APRIL
Theater: My heart yearns for you
Get ready for a return to the golden days of rock ’n’ roll. Georgia Ensemble Theatre performs the Tony Award-winning story of Buddy Holly’s brief, meteoric career. Audiences can sing along to the “That’ll be the Day” singer’s greatest hits and Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba.”
“Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story.” April 12-29. Georgia Ensemble Theatre, Roswell Cultural Arts Center. 950 Forrest St., Roswell. 770-641-260. get.org
Dance: Going Gaga
The Atlanta Ballet performs the work of three choreographers, including a creation by company dancer Tara Lee. Another treat, “Minus 16” by Ohad Naharin, is sure to capture the audience’s senses as dancers let themselves flow.
TuTu and More. April 13-15. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 770-916-2800. cobbenergycentre.com, atlantaballet.com
Theater: Wedding bell blues
Based on Adam Sandler’s popular comedy and set in 1985 New Jersey, wedding singer Robbie Hart experiences a spate of irony when he’s jilted at the altar and later falls for a waitress engaged to a Wall Street tycoon.
“The Wedding Singer: The Musical Comedy.” April 13-28. Act3 Productions. 628 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs. 770-241-1905. act3productions.org
Performing Arts: Jungle beasts
Author Rudyard Kipling dedicated his 1894 story “The Jungle Book” to his daughter Josephine. Set in India, the Georgia Ensemble Theatre’s Family Stage production follows the little boy, Mowgli, raised in the wilderness and befriended by Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther.
“The Jungle Book.” April 14, 21, 28. Georgia Ensemble Theatre Family Stage. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St. 770-641-1260. get.org/family-stage
Concert: Lorde only knows
After the success of her debut album, “Pure Heroine,” New Zealander Lorde took her time with a follow-up release that reflects her current state of mind, heart and spirit titled “Melodrama.” Among others, Lady Gaga and the late, great David Bowie have praised the singer. She brings her world tour to town for a spring concert of love and pop music.
Lorde. Infinite Energy Arena. April 14. 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-626-2464. infiniteenergycenter.com
Theater: String of Pearls
The Alliance Theatre stages a pair of matching one-acts by Atlanta playwright Pearl Cleage. First, the 1983 play “Hospice” depicts a woman dealing with her estranged mother’s mortality. Then, the world premiere of “Pointing at the Moon” revisits the family 30 years later as they grapple with the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.
“Hospice” and “Pointing at the Moon.” Through April 15. Alliance Theatre, Fulton County Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Road. 404-733-5000. alliancetheatre.org
Theater: Who’s schooling who?
In the Stage Door Players comedy/drama “Mass Appeal,” a priest and his seminary student frustrate and inspire each other while they hash out whether the church should change with the times. The two-character play by Bill C. Davis has been an acclaimed Broadway production.
“Mass Appeal.” Through April 15. Stage Door Players, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody. 770-396-1726. stagedoorplayers.net
Concert: Between here and Margaritaville
New York City has his current Broadway show, “Escape to Margaritaville.” But for one night only this spring, Northsiders have Jimmy Buffett, the man behind the song that defines the ultimate easygoing state of mind. The rock ’n’ roll icon performs his classic hits with the Coral Reefer Band.
Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band. April 17. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta. 404-733-5010. vzwamp.com
Cooking class: Chef delights
Tuesday night cooking classes with chef Wendy Gay are selling out at Barrington Hall. Asian street food is the theme of the only available class in April. In case you miss it, more classes are coming up in May and June that include a taste of Provence, Italy, steak dinners, pies and summer grilling. After preparing the cuisine of the night, participants enjoy the feast with complimentary wine and a brief tour of the historic home.
Cooking classes at Barrington Hall. April 17; May 8, 22; June 12, 19. 535 Barrington Drive, Roswell. 770-640-3855. tinyurl.com/y9z6d8q7
Arts: Contemporary art, historic setting
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Finnish Revolution, artworks by contemporary international artists Ilona Cutts, Katja Tukiainen and Maria Wolfram are displayed in the exhibit “The Finnish Illusion” at Spruill Art Gallery. The artists’ 45 pieces of work include limited edition serigraphs, paintings and object art.
The Finnish Illusion. Through April 28. Spruill Gallery, 4681 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta. 770-394-4019. spruillarts.org
Opera: Dangerously in love
George Bizet’s famous story of free-spirited gypsy Carmen and the obsession of pursuer Don Jose is performed in French by the Atlanta Opera. Edward Parks portrays the bullfighter, reprising the role he first performed with New York’s Metropolitan Opera in 2009.
“Carmen.” April 28-May 6. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 770-916-2800. cobbenergycentre.com
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