“The Book of Mormon” concludes its riotous Atlanta run with afternoon and evening shows Sunday, and many of the thousands who’ve gotten a good laugh at the Fox Theatre may be interested in another work by one of its creators that is coming soon to the city.
“1001 Nights, A Loving Story About Loving Stories,” opening at the Center for Puppetry Arts on March 25, is by no means “Book of Mormon: Chapter Deux.”
It’s an early, G-rated work by Robert Lopez, who had naughtier fun with puppets in his Tony-winning “Avenue Q.” A co-production of the puppetry center and Flying Carpet Theatre Company of Sunnyside, N.Y., “1001 Nights” is being offered as part of the center’s Family Series, recommended for ages 6 and up.
First staged in 1997 as Flying Carpet’s debut production, adapted from “The Arabian Nights,” the show features puppetry, comedy and musical theater. Fantastical creations spring to life as a princess saves her kingdom through the power of storytelling, spinning one cliffhanger after another.
Lopez created the music and lyrics; the book is by Adam Koplan and Lopez.
“Flying Carpet Theatre and we have been mutual fans of each other’s work for some time, so here was a chance to work together on an original production with Robert Lopez’s music,” Center for Puppetry Arts artistic director Jon Ludwig said in email to the AJC. “How cool is that!”
Flying Carpet’s website says the collaboration has “given new life” to the show, which the New York troupe plans to tour this year.
The puppetry center run will be through April 6. 1404 Spring St. N.W., Atlanta.
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Meanwhile, a limited number of tickets are expected to be available for “Mormon’s” final shows at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday:
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THEATER
True Colors offers discussion and drama on race
Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company will present a free panel discussion, at noon Feb. 15, inspired by its upcoming production of “Race” by David Mamet.
U.S. Rep. John Lewis, state Sen. (and gubernatorial candidate) Jason Carter, Rabbi Alvin Sugarman and Atlanta Daily World publisher M. Alexis Scott will discuss how issues involving race influence our legal system and how Americans discuss race today. David Vigilante, senior vice president of legal for CNN, will moderate the discussion and Q&A at Druid Hills Presbyterian Church, 1026 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E., Atlanta.
True Colors' Atlanta premiere of "Race" will run Feb. 25 through March 23 at Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Road, Atlanta. Details: www.truecolorstheatre.org.
Fringe Festival announces 22-show lineup
The Atlanta Fringe Festival recently announced a 22-production lineup for its third annual performing arts festival, June 5-8 (with a preview party June 4).
The performers, who each will appear five times over the fest’s four days, hail from 11 states and Canada. Their shows range from circus to cabaret and Middle Eastern dance to puppetry.
Festival venues will be 7 Stages’ mainstage, two spaces in the Big House on Ponce, the Highland Inn Ballroom, Mint Gallery and Wrecking Bar Brewpub’s Marianna event space.
Details: www.facebook.com/atlantafringe.
‘Dracula’ bites again in 7 Stages CD, concert
7 Stages will be seeing red in a different way on Valentines’ Day weekend, with “Dracula: The Concert and CD Release Party.”
The release of the original cast recording from “Dracula: The Rock Opera” will be cause for a celebratory concert featuring cast members and the Little Five Points Rockstar Orchestra at 8 p.m. Feb. 13-15.
Given its world premiere by 7 Stages in 2012, the rock opera was created by Rob Thompson, Naomi Lavender, Sam McPherson and Chris Love.
Tickets start at $20. (For ages 16 and up.) 1105 Euclid Ave, Atlanta.
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ARCHITECTURE
Remembering Henri Jova, 94
Some readers may have missed the news of the passing of prominent Atlanta architect Henri Jova, as the AJC’s obituary appeared in print editions on Jan. 29, the day after snow shut down the metro area.
Jova left a major imprint on Atlanta, with diverse credits including the Carter Presidential Library, Colony Square, the former AJC office building, the Trust Company bank branch on Monroe Drive and the Carnegie Education Pavilion (created of marble saved from the old Carnegie Library facade), as well as the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain.
The retired Jova/Daniels/Busby chairman died Jan. 13 in West Palm Beach, Fla., at age 94.
A memorial celebration is planned for 5 p.m. on April 3 at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
To read staff writer Michelle Shaw's full AJC obituary.
VISUAL ART
SCAD hosts free talks, exhibits
The Savannah College of Art and Design will host Define Art 2014, its annual contemporary art showcase, Feb. 18-21 at its Atlanta campus (1600 Peachtree St.) and other SCAD locales.
Highlights include:
- A panel discussion on artistic practices with artists Abrie Fourie, Ryan Brennan and Orly Genger, moderated by Steve Aishman, SCAD Atlanta dean of academic services, at 6 p.m. Feb. 18. It will be followed by 7-8 p.m. receptions for Define Art exhibits by the three artists.
- The keynote lecture by Define Art honoree Alfredo Jaar — the Chilean-born, New York artist, architect and filmmaker who is represented in the High Museum of Art's permanent collection — at 6 p.m. Feb. 20.
Both programs will be held in the Events space, fourth floor, building C. Free. Details: www.scad.edu/defineart.
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