What to see, do and hear: “Pirates,” Tinsley Ellis, MOCA GA exhibit and more

THEATER

Based on the snappy 1982 film comedy of the same name starring Dustin Hoffman, Tootsie, (above) opening January 25 at the Fox Theatre, again spins the story of Michael Dorsey, a New York actor who can’t get a job because, as his agent says, “no one will work with you.” So he adopts the persona and look of an older Southern actress named Dorothy Michaels and lands a plum role almost immediately, thus complicating his life and career in the process. Instead of the soap opera role of the film, the musical version of Tootsie has Dorsey landing a gig in — what else? — a musical, a ridiculous-sounding sequel to Romeo and Juliet. The Tony-winning book is by Robert Horn, the score by David Yazbek. Through January 30. Masks required.

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Due to what an Aurora Theatre announcement termed “unavoidable casting changes,” the opening of Feeding Beatrice has been pushed back a week. This thriller with dark comedy elements will now open on January 27. Patrons with tickets for the impacted dates may email the Aurora Theatre box office at boxoffice@auroratheatre.com or call 678-226-6222 for rescheduling options. In Kirsten Greenridge’s script, Lurie and June, a Black couple who just became homeowners, get way more than they bargained for when they encounter the ravenously hungry ghost of a young White girl from the early 20th century. Through February 6. Masks required unless actively eating or drinking.

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As a safety precaution, the Alliance Theatre’s Hertz Stage production of Dream Hou$e, which was to have begun previews on January 22, is now scheduled to begin performances on January 28. It also will be available to stream online February 11 to 27 on the Alliance’s website. Eliana Pipes’ 2021/22 Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition winner follows two Latinx sisters selling their family home via an HGTV-style reality show. That’s before things take a surreal turn. Through February 13. Masks required plus proof of vaccination (for ages 12 and older) or a negative test.

MUSIC

Atlanta’s own Tinsley Ellis kicks off a national tour and celebrates the release of his 20th album, Devil May Care, with two shows Friday at City Winery. The concerts will be the first for the blues-rock guitarist in two years and will feature Ellis performing the full album, which pays homage to The Allman Brothers Band. The early bird show is at 6:30 p.m. and the second show is at 9:30 p.m. All guests must be fully vaccinated and masked. Tickets start at $30.

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The Atlanta Opera returns to the stage with a production of The Pirates of Penzance that runs January 22-30 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. The Gilbert and Sullivan classic tale of pirates and true love stars tenor Santiago Ballerini as Frederic. Because of the spike in Covid cases, ticket holders will have two options: They can see the performance live (proof of vaccination or a negative test within 48 hours are required) or they can livestream from home. Tickets start at $45. (Photo by Jeff Roffman)

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DANCE

Core Dance is hosting a virtual conversation on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. with artistic director Sue Schroeder and Adam Larsen, whose film The Unanswered Question is showing in the Core Dance studio windows. Larson, a REEL Art: Movement 3 creator, is a renowned documentary filmmaker and projection designer. His film explores “the moment when one exhausts oneself and finally wakes to the world around.” Created in collaboration with Schroeder, it features dance artist Erik Thurmond. The film is visible nightly from dusk till midnight through February 18th. Free.

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ART+DESIGN

The fifth installment of the biennial exhibition Gathered V: Georgia Artists Selecting Georgia Artists opens Saturday at MOCA GA. Jurors Krista Clark, Gregor Turk and Lucha Rodriguez selected the artwork of 46 Georgia artists from a pool of 300 applicants. The exhibit includes sculpture, painting, printmaking, photography, textiles and new media. Through March 19. $5. Tickets required. Covid protocols include timed entry. Masks required.

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The group show TURNING POINT opens at Spalding Nix on Friday and features work by Aimée Farnet Siegel, Michael Porten, Coleman Mills and Nancy Talero. Siegel’s latest body of work, Gift Re-Gifted, was born out of a shift in her perception of the giving and receiving of gifts. Porten takes a new approach to portraiture and Mills’ series, From The Water’s Edge, examines the transition of where the water meets the sky. Talero’s series, Bending the Rules, challenges convention by utilizing irregular multi-panel formations. In each case, the artists examine how we can change, offering us new visual “turning points.” Two-day socially distanced opening on Friday from 12-7 p.m. and Saturday from 12-4 p.m. Masks required.

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The group exhibit Something to Declare at the Marietta-Cobb Art Museum features more than 20 Latin-American artists from across the eastern United States. It aims to address some of the conditions that drive these artists to create and proclaim “we are here” and also explores the concept that ideas, customs and objects can travel between cultures. General admission $8. Through March 20. Masks encouraged.

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BOOKS

Best-selling author Sam Quinones (Dreamland) talks about his latest work, The Least Of Us, in a virtual Author Talks session through the Atlanta History Center on January 27. Quinones’ first book looked at America’s opioid epidemic, and this one expands on that, looking at synthetic drugs such as fentanyl and methamphetamine that are being manufactured in Mexico and smuggled into the United States. The author will be in conversation with Virginia Prescott. The event is free, but registration is required.

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