March Theatre & Cinema Highlights

3/7 through 3/30– MAN OF LA MANCHA at Center for Performing Arts, Rhinebeck—“To dream the impossible dream…” Sounds somehow right in an election year, doesn’t it? This perennially popular musical version of the classic tale of Cervantes’ Don Quixote is a play within a play set in sixteenth century Spain, with Cervantes himself in a prison awaiting questioning by the Inquisition. While waiting, he is put on trial by the other inmates who attempt to destroy his manuscript, and must use his storytelling power (and awesome singing voice) to defend himself. With book by Dale Wasserman, music by Mitch Leigh, and lyrics by Joe Darion, this Up In One Production features local favorites Andrew Weintraub, Lisa Lynds, Thomas Webb, and Bill Ross, and is directed by Laurie Sepe Marder. Center for Performing Arts, Rte. 308, Rhinebeck, www.centerforperformingarts.org, 845.876.3080. Fr/Sa 8 PM, Su 3 PM

3/7 through 3/23– FAITH HEALER at Performing Arts of Woodstock, Woodstock—In four monologues delivered by three actors, Brian Friel (author of DANCING AT LUGHNASA) offers a gripping analysis of the bewildering nature of the gift of the artist, as well as the mystery of the human gift of healing. FAITH HEALER is the unforgiving and exalting tale of Frank, an itinerant and erratic healer of the sick, his lover Grace, and his manager, Teddy, and explores the sometimes malleable nature of truth. Directed by Eric Jagoda, and featuring Michael DaTorre, Linda Reznick, and Giles W. Kelder. Performing Arts of Woodstock, Woodstock Town Hall, 76 Tinker St., Woodstock, www.performingartsofwoodstock.org, 845.679.7900. Fr/Sa 8 PM; Su 4 PM

Fr 3/14– WORLD POETRY CAFÉ presents CHERYL BOYCE TAYLOR, at Café Mezzaluna, Saugerties—Bob Holman, founder of the Bowery Poetry Club, has called her the “‘Poet Laureate’ of Trinidad via Lower East Side/Brooklyn. A rollicking life force churns air into dance when Cheryl reads her poems, sings and raves her poems.” Cheryl Boyce Taylor has published three books and a spoken word CD, Mango Pretty. Her poems have appeared in Def Poetry Jam: Bum Rush the Page, ALOUD: Voices from the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and other anthologies, and she has performed at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Joyce Theater, Lincoln Center, Bowery Poetry Club, and on the Lollapolooza tour. Oh, and she’s the mother of Phife Dawg, of A Tribe Called Quest. Not your grandma’s poetry reading. Café Mezzaluna Bistro Latino and Gallery, 626 Rte. 212, Saugerties, 845.679.0431 (World Poetry Café), 845.246.5306 (Café Mezzaluna). 7 PM

Su 3/16, Su 3/30– GEORGE CARLIN (3/16) and HAIRSPRAY (3/30) at UPAC, Kingston—Whether or not you agree with him, or approve his often salty use of language, if you’ve ever seen or heard George Carlin and not laughed out loud at least once well… that’s not a good sign, you should have that looked at. (Full disclosure: multiple listenings to Class Clown at tender age of 14. Don’t tell Mom.) Politics, religion, everybody and everything is fair game, and Carlin a crack sniper. Presented by Comedy Concepts. Then, two weeks later, the National tour of Broadway hit HAIRSPRAY hits town. Based on the popular John Waters film, it won eight Tony awards in 2003. Big girls, big hair, and Baltimore… and one of the better movie–to–musical adaptations out there. Presented by the Roberts Group. Ulster Performing Arts Center, 601 Broadway, Kingston, www.upac.org 845.339.6088. Both shows 7 PM

Tu 4/8– ALTERCATION PUNK STANDUP TOUR 2008, at Keegan Ale House, Kingston—Long time punk/underground magazine and record label Altercation is well known as a reliable source of information about the best touring and recording bands from the “wrong side of the tracks.” Previous Altercation tours have featured Blase Debris, Casket Architects, Tub Ring, The Bloody Hollies, and Born To Lose. This go–round features four rising stars on the underground comedy scene: New York’s Chris Cubas, Portland’s Richie Stratton, Boston’s Duncan Wilder, and none other than Altercation publisher JT Habersaat. Keegan Ale House, 20 St. James St., Kingston, www.keeganales.com, 845.331.2739. Call for time.