Ars Nova
511 West 54th St. between Tenth & Eleventh Aves.
February 1-12, $15, 8:00
www.arsnovanyc.com/thewiiplays
Ars Nova’s annual Play Group production goes the gaming route in February with THE Wii PLAYS, a collection of short works with live music by Brooklyn-based indie pop band Super Mirage. Each play is based on the name of a Nintendo Wii game; the collaborative has previously put on evenings based on Wikipedia entries, missed connections, and favorite songs, and in this case had nearly one thousand titles to choose from. First released in November 2006, the Wii instantly gained notoriety for its wireless ability, taking on such video-game leaders as the Xbox and PlayStation 3. This year’s theatrical lineup at Ars Nova features Wii Tennis by Molly Smith Metzler, Barbie as the Island Princess by Tasha Gordon-Solmon, Let’s Tap by Janine Nabers, Marvel Superhero Squad by Chad Beckim, Buck Fever by Samuel D. Hunter, Alien Monster Bowling League by Matthew Lopez, Tomb Raider: Anniversary by Kara Lee Corthron, Burger Island by Gregory Moss, All Star Cheer Squad by Jenny Connell, Sword Play: Speed Slice by Kristoffer Diaz, Bob the Builder: Festival of Fun by Amy Herzog, and Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games by Joe Tracz, with direction by Lila Neugebauer, Portia Krieger, Stephen Brackett, and Laura Savia, costumes by Tilly Grimes, and lighting by Grant Yeager. The cast includes Jenni Barber, Andrew Garman, Donnetta Lavinia Grays, Christopher Jackson, Zach Shaffer, and Robbie Sublett. Be sure to leave your consoles at home.