Matilda Heads Underground, Tom Hanks Ends His Lucky Streak & Silence! Goes Quiet in This Week's Datebook

Independence Day is just around the corner, and while many are leaving the big city for the beach, those who remain in NYC still have plenty of exciting things to see and do around town. New off-Broadway dramas, starry concerts and farewell performances are among the engrossing events that populate this week’s Datebook. Read on below for all the can’t miss happenings the week of July 1.


MONDAY, JULY 1
MATILDA STARS GET LOUD AT 54 BELOW
The cast of Broadway's Matilda is taking over 54 Below! See Tony winner Gabriel Ebert and more adult stars from the Tony-nominated musical go underground to perform the music they love, including pop hits, rock classics and Broadway standards. Even better: Proceeds from the show will benefit the Penguin Classics We Give Books foundation. Miss this magical night, and the Trunchbull will send you to chokey.

ALSO:  Aaron Tveit chats it up with Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan; Our Sinatra, a musical celebration of Ol' Blue Eyes, begins a week-long engagement at 54 Below; Harry Connick Jr. drops by the The Late Show with David Letterman.


TUESDAY, JULY 2
CHOIR BOY MAKES BEAUTIFUL MUSIC AT MTC
The American premiere of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s gospel-infused show Choir Boy opens off-Broadway at New York City Center. Directed by Trip Cullman, the MTC production about a gospel choir at an all-boys' prep school stars Tony winner Chuck Cooper, Wallace Smith, Kyle Beltran and Jeremy Pope. Choir Boy boasts plenty of drama and a breakout performance by Pope (as an effeminate student) in a run that continues through July 21.

ALSO: A recording of Sondheim's Passion (featuring Judy Kuhn, Ryan Silverman and Rebecca Luker) is released on PS Classics.


WEDNESDAY, JULY 3
TOM HANKS TAKES HIS FINAL B’WAY BOW
Tom Hanks ends his acclaimed run in Lucky Guy as the show plays its final performance at the Broadhurst Theatre. The Oscar winner and Tony nominee made his Main Stem debut as newspaperman Mike McAlary in the final work by the late Nora Ephron. Don’t let the chance pass you by to see Hanks, Tony winner Courtney B. Vance, actress Maura Tierney and an expert ensemble live on stage.

ALSO: Broadway.com debuts the new video blog Fly Girl from Wicked star Lindsay Mendez; Potomac Theatre Company's revival of Caryl Churchill’s 1987 drama Serious Money begins at Atlantic Stage 2; Hedwig star Neil Patrick Harris swings by The Late Show with David Letterman; Annie headliner Jane Lynch laughs it up at Live with Kelly & Michael.


THURSDAY, JULY 4
JAN MAXWELL STORMS THE CASTLE OFF-BROADWAY
Five-time Tony nominee Jan Maxwell stars in the New York premiere of The Castle, Howard Barker’s play about Crusaders who return home to find a completely new society created by the women they left behind. With Maxwell leading the cast, it’s sure to be gripping. The Potomac Theatre Project's production begins previews at Atlantic Stage 2 and runs through August 4.

ALSO: Celebrate Independence Day with a look at modern America at Colin Quinn’s Unconstitutional off-Broadway; Chicago alum Usher curates Macy’s 4th of July fireworks live on the Hudson River; the cast of Broadway’s Matilda lights up The Late Show with David Letterman.


FRIDAY, JULY 5
THE SKIVVIES UNDRESS AT 54 BELOW
Still stuffed from your July 4 barbecue? Why not make yourself feel worse by seeing the incredibly fit, nearly naked and very talented duo The Skivvies at 54 Below? Back by popular demand, Lauren Molina and Nick Cearley entertain audiences with stripped down versions of original songs and mash-ups. As usual, The Skivvies will be joined by some famous friends for the one-night-only concert.


SATURDAY, JULY 6
NORBERT LEO BUTZ EDUCATES AND ENTERTAINS AT 54
Norbert Leo Butz is back at 54 Below with an encore run of Girls, Girls, Girls. In this thought-provoking show, the two-time Tony winner draws parallels between female archetypes found in mythology and popular music. From Hedwig and the Angry Inch to Shawn Colvin, this concert has a little something for everyone.

ALSO: The fourth wall is shattered as rogerandtom begins previews off-Broadway at HERE’s Main Stage Theatre.


SUNDAY, JULY 7
HANNIBAL THE CANNIBAL SERVES HIS FINAL COURSE
The award-winning off-Broadway parody Silence! The Musical plays its final performance at the Elektra Theatre. A spoof of the Oscar-winning Silence of the Lambs, this musical is chockful of jaw-dropping jokes, sight gags and catchy songs that will make you blush. Catch Hannibal Lecter, Clarice Starling and Buffalo Bill as you’ve never seen them before.

ALSO: Far From Heaven ends its off-Broadway run at Playwrights Horizons; Jackie Hoffman performs Old Woman, New Material at 54 Below; the history of Britain’s National Theatre comes to life as the new book Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre is released.

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