What to see, hear and do: Atlanta Opera, tap dance, Temptations and much more

THEATER

It’s not just your imagination once again: Musicals that tell the stories of Boomer-era hitmakers are big on Broadway and often become hits on national tours. The first tour of Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations arrives at the Fox Theater on Tuesday (photo above), bringing with it a terrific songbook (“My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”) and some slick moves (for which Sergio Trujillo won a 2019 Tony). There’s drama too, of course, in the personal and political conflicts that threatened to tear apart the Detroit soul men as the United States fell into unrest during the Civil Rights Movement. Through March 13. Masks required except when actively eating or drinking.

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Following on the heels of the Netflix movie late last year of tick, tick . . . Boom, Pinch ‘N’ Ouch Theater presents the stage version of the musical starting Friday, through April 23. It’s the fictionalized version of the life of Broadway composer Jonathan Larson, who tragically died at age 35 right before his Rent became a sensation in the 1990s. If you like Pinch ‘N’ Ouch’s production of tick, tick, you might want to see the ensemble’s production of Rent on May 27 at Variety Playhouse. Proof of vaccination required.

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Looking ahead: City Springs Theater Company didn’t mess around when selecting a director and choreographer to stage A Chorus Line, opening March 11. Conveniently enough, that creative team came in the form of one dynamic artist, original cast member Baayork Lee. It’s safe to say that Lee knows the show inside and out: The character of Connie Wong was based on her life, she co-wrote a book about it, and she has directed or choreographed more than 35 international productions of the musical, including the 2006 Broadway revival. Through March 27. Vaccinations and masks encourage.

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DANCE

Head over to the Core Dance studios in Decatur Saturday at 7 pm for the Soul 2 Soul Open Mike event, an evening of music, poetry and dance. It will be hosted by long-time collaborator Marcus Montgomery and feature some of Atlanta’s talented spoken word artists, rappers, poets and more. A live band will play throughout the evening. Tickets $20. Masks encourage. Seating limited. Reservations required. At the door registrations accepted as space allows.

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The Sophisticated Ladies have danced on Beyoncé’s homepage, tapped rings around their competitors on So You Think You Can Dance and made wonderful noise around the country. Now the all-female tap dance ensemble arrives at the Rialto Center for the Arts one night only tonight (Thursday) at 8 pm Expect a dynamic, contemporary take on tap and a live band playing salsa, hip-hop and more in Sophisticated Ladies: Live! Check out the Tap Legacy photo exhibit in the lobby. Tickets start at $28.90. Students $5. Masks encouraged for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

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BOOKS

Kelly Well discusses her new book, Off The EdgeMarch 3 at 7 pm in a virtual Author’s Talk hosted by the Atlanta History Center. Weill, a journalist at the Daily Beast, looks back at the historical record of conspiracy theories and how modern social media has inflamed and enabled polarized realities. The event is free, but registration is required.

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MUSIC

The Atlanta Opera sts The Barber of Sevillefeaturing Mableton native Joseph Lattanzi (read our interview with him here) as Figaro starting March 5 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. The comedy features a fiery young girl, her lecherous old guardian and a smitten young nobleman. Performances are March 5, March 8, March 11 and March 13. Proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test are required. Tickets start at $45.

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Donald Runniclesthe Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s principal guest conductor, welcomes pianist Michelle Canné as she makes her ASO debut performing Florence Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement tonight (Thursday) at 8 pm and then on Saturday at 8 pm Cann is a champion of Price’s music and this piano concerto has become a signature piece for her. Runnicles will also lead the orchestra in Mahler’s Symphony No. 1. Proof of vaccination or negative Covid test is required. Tickets start at $23.

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ART+DESIGN

It may feel like a long drive for in-towners, but the Zuckerman Museum of Art on the Kennesaw State University campus is well worth a visit. On show now is Leonardo Drew: Cycles. It features many of Drew’s sculptures as well as numerous prints and works in handmade paper. The artist’s prints, both powerfully large yet fragile, transform cotton paper pulp and pigment into abstract, 3-D landscapes that suggest densely populated cities, a forest or an urban wasteland. Free. Reservations required. Unvaccinated visitors are encouraged to wear masks and social distance.

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Alan Avery Art Company will host an opening reception Friday from 7 to 10 pm for its new two person show Resonate Visas Featuring works by Michael Barringer and Sharon Weiner. Barringer’s recent work is inspired by the quilts of Gee’s Bend, Alabama. Through April 9. Masks are encouraged, but not required. Gallery staff is fully vaccinated, however, visitors may request that staff members wear a mask.

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FILM+VIDEO

The French-culture troupe Théâtre du Rêve brings one of its plays to your home screen as it streams its 2019 play Code Noir: Les Aventures du premier Comte de Monte Cristo (Black Code: The Adventures of the first Count of Monte Cristo) from March 8-31. It’s based on the life of Alex Dumas, a Haitian-born general in revolutionary France, the play takes audiences on a journey from the French and Haitian revolutions to a quest for justice in modern New Orleans. Individual tickets $15; households or groups $25.

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