leave the kids at home for this one. But parents of budding little divas with a sense of the absurd would do well to scoop up tickets for the Oct. 27, 1:30pm Tribeca Performing Arts Center’s presentation of “Bunnicula.” Co-written by Busch, it’s a musical stage adaptation of the best-selling children’s book series about a family who adopts an orphaned rabbit with vampire-like leanings. For info: tribecapac.org/children.
“Ridin’ High” happens Thurs., Oct. 17, 24 & Nov. 7, 14. At 54 Below (254 W. 54th St., btw. Broadway & Eighth Ave.). Doors open at 8:45pm, show at 9:30pm. Cover Charge: $35-45. Food/Beverage minimum: $25. Tickets on the day of performance, after 4pm, available only by calling 646-476-3551. For reservations, visit 54below.com. Also visit charlesbusch.com.
Eve Le Ber’s “The Art Train” is on view through Nov. 5, as part of Hudson Guild’s “8 Women, 8 Singular Voices” exhibit.
MOMENTUM: 8 WOMEN, 8 SINGULAR VOICES
Hudon Guild’s recent series of events celebrating the achievements of women in the arts continues, with this exhibit featuring work by eight women — Kitt Barnes, Elena Brady, Denise Corley, Chris Costan, Theresa Ellerbrok, Eve Le Ber, Elke Solomon and Veronica Tyson-Strait — whose careers continue to have the kind of forward-moving momentum which results from drive and commitment to ongoing experimentation and productivity.
Free. On display through Nov. 5, at the Hudson Guild Gallery (441 W. 26th St., btw. 9th & 10th Aves.). Viewing Hours: Tues.-Fri., 10am-7pm & Sat., 1-4pm. For more info, visit hudsonguild.org.
Ellis Wood and Marni Wood (Oct. 12, at DANCENOW).
DANCENOW JOE’S PUB FESTIVAL
The Public Theater’s 15th anniversary celebration of Joe’s Pub brings a sprawling dance program to the venue’s intimate stage — via a cabaret-style showcase of NYC’s most exciting and innovative dance makers. An adventurous short-takes format and a high-stakes audience scoring system puts some spring in the steps of DANCENOW — an annual fall festival whose 2013 installment showcases the work of 40 choreographers, over the evenings of Oct. 9-12.
This season, participants will take the DANCENOW Challenge — which asks artists to create a clear and complete artistic statement, in five minutes or less, for the specifics of the Joe’s Pub stage. Each evening, audience members will vote for the work that best meets the challenge. Four winners will receive a weeklong creative residency at DANCENOW Silo on Kirkland Farm in Bucks County, PA — and the festival’s top 10 works will be presented at an Oct. 19 encore performance.
Among those vying for the residency (and the encore gig): The Good to Go Girls and Jamal Jackson Dance Company (Oct. 9); TAKE Dance and Tze Chun Dance Company (Oct. 10); Steeldace and 277DanceProject (Oct. 11); and The Bang Group and Mettin Movement (Oct. 12).
Oct. 9-12. All shows at 7pm, at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater (425 Lafayette St., btw. E. Fourth St. & Astor Place). Tickets: $15 in advance, 20 at the door. Purchase by calling 212-967-7555, at joespub.com and in person at The Public Theater box office, 1-6pm. For a complete schedule of participants, visit dancenownyc.org.
