February "kicks off" with the Super Bowl of WEEK AHEADS!
Saturday, January 31
GO→ The Civilians — the inventive New York-based theatre troupe known for their bold multi-media productions (and for their anointment as the first-ever theatre company in resident at the Metropolitan Museum of Art) — premiere Pretty Filthy, a new musical from Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson scribe, Michael Friedman. The design team behind last season's quirky hit Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play is at it again for Filthy, a comedy about porn actors. (Abrons Arts Center, 466 Grand St., btwn. Pitt & Willett St. Info/tickets.)
GO→ Stephen Sondheim and classical composer Steve Reich sit down with WNYC's John Schaefer for a chat about their illustrious careers. Michael Cerveris, Alexander Gemignani, George Lee Andrews and piano virtuoso Anthony DeMare pepper the conversation with performances of the pair's milestone works. (8:30 PM, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Appel Room, Broadway at 60th St. Info/tickets.)
GO→ First came hilarious dramatization readings of "Die Hard" and "Roadhouse," now it's "Speed"'s turn to get spoofed via the Variations Theatre Group. The evening comes with raffle prizes, trivia and audience participation to keep this event from ever slowing down! (Chain Theatre, 21-28 45 Rd, Long Island City. Info/tickets.)
Sunday, February 1
WATCH→ Tony winner Idina Menzel gets the prestigious opening slot at this year's Patriots vs. Seahawks Super Bowl singing the National Anthem. John Legend will sing "America the Beautiful" and Lenny Kravitz will join Katy Perry for the half-time show, executive-produced by longtime Tony Awards producer Ricky Kirshner. And for those of you planning on watching the actual game, here's our handy theatergoer's guide to football. Go sports!! (6:30 PM, on NBC) (6:30 PM, on NBC) Monday, February 2
PREVIEWS→ Larry David gets the month off to a pretty, pretty, pretty good start… by coming to Broadway! The "Seinfeld" co-creator and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" star writes and acts in Fish in the Dark, a comedy about the Jewish traditions of sitting shiva after a death. Jayne Houdyshell, Rosie Perez, Ben Shenkman and Rita Wilson make up David's onstage mishpuka. Officially opens March 5. (Cort Theatre, 138 W. 48th St., btwn. 6th & 7th Aves. Click here for Playbill Club discount tickets.)
Tuesday, February 3
PREVIEWS→ Singer-songwriter Benjamin Scheuer came out of nowhere last year to take the theatre scene by storm with his one-man show, The Lion. After rave reviews, the show extended and eventually played London's St. James Theatre. Scheuer returns to the states for another New York engagement of the autobiographical show about a tumultuous father-son relationship and a devastating cancer diagnosis. Officially opens Feb. 8. Read about Scheuer's rise to fame here. (Lynn Redgrave Theater at Culture Project, 45 Bleecker St., at Lafayette St. Click here for Playbill Club discount tickets.)
Wednesday, February 4
GO→ The Gershwins' first musical Lady, Be Good gets a glam revamp thanks to Encores! Real-life engaged couple Colin Donnell and Patti Murin lead the cast in the Roaring Twenties-set musical comedy that welcomes nine-time Tony winner Tommy Tune back to a New York stage tapping to "Fascinating Rhythm." (Through Feb. 8, New York City Center, 131 W. 55th St., btwn. 6th & 7th Aves. Click here for Playbill Club discount tickets.)
GO→ Following a sold-out run at the 2015 Under The Radar Festival, The Deconstructive Theatre Project brings the classic Greek myth new life in The Orpheus Variations. The nine ensemble members create and screen an art-house film before the audience's eyes by combining cinema, radio play and theatre into an intricate dramatic experience. (Through Feb. 14, 14th Street Y, 14th between 1st and 2nd Ave. Info/tickets.)
Thursday, February 5
PREVIEWS→ Chinglish star Jennifer Lim, "Glee" actor Telly Leung and M. Butterfly's Francis Jue star in The World of Extreme Happiness, Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig's critically acclaimed play about a factory worker determined to create a new life for herself outside of rural China. Officially opens Feb. 24. (New York City Center, 131 W. 55th St., btwn. 6th & 7th Aves. Click here for Playbill Club discount tickets.)
Friday, February 6
GO→ Lincoln Center's famed American Songbook Series continues with a trio of dates featuring some saucy dames of the stage and screen. On Friday, Feb. 6, "Smash" star Megan Hilty recreates star turns in shows like 9 to 5 and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. A day before (Feb. 5) "Orange is the New Black" star Lea DeLaria lends her booming belt to jazz tunes, pop standards and showtunes. And on Feb. 4, Fun Home star Judy Kuhn makes a pre-Broadway stop at the beautiful theatre overlooking Columbus Circle to pay homage to the three generation Broadway powerhouse of Richard Rodgers, Mary Rodgers and Adam Guettel. (8:30 PM, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Appel Room, Broadway at 60th St. Info/tickets.)