What’s happening in New York City this week besides the return of pumpkin spice lattes? Lots! From concerts to a double dose of off-Broadway openings, we've got all the scoop on the top events for stage fans. Read on for details on Tony winner Sutton Foster highly anticipated return to NYC, the opening of Horton Foote's The Old Friends and your last chance to get swept away by Luis Bravo's Forever Tango.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
DUNCAN SHEIK GOES PSYCHO AT 54 BELOW
Would you believe that singer/songwriter/composer Duncan Sheik has never performed at 54 Below? The Tony and Grammy winner makes his debut at the Broadway hotspot with a one-week-only concert event, which will include music from his theater projects (Spring Awakening, The Nightingale and the forthcoming American Psycho musical), as well as songs from his self-titled debut album, White Limousine, Covers 80's and a new album due later this year. We are "barely breathing" with excitement.
ALSO: Wicked's Lindsay Mendez performs with pianist Marco Paguia at 54 Below; Cinderella's Santino Fontana and more join Michael Mitnick at Joe's Pub; Pippin's Erik Altemus joins Steven Brinberg for Simply Barbra's Marvin Hamlisch tribute at Birdland; Three-time Tony nominee Marc Kudisch, Katie Thompson and more sing at The Coterie: Downtown/Uptown; Kinky Boots' Lena Hall, Tony nominee Keala Settle and more join Broadway Sings Amy Winehouse at Poisson Rouge.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
SPEND AN EVENING WITH SUTTON FOSTER
Two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster is back where she belongs, headlining at Cafe Carlyle through September 28. Foster's acclaimed 2010 run at the swanky venue resulted in a live recording, and fans can expect a mix of Broadway tunes, pop hits such as "Sunshine on My Shoulders" and standards such as "Nice and Easy." (Here's hoping she adds a number from Violet, for those of us who missed her summer Encores! concert, which received rave reviews.) Don't miss this rare chance to hear Sutton perform in an intimate nightspot.
ALSO: Keen Company's revival of Jon Robin Baitz's The Film Society begins at the Clurman Theatre; Elevator Repair Service's Arguendo begins at the Public Theater; Tony winner Billy Crystal stops by The Late Show with David Letterman to preview 700 Sundays; CD versions of Aaron Tveit's The Radio In My Head: Live at 54 Below, Tony winner Laura Benanti's In Constant Search of the Right Kind of Attention: Live at 54 Below, the 1978 film soundtrack to Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music and Rosemary Clooney: On Broadway are now available; La Cage aux Folles and the live arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar get the Blu-Ray treatment; the audiobook of Colm Toibin's The Testament of Mary, read by Meryl Streep, is now available.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
MIKE DAISEY BARES HIS NEW MOON AT THE PUBLIC
Monologist Mike Daisey (The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs) returns to the Public Theater with his latest theatrical event, All the Faces of the Moon, at Joe's Pub. For 29 nights (beginning at the new moon and spanning a lunar month), Daisey will perform a different monologue based on an episode in the secret history of NYC. Each performance in the monthlong series will be accompanied by a new painting by Larissa Tokmakova. If you can't devote four weeks to Daisey-picking, never fear: the Public plans to podcast the series.
ALSO: Tony nominee Emily Skinner (Side Show) does Broadway, Her Way at 54 Below; comedienne and impressionist Christine Pedi (NEWSical the Musical, Chicago) mixes her Musical Comedy Cocktails at 54 Below.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
BETTY BUCKLEY CATCHES UP WITH OLD FRIENDS
Horton Foote's play The Old Friends, starring Tony winner Betty Buckley, Tony nominee Hallie Foote and Tony nominee Lois Smith, opens at off-Broadway's Pershing Square Signature Center, continuing its long history with the playwright's work. Directed by Michael Wilson (The Trip to Bountiful), The Old Friends centers on Texas matriarch Mamie Borden and two remaining members of longtime local farming families on opposite sides of a conflict going back for generations. They are forced to confront issues of legacy and loyalty when Mamie's daughter-in-law arrives with alarming news.
ALSO: Tony winner Hugh Jackman swings by The Tonight Show with Jay Leno; Tony nominees Alec Baldwin (A Streetcar Named Desire) and Toni Collette (The Wild Party) chat it up on The Late Show with David Letterman; Glee star and Cotton Club Parade vet Amber Riley dances on over to The Ellen Degeneres Show.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
PATRICK WILSON SCARES THE BEJESUS OUTTA US
There's no better way to spend Friday the 13th than getting the wits scared out of you in a dark, cold theater! Tony nominee Patrick Wilson (The Full Monty) and Rose Byrne are back for Insidious: Chapter 2, which expands on the original horror film's spooky mythology. Directed by James Wan, Insidious: Chaper 2 follows the haunted Lambert family as they seek to uncover the mysterious childhood secret that has left Josh (Wilson) and his family dangerously connected to the spirit world filled with ghostly ghouls.
ALSO: Former SNL castmember and Happy Endings star Casey Wilson sings her heart out in an "I Dreamed a Dream" and Broadway-inspired all-musical episode of Comedy Bang! Bang! on IFC.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
FINAL WEEKEND TO TANGO ON BROADWAY
It’s almost time to stick a rose in your teeth and say adios to the passionate summer engagement of Luis Bravo's Forever Tango. This revue brings the sensual and sultry Argentinean dance to life with 16 dancers and an 11-piece orchestra. Join headlining vocalist Martin De Leon and the show's blazing company of world-class dancers for one last tango at Broadway's Walter Kerr Theatre before they depart the Big Apple on September 15.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
REEVE CARNEY SPINS ONE LAST WEB
Last chance to marvel at Reeve Carney's high-flying stunts in Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark. After three years, the rock star will hang up his blue and red tights and exit the musical, having played more than 900 performances as the original Peter Parker/Spider-Man. Along the way, he has romanced Taylor Swift on video and showcased his own music at other venues. We knew you were special when you walked in. Good luck, Reeve!
ALSO: Old Jews Telling Jokes make their final wisecracks at off-Broadway's Westside Theatre; The Fantasticks celebrates its 20,000th New York performance at off-Broadway's Snapple Theater Center; Sondheim Unplugged (featuring Tony winner Alice Ripley) and Motown The Musical's Morgan James play at 54 Below.