Jan 10–15: Something Rotten! In the year 1595, Nick and Nigel Bottom struggle to end their financial difficulties by writing a hit play. When a soothsayer foretells that the future of the theater involves singing, dancing and acting all at the same time, the brothers set out to write the world’s very first musical. Tue–Wed 7:30 p.m. Thur 1:30 p.m. Thur–Sat 8 p.m. Sat–Sun 2 p.m. Call for pricing.
Jan 28: One Man Star Wars Trilogy Canadian actor and self-professed geek Charles Ross acts out the entire Star Wars trilogy on his own. 3:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. $30
Jan 29: Word Plays: Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat Some people know how to leave well enough alone, and others…well, others constantly rock the boat. These stories of meddlers are performed by professional actors and celebrate all aspects of the human spirit. 2 p.m. $8. • Proctors, 432 State St, Schenectady, 518.346.6204; www.proctors.org
Jan 17–18: Moon Mouse This one-hour production filled with spectacular lights, follows Marvin the Mouse who is bullied by the “cool” mice and retreats to science and fantasy books in order to escape. Soon he embarks on a fabulous space adventure. Tues 10:30 a.m. at UPAC. Wed 10 a.m. and noon at Bardavon. • Ulster Performing Arts Center, 601 Broadway, Kingston, 845.339.6088; www.upac.org Bardavon 1869 Opera House, 35 Market St, Poughkeepsie, 845.473.2072; www.bardavon.org
Jan 20–Feb 11: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde This new, and at times shocking, adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella is set in Victorian London and follows Dr. Jekyll and his experiments to unleash the other side of himself. When things start getting out of hand, he vows to cease the experiments, but Mr. Hyde has different ideas. Thurs-Sat 8 p.m., Sun 2 p.m. $24, $21 seniors & students. • Elmwood Playhouse, 10 Park St, Nyack, 845.353.1313; www.elmwoodplayhouse.com
Jan 27–Feb 5: Our Town Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play gives audiences a glimpse into the lives of two families as they endure tremendous changes. Through them, Wilder delivers universal truths about what it means to be human. Fri-Sat 8 p.m., Sun 3 p.m. • The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, 661 Rte 308, Rhinebeck, 845.876.3080; www.centerforperformingarts.org
Through Jan 29: Saturday Night Fever Based on the 1977 film, this musical features songs from the Bee Gees like “Stayin’ Alive,” “You Should Be Dancing,” and “How Deep Is Your Love.” Call or visit the website for exact schedule and pricing. • Westchester Broadway Theatre, 1 Broadway Plaza, Elmsford, 914.592.2222; www.broadwaytheatre.com
Our Pick
We all know that the tragic tale of Romeo and Juliet was written by William Shakespeare and has been adapted for the stage and screen in thousands of different ways. But did you know that one of those ways is a translation into opera? The French composer Charles Gounod adapted the stage play for operatic audiences in 1867, and now the Metropolitan Opera stages Romeo et Juliette for modern audiences. Streaming live as part of the Met Live in HD series, Valleyites can watch the dynamic duo of singers Vittorio Grigolo and Diana Damrau unite as the star-crossed lovers, as well as superior performances by Elliot Madore as Mercutio and Mikhail Petrenko as Frère Laurent.
Jan 21, 1 p.m. $28, $26 members, $20 children 12 and under, The Ulster Performing Arts Center, 601 Broadway, Kingston, 845.339.6088; www.upac.org
