This Week’s Picks! Party with Bright Lights, Head to Jersey & Rock Hard at Bares

It stinks you probably didn’t get tix to see Idina Menzel at her sold-out concert at Radio City Music Hall, but please stop sobbing. And put away the vat of Chunky Monkey. We don’t have time for high-calorie regret. There’s too much stuff to do, including the cinematic arrival of Jersey Boys, the return of Broadway Bares, and awesome additions to Once and Motown the Musical. It’s all part of this week’s must-see list!


Relive the ‘80s with Bright Lights
June 16 at 54 Below
For one evening, Rock of Ages isn’t the only ‘80s-themed rock musical in town. Get ready for a concert version of Bright Lights, Big City, which returns to NYC after a 12-year absence. Paul Scott Goodman’s ode to greed-decade excess (based on Jay McInerney’s novel) features the show’s original musical director, Michael Greif, and Tony winner Alice Ripley, Violet’s Colin Donnell and Matt Doyle star. Click for tickets!


Welcome Two Newbies to Two Faves
June 17 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre & Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre
Change rocks. It’s led to safer cars, summer Fridays and tastier, cheesier pizzas. So embrace the new as Josh Tower takes over as Berry Gordy in Motown, and Jessie Fisher makes her Broadway debut as Girl in Once. Please don’t ask us which performance you should see. That’s like asking a parent who their favorite child is. Just see them both. You’ll thank us. Click for tickets!


Watch Pippin Return to Pippin
June 20, Music Box Theatre
Welcome back, John Rubinstein! The original Pippin (and Tony winner) begins his run as Charles, Pippin’s father, as he steps in for Tony nominee Terrence Mann. Rubinstein will be there through July 27. Perhaps he can tackle another role afterward. Or perform Pippin as a one-man show with a hologram of Bob Fosse providing direction. That’s ridiculous…The Fossegram should only handle choreography. Click for tickets!


Meet Boys at the Cineplex
June 20 in movie theaters nationwide
Today, the multiplex belongs to the Great White Way! Jersey Boys, directed by Clint Eastwood, arrives on the big screen. For those still shaken from Russell Crowe’s warbling in Les Miz, it’s safe to enjoy the cinematic version of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons’ tuneful travails. The cast abounds with veterans from the musical, including John Lloyd Young, who won a Tony when he originated the role of Valli on Broadway. Click for tickets!


Get Rocked at Broadway Bares
June 22 at Hammerstein Ballroom
Some things—like sultry, writhing nude hardbodies—never get old. For the 24th time, Broadway’s hottest dancers strip for charity in Broadway Bares. The latest edition, “Rock Hard!,” celebrates the rich history of rock and pop. Let’s be honest. Broadway Bares could salute to the metric system and the production would still be a super-fun, sexy time. The show, running at 9:30PM and midnight, benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Click for tickets!