Oversensitive
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Based on the beloved Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale The Princess and the Pea, the latest production at the Ghent Playhouse, Once Upon a Mattress, brings us a hilarious interpretation. The show follows the basic outline of the fairy tale — in which a young woman proves she is a princess by being unable to get a good night’s sleep because she is bothered by a tiny pea placed under her mattress — but adds its own humorous elements. For example, no one expects a dainty princess who can’t sleep because of an insignificant pea to be named Fred, do they? The Prince himself even sings a song where he expresses his incredulous thoughts about the fact that he is “In Love With a Girl Named Fred.”
Jan 20-22 and 27-29, Feb 3-5, Fri–Sat 8 p.m. Sun 2 p.m. $20, $17 members, $10 students. The Ghent Playhouse, 6 Town Hall Pl, Ghent, 518.392.6264; www.ghentplayhouse.org
Ancient Times
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Can’t make it down to New York City to take in the Metropolitan Opera? No problema. The Bardavon continues its longstanding tradition of screening the Met Live in HD series. The first January performance of Nabucco stars the legendary baritone Plácido Domingo alongside Liudmyla Monastyrska, Jamie Barton, Russell Thomas, and Dmitri Belosselskiy. One of Verdi’s earliest operatic works, the story is based off the Book of Jeremiah and chronicles the Babylonian exile of the Israelites under the Babylonian King Nabucco — in English Nebuchadnezzar.
Jan 7, 1 p.m. $28, $26 members, $20 children 12 and under. Bardavon 1869 Opera House, 35 Market St, Poughkeepsie, 845.473.2072; www.bardavon.org
Expert Collaboration
The Capital Region’s premiere dance troupe — Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company — teams up with students and faculty of the College of Saint Rose for its first performance at the Massry Center on campus. The troupe, known for its unique contemporary choreographies, has created an entirely new performance set to music performed live by student and faculty ensembles.
Jan 27, 7:30 p.m. $20, $10 students and faculty, Massry Center for the Arts at the College of St. Rose, 1002 Madison Ave, Albany, 518.337.4871; www.strose.edu
An Artful Showing
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Be sure to stop in the Mark Gruber Gallery for the opening of its new exhibit, Winter Salon Group Show. Multiple artists have come together to display their work that presents his or her unique interpretations of winter scenes. An opening reception with the artists takes place on January 14 from 5–7 p.m.
Jan 14–Feb 18, Mon 11 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun by appointment. Tues–Fri 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Mark Gruber Gallery, 17 New Paltz Plaza, Suite 17, New Paltz, 845.255.1241; www.markgrubergallery.com
Funny Man
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Steven Wright got his big comedic break back in 1982 when he scored a slot on The Tonight Show and brought down the house. Since then, he hasn’t stopped making audiences roll in the aisles and has gone on to land an Academy Award (for his short film The Appointments of Dennis Jennings, which he starred in and co–wrote) as well as the Johnny Carson Comedy Legend Award. A regular guest with the likes of Conan O’Brien and Jimmy Kimmel, Wright has also dipped his hand in producing and was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work on the 2015 FX show Louie. He hasn’t forgotten what jump-started him, however, and still tours the the globe for stand-up comedy shows.
Jan 14, 8 p.m. $31–$55, The Ulster Performing Arts Center, 601 Broadway, Kingston, 845.339.6088; www.upac.org
Winter Wonders
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Carrie Haddad Gallery’s Winter Exhibit comes to a close this month, so be sure to catch it before it’s gone. Andrea Moreau — who is showcasing works in her first exhibit at the gallery — presents colored pencil drawings on paper. Each dynamic piece draws inspiration from the many stamps she has collected throughout her international travels. Also on view are works by Laura Von Rosk, which feature lush landscapes on wood panels. Displayed in the front room are large-scale and kinetic textiles and rigged from the ceiling are giant-sized articles of clothing made from sailcloth by Kate Hamilton. Eileen Murphy exhibits realistic landscape paintings of her parents’ Hillsdale property; Allyson Levy showcases her newest works of encaustic made with graphic arrangements of flower petals, leaves, insect wings, and other organic material the artist collects in her four-acre botanical garden; and Louise Laplante features new collages made from pages of antique books.
Through Jan 22, 11 a.m.-–5 p.m., Sun noon-5 p.m. Carrie Haddad Gallery, 622 Warren St, Hudson, 518.828.1915; www.carriehaddadgallery.com
Skating Frenzy
If you haven’t done so already, check out the numerous outdoor ice skating rinks the Valley has to offer this winter. Here are a few of our favorites:
The Bear Mountain Ice Rink has been drawing winter enthusiasts for the last century. Open every day of the week until March 5, the Valley’s largest open-air rink affords opportunities for a fun day with the family or a romantic date. 3020 Seven Lakes Dr, Bear Mountain, 845.786.2731; www.bearmountainicerink.com
Mohonk Mountain House offers open-air skating under an elegant, barn-like, 9,375-square-foot pavilion. Open skating is available for day guests who purchase a $17 meal in the Mohonk dining room; visitors pay $17 on weekdays and $27 on weekends for skates and parking. 1000 Mountain Rest Rd, New Paltz, 845.256.2776; www.mohonk.com
Bowdoin Park brings back its portable 76’ x 80’ skating rink by popular demand, affording outstanding views of the Hudson River. This is a bring-your-own-skates and skate-at-your-own-risk affair and, weather permitting, is open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily. www.dutchesscountyny.gov
Bach is Back
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For 26 years, the Berkshire Bach Ensemble has been performing the best of Baroque music. Back for its annual Bach at New Year’s concert, the ensemble joins forces with director and harpsichordist Kenneth Cooper — who is stepping down as director of the Ensemble after this performance — and more than 20 solo musicians for a Celebration of the Brandenburgs — All Six Concerti. The six compositions are inspired by the great Vivaldi and highlight myriad musical instruments: strings, oboes, recorder, flutes, bassoon, horns, percussion, and — of course — trumpet.
Jan 1, 3 p.m. $28–$78, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, 30 Second St, Troy, 518.273.0038; www.troymusichall.org
