STAGE WEDNESDAY 1/1 Comedy Jim Norton Stand-up w/Gregg ...
Comedy
Jim Norton Stand-up w/Gregg Rogell, Al Ducharme, Steve Bryne, Nancy Redman & Billy Burr; Dangerfield's, 1118 1st Ave. (betw. 61st & 62nd Sts.), 212-593-1650; 8:45 to closing, $12.50-$20 [repeats Thurs. & Sun. 8:45 to closing, Fri. at 8:30 & 10:30, Sat. at 8, 10:30 & 12:30 a.m.].
Colin Quinn Stand-up w/Mitch Fatel, Robert Kelly, Godfrey & Sherrod Small at great comedy venue; Comedy Cellar, 117 MacDougal St. (betw. Bleecker & W. 3rd Sts.), 212-254-3480; 9 & 11, $10-$15 & 2 drink min. [repeats Thurs. & Sun. at 9 & 11, Fri. at 9, 10:45 & 12:30 a.m., Sat. at 7:30, 9:15, 11 & 12:45 a.m.].
Dance
Alvin Ailey continues six-week season at City Center, 131 W. 55th St. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-581-1212 or www.alvinailey.org for complete sched. & prices [through 1/5].
New York City Ballet pres. a George Balanchine production of Tchaikovsky's well-loved The Nutcracker; the NY State Theater, 20 Lincoln Center, B'way (64th St.), 212-870-5570; call for times, $18-$90 [through 1/5].
THURSDAY 1/2
Cabaret
"So in Love: The Love Songs of Cole Porter" Andrea Marcovicci celebrates her 15th year at the Algonquin w/new show feat. hits "Why Can't You Behave?" & "Let's Not Talk About Love"; the Oak Room, Algonquin Hotel, 59 W. 44th St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-944-3109; 9 [repeats Fri. & Sat. at 9 & 11:30, Tues. at 9, through 1/12].
FRIDAY 1/3
Comedy
If We Were Men, We'd Be Famous Bitter women Shecky Beagleman, Darcy Casteleiro, Nancy Giles, Gilda Konrad, Suzanne O'Neill & Janet Rosen vent their frustrations upstairs at Rose's Turn, 55 Grove St. (betw. 7th Ave. & Christopher St.), 212-366-5438; 8:45, $5 & 2 drink min.
Improv on Ice The Naked Pigeons Comedy Troupe begin their second year of entertaining w/improv that's good enough for the Olympics, or so they claim; the Impact Theatre, 190 Underhill Ave. (betw. Sterling & St. Johns Pls.), Prospect Heights, RSVP 212-502-0796; 8, $12, $10 st. [repeats Sat.].
Joe Matarese Stand-up w/Dov Davidoff, Mike Yard, Andrew Kennedy & Richie Byrne; Stand-Up New York, 236 W. 78th St. (B'way), 212-595-0850; 8, 10 & 12:15 a.m., $15 & 2 drink min. [repeats Sat.].
Big Jay Oakerson emcees stand-up from Lisa Lampanelli, Tony Rock, Dan Naturman, Ross Bennett & Vinnie Brand; Comic Strip Live, 1568 2nd Ave. (betw. 81st & 82nd Sts.), 212-861-9386; 8:30, 10:30 & 12:30 a.m., $15 & $12 min.
SATURDAY 1/4
Cabaret
"Blue Skies" Anne Kerry Ford performs the songs of Irving Berlin w/John Boswell on piano & guest Maude Maggart; Judy's Chelsea, 169 8th Ave. (betw. 18th & 19th Sts.), 212-929-5410; 8:30, $12 min.
Cary Hoffman performs Frank Sinatra's "most celebrated 50s classics" w/an 11-piece orchestra?& listen, this guy sounds exactly like Frank; Carnegie Club, 156 W. 56th St. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-843-8073; 8 & 10, $30 & 2 drink min.
Va Va Voom Room Miss Astrid hosts night of burlesque, vaudeville, strippers, magicians & clowns at Fez/Time Cafe, 380 Lafayette St. (Great Jones St.), 212-330-9349; 10:30, $15 & 2 drink min.
Comedy
The Carmen Mofongo Show w/her kick-your-ass Coquito mix this Latin lady will get you drunk & take advantage, but you should let her all the same; Surf Reality, 172 Allen St. (betw. Rivington & Stanton Sts.), 212-673-4182; 10, $10 incl. free rum & coke.
"Gay & Lesbian Comedy Fest!" The fabulous Michael Conley hosts night of stand-up & musical comedy from the queer set incl. Chuck Sweeney, Sidney Meyer, Alana Devich, Kristine Zbornik, Seth Rudetsky, Paul J. Williams & David Maiocco; Don't Tell Mama, 343 W. 46th St. (betw. 8th & 9th Aves.), 212-757-0788; 8:30, $10 & 2 drink min.
Kerry McNally emcees evening of stand-up feat. Lenny Marcus, Moody McCarthy, John Bush, Ellen Cleghorn & Joe Vega; Comic Strip Live, 1568 2nd Ave. (betw. 81st & 82nd Sts.), 212-861-9386; 6, 8, 10:15 & 12:30 a.m., $15 & $12 min.
SUNDAY 1/5
Cabaret
"I'm a Stranger Here Myself" Anne Kerry Ford performs the songs of Kurt Weill w/John Boswell on piano; Judy's Chelsea, 169 8th Ave. (betw. 18th & 19th Sts.), 212-929-5410; 8:30, $12 min.
The Lascivious Biddies & Dave's True Story Updated Jazz favorites from the Biddies paired w/quite a strange lounge act; Joseph Papp Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St. (Astor Pl.), 212-539-8777; 7, $12.
"Magical Madness" Albert Cadabra, Adam Cardone & George Gorlick pres. ancient torture rituals, mind reading, voice throwing & "the blood & flames of hell" during vaudevillian magic show; the Bindlestiff Palace of Variety, 125 W. 42nd St. (betw. B'way & 6th Ave.), 877-BINDLES; 8, call for prices.
Comedy
Tom Soter's Sunday Night Improv See comedy legends mix with up & comers for night of improved skits, games & musical numbers; the Little Theater at the West Side YMCA, 5 W. 63rd St. (Central Park W.), 212-353-7716; 7, $10.
MONDAY 1/6
Cabaret
"Auld Lang Syne: The Scottish Songs of Robert Burns" Bands incl. Fruit Basket, Auntie Angus & host Uncle Moon perform traditional & bawdy songs incl. "Auld Lang Syne" & "Nine Inch Will Please A Lady" written by Scotland's most famous poet; the Club at La MaMa, 74 E. 4th St. (betw. 2nd Ave. & Bowery), 212-475-7710; 8, $10.
"Leer Mondays" Lounge-O-Leers Ricky Ritzel & Aaron Morishita are back & ready to wow you w/unique renditions of TLC's "No Scrubs" & Las Ketchups' "Hey Hah"; Judy's Chelsea, 169 8th Ave. (betw. 18th & 19th Sts.), 212-929-5410; 10, $12 min.
Comedy
Jessica Kirson Stand-up w/John Rizzo, Carrie Karavas, Nancy Redman, Kevin Brennan & Steve Marshall; Dangerfield's, 1118 1st Ave. (betw. 61st & 62nd Sts.), 212-593-1650; 8:45 to closing, $12.50 [repeats Tues.].
Colin Quinn Stand-up w/Tom Papa, Lisa Lampanelli, Godfrey & Greg Giraldo at great comedy venue; Comedy Cellar, 117 MacDougal St. (betw. Bleecker & W. 3rd Sts.), 212-254-3480; 9 & 11, $10 & 2 drink min.
"6:30 Mondays" Greg Contreras hosts stand-up open mic feat. fresh talent working out the kinks in their routines-one drink gets you five glorious minutes on stage; the Village Lantern, 167 Bleecker St. (betw. Sullivan & Thompson Sts.), 212-260-7993; 6:30, 1 drink min.
Dance
Movement Research at the Judson Church "Free, ongoing, Monday night performance series of experimentation & works-in-progress"; Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Sq. S. (Thompson St.), 212-477-0351; 8, free.
TUESDAY 1/7
Dance
The Main Event AT&T dance series pres. ChameckiLerner in "Visible Content"; DTW Bessie Schönberg Theater, 219 W. 19th St. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 212-924-0077; 7 [through 1/26].
New York City Ballet begins its winter repertory season w/program feat. Peter Martin's Symphonic Dances, Jerome Robert's In G Major & George Balanchine's Western Symphony; the New York State Theater, Lincoln Center Plaza, B'way (63rd St.), 212-870-5570; 7:30, call for prices.
Wally Cardona Quartet in "Morph: Live Remix" at Danspace Project at St. Mark's Church, 131 E. 10th St. (2nd Ave.), 212-674-8194; 8:30, $15 [through 1/12].
THEATER
Performance times follow the paper's publishing schedule. (Weds.-Tues.). We recommend you call theater to verify schedule.
IN PREVIEWS
Art, Life, & Show-Biz, A Non-Fiction Play Homage to "life in the theater and the theater in life" created by Ain Gorden, pieces together true stories, research, interviews, myths & interviews, P.S. 122, 150 1st Ave. (9th St.), 212-477-5288; Fri.-Sun. at 7:30, $15 [opens 1/9, through 1/26].
Comedians Trevor Griffiths' adaptation of 1974 British play about stand-up comics debating stardom; Samuel Beckett Theater, 410 W. 42nd St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 212-279-4200; Fri. at 8, Sat. at 2 & 8, Sun. at 3, $35 [opens 1/15, through 2/23].
The Mystery of Attraction Brothers Ray (attorney) & Warren (cop) struggle w/temptation of all things scandalous; Tribeca Playhouse, 111 Reade St. (betw. W. B'way & Hudson St.), 212-206-1515; Fri., Sat. & Mon. at 8, Sun. at 5, $15 [opens 1/12, through 1/27].
Shanghai Moon Murder/mystery set in 1931 China, written by & starring Charles Busch; Greenwich House Theater, 27 Barrow St. (7th Ave. S.), 212-633-9632; Fri. at 8, Sat. at 7 & 10, Sun. at 7, $35 [opens 1/16, through 2/9].
Vincent Musical depiction of the life of Van Gogh, who "overcame all obstacles in his path toward greatness." If you consider a one-eared, poverty-stricken suicide to be some sort of fantastic triumph, this is the story for you; Wings Theater, 154 Christopher St. (betw. Greenwich & Washington Sts.), 212-627-2961; Thurs.-Sat. & Mon. at 8, Sun. at 3:30, $19 [opens 1/6].
RECENTLY OPENED
Adult Entertainment Danny Aiello & Jeannie Berlin star in new Elaine May comedy about porn; Variety Arts Theatre, 110 3rd Ave. (betw. 13th & 14th Sts.), 212-239-6200; Weds.-Sat. & Tues. at 8, mats. Weds. & Sat. at 2, Sun. at 3, $25-$65.
Betty Rules Musical tracks life of female-fronted rock band; Zipper Theater, 336 W. 37th St. (betw. 8th & 9th Aves.), 212-239-6200; Thurs. & Tues. at 8, Fri. & Sat. at 7 & 10, Sun. at 5, $29.90-$44.90 [through 2/2].
Boxes of Blood Dark comedy by Brooklyn's Marilyn Salisbury satires popular culture in order to exemplify "how art is inseparable from our emotional lives"; Manhattan Theater Source, 177 MacDougal St. (8th St.), 212-501-4751; Thurs.-Sat. at 8, $10 [through 1/4].
Burn This James Houghton directs Elisabeth Shue, Peter Sarsgaard, Ty Burrell & Dallas Roberts in a "turbulent and funny" play about four New Yorkers overcoming their "deepest fears and doubts" after an unexpected death; Union Sq. Theater, 100 E. 17th St. (Park Ave. S.), 212-307-4100; call for times, $30-$65 [through 1/5].
Class Mothers '68 Priscilla Lopez becomes a seductive divorcee, a Puerto Rican seamstress, a Holocaust survivor, a sculptor's wife, a yenta & a community theater director. The goal: produce a musical tribute to their children, about to graduate from high school; Theatre Row Complex, 410 W. 42nd St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 212-279-4200; Thurs.-Sat. at 8, mats. Weds. & Sat. at 2, Sun. at 3, $45 [through 2/9].
Crowns New "gospel musical" based on book Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats at Second Stage Theater, 307 W. 43rd St. (8th Ave.), 212-246-4422; call for times & prices [through 1/5].
Debbie Does Dallas Cumming-of-age story based on film of same name feat. original music & new cheers-but the girls keep their clothes on. Hilariously funny & still slightly crude; Jane Street Theatre, 113 Jane St. (betw. Washington St. & 10th Ave.), 212-239-6200; Weds., Thurs., Mon. & Tues. at 8, Fri. at 8 & 10:30, Sat. at 7 & 10, $30-$50, $25 st.
The Exonerated Bob Balaban directs Jessica Blank & Erik Jensen's controversial drama based on interviews w/falsely imprisoned death row inmates found innocent & freed; 45 Bleecker St. (Lafayette St.), 212-307-4100; Weds.-Fri. & Tues. at 8, Sat. at 5 & 9, Sun. at 3 & 7, $55.
Flower Drum Song Story based on novel by C.Y. Lee about Chinese woman who moves to San Francisco; Virginia Theater, 245 W. 52nd St. (betw. B'way & 8th Ave.), 212-239-6200; Weds.-Sat. & Tues. at 8, mats. Weds. & Sat. at 2, Sun. at 3, $65-$95.
Gone Home A young writer returns home, trying to reconstruct his childhood & make sense of his adult life; City Center, 131 W. 55th St. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-581-1212; Weds.-Sun. & Tues. at 7:30, mats. Sat. & Sun. at 3, $45, $20 st. [through 1/26].
Hairspray Musical based on John Waters' film about plump girl's attempts to racially integrate teen dance show; Neil Simon Theater, 250 W. 52nd St. (betw. B'way & 8th Ave.), 212-307-4100; Weds.-Sat., Mon. & Tues. at 8, mats. Weds. & Sat. at 2, Sun. at 3, $60-$100.
Hank Williams: Lost Highway Musical celebration of the wild life of a country music icon; Manhattan Ensemble Theater, 55 Mercer St. (betw. Broome & Grand Sts.), 212-925-1900; Weds.-Sat. at 8, Tues. at 7, Sun. at 5, $40-$45 [through 2/2].
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder Kurt Kleinmann's mystery comedy, just in time for the holidays; DR2 Theater, 103 E. 15th St. (betw. Park Ave. S. & Irving Pl.), 212-239-6200; Weds.-Sat. at 8, mat. Sat. at 2, $45 [through 1/4].
La Boheme Baz Luhrmann's (Moulin Rouge, Strictly Ballroom) re-imagining of Puccini's opera w/English supertitles; Broadway Theatre, 1681 B'way (betw. 52nd & 53rd Sts.), 212-239-6200; Weds.-Sat. & Tues. at 2, mats. Weds. & Sat. at 2, Sun. at 3, $20-$95.
The Last Virgin Sounds like a bar joke set to life w/a Christian, Jew & Arab trying to lay the pristine ghost sitting next to them; the Triad Theater, 158 W. 72nd St. (betw. Amsterdam & Columbus Aves.), www.jewishtheater.org; Sat. at 8, mats. Weds. & Sun. at 3, $36
Locos de Contento (Happily Mad) Argentinean couple prepare for emigration & a better life in faraway Japan. While the wife surrounds herself w/all things Japanese, the husband, along w/Argentina, slips into depression; Gramercy Arts Theater, 138 E. 27th St. (betw. Lexington & 3rd Aves.), 212-889-2850; call for times, $25-$40 [through 1/30].
Love, Janis Homage to the first lady of rock incorporates 19 of her songs & all of her hits; the Village Theater, 158 Bleecker St. (betw. Sullivan & Thompson Sts.), 212-307-4100; call for times, $45-$100.
Medea Euripedes' classic tale of a woman's unrelenting & terrible revenge on her husband, starring Fiona Shaw; Brooks Atkinson Theater, 256 W. 47th St. (betw. B'way & 8th Ave.), 212-307-4100; Weds.-Sat., Mon. & Tues. at 8, mat. Sat. at 2, $60-$80 [through 2/22].
Midnight Brainwash Revival Apocalyptic verse comedy by Kirk Wood Bromley, feat. live music & life-size trucker puppets; Theatorium, 198 Stanton St. (betw. Ridge & Attorney Sts.), 212-352-3101; Thurs.-Sat. at 8, $15 [through 1/4].
Nobody Knows I'm a Dog The anonymity of the Internet lets six characters lose themselves in wishful personas & fictional lives, until reality returns w/a vengeance; Red Room, 85 E. 4th St., 3rd fl. (betw. 2nd Ave. & Bowery), 212-457-5498; Sun. at 8, $15.
Nude Boys Prancing About Revival of Robert Coles' tale about "value and truth of the gay theater," which played in 1998 at the Vortex Theater Co., 164 11th Ave. (betw. 22nd & 23rd Sts.), 212-206-1764; Thurs.-Sat. & Mon. at 8, Sun. at 5, $19 [through 1/26].
The Prince and the Pauper Mark Twain's novel about a man & his doppelganger set to music; Lamb's Theater, 130 W. 44th St. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-239-6200; call for times, $40-$65 [through 1/31].
Say Goodnight Gracie Frank Gorshin plays George Burns, taking you on a guided tour of the famed performer's life, incl. his unlikely marriage to Gracie Allen (the words "Together Again" are engraved on she & George's stone at the cemetery in which they are buried); Helen Hayes Theatre, 240 W. 44th St. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 212-239-6200; Weds.-Sat. & Mon. at 8, mats. Weds. & Sat. at 2, Sun. at 3, $65-$70.
The Second Show Two one-acts: "Downtown's Crown Prince of Perversion" feat. David Leopold singing new songs from his upcoming work, "Phone Sex with a Strutter." And Scott Stiffler recycles material for his appearance as "Queer Wonder Boy"; Rififi, 332 E. 11th St. (betw. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 212-545-7114; Tues. at 8, $5 incl. 1 drink.
A Soldier's Death New drama by Tom O'Neil (Jack Kerouac: Last Call) documenting what title suggests; 13th St. Rep, 50 W. 13th St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-675-6677; Thurs.-Sat. at 7, $15, $10 st. [through 1/11].
Supper's Ready Hilarity ensues when oddball cast of characters reunite for a family reunion; Here, 145 6th Ave. (betw. Spring & Dominick Sts.), 212-647-0202; Thurs.-Sat. at 10:30, $15 [through 1/11].
Tempest Shakespeare's terrifying romantic comedy onstage at Pearl Theater, 80 St. Marks Pl. (betw. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 212-598-9802; Thurs.-Sat. at 8, Tues. at 7, mats. Weds., Sat. & Sun. at 2, $30-$40 [through 1/26].
Trippin Solo opera by David Rodwin traces his travels from L.A. to NYC; La MaMa E.T.C., 74A E. 4th St. (betw. 2nd Ave. & Bowery), 212-475-7710; Thurs.-Sat. at 10, Sun. at 5:30, $15 [through 1/12].
Tuesdays with Morrie David Esbjornson directs Mitch Albom's touching autobiographical tale feat. Alvin Epstein as Morrie & Jon Tenney as Mitch; Minetta Lane Theater, 18 Minetta La. (6th Ave.), 212-307-4100; Tues. at 7, $45-$65.
Versus Hour-long one-act about getting it on; Producer's Club, 358 W. 44th St. (betw. 8th & 9th Aves.), 212-206-1515; Mon. & Tues. at 8, $12 [through 1/12].