FRÄULEIN MARIA: This hilarious deconstruction of The Sound of Music finally comes to Boston. |
Fall dance starts at the very beginning, which is a very good place to start, with Doug Elkins and Friends’ hilarious send-up of The Sound of Music, and continues straight through to the brink of the holiday season with an authentic Gypsy “Ole!” from a pair of flamenco cousins.
DOUG ELKINS AND FRIENDS IN FRÄULEIN MARIA | September 23-October 3 | Julie Andrews never could have anticipated this hilarious cross-dressed and cheerfully deconstructed version of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music, which first made its appearance at Joe’s Pub in New York and became a word-of-mouth sensation. Doug Elkins’s downtown dance “friends” include familiar faces — the Bang Group’s Jeff Kazin as Captain von Trapp, and David Parker, who alternates with Johnny Sorensen-Jolink as Liesl. The dance-world in-jokes are divinely apt, but this family-friendly show will keep even dance “novices” in stitches. | Paramount Theatre, 559 Washington St, Boston | $25-$69 | 617.824.8000 or artsemerson.org
CAITLIN CORBETT DANCE COMPANY, DANIEL MCCUSKER DANCE PROJECTS, AND KELLEY DONOVAN & DANCERS | October 1-2 | An inspired sampler brings together three of the Boston area’s most distinctive dancemakers in repertory and brand new works that range from the simple to the sinewy. Expect carefully crafted abstract dances that aren’t afraid to display the human heart beating underneath. They may also give you a new appreciation of the artists working in our midst. | Institute of Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave, Boston | $30 | 617.876.4275 or worldmusic.org
TWIST & SHOUT — AN EVENING OF MUSIC, DANCE & SPOKEN WORD | October 2 | OrigiNation Cultural Center — the Roxbury institution that brings the arts to young people ages 5-18 as a way of building self-esteem, discipline, and civic engagement — hosts its annual hip-hop-flavored benefit. This year’s featured acts are the NIA Dance Troupe, Girlz of IMANI, IMANI, Jr., Aleye Boyz Troupe, and spoken-word artist — and OrigiNation faculty member — Omekongo. | Media Arts Center at Roxbury Community College, 1234 Columbus Ave, Roxbury | $15-$35 | 617.541.1875 or originationinc.org
DANCE IN THE FELLS | October 9 [rain date October 16] | The wooded landscape of the Middlesex Fells — the preserve running through Medford, Winchester, and Stoneham — will be animated by the collective efforts of five local choreographers and artists celebrating the natural world, each committed to exploring and revealing new aspects of a distinct geography. Produced by Kyna Hamill and Wanda Strukus, this five-hour-long festival will offer John Kramer at the Sheepfold, EgoArt/Nicole Pierce at the South Reservoir, Sara Smith at Panther’s Cave, Joan Green at Molly’s Spring, and Monkeyhouse at Wright’s Tower — their vision to be fulfilled by “32 intrepid dancers and 10 exceptionally good dogs.” Bring sunblock, comfortable shoes, and, if you want, a folding chair. | Free | 617.383.4831 or tworoads.org for further information and directions
MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP | October 14-17 | As Marty Jones prepares to step down from the leadership of the Celebrity Series, Mark Morris whips up a new dance in her honor — and you can see that world premiere besides the Boston debuts of Morris’s boisterous Empire Garden (to Charles Ives) and Excursions (to Samuel Barber). | Cutler Majestic Theatre, 219 Tremont St, Boston | $53-$80 | 617.482.6661 or celebrityseries.org
