Highlights this weekend include a modern twist on dinner theater, Andre De Shields raising holy hell in the House of the Redeemer and Emily Coates revisiting George Balanchine’s “choreographic legacy.”
Also, a family-friendly roller disco opens in Brooklyn and the Rockettes‘ 100th anniversary is celebrated in a new exhibit on Broadway.
Eats
“Suite 524’s Pop Up Dinner Theater”
Barlume—900 Broadway, Manhattan (Gramercy)
Sun. Nov. 23, 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Foodies never have had blue crab toast, fava bean hummus, steak frites and tiramisu served up the way Michael Domitrovich and his theater nerd cronies are doing it.
This modern twist on dinner theater has been temporarily produced in the lower level of Barlume, a popular Mediterranean restaurant that opened last year.
Guests chow down on a four-course meal while four short plays happen all around them, bringing immersive theater to a whole other level. And that’s the former chef, playwright, director, performer and author prefers it.
“Part of what we’re trying to do is take the old form and mix it with, really Downtown method acting, hardcore New York theater theater,” Domitrovich told The Daily News. “…And I like the energy of pop up restaurants and just the opportunity to do something really bespoke.”
The plays: Michael Sharp‘s “The Cowboy,” Sandi Farkas’ “Peekos At Barlume,” Eduardo Machado‘s “Fine Dining” and Domitrovich’s own “See The Forest” are all set in a bar or restaurant. For the strictly limited engagement, the audience is fully engaged by Mateo d’Amato, who first introduces himself as the waiter before performing as the emcee throughout each work.
The former Montauk Yacht Club chef, who grew up working at his mother’s popular Southern seafood restaurant in Martha’s Vineyard as a teen, said he and his partners at Suite 524 are “dedicated to preserving live theater in this new AI era,” which includes making it more accessible to the audience.
“Part of that is,” Domitrovich explains, ” answering the question of how can you do better theater for less money? “We are trying to respond to the state of the world and the industry by saying, ‘Hey, we actually have a show that we can do pretty cheaply and pretty quickly, which, as you know, I mean, is almost impossible.”
Tickets are $165, including food.
Theater
“André De Shields is Tartuffe”
House of the Redeemer — 7 East 95th St, Manhattan (Upper East Side)
Through Nov. 23. Various times.
At 79, Tony-winning Broadway veteran André De Shields is living out his wildest dream in the titular role of Molière’s 17th century scandalous satire.
Though the dream he kept close to his vest growing up in Baltimore was to excel in the arts like his idol Sammy Davis, Jr., De Shields feels “Tartuffe” is the greatest opportunity he’s had as a “Black artist activist” to reflect the sign of the times in regards to current events.
“[It’s] a thinly veiled comment on the current political situation in the United States of America, that is pretty much being a mirror for 17th century France,” he shared. “Obviously, Molière wrote “Tartuffe,” but we use [the title] ‘Andre De shields is Tartuffe’ so the intended audience can expect certain idiosyncratic attention made to the piece, one of them being that this is going to be an exorcism of hypocrisy. And where is hypocrisy most prevalent in the United plantations of America right now? In the White House. So if you come to see Tartuffe and not go away knowing the comments we were not even subtly making, then you’ve missed the point.”
Theatergoers are in on the action as they sit in the library of the historic mansion once owned by the Vanderbilts and now considered a “place apart” for charitable causes.
At a distance so close you can touch him, De Shields is at the top of his craft as the scheming, lascivious scoundrel running game and raising holy hell on a wealthy middle-aged religious zealot’s family. The “Hadestown” star is joined by a cast that includes Tony winner Amber Iman and Chris Hahn — for Ranjit Bolt’s rhythmic translation of the bewitching comedy helmed by Keaton Wooden.
Tickets start at $82.
Dance
“Tell Me Where It Comes From”
The Guggenheim—1071 Fifth Ave., Manhattan (Upper East Side)
Sun. Nov. 23, 7 p.m.
The Works & Process performance arts series is giving space to award-winning dancer, writer, and choreographer Emily Coates for the world premiere of “Tell Me Where It Comes From,” which has been described as an unexpected portrait of George Balanchine’s “choreographic legacy.”
The former New York City Ballet alum, who also worked with Mikhail Baryshnikov, Twyla Tharp and Mark Morris, is directed by Ain Gordon for the performance project revisiting the late ballet pioneer’s early muses, unanswered letters, lost ballets, old photographs and music exercises.
Tickets start at $25.
Music
Brandy & Monica: The Boy Is Mine Tour
Prudential Center —25 Lafayette St, Newark, N.J.
Fri. Nov. 21, 7 p.m.
Brandy Norwood and Monica Arnold have reunited for a cross-country trek that is giving their legions of loyal fans all the nostalgic 1990s feels. The tour hits the area this week with stops at Barclays Center (Thurs), Prudential (Friday) and Atlantic City on Saturday.
The former teen pop music powerhouses behind the smash hit duet “The Boy Is Mine” are walking down memory lane with bops, ballads and bangers such as Brandy’s “I Wanna Be Down,” “Full Moon,” and “Sitting Up In My Room.” and Monica’s “So Gone,” “Before You Walk Out Of My Life” and “Angel of Mine.” Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland, Grammy-winning newcomer Muni Long and 2025 “American Idol” winner Jamal Roberts are featured guest artists.
Tickets start at $143.
Art
“The Rockettes 100th Anniversary: A Century of Sisterhood”
The Museum of Broadway—145 West 45th St., Manhattan (Times Square)
Through Jan. 6, Various times.
The Rockettes have been kicking it up to the high heavens for a century. The Museum of Broadway has commemorated the centennial with an exhibit paying homage to the style, choreography and evolution of the world-renowned precision dance troupe.
Highlights include a first-hand look at costumes designed by Bob Mackie, Gregg Barnes, Marco Montedoro, Pete Menefee and filmmaker Vincente Minnelli. There’s also a photo op alongside the famed Toy Soldiers from the Rockettes’ “Christmas Spectacular” — which has already began performances at Radio City Music Hall.
Tickets are $33.
Family
“Empire Skate of Mind”
Brooklyn Children’s Museum—145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn (Crown Heights)
Through April 2026
Brooklyn Children’s Museum opened up its rooftop terrace and transported it into a retro roller rink where the entire family can skate their hearts out to disco beats.
People old and young from every skill set can partake in the all-inclusive activity. All of the necessary equipment, including rental skates, helmets, skate trainers and wrist guards, are provided.
Tickets are $10.
Free
Yasmeen/Queen Esther
David Rubenstein Atrium—1887 Broadway, Manhattan (Upper West Side)
Sat. Nov. 22, 7 p.m.
After opening for headliners such as Lil Wayne, Solange and Miguel, Yasmeen is ready for her close up. The singer-songwriter, known for weaving her Middle Eastern roots through her brew of R&B, pop and contemporary gospel, will make her Lincoln Center debut this weekend.
Kicking off the evening, Harlem based songwriter, musician and producer Queen Esther will be accompanied by pianist Sharp Radway. They’ll perform selections from her upcoming album “Blackbirding,” described as “a sonic tapestry rooted in Black ancestral memory.”
Free.
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