THURSDAY

(image via The Public Theater)

Teenage Dick
Now through July 15 at The Public Theater, 7:30 pm (weekend matinees at 1:30 pm): $50+

As I’ve discussed several times before, wacky Shakespeare adaptations are a dime a dozen. Normally, this manifests in the form of doing something other than the expected set design, costume design, or casting, while leaving the original script—and sometimes other age-old practices—intact. Mike Lew’s Teenage Dick, presented by the Ma-Yi Theater Company in association with The Public Theater, does something different. It portrays Richard III (“the most famous disabled character of all time”) as a high school junior with cerebral palsy who is determined to become class president, and will do whatever it takes to get there. Given that most productions of Richard III feature an able-bodied actor in the titular role even when breaking with tradition in other parts of the staging (yes I’ve written about this topic before), this play’s focus on both authentic casting and disability is a breath of fresh air.

FRIDAY

(image via Queer Abstract / Facebook)

Queer Abstract Pride
Friday, June 15 at Starr Bar, 9 pm: FREE

It’s Pride! What better way to celebrate than attending an artist showcase that specifically uplifts queer and trans people of color? You’re in luck: monthly show Queer Abstract will be returning to Bushwick’s Starr Bar this Friday for a special Pride show. Every Queer Abstract has a prompt attached to it in the form of a question, which inspires and informs the performances of the night. This time it’s “How did you know?” which will surely facilitate creations about coming out, learning, and more in the form of music, comedy, poetry, and whatever else these artists may choose to do. Afterwards, the night will become a dance party, so you don’t have to worry about what to do with yourself while everyone’s doing their post-show mingling. Just dance.

SATURDAY

(image via The Gramercy Theater / Facebook)

Tinder Live With Lane Moore
Saturday, June 16 at Gramercy Theater, 8 pm: $20-35

We have all swiped on an app at one point or another. For a select few, it ends in happiness. For the rest of us, well, there’s a whole cornucopia of nightmares awaiting. But for comedian/writer/musician Lane Moore, there’s now a vast, captive audience as well. Moore’s popular Tinder Live show (which we covered back in 2015 when it was at the Knitting Factory) is now at the prestigious Gramercy Theater, presenting a play-by-play swiping experience that can sometimes result in Moore feverishly messaging more than three unsuspecting dudes at once, with often absurd results. This time around, she’ll be joined by Julie Klausner and Alan Aisenberg providing commentary and advice during her app-based adventures.

SUNDAY

(image via Mr. Lee VaLone Velour / Facebook)

Father Figure, A Daddy Tribute
Sunday, June 17 at Bizarre Bushwick, 9 pm: $10-20 suggested donation

Sunday is Father’s Day. Just to remind you, since I keep forgetting. Some people who don’t seem to have forgotten this are Lee VaLone and Johnny Panic, who have organized a show all about this very topic. Only, this won’t necessarily be a wholesome evening about sports and beer drinking or whatever it is that’s associated with dads these days, although there will be some of those things, I’m sure. Rather, they’ll be paying respects to dads and daddies alike (interpret both of these as you wish) through drag, burlesque, and general performance-based revelry. Joining them onstage will be boylesque legend Tigger!, Nix Nocturne, Minx Arcana, Lewd Alfred Douglas, and Jack Barrow.

Update, June 29: the wording was revised in the Teenage Dick listing to more accurately reflect the presenting relationship between Ma-Yi Theater Company and The Public Theater.