Staff Picks No. 8
Psychic Self Defense: Normandy Sherwood
HERE
September 12th - September 30th 2023
HERE begins its female-led, 30th anniversary season by transforming its space so that the theater, replete with dim chandeliers and multiple veils, can "digest and incorporate its prey." Sign me up. And a shoutout! I heard about this through press rep John Wyszniewski: let's give it up for all the PR girlies who pub coolcool shows!
Staffer: Billy McEntee
No Good Things Dwell in the Flesh: Christina Masciotti (Writer), Rory McGregor (Director) and Kellie Overbey, Carmen Zilles, T. Ryder Smith (Performers)
ART/New York Theaters
September 6th - September 23rd 2023
I remember seeing Social Security by Christina Masciotti in 2015 at The Bushwick Starr and thinking to myself, "I will do my very best to catch whatever this person creates forever". So, here we are! She has a new show coming up, also starring T. Ryder Smith (a performer of undeniable power and stunning depth) and I will not miss it. Not only is the team a rare treat, the piece grapples with mortality, work life, wild past lives and our flimsy grasp of it all. Talk about my cup of tea...
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister
Bang on a Can Music Series: Issei Herr // Matt Evans
Noguchi Musuem
Sunday, August 27th 2023
Texture, space, gravity, quietude, portals, beauty, tenderness, mystery. I love spending time breathing deeply at the Noguchi Museum. On Sunday 8/27 at 4pm that experience is elevated by an in-gallery performance by brilliant gorgeous local cellist Issei Herr, and percussionist Matt Evans. Come through!
Staffer: Joshua Dumas
Pageant presents: Julia Antinozzi
pageant
August 24th - August 25th 2023
A split bill of Julia’s work featuring two pieces: But, Soft and What Light. I’ve never seen Julia’s work but I love watching her dance. She always looks like she has a secret on stage that’s funny to her. Maybe it’s that dance is silly but profound? She seems to laugh through shows like a clown does but not in a clownish manner at all. Just with her eyes. Anyway, maybe whatever her secret is will be revealed some in how she directs her dancers, which I hear she does stunningly.
Staffer: Lena Engelstein
?!: New Works 2023 – Night 31: Scout Davis, Lianne Eslouki, Patrick Vermillion, and Rachel Weekley
The Brick Theater
Thursday, August 26th 2023
I can't believe it's the last night of ?! -- and I'm so excited to see this lineup of artists! It's extremely exciting to see the beginnings/reworking of projects, and I know it's going to be a good time!
Staffer: Hillary Gao
Tim Platt's Fighting Game LIVE: Tim Platt, Jo Firestone, Devon Walker, Mike Hanford, Milly Tamarez, Yedoye Travis, Mia Faith Hammond
Union Hall
Tuesday, August 29th 2023
This concept is a perfect example of ridiculous and relatable. I am not even a video game guy, but I did play Mortal Kombat at the Godfathers Pizza that we went to after church every Sunday when I was a kid. And I would play Street Fighter at my neighbor (and often nemesis) Andy Knopp's house. As a real grown adult, imagining Jo Firestone fighting Yedoye Travis with comedy is like a hilarious beautiful dream.
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister
Not I: Nicolás Noreña
Tomato Mouse
August 24th - August 28th 2023
Just reading the description of Not I makes me want to make my own Not I and I have not even experienced it yet. It released that ol drug nostalgia into my system and got me to thinking about all of the bits and bobs of behind-the-scenes toil and turmoil and stufffffff of Title:Point's 17 years of existence. And then I snap out of it and return to the fascination I have with The Million Underscores and Nicolás Noreña and the delicacy of their specificity and the many paths they take to get to each decision. I cannot wait to glimpse into their world a little bit more.
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister
Peek Pique Peak: Phillip Christian Smith, lumberob, Lena Engelstein and Jo Warren, Rose Tang, and Nathan Repasz
The Brick Theater
September 7th - September 10th 2023
EXTREME BIAS ALERT: I put these bills together. They are all artists that I really like who do things in a way that nobody else does and they are all what I would consider "comedy adjacent". Whether it is dance or looping or theater or talking, these people all have an evil little sense of humor that destroys me while simultaneously creating in ways that are so particular that they defy categorization. Four nights. Different combos. All brilliant. Don't fuck around. Just come.
Staffer: Theresa Buchheister
Untitled Queen Presents Untitled (Art Star): Untitled Queen
C’mon Everyboyd
Thursday, August 31st 2023
While I normally am not a fan of making art competitive, one way to view the history of drag performance is through the many competitions: Miss Continental, The Miss All-America Camp Beauty Pageant, etc. Untitled Queen has been a pioneer for incorporating visual art aesthetics in clubs and theatre performances. This live competition should be bold, surprising, and ~intellectual~
Staffer: Travis Amiel
An Evening of Comedy with Tom Achilles: Tom Achilles, lumberob
Life World
Thursday, August 24th
Apparently Lumberob is the light-up-your-life aerobic DJ you’ve been needing to see, especially in these times. I’ve heard it from everyone: dancers, comedians, other people. And getting hyped up to see a hot 40 mins from one comedian—that’s my kind of night. No tight fives or tens. I want to hear what someone really thinks, and this is the kind of show for that kind of deep dive. Warm up, deep dive.
Staffer: Lena Engelstein
The Fate of the Online Cow: kanishk pandey
BRICK AUX
August 25th - August 26th 2023
I’ve had the honor to sit with the cow before this workshop production; and, let me just tell you—I have never seen anything like this. If you’re tired of internet plays, I promise this will restore your faith in them.
Staffer: Marissa Joyce Stamps