Best Bets: August 24th – August 30th

BEST BETS: AUGUST 24^th – AUGUST 30^th

Unlike last Friday’s New in Music This Week which was jam-packed with 20 titles, this last full week in August is a little sparse on new events. As a result, Best Bets: August 24^th – August 30^th only has four listings. (Call it the calm before the fall season storm begins.)

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY – August Wilson Theatre – New York, NY – Now -January 3, 2027

OPENING NIGHT:  August 25, 2026

Fans of the movie will likely be excited to discover that the stage play is not based on one of the movies but is part of that world.

Newlyweds James and Lou have relocated to London after leaving their past (and the problems there) to start a new life in London. What they discover is it isn’t where they are that is haunting them, but perhaps who they are and what they have experienced in their own lives.

Travis A. Knight plays James ad Cher Álvarez plays Lou, Shannon Cochran plays Carolanne, James’ mother. Eva Kaminsky plays Etheline Cotgrave, a medium recruited to solve the couple’s problems. Bobby J. Howlett is in the ensemble.

The play was written by Levi Holloway and the production is directed by Felix Barrett.

If you like being scared out of your seats, you can find tickets and more information HERE.

SHANE – City Lit Theater Company – Chicago, IL – Now – October 4^th

OPENING NIGHT: August 29^th

If you haven’t seen the classic film version of Jack Schaefer’s novel Shane (1953), you’ve at least heard of it.

An enigmatic man tries to put his life as a gunfighter behind him in rural Wyoming in 1889. He gets a job working with the Starrett family, but his attempt to live a quiet life is upended when a rancher is rebuffed by the family when he wants to buy their land. That doesn’t go over to well and the bloodshed begins.

Mark Pracht adapted Schaefer’s novel for this world premiere production and also directs.

Michael B. Woods takes on the title role of Shane. The family will be played by Josh Odor, Whitney Minarik and Bruce Holtman. Sean Harklerode plays Fletcher, the man who wants to buy the ranch.  Jay Donley plays Stark Wilson, who serves as Fletcher’s henchman.

For tickets and more information, please go HERE.

SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE – Kokandy Productions at the Chopin Downstairs Studio – Now – November 1^st

OPENING NIGHT: August 29^th

For the longest time I’ve believed that Sweeney Todd to be the best of Sondheim’s musicals. But I’m quickly thinking his masterpiece just might be Sunday in the Park with George. Which means my expectations are high for this Kokandy Production.

This musical imagines the relationship between painter George Seurat and Dot, the woman who figures prominently in the lower right section of his painting, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.

In the second act, which takes place a century later, Marie claims to be the daughter of Dot and Seurat. Her grandson, the present-day George, doesn’t believe her and is struggling to make his own name as an artist.

The same actors play the two Georges and Dot/Marie. For this production they are Kevin Webb and Missy Wise Vanderzee.

Sunday in the Park with George is directed and choreographed by Derek Van Barham. Nick Sula is the music director.

For tickets and more information, please go HERE.

CHARLIE PARKER JAZZ FESTIVAL 2026  – Marcus Garvey Park and Tompkins Square Park – New York, NY – August 28^th – August 30^th

This is the 34^th year for this celebration of Charlie “Bird” Parker.  Amongst the artists performing are the David Lee Jones Quartet, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (with special guests Marquis Hill and Ekep Nkwelle), Joshua Redman with Nat Adderley Jr., Catherine Russell, Nicole Glover and DJ Kultured Child; Ravi Coltrane with the Billy Hart Quartet, Kassa Overall and Vanisha Gould.

There are four events prior to the festival’s official launch and an after-party on the 30^th.

For tickets and more information, please go HERE.

That’s all for Best Bets: August 24^th – August 30^th.

Enjoy your week!

Go see a show!

Main Photo: Travis A. Knight and Cher Álvarez in Paranormal Activity (Photo by Matthew Murphy/Courtesy the Production)