NYC Best: Shepard’s ‘Heartless,’ Lyle Lovett, Quay Twins
Now’s your chance to see lots of off-beat musicals, comedies and dramas.
The 16th New York International Fringe Festival is under way, with nearly 200 plays in 20 downtown venues over the next couple of weeks.
How about “The Art of Painting,” which promises Nazis, child molesters and infidelity?
Or the musical “Danny Visconti is Hill-Bent,” tracing a night of booze, strippers and prank-calling Michele Bachmann following a chance meeting with the Secretary of State?
Information: http://www.fringenyc.org.
Saturday Outside
Lincoln Center Out of Doors finishes with a bang this weekend, presenting the “29th Annual Roots of American Music Festival.”
Today and tomorrow, concerts include a tribute to Laura Nyro, sets by Otis Clay, Tom Paxton, Taylor Mac, Aloe Blacc and a gala salute to Gil Scott-Heron.
At Damrosch Park and various other venues around Lincoln Center.
For sustenance, there’s barbeque and drinks.
Information: http://www.lcoutofdoors.org.
Saturday Night
Singer-songwriter and road warrior Lyle Lovett brings his country-folk-inflected music to the Prospect Park Bandshell.
He appears with his Acoustic Group as part of Celebrate Brooklyn, and you can expect tunes from his most recent album, “Release Me,” as well as classics from his songbook.
Opening for the witty, raspy-voiced Texan is Aoife O’Donovan.
At 9th St. and Prospect Park West, Brooklyn. Information: +1-718-683-5600; http://www.bricartsmedia.org.
Stop for a glass of pinot noir and a prosciutto pizza with tomato, mozzarella and arugula at Bar Toto in Park Slope.
At 411 11th St. at 6th Ave., Brooklyn. Information: +1-718- 768-4698.
Saturday Late
Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz adds cabaret to his resume with an eclectic, high-energy show at 54 Below.
Don’t expect Broadway standards from this expansively gifted performer. His personal touchstones include Tom Waits, Jimmy Webb and Alicia Keys.
Singer Lauren Kennedy and a terrific band add to the show’s bluesy tinge.
The club is serving well-priced small plates -- try the sliders with a cold one.
At 254 W. 54th St. Information: +1-646-476-3551; http://www.54below.com.
Sunday
Early in their careers, the twin Quay Brothers, Stephen and Timothy, designed an album cover for Blood, Sweat and Tears that portrayed the group standing around in a field -- all of them headless.
Before releasing it, Columbia Records put the heads back on.
Now you can see both versions at the Museum of Modern Art’s retrospective devoted to the reclusive duo, in addition to their animation, film, drawing and other graphic-design work.
Also represented are recent site-specific pieces based on Bartok and Kafka.
“Quay Brothers: On Deciphering the Pharmacist’s Prescription for Lip-Reading Puppets” runs through Jan. 7 at 11 W. 53rd St. Information: +1-212-708-9400; http://www.moma.org.
Sunday Evening
Head over to the Park Avenue Armory for a concert by the International Contemporary Ensemble, currently artists-in- residence at the Mostly Mozart Festival.
“For the Birds” presents avian-inspired works ranging from Messiaen and Cage to world premieres by Marcos Balter and Suzanne Farrin. They’re played as musicians and audience migrate among the stunning rooms at the Armory.
At 643 Park Ave. Information: +1-212-721-6500; http://mostlymozart.org.
Sunday Night
“Heartless,” a new play by Sam Shepard focusing on women is running at Signature Theater Company.
Julianne Nicholson stars as a Los Angeles resident with a mysterious past that erupts into her present life.
Also in the cast: Gary Cole and Lois Smith.
Daniel Aukin directed the world premiere production.
In previews at 480 W. 42nd St., for an Aug. 27 opening. Information: +1-212-244-7529; http://www.signaturetheatre.org.
Post-show, grab a banquette at Ca Va Todd English and settle in with an icy martini and the Maine crab salad.
At 310 W. 44th St. Information: +1-212-803-4545.
(Zinta Lundborg is an editor for Muse, the arts and leisure section of Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are her own.)
Muse highlights include Lewis Lapham’s podcast and movie reviews.
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.
Norbert Leo Butz
Keith Sherman Assoc. via Bloomberg
Norbert Leo Butz is performing two shows this weekend at the new club 54 Below. Butz won Tony awards for his work in the Broadway musicals "Catch Me If You Can" and "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels."
Norbert Leo Butz is performing two shows this weekend at the new club 54 Below. Butz won Tony awards for his work in the Broadway musicals "Catch Me If You Can" and "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." Source: Keith Sherman Assoc. via Bloomberg
Tom Paxton
Washington Post via Bloomberg
Tom Paxton is performing during the 29th Annual Roots of American Music Festival, as Lincoln Center Out of Doors comes to a close.
Tom Paxton is performing during the 29th Annual Roots of American Music Festival, as Lincoln Center Out of Doors comes to a close. Source: Washington Post via Bloomberg
Otis Clay
Dragan Tasic/Lincoln Center Out of Doors via Bloomberg
Otis Clay will be performing at the 29th Annual Roots of American Music Festival at Lincoln Center.
Otis Clay will be performing at the 29th Annual Roots of American Music Festival at Lincoln Center. Photographer: Dragan Tasic/Lincoln Center Out of Doors via Bloomberg
Lyle Lovett
Lyle Lovett via Bloomberg
Lyle Lovett will be at Prospect Park West on Aug. 11, 2012. He and his acoustic group will be performing songs from his latest album, "Release Me."
Lyle Lovett will be at Prospect Park West on Aug. 11, 2012. He and his acoustic group will be performing songs from his latest album, "Release Me." Source: Lyle Lovett via Bloomberg
The Quay Brothers
Quay Brothers via Bloomberg
The Quay Brothers on the set of "Street of Crocodiles" (1986). The brothers' animation, film, and other works can be seen in "Quay Brothers: On Deciphering the Pharmacist's Prescription for Lip-Reading Puppets" at the Museum of Modern Art.
The Quay Brothers on the set of "Street of Crocodiles" (1986). The brothers' animation, film, and other works can be seen in "Quay Brothers: On Deciphering the Pharmacist's Prescription for Lip-Reading Puppets" at the Museum of Modern Art. Source: Quay Brothers via Bloomberg
'The Alchemist of Prague'
"The Alchemist of Prague" by the Quay Brothers. The miniature set design for the film "The Cabinet of Jan Svankmajer" of 1984, is made from wood, fabric, glass, and metal. Photographer Robert Barker/Cornell University via Bloomberg
"The Alchemist of Prague" by the Quay Brothers. The miniature set design for the film "The Cabinet of Jan Svankmajer" of 1984, is made from wood, fabric, glass, and metal. Photographer Robert Barker/Cornell University via Bloomberg
International Contemporary Ensemble
Armen Elliott/International Contemporary Ensemble via Bloomberg
The International Contemporary Ensemble, aka ICE. They will be performing at the Park Avenue Armory on Sunday evening, Aug. 12, 2012.
The International Contemporary Ensemble, aka ICE. They will be performing at the Park Avenue Armory on Sunday evening, Aug. 12, 2012. Photographer: Armen Elliott/International Contemporary Ensemble via Bloomberg
Steven Schick & ICE
Richard Termine/International Contemporary Ensemble via Bloomberg
Steven Schick conducting the International Contemporary Ensemble as they perform on the opening night of Tully Scope Lincoln Center. The members of ICE are currently artists in residence at the Mostly Mozart Festival.
Steven Schick conducting the International Contemporary Ensemble as they perform on the opening night of Tully Scope Lincoln Center. The members of ICE are currently artists in residence at the Mostly Mozart Festival. Photographer: Richard Termine/International Contemporary Ensemble via Bloomberg
Sam Shepard
Gregory Costanzo/Boneau/Bryan-Brown via Bloomberg
Sam Shepard wrote "Heartless," a new play directed by Daniel Aukin. The production premiers Aug. 27, 2012.
Sam Shepard wrote "Heartless," a new play directed by Daniel Aukin. The production premiers Aug. 27, 2012. Photographer: Gregory Costanzo/Boneau/Bryan-Brown via Bloomberg
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