Theater: New Shows (June 8)

(Credit: "Fubar")

The Tony afterparty is finally winding down, which is the unofficial signal that summer's finally arrived in drama-land. To underline the point, several of the Tony noms who went home without a handful of trophies are closing: check out “Reasons To Be Pretty”, which was criminally underrated. On a more positive note, many shows start up this week. My Pick of the Week is the evergreen “Twelfth Night” in Central Park. It stars Anne Hathaway, which is good (tho' it's directed by Daniel Sullivan, one of the dullest, squarest directors in American theater, so beware).


ARCHBISHOP SUPREME TARTUFFE
where: Theatre Row
first night: June 12
opening night: June 25
closing night: July 19
URL: ClassicalTheatreOfHarlem.org
Approaching the classics with a racial twist, the Classical Theatre of Harlem is a consistent bet for quality. Their latest, an adaptation of Molière's satire of sanctity, takes a stylistic cue from the theatrical vitality of a black Baptist church and recasts the impious priest as a Reverend Ike type.


FUBAR
where: 59E59
first night: June 11
opening night: June 16
closing night: June 28
URL: 59e59.com
A new play by the writer of the TV show “Dead Like Me”, and part of the Americas Off-Broadway Festival at 59E59. “FUBAR” (it stands for F***ed Up Beyond All Recovery) is a gritty urban drama about abuse, addiction, double-lives, and random violence.


RICHARD III: AN ARAB TRAGEDY
where: BAM
first night: June 9
closing night: June 12
URL: BAM.org
A Kuwaiti troupe visits Brooklyn on a cultural exchange, offering us their version of Shakespeare's thriller. Arabian music and grainy footage of torture sets the tone as the Machiavel takes over his oil-rich kingdom. Performances are in Arabic with English subtitles, but don't let that stop you!


SWEET STORM
where: Theater Row
first night: June 11
opening night: June 17
closing night: July 5
URL: AlchemyTheatre.org
Locals at the Alchemy Theatre present this whimsical Off-Broadwday romance set in 1960s Florida. A pair of newlyweds are trapped in their honeymoon suite by an approaching hurricane. Now they face the unexpected challenges and differing expectations of married life.


THE TIN PAN ALLEY RAG
where: Laura Pels Theater
first night: June 12
opening night: July 14
closing night: September 6
URL: RoundaboutTheatre.org
The Roundabout goes retro with this musical about two musical titans who peaked a century ago but who're still famous: Irving Berlin & Scott Joplin. The score has tunes you'll recognize (“The Entertainer”, for one), while the book imagines a collab between a Jewish immigrant and the son of a slave.


TWELFTH NIGHT
where: Delacorte Theater
first night: June 10
opening night: June 25
closing night: July 12
URL: PublicTheater.org
Every summer, you intend to see whatever's at Shakespeare in the Park. Make sure you go this time around! This season, it's the evergreen pleasure of “Twelfth Night”, with Hollywood princess Anne Hathaway playing the girl-dressed-as-a-boy. And she's supported by a great cast of Off-B'way actors. Go!


THE WIZ
where: New York City Center
first night: June 12
opening night: June 18
closing night: July 3
URL: CityCenter.org
It's not exactly a classic, but “The Wiz” won half a dozen Tonys with its catchy tunes. FYI, it's a 1970s black adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz” (this one stars Ashanti). And City Center Encores produces work that's classy despite being stripped down. It's a secret pleasure of NY summer theater!


Last chance!
10 THINGS TO DO BEFORE I DIE
closing night: June 14
URL: 2st.com

EXIT THE KING
closing night: June 14
URL: ExitTheKingOnBroadway.com

JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE
closing night: June 14
URL: LCT.org

MAKE ME
closing night: June 14
URL: AtlanticTheater.org

PUNKPLAY
closing night: June 13
URL: ClubbedThumb.org

REASONS TO BE PRETTY
closing night: June 14
URL: ReasonsToBePretty.com

VIEUX CARRE
closing night: June 14
URL: PearlTheatre.org