Compiled by Scott Stiffler, Scott@thevillager.com
Theater
Photo by Discovering Oz
Peter Samelson, foreground, (Radnevsky) and Dennis Kyriakos (Harry Telkhines)
RADNEVSKY’S REAL MAGIC
Pay no attention to The Talking Band — that famed downtown theatre company now in its 35th season. They’re the producers hiding behind the curtain and pulling on the strings which animate this high concept happening. Master illusionist Peter Samelson plays a master illusionist who returns to the stage after a near 30-year absence. Joined by his protégé (whose star is on the rise), the two magicians weave a web of stories within stories while performing classic and new illusions. Through Oct. 25, at La MaMa E.T.C.(74 East 4th St.); Thurs/Fri. at 8 p.m.; Sat. at 5 and 8 p.m.; Sun. at 2:30 p.m.; also Wed., Oct. 21, 8 p.m. For tickets ($20), call 212-475-7710 or visit www.lamama.org.
Music
Photo by Laura Marie Duncan
We should all look so good: Chita Rivera
CHITA RIVERA
Dancers — the lucky ones who don’t suffer career-ending incidents — tend to age well, live forever and never stop working. Ditto for singers and thespians. Thank your lucky stars, then, that Chita Rivera — in all her triple threat glory— is still singing, schmoozing and dancing. For six shows only, Rivera and some of NYC’s best jazz musicians celebrate the release of her new CD (“And Now I Swing”) by performing American Standards as well as songs from Rivera’s roots in the theater. Oct. 14/15, 8:30 p.m.; Oct. 16/17, 8:30 & 11 p.m.; at Birdland (315 W. 44 St.). $40 general seating, $50 premium (plus $10 food/drink minimum). Call 212-581-3080; visit www.BirdlandJazz.com. Mondays, “Jim Caruso’s Cast Party” features Caruso, the Cast Party “Symphony Orchestra” and open mic talent from more than one Broadway baby who just can’t stop singing on her one night off. $10 cover/$10 minimum; 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m.).
Exhibit
Photo courtesy of Ron L. Zheng
Zheng’s melancholy merger of poetry and photography
POETOGRAPHY
Artist Ron L. Zheng merged English-language tanka poetry with black- &-white photography and emerged with “Poetography.” The debut of this new form (“Leaving My Found Eden: A Poetography Exhibit”) incorporates qualities from Japanese, Chinese and American cultures to depict Zheng’s “experiences in being separated from the cities and the person I love because of the unfair immigration policies of the United States.” Through Oct. 31, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Caelum Gallery (508 West 26th St.). Call 212-924-4161 or visit www.caelumgallery.com.
Benefit
Photo by David Coolidge
Active Theater, prepped for their first Autumn Gala
ACTIVE THEATER
Inaugural, that charged word that’s either promising or ominous depending upon what directly follows it, turns out to be a good thing — at least this time around — when you attend “The Active Theater Inaugural Autumn Gala.” This event aims to put some coins in Active’s coffer, with proceeds supporting their 2009-2010 (Dec.-May) season. It must be a doozy, considering they’ve got the support of talent like David Hyde-Pierce, Chuck Cooper and Dee Hoty (all of whom will perform at the event). Also featured: food, wine, and a silent auction whose items include custom made clothing, personal training sessions and spa treatments. Sun., Oct. 18, 7 p.m. at Del Posto (85 10th Ave. at 16th St.). Tickets, $100 in advance, $125 at the door) can be purchased at www.theactivetheater.com.
Events
Photo by Piotr Redlinski
From the TDF Costume collection
FREE NIGHT OF THEATER CELEBRATION
Bored lately by the sad state of outdoor entertainment in and around Union Square? Mediocre jugglers, crooners and dancers be warned — the best of Broadway is taking over. “Free Night of Theater” is a national program that calls attention to not-for-profit theatres by giving away free tickets. This day-long event celebrates that concept by transforming Union Square into a theater-themed street fair featuring booths, art installations and performances from Broadway and independent theater artists. Expect the unexpected, via unpredictable appearances from the 50-member strong “Fame” flash mob; con men & mentalists; and a fashion show featuring costumes from the TDF (Theatre Development Fund) Broadway collection. Also: clowns, dogs and Ice Capades on roller skates. Thurs., Oct. 15, at Union Square. To see the full schedule of events, visit www.freenightnyc.net. For those free theater tickets, visit www.freenightoftheater.net.
