Ragtime Gets a Starry Concert, Broadway Welcomes a Hardbody & Virginia Woolf Serves Last Call In This Week’s Datebook

Even winter’s chill can’t hold Broadway back from bringing heat to New York City! From an all-star concert of Ragtime to the final performance of the acclaimed Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? revival, there’s plenty to do and see the week of February 18. Read on below for the most exciting happenings in theater, music and movies in this week’s ultimate calendar of events for Broadway lovers.


MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18
THE SOUNDS OF RAGTIME FILL LINCOLN CENTER
The beloved musical Ragtime gets an all-star concert performance at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall featuring a full cast of principal actors who have never played the roles in NYC. Directed by Stafford Arima, the musical stars Lea Salonga as Mother, Howard McGillin as Father, Norm Lewis as Coalhouse, Patina Miller as Sarah, Tyne Daly as Emma Goldman, Kerry Butler as Evelyn Nesbit and more.

ALSO: Emmy winner Holland Taylor takes no prisoners as tough Texas governor Ann Richards in the first preview of Ann; Tonya Pinkins and Brad Simmons perform Bring on the Men at Joe’s Pub; last call for the sensational Joni Mitchell concert Tales of Joni at 54 Below.


TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19
HIT THE WALL IGNITES A REVOLUTION OFF-BROADWAY
Head back to a time before being gay was the new normal in the explosive new play Hit the Wall, which kicks off at off-Broadway's Barrow Street Theatre. Set on the historic first night of the Stonewall Riots, the show stars Nathan Lee Graham in an ensemble of 10 talented actors. 

ALSO: Really Really, starring Zosia Mamet and Matt Lauria, opens off-Broadway; the cast of Cinderella performs on Late Show With David Letterman; two-time Tony winner Adam Guettel begins his week-long engagement at 54 Below.


WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20
CAROL KANE CHANNELS BETTE DAVIS IN THE LYING LESSON
Is she or isn’t she? That’s the question swirling at the center of Craig Lucas’ new comedy The Lying Lesson. The two-hander stars Emmy winner Carol Kane as a woman who may or may not been screen icon Bette Davis and newcomer Mickey Sumner (daughter of rock superstar Sting!) as her mysterious young assistant. Find out how it all plays out as previews begin at Atlantic Theater Company’s Linda Gross Theatre.

ALSO: The second episode of The Broadway.com Show premieres online; Brent Barrett gets audiences in the mood with Night Songs at 54 Below; Les Miz star Hugh Jackman chats with David Letterman.


THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21
DARLENE LOVE RETURNS TO 54 BELOW
Back by popular demand, legendary vocalist (and Broadway vet) Darlene Love returns to 54 Below. Love broke out with the popular song “He’s a Rebel” and continued her music career with a string of hit songs as well as collaborations with Elvis, Cher, Aretha and more. Hear Love perform her classics live in this intimate nightclub setting.

ALSO: Promises, Promises vet Molly Shannon visits The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson; off-Broadway fave Zach Braff swings by Live with Kelly & Michael.


FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22
THE CAPITOL STEPS BRING POLITICS TO TOWN HALL
The Washington-based comedy troupe The Capitol Steps brings their unique brand of political comedy to New York’s Town Hall for a one-night-only event on February 22. The group began with Senate staffers mocking their employers, and over the past 30 years, they’ve released more than 30 albums and appeared on all the major networks. It’s like watching CNN but with a lot more laughs.

ALSO: Broadway’s Josh Hamilton (Dead Accounts) and Keri Russell’s new horror movie Dark Skies comes out in theaters.


SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23
HANDS ON A HARDBODY REVS UP 
Broadway welcomes Hands on a Hardbody, a new musical with plenty of heart, to the Brooks Atkinson Theatre beginning February 23. Starring Hunter Foster, Keith Carradine and Jay Armstrong Johnson and based on the documentary of the same name, the show tells the story of 10 ordinary folks who test their endurance in a contest to win a new truck. Be the first of your friends to see what all the buzz is about!

ALSO: Give Me Fever: The Many Voices of Peggy Lee begins at the 92nd Street Y; Les Miz stars Adam Jacobs and Ali Ewoldt reunite for A Heart Full of Love: A Concert at Town Hall; Tony winner John Lloyd Young wraps up his run at Café Carlyle; and Adam Guettel ends his run at 54 Below.


SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24
VIRGINIA WOOLF SERVES LAST CALL
The late-night fun and games wind down as the critically acclaimed 50th anniversary production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? begins its final week on Broadway. If you haven’t seen the stellar and utterly original performances by Tracy Letts, Carrie Coon, Madison Dirks and Amy Morton, hurry over to the Booth Theatre before it’s too late. The show officially closes March 3.

ALSO: Martin Moran’s beautiful solo show All the Rage ends its off-Broadway run at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater; FoodActs finishes its final course at Theatre Row; 54 Below spotlights the music of the James Bond film franchise; 54 Below and Joe’s Pub each host Oscar-viewing parties.

To have your NYC-area event considered, send us an e-mail at datebook@broadway.com.