this week in music

OUT OF THE BOX FOLLIES

Who: Stephanie Byer, J. D. Brookshire, Georgia Buchanan, Susan Case, Susan Courtney, Kelly Gilmore, James Harter, Larry Stephen Hines, John Christopher Jones, Colleen Kennedy, Laurel Lockhart, Susan McBrien, Phil Mougis, Ward Nixon, Woody Regan, Joseph Rose, Betsy Ross, Gloria Sauvé, Sally Sherwood, Lin Snider, Jennifer Sherron Stock
What: Online streaming benefit
Where: Out of the Box Theatre Company
When: December 4-6, $20-$1,000
Why: Founded in 2006 by the late Scott Robinson, Out of the Box Theatre Company is a nonprofit that’s mission is “to feature working professionals at their peak and in their prime: seasoned actors, directors, and designers primarily past fifty years of age . . . and to present new interpretations of period plays and contemporary classics: works written in the last century and earlier.” Because of the pandemic lockdown, its annual fundraiser has moved online, where it will be streamed December 4-5 at 8:00 and December 5-6 at 3:00. “Out of the Box Follies” will consist of songs, sketches, poems, and more, including such tunes as “Vodka” by the George Gershwin, “Smile” by Charlie Chaplin, and “And I Was Beautiful” by Jerry Herman, a new skit by Susan Courtney and James Harter, who starred last year in Harvey, and an excerpt from William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The show is directed by Lin Snider, with music direction by Woody Regan. “The pandemic has presented so many challenges and hardships to performing artists,” producer Halina Malinowski said in a statement. “We decided that we wanted to give the our company members — the average age of the performers in this show is over sixty years old — a chance to perform when it’s not safe for many of them to leave their homes.” Tickets are $20 and up, depending on what you can afford.

THE ARS NOVA FOREVER TELETHON

Who: Julia Abueva, César Alvarez, Frankie Alvarez, Cathy Ang, Brittain Ashford, Jaclyn Backhaus, Courtney Bassett, Gelsey Bell, Nick Belton, Katja Blichfeld, Brian Bogin, Rachel Bonds, Hannah Bos, Michael Breslin, Salty Brine, Starr Busby, Andrew R. Butler, Nikki Calonge, Josh Canfield, Kennedy Caughell, Rachel Chavkin, Karen Chee, Manik Choksi, Claudia Chopek, Heather Christian, Lilli Cooper, Gavin Creel, Lea DeLaria, Blake Delong, Sonia Denis, Vinny DePonto, Dickie DiBella, Billy Eichner, Erik Ehn, Naomi Ekperigin, Bridget Everett, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ashley Pérez Flanagan, Patrick Foley, Peter Friedman, Laura Galindo, Nick Gaswirth, Matt Gehring, Alex Gibson, Betty Gilpin, Amber Gray, Deepali Gupta, Stephanie Hsu, Khiyon Hursey, Joomin Hwang, Joe Iconis, James Monroe Iglehart, Michael R. Jackson, Sakina Jaffrey, Kyle Jarrow, Mitra Jouhari, Jinwoo Jung, Stephen Karam, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Jennifer Kidwell, Billy Kiessling, Blaine Krauss, Mahayla Laurence, Arthur Lewis, Chris Lowell, Grace McLean, Dave Malloy, Andrew Mayer, Karyn Meek, Sammy Miller, James Monaco, Kaila Mullady, Shoba Narayan, Lila Neugebauer, Ryan O’Connell, Emily Oliveira, Isaac Oliver, Larry Owens, Ashley Park, Joél Pérez, Paul Pinto, Pearl Rhein, Matt Rogers, Phil Romano, Kyra Sedgwick, Shalewa Sharpe, Scott R. Sheppard, Brooke Shields, Rona Siddiqui, Leigh Silverman, Ben Sinclair, Tessa Skara, Peter Smith, Phillipa Soo, Scott Stangland, Chris “Shockwave” Sullivan, Babak Tafti, Jason Tam, Robin Lord Taylor, Stephanie Wright Thompson, Alex Timbers, Anthony Veneziale, Cathryn Wake, Natalie Walker, Jason “Sweettooth” Williams, Beau Willimon, Bess Wohl, Lauren Worsham, Katrina Yaukey, John Yi, Paloma Young, more
What: Virtual fundraiser
Where: Ars Nova online
When: Friday, December 4, free with RSVP (donations accepted), 6:00
Why: What, you were expecting something standard from Ars Nova? Then you don’t know the arts organization very well, do you? Whether you’re a longtime fan of the innovative company or a newbie, you’ll find a vast array of talent participating in the Ars Nova Forever Telethon, taking place over twenty-four consecutive hours beginning at 6:00 pm on December 4. Founded in 2002, Ars Nova develops and nurtures experimental, cutting-edge, innovative presentations at its main home on West Fifty-Fourth St. and its new satellite venue at Greenwich House; among its biggest recent successes are Small Mouth Sounds, The Lucky Ones, Rags Parkland Sings the Songs of the Future, boom, and Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812.

Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 will be celebrated by original cast members at Ars Nova Forever Telethon (photo by Ben Arons)

The telethon will feature appearances by such theatrical luminaries as Gavin Creel, Lea DeLaria, Bridget Everett, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Betty Gilpin, Amber Gray, Stephanie Hsu, James Monroe Iglehart, Michael R. Jackson, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Lila Neugebauer, Ashley Park, Kyra Sedgwick, Brooke Shields, Leigh Silverman, Phillipa Soo, Robin Lord Taylor, Alex Timbers, and Bess Wohl, among dozens of others, who are all listed above. Registration is free, but donations are encouraged based on what you can afford; if you make a gift of $100 or more in advance, you will receive a watch party box filled with goodies you can eat, drink, and wear during the show. The full schedule is below.

The Kickoff, hosted by Ashley Pérez Flanagan and Grace McLean, 6:00 pm

The Comet Comes Home, hosted by Rachel Chavkin & Dave Malloy, celebrating Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, 8:00 pm

Showgasm, hosted by Matt Rogers & Shalewa Sharpe, variety show, 10:00 pm

Isaac Oliver’s Lonely Quarantine, hosted by Isaac Oliver, midnight

The Witching Hour with the Neon Coven, hosted by the Neon Coven, 2:00 am

Cartoon Camp, hosted by Mahayla Laurence & Matt Gehring, 4:00 am

Ars Nova Rewind: Vintage Videos, rare archival footage, 6:00 am

Morning Meditations: An In-Home Retreat, hosted by Sakina Jaffrey, inspired by Small Mouth Sounds, 8:00 am

“Boom Crunch” Zoom Brunch: A Celebration of Theatrical Choices, hosted by Larry Owens & Natalie Walker, 10:00 am

So You Think You Can KPOP, hosted by Jason Tam, celebrating KPOP, noon

Thon-Tha-Thon-Thon-Thon, hosted by Freestyle Love Supreme, 2:00 pm

The Finale for the Future!, hosted by Lilli Cooper & Joél Pérez, 4:00 pm

MEDITATE AMERICA FOR A HEALTHY NATION

Who: Sting, Angelique Kidjo, Graham Nash, Elvis Costello, Kesha, Jim James, the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, Dr. Tony Nader, Hugh Jackman, Deborra-lee Furness, Katy Perry, Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, Dr. Jennifer Ashton
What: National celebration and benefit concert
Where: David Lynch Foundation
When: Thursday, December 3, free with RSVP, 7:00
Why: David Lynch began doing Transcendental Meditation in 1973 and opened the David Lynch Foundation in 2005 “to help prevent and eradicate the all-pervasive epidemic of trauma and toxic stress among at-risk populations through promoting widespread implementation of the evidence-based Transcendental Meditation program in order to improve their health, cognitive capabilities, and performance in life.” On December 3 at 7:00, the foundation is sponsoring “Meditate America,” a benefit concert seeking to bring TM to healthcare workers, veterans, and families under trauma and stress during the Covid-19 crisis. The free presentation will be hosted by Hugh Jackman, Deborra-lee Furness, Katy Perry, Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, and Dr. Jennifer Ashton and will feature performances by Sting, Angelique Kidjo, Graham Nash, Elvis Costello, Kesha, Jim James, and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus. Neuroscientist and international TM head Dr. Tony Nader will receive the Peace on Earth award.

AILEY FORWARD VIRTUAL SEASON

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater reimagines Revelations at Wave Hill for sixtieth anniversary of company masterpiece (photo by Nicole Tintle)

ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER: CELEBRATING SIX DECADES OF REVELATIONS
December 2-31, free, donations encouraged
www.alvinailey.org

It’s not the holidays without our annual visit to City Center to take in a few performances of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s monthlong winter residency. But with the pandemic lockdown, the venue is closed, so the season, dubbed “Ailey Forward,” is going virtual. From December 2 to 31, AAADT will present nine livestreamed programs, each of which will be available for one week following its debut, centered on a celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of Revelations. Admission is free, although donations are encouraged to help support the company.

“Despite adversity, Ailey’s holiday tradition will move forward this December with virtual performances sharing characteristic warmth, spirit, and artistry,” artistic director Robert Battle said in a statement. “Offered as a source of inspiration and unity, Ailey’s groundbreaking season will share special programs celebrating six decades of Revelations, reinvent classic works by our beloved founder, and honor Glenn Allen Sims and Linda Celeste Sims, whose long and illustrious career exemplifies why the Ailey dancers are so applauded.”

The season includes world premieres by Jamar Roberts and the trio of Matthew Rushing, Clifton Brown, and Yusha-Marie Sorzano; newly filmed excerpts from classics; talks with Wynton Marsalis, Toshi Reagon, and others; thematic evenings on the topics of spirit and social justice; and a tribute to two of the company’s most beloved dancers, Glenn Allen Sims and Linda Celeste Sims, who have been together since the late 1990s and got married in 2001. Below is the complete schedule.

Wednesday, December 2, through December 9
Opening Night Virtual Benefit: “Revelations Reimagined,” with excerpts filmed at Wave Hill in the Bronx, followed by a dance party, free with RSVP, 7:30

Saturday, December 5, through December 12
Family Program: Ailey & Ellington / BattleTalk with Wynton Marsalis, featuring Ailey’s Night Creature (performed by Ailey Extension in the streets, with commentary by teacher Sarita Allen, whom Ailey gave the lead role), Reflections in D (new solo by Vernard Gilmore), and Pas de Duke, filmed at the Woolworth Tower Residences in the Woolworth Building, followed by a discussion with Wynton Marsalis and Robert Battle, 2:00

Monday, December 7, through December 14
Dancing Spirit, with Hope Boykin performing the “This Little Light of Mine” excerpt from Matthew Rushing’s 2014 Odetta, two Alvin Ailey students performing a new duet by student performance group rehearsal director Freddie Moore set to Toshi Reagon’s “The Sun Will Never Go Down,” followed by a discussion with Battle, Reverend Dr. Eboni Marshall Turman, and Reagon, 7:30

Wednesday, December 9, through December 16
Celebrating Glenn Allen Sims & Linda Celeste Sims, with premiere of new recording of central duet from Billy Wilson’s 1992 The Winter in Lisbon, excerpts of the married couple performing in Night Creature and Polish Pieces and “Fix Me, Jesus” from Revelations, Linda in a solo from Ailey’s 1979 Memoria, Glenn in the finale of Ailey’s 1972 Love Songs, and a discussion with Linda, Glenn, and Ronald K. Brown, 7:30

Friday, December 11, through December 18
Dancing for Social Justice / BattleTalk with Kyle Abraham, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar & Bryan Stevenson, featuring excerpts from Jawole Willa Jo Zollar’s 1998 Shelter and Kyle Abraham’s 2016 Untitled America, followed by a discussion with Battle, Abraham, Zollar, and Equal Justice Initiative founder Bryan Stevenson, 7:30

Jacqueline Green and Yannick Lebrun perform Alvin Ailey’s Pas De Duke atop the Woolworth Building for winter season (photo courtesy of Ailey)

Monday, December 14, through December 21
World Premiere: A Jam Session for Troubling Times / BattleTalk with Jamar Roberts, featuring world premiere of Ailey dancer and resident choreographer Jamar Roberts’s A Jam Session for Troubling Times, filmed by Emily Kikta and Peter Walker, part of the global Bird100 centennial celebration of Charlie Parker, preceded by a discussion with Battle and Roberts, 7:30

Thursday, December 17, through December 24
World Premiere: Testament, a contemporary response to Revelations, by associate artistic director Matthew Rushing, company member and assistant to the rehearsal director Clifton Brown, and former company member Yusha-Marie Sorzano, featuring cinematography by Preston Miller and an original score by Damien Sneed, filmed at Wave Hill, followed by a discussion with Rushing, Brown, and Sorzano, 7:30

Saturday, December 19, through December 26
Family Program: Revelations, featuring a workshop of “Wade in the Water” and “Rocka My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham” from Revelations and a company performance of the work, with a focus on the word unique, 2:00

Wednesday, December 23, through December 31
Decades of Revelations, featuring highlights from sixty years of performances of Revelations, 7:30

ELEGIES FOR ANGELS, PUNKS, AND RAGING QUEENS WORLD AIDS DAY BENEFIT

Who: Brooks Ashmanskas, Laura Bell Bundy, Lena Hall, Robin de Jesús, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Nathan Lane, Norm Lewis, Kevin McHale, Jessie Mueller, Cynthia Nixon, Anthony Rapp, Krysta Rodriguez, Seth Rudetsky, JK Simmons, Alysha Umphress, Paul Castree, Richard Chamberlain, Charity Angél Dawson, Fran Drescher, J. Harrison Ghee, Gideon Glick, Lisa Howard, James Monroe Iglehart, Cherry Jones, Francis Jue, Vicki Lewis, Telly Leung, Stanley Wayne Mathis, Eric William Morris, Michael Notardonato, Okieriete Onaodowan, Kirsten Scott, Matthew Scott, Michael James Scott, Evan Todd, Mariand Torres, Michael Xavier, Danny Burstein, Judith Light, Billy Porter, Michael Urie, more
What: Abingdon Theater Company benefit for World AIDS Day
Where: Broadway on Demand
When: Tuesday, December 1, free, 5:00
Why: First produced at the Ohio Theatre in New York City in 1989, composer Janet Hood and lyricist Bill Russell’s Elegies for Angels, Punks, and Raging Queens consists of monologues from the perspective of AIDS victims and songs that explore the reaction of their deaths from friends and family. On World AIDS Day, Broadway on Demand, in conjunction with the Abingdon Theater Company, is hosting a virtual revival of the show, featuring an all-star cast of more than fifty actors, including Brooks Ashmanskas, Lena Hall, Fran Drescher, Nathan Lane, Norm Lewis, Richard Chamberlain, Jessie Mueller, Cynthia Nixon, Anthony Rapp, Krysta Rodriguez, James Monroe Iglehart, Cherry Jones, Seth Rudetsky, and JK Simmons, with special appearances by Danny Burstein, Judith Light, Billy Porter, and Michael Urie. It’s free to stream, although donations are encouraged for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The stories were inspired by the AIDS Memorial Quilt and Edgar Lee Masters’s Spoon River Anthology collection of interrelated free-verse poems and features such songs as “I’m Holding On to You,” “I Don’t Do That Anymore,” “I Don’t Know How to Help You,” and “Celebrate.”

SEATTLE ROCK ICONS FOUNDERS AWARD: ALICE IN CHAINS

Who: Korn, Billy Corgan, Metallica, Dave Navarro, Mastodon, Krist Novoselic, Taylor Hawkins, Mike McCready, Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Chris Chaney, Corey Taylor, Dallas Green, Duff McKagan, Chris DeGarmo, Fishbone, Liv Warfield, Shooter Jennings, Kim Thayil, Mark Lanegan, Tad Doyle, Ayron Jones, Maggie Björklund, Bill Herzog, Martin Feveyear, Bubba Dupree, Jennifer Johnson, Jillian Raye, Nathan Yaccino, Shaina Shepherd, Taylor Hawkins, Les Claypool, Jeff Ament, Mike McCready, Eddie Vedder, Sammy Hagar, Vernon Reid, Tom Morello, Robert Downey Jr., Lily Cornell Silver, more
What: Museum of Pop Culture Founders Award presentation to Alice in Chains and fundraiser
Where: MoPOP Facebook, Amazon Music Twitch
When: Tuesday, December 1, free with RSVP (donations accepted), 9:00
Why: Formed in 1987 in Seattle, Alice in Chains has released a mere six studio albums in its history, from 1990’s Facelift to 2018’s Rainier Fog, spreading its unique brand of heavy metal grunge in its own way, primarily live. On December 1, the band, consisting of lead guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist Jerry Cantrell, drummer Sean Kinney, bassist Mike Inez, and rhythm guitarist William DuVall, will be honored with the Museum of Pop Culture’s Founders Award in an online presentation that features performances and tributes from such famous fans as Korn, Billy Corgan, Metallica, Dave Navarro, Krist Novoselic, Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Duff McKagan, Fishbone, Shooter Jennings, Kim Thayil, Mark Lanegan, Les Claypool, Jeff Ament, Mike McCready, Eddie Vedder, Sammy Hagar, Vernon Reid, Tom Morello, and Robert Downey Jr. in addition to the debut of Lily Cornell Silver, the daughter of Chris Cornell and Susan Silver. AIC will take the virtual stage as well; the evening will also include songs from Sound Off! artists Katy Rose, Human Missile Crisis, David’s Van, and Talaya.

“It feels truly special to receive the MoPOP Founders Award in our home town of Seattle. It’s also humbling to be joined by so many of our friends, peers and heroes to rock some AIC tunes,” Cantrell said in a statement. “I hope people watching enjoy the show as much as we did putting it together. A big hearty thanks to everyone who participated in making this virtual thing happen during these strange times. Music has the power to unite, heal and inspire. It is all of ours. Let’s continue to create and celebrate that which feeds the soul. Rawk on!” Cofounder Kinney added, “When we got to make our first record, I thought, great, we will be able to make one record, do our thing, and hope for the best. Now, thirty years later, to get this award and still be touring and making music is the most amazing feeling. We are brothers with all of the craziness that goes with it. This is for Layne [Staley], Mike [Starr], and for all of us now. We can’t wait to get back out on the road once this hellish pandemic is behind us.” The event will be streamed live on Facebook and Twitch; admission is free but donations will be accepted for the museum, which is based in Seattle.

L’DOR V’DOR: GENERATION TO GENERATION

“Generation to Generation” benefit features Michael Zegen, Golem, and the Butnick family

Who: Michael Zegen, Stephanie Butnick, Golem, Howard and Elyse Butnick and Family
What: Virtual program with music and discussion
Where: Museum of Jewish Heritage, Facebook, YouTube
When: Wednesday, December 2, free (donations accepted), 7:00
Why: The Museum of Jewish Heritage’s annual “L’dor V’dor: Generation to Generation” goes virtual this year, streaming live on Facebook, YouTube, and mjhnyc.org The event, which raises funds and awareness to fight bigotry and anti-Semitism, will feature an interview between third-generation Holocaust survivor and Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Michael Zegen with Tablet deputy editor and Unorthodox podcast cohost Stephanie Butnick, live music by Klezmer faves Golem, and a tribute to museum trustee and son of Holocaust survivors Howard Butnick and his family. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. As the museum notes, “History is now.”