Roar of approval
The Lion King, the Elton John-Tim Rice musical based on the Disney film of the same name, is the eighth-longest-running show on Broadway; since it opened in 1997, it has been performed more than 5,300 times (and spawned an entire franchise of related movies, cartoons, video games, and other products). The coming-of-age story of Simba the lion cub has been produced for the stage in London, Seoul, Taipei, and Johannesburg (among other cities). The current U.S. touring production is very similar to the show on the Great White Way (only the size of certain scenic elements and the pit orchestra have been reduced). Catch this blockbuster (for substantially less than you’d pay downtown) at Proctors. Feb. 22-March 20. Call or visit Web site for exact schedule and ticket information.
Spice it up
Variety, they say, is the spice of life — and there is plenty of variety at Tarrytown Music Hall this month. First up: Rusted Root, a rock- and roots-music ensemble that integrates African and Middle Eastern influences with Grateful Dead-style instrumental jams (Feb. 11 at 8 p.m. $28-$45). On Feb. 18, blues legend Taj Mahal shares the bill with Los Lobos, the East L.A. band that melds rock and country with Spanish and Mexican sounds (8 p.m. $48-$95). Chappelle’s Show alumnus Bill Burr — now a staple on the late-night TV circuit — does stand-up on Feb. 17 (8 p.m. $25-$45). And the Peking Acrobats — a group of tumblers, contortionists, jugglers, and other performers — show off their gravity-defying antics on Feb. 25 (7 p.m. $30-$45).
Image makers
Since 1999, the Center for Photography at Woodstock has sponsored an artist-in-residence program, offering select artists the opportunity to spend several weeks honing their craft while living at the Byrdcliffe art colony. CPW’s current exhibit, “Made in Woodstock V,” features works created by 18 photographers who took part in the program between 2007 and 2009. The images on view run the gamut of possible subjects, from racial ideology (Wayne Hodge, William Cordova) to familial relationships (LaToya Ruby Frazier), land- and city-scapes (Tim Portlock, Donna J. Wan) to farming and sustainability (Lawrence Getubig). Wed.-Sun. 12-5 p.m. through March 27.
Love songs
Treat your sweetheart to some Valentine’s Day romance a week early: Take her (or him) to hear Jim Brickman at West Point’s Eisenhower Hall Theatre on Feb. 5. The Grammy-nominated songwriter and pianist specializes in “soft” New Age music, his lilting piano often accompanied by well-known vocalists (Brickman’s recorded collaborations have featured artists ranging from Donny Osmond to Lady Antebellum). With six of his albums certified either gold or platinum, Brickman is considered to be the “most charted” male in the Adult Contemporary category. His concert, entitled “An Evening of Romance,” includes hits such as “Valentine,” “Love of My Life,” and “If You Believe.” 8 p.m. Call or visit Web site for ticket information.
Photograph by Howard Schatz |
Let’s get physical
“Mind over body” takes on new meaning at the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College when Pilobolus (at right) and CiRCA come to town. Begun as an “outsider” dance company (and now celebrating its 40-year anniversary), Pilobolus is renowned for its imaginative, often humorous — and always boundary-stretching — modern dance, which concentrates on physical movements that approach gymnastics (Feb. 5 at 8 p.m. $62.50-$77.50). Hailing from Australia, CiRCA promises to perform “46 circus acts in 45 minutes.” Set to upbeat music, these five intrepid acrobats bend, balance, juggle, and fly through the air in a race to beat the clock; it’s fast and furious fun for all (Feb. 27 at 3 p.m. $25-$37.50).