Events this weekend include “The Voice” finalist T.J. Wilkins taking on his biggest role yet — as Barack Obama — and Emmy-nominated funnywoman Sam Jay closing out Lincoln Center’s Comedy Series.
Also, the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company brings a classic holiday showcase to Flushing Town Hall and “Emily In Paris” star Ashley Park honors Korean culture in an exhibition at Genesis House.
Theater
“44 The Musical”
Daryl Roth Theatre—101 East 15th St,. Manhattan (Union Square)
Through Jan. 6. Various times.
The man currently wowing audiences as Barack Obama in the off-Broadway romp “44 The Musical,” doesn’t look anything like the beloved former U.S. President. But he doesn’t have to. Alongside R&B hitmaker Shanice as Michelle Obama, the Eli Bauman-helmed musical comedy has become a sleeper hit with audiences and has extended past its initial end date.
T.J. Wilkins, a finalist of season six of “The Voice,” has the cadence and mannerisms of the former president down pat. “Well, I kind of knew going in that one of our disadvantages, if you will, was that I don’t resemble him,” he told The Daily News. “But our director said: ‘Man, I want you to give me the essence.’ So, the body language, the speech pattern and cadence, all of those things are in my control.”
The Los Angeles native added that, “at certain points, people go, ‘Wow, you really remind me so much of him.’ And that’s when I know my work is done.”
“44 The Musical,” which had successful runs in Los Angeles and Chicago, satirically traces the rise and presidency of Obama, as well as the polarizing political figures he encountered along the way such as Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz, Herman Cain and Sarah Palin.
Wilkins, 35, started singing in a South Central nightclub at age 11 and later toured the world with The Jacksons. Though he didn’t win “The Voice,” his destiny to take center stage was only delayed.
“It really is an honor to be doing this show and being able to forge my own path, you know,” he said. “And I’m a big believer in what’s for you will never pass you by. And so in that case, this project was tailor-made for me in a lot of different ways. And to have had enough belief and faith to say yes to being a part of it. I’m truly thankful, man.”
Tickets start at $44.
Comedy
Sam Jay: “We The People”
Claire Tow Theater— 150 West 65th St, Manhattan (Upper West Side)
Through Dec. 14. Various showtimes.
Sam Jay is the final headliner closing out Lincoln Center’s inaugural comedy series at the small black box that typically features serious dramas.
For the Emmy Award-nominated comedian, the venue provides a new opportunity for her latest stand-up show, which won acclaim at U.K.’s Edinburgh Festival 2025 over the summer.
“I really enjoy doing the show, kind of for a more theater-style audience every night, and kind of bringing them into my world and into my head, and kind of letting them walk around with me for a little while,” she told The News. “The staff has also just been super supportive, and I’ve been enjoying the process with director Mike Donahue, just kind of looking at the work every day and seeing how we can make it stronger and better. And I don’t think I’ve lived in a piece of stand-up like this in years, so it’s been a very kind of familiar but refreshing process.”
In “We The People,” the openly queer comedian riffs on politics, race relations, the future generation’s lack of social skills and challenges her own difficulty with non-binary identity — even suggesting a late rock music icon could be considered as such: “Prince essentially was non-binary. You know? He was just like, “Yo, you can’t put me in any box. You know what I mean?”
The latest work has inspired the former “SNL” writer to film a new standup special. “…it will be different [from] what we’ve seen this week. But the goal is to …grow this piece into my strongest special.”
Tickets start at $35.
Dance
“Navidad”
Flushing Town Hall—137-35 Northern Blvd, Queens (Flushing)
Sat. Dec. 13, 2 p.m.
Calpulli Mexican Dance Company puts a folklórico spin on “The Nutcracker” classic with inspiration from Aztec tradition.
Fusing mariachi and Tchaikovsky, 20 dancers and 14 core musicians tell the story of a New York-born child of Mexican descent who learns to love and respect the holiday traditions of both her native cultures.
Tickets are $15.
Film
“Dick Van Dyke: 100th Celebration“
Select AMC and Regal theaters
Dec. 13 and Dec. 14, various showtimes
Emmy-winners Steve Boettcher and Michael Trinklein pay homage to legendary entertainer Dick Van Dyke, who celebrates his centennial birthday on Saturday.
A well-decorated comedic force with six Emmys, a Grammy, and a Tony Award to his credit,Van Dyke sits down for the feature-length documentary to share insights about his childhood, his big break in entertainment and some of his most memorable roles such as “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Mary Poppins” and “Chitty, Chitty Bang, Bang” — all while juggling his life off screen as a family man.
Alongside a treasure trove of rare archival footage, the 100-minute film features exclusive interviews with Van Dyke’s late co-stars Betty White, Chita Rivera, Carl Reiner and Mary Tyler Moore.
Tickets are $20, plus fees.
Music
“”A Very Merry Brooklyn Handel’s Messiah”
Old First Reformed Church—729 Carroll St., Brooklyn (Park Slope)
Sat. Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m.
The Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra is joining the New York Choral Society to perform holiday favorites for their annual holiday concerts.
The show will feature accomplished mezzo-soprano Melody Wilson singing carols, choral works and baroque period composer George Frideric Handel’s timeless classic. Wilson’s credits include The Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Hungarian State Opera
Tickets are $40.
Talk
Caribbean Theatre Festival – Caribbean Calling: Roots & Resurgence
The Billie Holiday Theatre—1368 Fulton Street, Brooklyn (Bedford Stuyvesant)
Sat. Dec. 13. 5 – 9 p.m.
The latest addition to its ongoing Black Narrative theater series, the historic venue will host the one-day festival featuring English language works from Caribbean playwrights.
Obie Award-winner Heather Alicia Simms and Drama Desk Award-nominee Patrice Johnson Chevannes curated the event “to shine a light on the artistry, innovation and cultural resonance that Caribbean playwrights have contributed for decades.”
Apollo Theater executive producer Kamilah Forbes — recently selected to Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition committee on arts and culture — will moderate a discussion of the Caribbean’s cultural contributions to global Black storytelling and the pathways for Caribbean artists in today’s theatre ecosystem. Panelists include playwright Karl O’Brien Williams, New York Theater Workshop artistic director Patricia McGregor, director Nicole Watson and Tony-winning producer Lamar Richardson.
Tickets are $20, plus fees.
Free
“CHROMA: Tales Between Hues”
Genesis House—40 Tenth Ave., Manhattan (Meatpacking District)
Through Dec. 14. Various times.
“Emily in Paris” star Ashley Park is the creative visionary behind a new immersive installation inspired by Korea’s rich cultural heritage and traditional folktales. The experience takes a vivid journey through six distinct worlds set against the Obangsaek color spectrum.
“As a proud Korean American, I am interested in connecting inspiration from my heritage and family, with the scope of both universal conversations and the personal journeys of the characters I create and the stories I tell,” the Tony-nominated actress and singer said.
Free.
If you have an upcoming weekend event you’d like to submit for consideration in an upcoming roundup, please email: nycevents@nydailynews.com with the full event listing details. Consideration does not guarantee inclusion.
