Entertainment :: Culture
New England Hit List :: June 27 by Sam Baltrusis
EDGE ContributorThursday Jun 26, 2008
No Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore. This weekend, we’re earning our gay card at "Judy Garland In Concert," laughing out loud at Ryan Landry’s twisted "Wizard of Oz" interpretation and 7 other "musts" this week. Want to know what’s hot? Here’s the hit list:
JUDY GARLAND IN CONCERT
This is not a tribute show. This is not a Garland lookalike. This is Garland herself returning to the stage for the first time in 40 years, singing the great American songbook with America’s greatest orchestra, The Boston Pops. Cutting-edge technology unavailable just a few years ago has enabled NYC-based production company Running Subway to present Garland’s larger-than-life passion and personal story to 21st century audiences in what can only be described as the greatest Garland concert ever. Experience Garland’s dynamic life in song as she performs on multiple screens, accompanied by the orchestra in the classic repertoire and arrangements that thrilled worldwide audiences. 8 p.m. Saturday, June 28 until Sunday, June 29. Boston Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall, 310 Massachusetts Avd. $19-$87. 617-266-1492 or www.bso.org. Check out www.judygarlandinconcert.com for additional info about the show.
WHIZZIN’
Speaking of Judy Garland, the Gold Dust Orphan’s adult version of "The Wizard of Oz" has followed the yellow brick road all the way to Provincetown. For the handful who missed the show in Boston, "Whizzin’" tells the musical story of Dorothy Gale as she travels over the rainbow, far from the dull trailer parks of Hyannis to the recesses of her own mind. There, in the "The Land of Id," there’s a pill popping Glinda, gay Munchkins, an agoraphobic Tin Man, a painfully insecure Lion, a cell phone addicted Scarecrow, and the sociopathic Wicked Witch of the South End who flies in on her broom for a spell.8 p.m. Tuesday, July 1 (every Tuesday until Sept. 9). Crown & Anchor’s Paramount, 247 Commercial St. $28. 508-487-1430 or visit www.golddustorphans.com.
JACKIE BEAT
Drag superstar Jackie Beat has been entertaining audiences across the U.S. and in Europe for over 10 years with her razor-sharp comedy and hysterical song parodies. Beat not only warps hits by, Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Christina Aguilera, Cher and most recently Britney Spears, but she flawlessly sings her twisted new versions like "Gimme More/Filthy Whore" in Provincetown kicking off this weekend until Monday, Sept. 1. Jackie’s stand-up has been featured in comedy clubs across the country and on Comedy Central, VH-1 and MTV. Beat was recently a staff writer for the WB comedy series "Hype," has written for the Sci-Fi Channel, is one of US Magazine’s Fashion Police top cops and is currently the voice of Bertha on Nickelodeon’s animated series "Kung-Fu Spy Troll." She has appeared on many TV shows and in several movies including "Flawless" with Robert DeNiro and the cult hit "Wigstock the Movie." 10:15 p.m. Thursday, June 16 (with a 7:30 p.m. performance on Fridays) until Monday, Sept. 1. Post Office Cabaret, 303 Commercial St. 508-487-0006 or www.ptowntix.com or www.jackiebeatrules.com.
CLOSER
The Independent Theatre Company presents "Closer" at the Boston Center for the Arts Plaza Theatre. Dan, a writer, takes Alice, a stripper, to the hospital after an accident and they become a couple. While posing for his book jacket cover, he meets the photographer Anna. Dan, obsessing over Anna, pretends to be her and goes on an online chat with Larry, a dermatologist. This sets up a series of pass-the-lover scenes in which this quartet struggles to find intimacy but can’t seem to get closer. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 26 until 8 p.m. Saturday, June 28. BCA’s Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont St. $25.617-933-8600 or www.bostontheatrescene.com.
COLE PORTER REVUE
"Night and Day," "You’re the Top," "Love for Sale," "Too Darn Hot"--some of the cleverest, funniest and most romantic songs ever written were penned by Cole Porter. He was unmatched as a tunesmith, and his Broadway musicals--from "Kiss Me Kate" and "Anything Goes" to "Silk Stockings" and "Can Can"--set the standards of style and wit to which today’s composers and lyricists aspire. Conceived (with musical arranger Peter Bayne) and directed by A.R.T. Institute Director Scott Zigler, "When It’s Hot, It’s Cole" is a revue of Cole’s favorites will feature A.R.T. Company members Remo Airaldi, Thomas Derrah, Will LeBow, and Karen MacDonald--whose performances in last summer’s A Marvelous Party! The Noël Coward Celebration was a runaway critical and audience success. American Repertory Theatre, Zero Arrow Club, Harvard Square. $15-$25. 617-547-8300 or www.amrep.org.
LOOK BACK IN ANGER
The play takes an intimate look into the lives of four young, troubled individuals and possesses a particular relevancy to today’s world in which many young people struggle to make their voices heard against an increasing cultural apathy. It explores the multitude of ways in which men and women love, hate, need and reject one another and gives a powerful, often shocking voice to issues of religion, politics, class and relationships. "Look Back In Anger" marks the birth of Orfeo Group’s first annual "OrFREEo Show" initiative. 8 p.m. Thursday, June 26 until Sunday, July 6. The Factory Theatre, 791 Tremont St. Free. 617-747-4460 or www.orfeogroup.com.
SUNSET COCKTAIL PARTY
Ready to get your Cosmo on? Mix and mingle with other Boston-area GLBT business professionals at the Greater Boston Business Council’s (GBBC) second annual Sunset Cocktail Party at the Top of the Hub (Skywalk Level). In 1990, 12 business people met in a living room to formalize an idea that they had been talking about for a couple of years-the need for a gay and lesbian business and professional group. They envisioned this group as representing all industries and professions. They also believed it should offer an array of venues to make the members comfortable. 6-9 p.m. Thursday, June 26. Top of the Hub, Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St. $20-$30. www.gbbc.org.
VARLA JEAN MERMAN
Varla Jean Merman is at the Art House Theatre in Provincetown. The edgy show runs through Sunday, August 31 and features "the purported love-child of Ethel Merman and Ernest Borgnine" doing cabaret. Go for a night of this drag performer’s immensely entertaining act, perhaps to cool down from one of those charged documentaries you were watching earlier in the day. The show runs on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays. Friday, June 27. Art House Theatre, 214 Commercial St. $30-$35. 866-811-4111 or www.varlaonline.com.
YAKOVLEFF FUNDRAISER
In memory of Daniel Yakovleff, the 20-year-old gay man who was murdered at knifepoint earlier this year, friends of the popular hairstylist will hold a fundraiser Monday, June 30 to spearhead a scholarship fund at Blaine cosmetology school in his honor. The event will be held at Liquid Hair Studios, the salon where Yakovleff worked as well as Sister Sorel, one of Yakovleff’s favorite hangouts. For a $20 donation, supporters receive a top-notch haircut from the stylists from Liquid or Southie’s Shag salon. Monday, June 30. Liquid Hair Studios, 640 Tremont St. $20. 617-425-4848 or www.liquidhairstudios.com.
Sam Baltrusis has worked for WHDH-TV, CW56, MTV, VH1, Seventeen, Newsweek and as a regional stringer for The New York Times. He’s currently a full-time freelance editor/writer based in Boston. Check out his blog at loadedgunboston.blogspot.com.
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