Vampires Date, Jesus Rocks and Gays Get Married In This Week's Ultimate Datebook
Halloween is just around the corner, and New York is celebrating with a cabaret concert at 54 Below, a fun new vampire flick from the creator of Clueless and stage and screen appearances from the original witches of Wicked. Read on below to get the inside scoop on the most exciting happenings in theater, TV, concerts and films in this week’s ultimate calendar of events for Broadway lovers.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 29
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR GOES TO THE MOVIES
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar is headed to the big screen on October 29 and November 1. The U.K. arena tour of the show, starring former Spice Girl Mel C (Melanie Chisholm) as Mary Magdalene, was preserved live on film and will be shown at theaters around the country. To find the venue closest to you, visit FathomEvents.com.
ALSO: The Casting Society of America presents the 2012 Artios Awards.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30
BAD JEWS FIND RELIGION OFF-BROADWAY
Twentysomethings examine their feelings about religion, history and community in Joshua Harmon's Bad Jews, a world premiere opening at Roundabout Theatre Company's black box Roundabout Underground at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre. This funny and moving play features an unmissable tour-de-force performance byTracee Chimo.
ALSO: Law & Order: SVU star Tamara Tunie begins a new cabaret show, Yes, I Sing!, at Feinstein’s; Melissa Errico launches her limited run at 54 Below; August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson begins off-Broadway; and Tony winner Brian Stokes Mitchell releases his new album, Simply Broadway.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31
BROADWAY CELEBRATES HALLOWEEN AT 54 BELOW
It's a spooky night at 54 Below as Lance Roberts, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Robin De Jesus, Chester Gregory and more ring in Halloween. The one-night-only event Ka'davaret: Broadway’s Halloween Cabaret will feature songs from “darker” themed musicals such as Sweeney Todd, Little Shop of Horrors, Wicked, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Damn Yankees, The Phantom of the Opera and more. Sounds like the perfect Halloween treat!
ALSO: Kristin Chenoweth co-hosts Anderson Live; and the Nixon drama Checkers, starring Tony winner Anthony La Paglia, opens off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1
MATTHEW CRAWLEY GOES AFTER JESSICA CHASTAIN’S MONEY
Moises Kaufman’s highly anticipated Broadway revival of The Heiress, Henry James’ classic story of social climbing, officially opens at Broadway's Walter Kerr Theatre. This lush production stars Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain as the unmarriable Catherine Sloper and Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens as her handsome but no-good suitor. Star power, romance and deceit—what more do you need at the theater?
ALSO: LAByrinth Theater’s war drama Radiance begins off-Broadway at the Bank Street Theater; and the new, folk-rock musical Son of a Gun begins performances off-Broadway at Theatre Row.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2
THEATER STARS TRANSFORM INTO SEXY VAMPIRES
The Performers’ Alicia Silverstone, The Heiress’ Dan Stevens, Krysten Ritter, Sigourney Weaver, Justin Kirk and Wallace Shawn star in the new film Vamps, which opens nationwide. This clever comedy from Clueless creator Amy Heckerling follows modern Manhattan vampires in their search for love. When one vamp falls for a mortal with the last name Van Helsing, things get a little complicated...
ALSO: Tony winner Michael Cerveris and his band Loose Cattle begin at 54 Below; Denzel Washington and Tamara Tunie’s film Flight opens in theaters; Philip Seymour Hoffman and Christopher Walken star in the new film drama A Late Quartet; the animated flick Wreck-It Ralph, starring Broadway vet John C. Reilly, also hits theaters.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3
YOU’RE INVITED TO A BIG GAY WEDDING
The off-Broadway smash My Big Gay Italian Wedding begins its return engagement at the St. Luke’s Theatre, and you’re cordially invited. Meet the unforgettable grooms, played by Anthony J. Wilkinson and Daniel Robinson, and their outrageous, loud and large Italian families. The production features recording artists Kim Sozzi and Judy Torres alternating as Aunt Toniann. Save room for cake.
ALSO: Katie Holmes and Nobert Leo Butz begin Broadway previews in Theresa Rebeck's new comedy Dead Accounts; and Melissa Errico and Michael Cerveris end their short runs at 54 Below.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4
SEE CELEBS ON THE RUN AT THE NYC MARATHON
The annual New York City Marathon takes place over the five boroughs. This year, two-time Tony nominee Patrick Wilson and Book of Mormon cast members Brian Sears and Nick Spangler will be among the thousands running. Head to Central Park to show your support for all the runners and enjoy a nice fall day.
ALSO: Chekhov's rarely staged Ivanov, starring Ethan Hawke, opens off-Broadway at Classic Stage Company; Tony winner Idina Menzel brings her North American tour to Carnegie Hall (rescheduled from October 29); Alison Fraser and Terese Genecco each perform their one-night-only shows at 54 Below; Don’t Go Gentle and Fun Home close off-Broadway; and Anna Deavere Smith and David Simon host the Public Forum at Joe’s Pub.
To have your NYC-area event considered, send us an e-mail at datebook@broadway.com.