This Month in Theater: August 2008

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Spiegelworld

Spiegelworld NYC 2008

The sexy carnival is back for a third go-around, and this year there are two Spiegeltents, showing the world premiere of Desir, set in a 20th Century Paris nightclub, and the return of Absinthe, a clever mix of cabaret and circus acts. This year’s entertainment will also include several concerts, featuring the likes of Meow Meow, Justin Bond, Deerhoof and Martha Wainwright.

Aug. 6-Nov. 6. South Street Seaport, Pier 17, (212) 279-4200. www.spiegelworld.com. $25-$69.

The 12th Annual New York International Fringe Festival

If you are a fan of off-off-Broadway, here is your chance to totally O.D. We’re talking 200 alternative theater and dance troupes from all over the world who come to perform in 20 classy, downtown venues over a 16 day period. With careful planning and a complimentary map, you can see four to five shows a day, all at a reasonable price. Here are a few intriguing titles: Lucasville: The Untold Story of a Prison Uprising; Nudists in Love: A New Musical; and Down Around Brown Town, a celebration of the music of James Brown.

Aug. 8-24. Various downtown venues, all below 14th St., (212) 479-4488, www.fringenyc.com. $15.

It’s the Economy Stupid! or The Turning Point

For 32 years now, Theater for the New City has been staging a summer’s end, political street theater, musical comedy show that plays in all five boroughs. Written and directed by Crystal Field, with a score by David Tice, this year’s script has a heavenly slant, with angels and dark forces fighting over the survival of New York City.

Aug. 2-Sept. 14. Various NYC streets, parks and playgrounds. Sats. & Suns., 2 p.m. (212) 254-1109. www.theaterforthenewcity.net. Free for all ages.

Buffalo Gal

This new comedy by the veteran playwright, A.R. Gurney (Love Letters, The Dining Room), directed by Mark Lamos, tells the story of Amanda, a TV personality whose sparkle is dimming, as she returns to her hometown, Buffalo, New York, to star in a local version of Chekov’s The Cherry Orchard. Just as she is re-connecting with her roots, she gets an offer to return to Hollywood for a career-changing role. The cast of six is led by Susan Sullivan in the title role.

Aug. 5-30. 9E59 Theaters, 59 E. 59th St., (212) 279-4200.

The First Breeze of Summer

This revival of Leslie Lee’s Obie-Award-winning play is about family bonds and coming of age. The original production was staged in 1975 by the historic Negro Ensemble Company, directed by NEC founder Douglas Turner Ward. The setting is one sweltering weekend in June, as three generations of the Edwards family collide. The marvelous Leslie Uggams plays Gremmar, the family matriarch.

Previews Aug. 5, opens Aug. 21.The Peter Norton Space, 555 W. 42nd St., (212) 244-7529.