On the Boards this Week

Openings

Pugilist Specialist

Friday, Sept. 17

59E59 Theaters, 59 E. 59th St.

Tue-Sat 8:15, Sat 2:15; Sun 3:15, 7:15

Taking inspiration from the ongoing events in Iraq,
Pugilist opens in New York after appearing in London and at
the Edinburgh Fringe. The four characters (performed by The Riot
Group) are part of an American Marine unit stationed in the Middle
East. Through witty, satiric dialogue, it chronicles the
preparations of a covert mission to assassinate the troublesome
“Bearded Lady.” With tickets available for $25 on
Tuesdays, this new play will make you laugh out loud and provide
interesting insight into current events.—Emily
Michal

Rose Rage

Friday, Sept. 17

Duke on 42nd, 229 W. 42nd Street

Fri, Sat 6pm; Sun 2pm

This production will surely test your stamina. It’s the
bard’s Henry VI all in one five-and-a-half-hour-long
go. Fortunately, there are intermissions and a dinner break, and
the seats are comfy. The Chicago Shakespeare Company is responsible
for bringing this adaptation to NYC, directed by Roger Hall. The
streamlined trilogy (yes, it could have been twice as long) is
especially violent should anyone be concerned about staying awake.
—Molly Jensen

Closings

Dog Sees God

Sunday, Sept. 19

SoHo Playhouse, 15 Vandam St.

Wed-Sat 8pm; Sat, Sun 3pm; Sun 7pm

If you missed the Fringe Festival, this is your last chance to
get in on some of the fun. One of four of the festival’s
overall production winners, it features the crew from the comic
strip Peanuts vaulted into modern times, where the tame
trials of Charlie Brown twist into tribulations that resonate more
with a current crowd (think Snoopy with rabies, drunk cheerleaders,
and a homophobic quarterback ... you get the picture).
—Mallory Jensen

Can't Skip

18th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction

Sunday, Sept. 19

Shubert Alley and W. 44th Street

10am-7pm

Missing that elusive signed Playbill among your mementos of
stage-door stalking? Not to worry: this Sunday’s fair offers
a host of theatre memorabilia for any fan (or fanatic) to purchase.
Featuring opportunities to meet cast members of Broadway and
Off-Broadway shows, dance, and daytime TV, it’s the
season’s kickoff fund-raiser for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights
AIDS. Bring your wallet to this theater buff fete.
—Suzanne Lipkin

Caligula: An Ancient Glam Epic

With Euan Morton

Theatre at St. Clement’s, 423 West 46th Street

Through 10/9. See www.nymf.org for details

For those who missed the heyday of early ’70s rock, a new
musical lets theatergoers experience Bowie, Floyd, and Queen
through the story of Caligula, the legendary Roman emperor.
Tony-nominated Euan Morton (best known for his gig as Boy George in
Taboo) stars in yet another role that requires heavy makeup in this
piece by Eric Svejcar, of Big River renown. Catch
Caligula’s psychedelic tunes during its limited run as
part of the brand-new New York Musical Theatre Festival, a
Sundance-like attempt to showcase new musical works.
—Suzanne Lipkin

Golda’s Balcony

With Tovah Feldshuh

Helen Hayes Theatre, 240 W. 44th Street

Tue 8pm; Wed, Thu 3, 8pm; Sat 5, 8:30pm; Sun 3pm,
7:30pm

If every history course were like Balcony, no one would
ever fall asleep in class. Feldshuh mixes humor with tension to
successfully become Golda Meir, the woman who came out of
retirement at the age of 70 to serve as Israel’s fourth prime
minster. Even for someone with little knowledge or connection to
Israel, this play about the tensions and decisions of war is not to
be missed. Check www.goldasbalcony.com for show times, as they vary
during the upcoming Jewish holidays. —Leora Falk