Highlights this week include Lisa B. Lewis’ all-inclusive Omnium Circus, Zora Howard’s emotionally stirring “Hang Time” and Jerrod Carmichael workshopping new comedy material.
Free events include Community Day at The Studio Museum in Harlem, and a pro wrestling lookalike contest on Coney Island.
Circus
Omnium Circus
Queens Theatre—Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 14 United Nations Ave S, Queens ( Corona)
Sun. Nov. 16, 3 p.m.
The Brooklyn-based circus arts company, founded by Lisa B. Lewis in 2020, continues its mission of welcoming inclusivity and accessibility for both patrons and performers.
Its latest show on national tour, the revamped “I’mPossible” — showcasing circus performers with disabilities — is making a one-day stop in New York City.
“I always felt like everybody needed to be a part of the joy,” Lewis told The Daily News. “Everyone is so full of so much pain and anguish and just so much that to allow people the moment to breathe and to share joy with their families is something very, very special.”
Lewis worked as a clown for years at Ringling Bros. and other companies, She’s now dedicated to bringing true representation of diversity to the circus.
“When you look on stage, it’s not the White Russian circus, it’s the everybody circus, you feel connected,” Lewis said. “To have artists with disabilities, to have artists without disabilities, to have artists who are Black, white, green, purple, blue, Asian, Hispanic, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, is to have it truly of the people.”
The 90-minute performance will incorporate audio description, closed captions, sensory-friendly lighting and sound, and a calm environment where movement and vocalization from audience members are welcome.
Tickets start at $27.
Theater
The Apollo; Jason Zeren)
“Hang Time”
The Apollo Stages at the Victoria Theater—233 West 125th St 3rd Floor, Manhattan (Harlem)
Through Nov. 15, Various times.
Zora Howard returns to her roots with her emotionally arresting work centering on unfiltered conversations between three lynched Black men hanging in a tree.
The play, now starring Kamal Bolden, Julian Rozzell and Bryce Foley, was in contention for a Pulitzer Prize for Drama when it first premiered at The Flea in 2023. The Harlem-bred playwright and director has since toured the show nationally to rave reviews.
“This homecoming marks both the culmination of a remarkable artistic journey and a celebration of The Flea’s enduring commitment to bold, visionary theater,” said artistic director Niegel Smith.
General admission tickets are $57.25.
Art
“Community Day”
The Studio Museum in Harlem—144 West 125th St., Manhattan (Harlem)
Sat. Nov. 15, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
As part of its reopening celebration, the redesigned venue welcomes the public to explore its inaugural exhibitions, participate in art-making workshops and enjoy performances, games, giveaways and DJ sets throughout the day.
Through its $300 million fundraising efforts during its eight year closure, the seven floor, 82,000 square foot building was designed by Adjaye Associates with Cooper Robertson as executive architect.
“From the Studio: Fifty-Eight Years of Artists in Residence,” a first-of-its-kind presentation features more than 130 new works by more than 100 alumni of the museum’s residency program.
“We welcome Harlem and all the world into the home we have dreamed of having,” director and chief curator Thelma Golden said. “Our mission as champions of artists of African descent and their practices is as urgent today as it ever was and is made all the more possible because of our remarkable new building.”
Free.
Competition
“No Holds Barred: A Pro Wrestling Lookalike Competition”
Coney Island USA— 1208 Surf Ave., Brooklyn (Coney Island)
Sun. Nov. 16, 1 p.m.
“Smell what the Rock is cooking” (or use any other cheesy taglines from WWE greats) at the first ever Pro Wrestling Lookalike Contest in Coney Island.
Straight off the success of the Pee-wee Herman doppelgänger display held this summer, the latest cosplay event envisioned by Coney Island USA artistic director Adam Rinn invites WWF and WWE fans to break out the spandex and elbow pads for what he called anticipates will be a “no holds barred extravaganza.”
Up and coming grapplers from the Rising Stars of Wrestling promotion — such as Amity Lavey, Izzy Moreno, The Outbreak, JRod The Ultimate Athlete and Magic Girl Cosmic — will be on hand for a meet and greet, while Rinn and his co-host Little Brooklyn channel 1980s pop culture figures Captain Lou Albano and Cyndi Lauper.
“There was always a strong connection between sideshows, carnivals and professional wrestling,” he told The News. “In the late 1800s professional wrestling shows were set up on traveling carnival lots across the country …So in keeping with the theme I figured, let’s have the first ever Coney Island professional wrestling lookalike contest.”
Free.
Dance
“Rennie Harris Puremovement: American Street Dancer”
The Joyce Theater—175 8th Ave, Manhattan (Chelsea)
Through Nov. 16, Various times.
Hip hop innovator and Alvin Ailey choreographer Lorenzo “Rennie” Harris’ PureMovement dance company is presenting the New York premiere of a new work that honors the roots, rhythm and evolution of street dance across the country.
From Detroit’s Jitting and Chicago’s Footwork to Philadelphia’s GQ and the percussive syncopations of tap, the piece shines light on the lineage of street dance through regional styles. There’s also a live hip-hop orchestra of bucket drummers, beatboxers and DJ Razor Ramon transforming the stage into a living cipher that features artists such as Ayodele Casel, House of Jit, Creation Global and Akim Funk Buddha.
Tickets start at $17.
Comedy
“Jerrod Carmichael Live on Stage at Lincoln Center Theater”
The Claire Tow Theater—150 West 65th St., Manhattan (Upper West Side)
Through Nov.16. 8:30 p.m.
Jerrod Carmichael is the latest comedian to headline the new comedy series produced by Seaview at the 112-seat black box theater on top of Lincoln Center Theater.
Taking a crumpled up piece of paper from his pocket, the Emmy-winning funnyman casually workshops new material while sitting down in front of the audience.
During his hour-long plus set, Carmichael, in his confessional and radically honest storytelling style, explores his views on oral sex, his father’s infidelity, younger Grindr hookups and more.
Tickets start at $38.50
Free
“Gustave Caillebotte: Young Man at His Window/Boating Party”
Espace Louis Vuitton New York—6 East 57th St., Manhattan (Midtown)·
Through Nov.16, Various times.
Global luxury giant Louis Vuitton‘s new New York gallery displays art exhibitions within its retail space. First up are two major works by French impressionist painter Gustave Caillebotte: Jeune homme à sa fenêtre (“Young Man at His Window,” 1876) and Partie de bateau (“Boating Party,” circa 1877-1878).
The 2022 acquisition of the painting was made possible through a collaboration between Fondation Louis Vuitton, the Musée d’Orsay and the J. Paul Getty Museum. The luxury goods company donated nearly $47 million for the oil on canvas showing an oarsman in a top hat rowing on water.
The showing is a unique opportunity for art lovers to experience Caillebotte’s work, which does not have a major museum presence.
Free, with reservations.
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 listing details. Consideration does not guarantee inclusion.
