Whether you’re near downtown Atlanta or southwest Atlanta, you should see a play this week.
Local theaters are telling stories about American life in the past and present that are meant to inspire and motivate.
This week’s things to do roundup features a few of these productions.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
The UniverSoul Circus isn’t the only circus worth seeing this month. ”The Greatest Show on Earth” will stop at two local venues before closing permanently in May.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will stop at Philips Arena in Atlanta and Duluth’s Infinite Energy Arena for a series of shows beginning in February.
Times vary. Feb. 15-20. $15-$65. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. www.ticketmaster.com.
Times vary. Feb. 23-March 5. $15-$65. Infinite Energy Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, www.InfiniteEnergyCenter.com.
“Exit Strategy”
As a public school in a troubled Chicago neighborhood prepares to close, a group of teachers hope an administrator can change the fate of the high school in “Exit Strategy.”
Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company is putting on the production at the Southwest Arts Center.
Times vary. Feb. 21-March 19. $10-$40. Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Road, Atlanta. Truecolorstheatre.org.
In the Southern Breeze
In collaboration with Alliance Theatre, the Center for Civil and Human Rights museum will host a free production of "In the Southern Breeeze." Created by the Jireh Breon Holder, (the same playwright responsible for "Too Heavy For Your Pocket") the play depicts an interaction between four men from different time periods.
“This play asks us to take a hard look at how our society has treated and continues to treat African American men and challenges us to transform our world so that every person’s freedoms are respected and hopes are possible,” the museum’s website reads.
"In the Southern Breeze" 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Feb. 20 Free. Center for Civil and Human Rights, 1000 Ivan Allen Jr., Boulevard, Atlanta. Civilandhumanrights.org.
Food by Design: Sustaining the Future
Museum of Design Atlanta continues to explore how design decisions affects our lives everyday with their new exhibit “Food by Design: Sustaining the Future.”
The exhibit explores how worldwide food distribution could be made more equitable, and how we could design systems that encourage people to make healthier choices,” among other things.
Take a look at how people involved in the food industry, from scientists to foodies, are thinking about the ways in which the global food system can be redesigned.
The exhibit is open through May 7.
Noon- 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays; Noon-8 p.m. Thursdays; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays. $10 (adults), $8 (seniors, military and educators), $5 (children, 6-17 and college students), free (children under 5). MODA, 1315 Peachtree St., Atlanta. Museumofdesign.org.
The Temple Bombing
This Alliance production is based on the 1996 book of the same name about the bombing of the Hebrew Benevolent Congregation Temple in Atlanta. Although the bombing took place in 1958, the themes from the play are sure to resonate with audiences today.
Times vary. Feb. 22-March 12. $10-$70. Alliance Theatre, 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. Alliancetheatre.org.
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