SUMMER PREVIEW: THEATER
SUMMER THEATER
Gayfest NYC 2008
Yes, that’s really what it’s called and yes, that is reason enough to attend, but proceeds from these LGBT-themed performances also benefit Harvey Milk High School. Everyone wins! At TGB Theater Company, 312 W 36th St, until 6/15.
Brits Off Broadway
One month in and still seven plays to go, this festival (in its fifth year), brings hot new British productions across the pond. At 59E59 Theaters, 59 E 59th St, until 6/29.
Shakespeare in the Park
Two plays beginning in “H” take Central Park’s other summer stage, though they are otherwise unrelated (heck, one of them isn’t even by Shakespeare!). Hamlet runs May 27 to June 23, then Hair begins July 22 and closes August 17. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday at 8pm. At the Delacorte Theater, near 81st St and Central Park West, 5/27 to 8/17.
Catch a Cabaret
With its tightly-packed six days/ten shows schedule, this developmental cabaret series allows viewers to discuss the shows with the artists after performances. At Roy Arias Theater, 300 W 43 rd St, 6/2 to 6/7.
Summerworks 2008
The Clubbed Thumb theater group puts on three new plays, each with a one-week run. At the Ohio Theater, 66 Wooster St, 6/8 to 6/28.
SoloNOVA Arts Festival
This festival, in its fifth year, prizes the individual over the ensemble, staging one-person shows by performers from around the country. At Performance Space 122, 150 First Ave, 6/18 to 7/2.
2008 Summer Play Festival
This summer’s lineup of new plays by emerging playwrights includes a mystery involving showtunes, movie stars and a reluctant Auntie Mame. Writers include: Billy Finnegan, Sarah Hammond, Sylvia Reed. At The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St, 7/1 to 7/27.
The Other Shakespeare in the Park
This one’s for the underdog supporters out there, or those who prefer river-side Shakespeare to reservoir-side Shakespeare. Hudson Warehouse’s summer season begins with As You Like It from July 5 to 29, then Macbeth August 2 through 26. At the North Patio of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in Riverside Park, W 89th St and Riverside Dr, 7/5 to 8/26.
East to Edinburgh
Before greatly innovative and energetic American productions head over to Scotland for the world’s biggest fringe festival, this series offers them a proper sendoff. At 59E59 Theaters, 59 E 59th St, 7/7 to 7/28.
Ice Factory ’08
A venue for the latest creative concoctions of downtown theater companies, now in its 15th year. For more information, go to sohothinktank.org, 7/9 to 8/24.
Midtown International Theater Festival
Presenting 50 off-off-Broadway shows in every conceivable genre at three theaters in the West 30s, the indie spirit of this selective and eclectic festival has the added advantage of affording cheaper tickets than most summer theater festivals. For a full schedule, go to midtownfestival.org, 7/10 to 8/10.
Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Short Play Festival
In its 33rd year, this energetic little festival presents roughly 50 short plays (30 minutes max) in its condensed run. At the Peter Jay Sharp Theater, 416 W 42nd St, 7/15 to 7/20.
Bad Musicals Festival
It’s not some ironic thing wherein we laugh at how bad plays are and throw rotten tomatoes at performers (interesting idea, though). Rather, it’s all about plays that are naughty and subversive kinds of bad, like parodies and the like. For more information, go to nyartists.org, 7/21 to 8/10.
New York International Fringe Festival
The largest in the nation of its kind and now firmly in its second decade, the 2008 edition spans over 20 venues and 1,300 performances. For a full schedule go to fringenyc.org, 8/8 to 8/24.
Outdoor Movies
Bryant Park Summer Film Festival, The Lawn at Bryant Park
Everyone you know will be there. Literally. The homeless guy on the end of your block will be there. Get there early (the lawn opens at 5pm) to claim real estate and enjoy some fabulous classic films. Begins June 16 with Dr. No, ends August 18 with Superman (bryantpark.org). Monday nights at sundown, 6/16 to 8/18.
Movies with a View
You know how New York’s becoming a bike-friendly city? Not really? It is at this Brooklyn festival at least — there’s bike valet! Begins July 10 with Stand By Me, ends August 28 with The Shining (brooklynbridgepark.org) Brooklyn Bridge Park, Thursdays at sundown, 7/10 to 8/28.
SUMMERSCREEN
Every Tuesday, from July 8 to August 26, The L Magazine’s SummerScreen lures over 4,000 New Yorkers to McCarren Park Pool to watch great films, drink beer, eat food and enjoy the great Brooklyn outdoors. This year’s line-up offers an exciting mix of comedy, drama, action and the Coppola family: we’re talking Rushmore, The Virgin Suicides, Wet Hot American Summer, Desperately Seeking Susan, Mean Streets, 28 Days Later, Blue Velvet. There will be beer, wine and food for sale on-site. All you need is your blanket or beach chair and to set up camp early to ensure a prime view of the screen. McCarren Park Pool. Gates open at 6pm. Films begin at dusk. Go to summerscreen.org or contact becca@thelmagazine.com for more information and updates.
Outdoor Cinema 2008
Celebrate diversity by watching the films and eating the foods of Queens. Begins July 9 with Who’s On First? and Slingshot Hip-Hop (socratessculpturepark.org). Socrates Sculpture Park, Wednesdays at 7pm, 7/6-8/27.
Celebrate Brooklyn!
Live bands (including the Philip Glass Ensemble) provide new soundtracks to perennial faves like July 19th season opener Enter the Dragon and August 1st season closer The Charlie Chaplin Mutuals (celebratebrooklyn.org). Prospect Park Bandshell.
RiverFlicks
The most mysterious of the summer film fests. Info should be available soon — whatever’s going on is sure to be great. See hudsonriverpark.org for details. Pier 54 at W 14th St, Wednesdays at sundown in July and August.
Cinema Sur L’Herbe — Films on the Green
Bring a bottle of wine and a wheel of Brie to this free French festival. Begins May 30 with Samia, ends June 27 with Voisins, Voisines (frenchculture.org), Fridays at sunset, 5/30-6/27 at the 6th and B Community Garden and Tompkins Square Park.
Gayfest NYC 2008
Yes, that’s really what it’s called and yes, that is reason enough to attend, but proceeds from these LGBT-themed performances also benefit Harvey Milk High School. Everyone wins! At TGB Theater Company, 312 W 36th St, until 6/15.
Brits Off Broadway
One month in and still seven plays to go, this festival (in its fifth year), brings hot new British productions across the pond. At 59E59 Theaters, 59 E 59th St, until 6/29.
Shakespeare in the Park
Two plays beginning in “H” take Central Park’s other summer stage, though they are otherwise unrelated (heck, one of them isn’t even by Shakespeare!). Hamlet runs May 27 to June 23, then Hair begins July 22 and closes August 17. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday at 8pm. At the Delacorte Theater, near 81st St and Central Park West, 5/27 to 8/17.
Catch a Cabaret
With its tightly-packed six days/ten shows schedule, this developmental cabaret series allows viewers to discuss the shows with the artists after performances. At Roy Arias Theater, 300 W 43 rd St, 6/2 to 6/7.
Summerworks 2008
The Clubbed Thumb theater group puts on three new plays, each with a one-week run. At the Ohio Theater, 66 Wooster St, 6/8 to 6/28.
SoloNOVA Arts Festival
This festival, in its fifth year, prizes the individual over the ensemble, staging one-person shows by performers from around the country. At Performance Space 122, 150 First Ave, 6/18 to 7/2.
2008 Summer Play Festival
This summer’s lineup of new plays by emerging playwrights includes a mystery involving showtunes, movie stars and a reluctant Auntie Mame. Writers include: Billy Finnegan, Sarah Hammond, Sylvia Reed. At The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St, 7/1 to 7/27.
The Other Shakespeare in the Park
This one’s for the underdog supporters out there, or those who prefer river-side Shakespeare to reservoir-side Shakespeare. Hudson Warehouse’s summer season begins with As You Like It from July 5 to 29, then Macbeth August 2 through 26. At the North Patio of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in Riverside Park, W 89th St and Riverside Dr, 7/5 to 8/26.
East to Edinburgh
Before greatly innovative and energetic American productions head over to Scotland for the world’s biggest fringe festival, this series offers them a proper sendoff. At 59E59 Theaters, 59 E 59th St, 7/7 to 7/28.
Ice Factory ’08
A venue for the latest creative concoctions of downtown theater companies, now in its 15th year. For more information, go to sohothinktank.org, 7/9 to 8/24.
Midtown International Theater Festival
Presenting 50 off-off-Broadway shows in every conceivable genre at three theaters in the West 30s, the indie spirit of this selective and eclectic festival has the added advantage of affording cheaper tickets than most summer theater festivals. For a full schedule, go to midtownfestival.org, 7/10 to 8/10.
Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Short Play Festival
In its 33rd year, this energetic little festival presents roughly 50 short plays (30 minutes max) in its condensed run. At the Peter Jay Sharp Theater, 416 W 42nd St, 7/15 to 7/20.
Bad Musicals Festival
It’s not some ironic thing wherein we laugh at how bad plays are and throw rotten tomatoes at performers (interesting idea, though). Rather, it’s all about plays that are naughty and subversive kinds of bad, like parodies and the like. For more information, go to nyartists.org, 7/21 to 8/10.
New York International Fringe Festival
The largest in the nation of its kind and now firmly in its second decade, the 2008 edition spans over 20 venues and 1,300 performances. For a full schedule go to fringenyc.org, 8/8 to 8/24.
Outdoor Movies
Bryant Park Summer Film Festival, The Lawn at Bryant Park
Everyone you know will be there. Literally. The homeless guy on the end of your block will be there. Get there early (the lawn opens at 5pm) to claim real estate and enjoy some fabulous classic films. Begins June 16 with Dr. No, ends August 18 with Superman (bryantpark.org). Monday nights at sundown, 6/16 to 8/18.
Movies with a View
You know how New York’s becoming a bike-friendly city? Not really? It is at this Brooklyn festival at least — there’s bike valet! Begins July 10 with Stand By Me, ends August 28 with The Shining (brooklynbridgepark.org) Brooklyn Bridge Park, Thursdays at sundown, 7/10 to 8/28.
SUMMERSCREEN
Every Tuesday, from July 8 to August 26, The L Magazine’s SummerScreen lures over 4,000 New Yorkers to McCarren Park Pool to watch great films, drink beer, eat food and enjoy the great Brooklyn outdoors. This year’s line-up offers an exciting mix of comedy, drama, action and the Coppola family: we’re talking Rushmore, The Virgin Suicides, Wet Hot American Summer, Desperately Seeking Susan, Mean Streets, 28 Days Later, Blue Velvet. There will be beer, wine and food for sale on-site. All you need is your blanket or beach chair and to set up camp early to ensure a prime view of the screen. McCarren Park Pool. Gates open at 6pm. Films begin at dusk. Go to summerscreen.org or contact becca@thelmagazine.com for more information and updates.
Outdoor Cinema 2008
Celebrate diversity by watching the films and eating the foods of Queens. Begins July 9 with Who’s On First? and Slingshot Hip-Hop (socratessculpturepark.org). Socrates Sculpture Park, Wednesdays at 7pm, 7/6-8/27.
Celebrate Brooklyn!
Live bands (including the Philip Glass Ensemble) provide new soundtracks to perennial faves like July 19th season opener Enter the Dragon and August 1st season closer The Charlie Chaplin Mutuals (celebratebrooklyn.org). Prospect Park Bandshell.
RiverFlicks
The most mysterious of the summer film fests. Info should be available soon — whatever’s going on is sure to be great. See hudsonriverpark.org for details. Pier 54 at W 14th St, Wednesdays at sundown in July and August.
Cinema Sur L’Herbe — Films on the Green
Bring a bottle of wine and a wheel of Brie to this free French festival. Begins May 30 with Samia, ends June 27 with Voisins, Voisines (frenchculture.org), Fridays at sunset, 5/30-6/27 at the 6th and B Community Garden and Tompkins Square Park.
