Van Etten Croons, Chic ‘Traviata,’ Mordant Kitson: N.Y. Weekend
Marina Poplavskaya puts on her sexy red dress for some serious partying as courtesan Violetta in the Metropolitan Opera’s chic production of “La traviata.”
As the overture begins shimmering, the gorgeous diva opens the big side door and collapses wearily. She will soon rally to satisfy the hordes of male predators eager for her time. Not that she has much, as the huge clock towering over the set points out dramatically if simply.
See the show now before a well-upholstered soprano arrives who can’t jump up and down on a couch and roll around the floor without provoking a heart attack and laughter.
Matthew Polenzani makes a sweet-voiced, plump Alfredo, with whom Violetta enjoys a season of bliss, until separated by his pompously self-serving father (the riveting Andrzej Dobber).
Gianandrea Noseda conducts speedily, yet expressively.
In repertory until Jan. 29 at the Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center, Broadway at 64th St. Information: +1-212-362- 6000; http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera.
Saturday
Make this a play day: the Under the Radar Festival is in town, bringing 19 productions from 14 countries to various venues around New York.
How about Gob Squad’s Kitchen (You’ve Never Had It So Good)? The German-British collective riffs on Andy Warhol’s screen tests and the current obsession with celebrity.
The Belarus Free Theater, faced with persecution in their native country, comes to the U.S. with “Being Harold Pinter.” The work combines statements from Belarusian political prisoners with writings by the Nobel Prize-winning playwright.
At home, to elude the authorities, the troupe performs in a changing, secret venue, sometimes deep in the woods, for an audience summoned by text message.
At LaMaMa, 66 E. 4th St. Information: +1-212-475-7710. Find the complete schedule at: http://www.undertheradarfestival.com.
Saturday Night
Hit Bowery Ballroom for Brooklyn chanteuse Sharon Van Etten.
Touring with a full band for her new album, “Epic,” Van Etten crafts emotionally raw tracks.
In 2009, she lent her vocals to “Hospice,” the debut album from fellow Brooklynites, The Antlers.
She is now stepping rightfully into the spotlight.
Information: +1-260-4700; http://www.boweryballroom.com.
For a post-gig drink, head to Max Fish, the beloved hangout for musicians, skaters, and savvy Lower East Side denizens.
With a highly competitive billiard scene in the back and a DJ dropping dance-ready beats at the front, Max Fish has always provided a convivial late-night scene.
Get your last call in now. Facing lease problems, the joint is looking for a new spot. Won’t be the same.
178 Ludlow Street. Information: +1-212-529-3959.
Sunday
Daniel Kitson is a British stand-up who doesn’t do TV, and a master raconteur who doesn’t often speak to the press.
So check out the U.S. premiere of “The Interminable Suicide of Gregory Church,” a huge hit at the Edinburgh International Festival, now at St. Ann’s Warehouse.
Here’s the premise: A man wants to kill himself but has a few letters to write first. Life intervenes, and two decades later he’s still stamping those envelopes.
Part of the Under the Radar Festival, the show is now in previews, opening Jan. 12 and running through Jan. 30.
38 Water St., Brooklyn. Information: +1-718-254-8779; http://stannswarehouse.org.
Then make your way to Vinegar Hill House and its wood-fired oven. Try the red wattle country chops with cheddar-jalapeno grits.
Sample the natural, handcrafted wines.
72 Hudson Ave., Brooklyn. Information: +1-718-522-1018.
Looking Ahead
Catch Huun-Huur-Tu at the Hiro Ballroom Monday night. From a remote region of Siberia, the Tuvan throat singers can each produce two or more pitches simultaneously. The shamanic music seems to emanate from the deep earth or the far reaches of the sky.
Electronics master Carmen Rizzo collaborated on their latest album, “Eternal,” giving the esoteric sounds a contemporary feel.
371 W. 16th St. Information: +1-866-468-7623; http://highlineballroom.com/bio.php?id=1702.
(Zinta Lundborg is an editor for Muse, the arts and leisure section of Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are her own.)
To contact the reporter on this story: Zinta Lundborg at zlundborg@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Manuela Hoelterhoff at mhoelterhoff@bloomberg.net.
Marina Poplavskaya
Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera via Bloomberg
Marina Poplavskaya in the Willy Decker production of "La traviata."
Marina Poplavskaya in the Willy Decker production of "La traviata." Photographer: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera via Bloomberg
Marina Poplavskaya
Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera via Bloomberg
Marina Poplavskaya sings Violetta in the Willy Decker production of "La traviata" in New York, at the Metropolitan Opera until Jan. 29th.
Marina Poplavskaya sings Violetta in the Willy Decker production of "La traviata" in New York, at the Metropolitan Opera until Jan. 29th. Photographer: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera via Bloomberg
Daniel Kitson
Blake Zidell & Associates via Bloomberg
British comedian Daniel Kitson. His one-man show, "The Interminable Suicide of Gregory Church" is running at St. Ann's Warehouse through Jan. 30.
British comedian Daniel Kitson. His one-man show, "The Interminable Suicide of Gregory Church" is running at St. Ann's Warehouse through Jan. 30. Source: Blake Zidell & Associates via Bloomberg
Sharon Van Etten
Alyson Camus/Ba Da Bing Records via Bloomberg
Sharon Van Etten is on tour for her new album, "Epic," and will be headlining at the Bowery Ballroom on Saturday night.
Sharon Van Etten is on tour for her new album, "Epic," and will be headlining at the Bowery Ballroom on Saturday night. Photographer: Alyson Camus/Ba Da Bing Records via Bloomberg
Max Fish
Jesper Eklow/Max Fish via Bloomberg
Lower East Side hangout Max Fish in New York. Facing lease problems, it's closing at the end of the month.
Lower East Side hangout Max Fish in New York. Facing lease problems, it's closing at the end of the month. Photographer: Jesper Eklow/Max Fish via Bloomberg
Gobsquads Kitchen
David Baltzer/Public Theater via Bloomberg
A scene from Gob Squad's Kitchen (Youve Never Had It So Good) is running January 6-8 at La MaMA as part of the Under the Radar Festival.
A scene from Gob Squad's Kitchen (Youve Never Had It So Good) is running January 6-8 at La MaMA as part of the Under the Radar Festival. Photographer: David Baltzer/Public Theater via Bloomberg
Tuvan throat singers Huun-Huur-Tu are appearing at the Hiro Ballroom on Jan. 10. Source: Big Machine Media via Bloomberg
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