Mario Cantone, 'The Color Purple' top weekend events in the Hudson Valley
Photo credit: Handout | Mario Cantone is an actor and stand-up comedian.
Levity Live in West Nyack
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Comedy shows and a local production of a Tony-nominated musical are the top entertainment picks this weekend in the Hudson Valley.
Saturday: Mario Cantone at Levity Live
Before he played Levity Live in August, “Sex and the City” star Mario Cantone told Newsday Westchester that he’d been swearing off headlining comedy shows. But he must have liked how Rockland crowds responded to his new material, which he’s been honing for the eagerly anticipated follow-up to his Tony-nominated "Laugh Whore,” because he’s returning there for additional performances. Like "Laugh Whore," Cantone's next one-man show already showcases his singing voice and requisite Liza Minnelli and Judy Garland impersonations, and adds a Bruce Springsteen to his impression (and impressive) arsenal.
When: 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23
Info: Levity Live, 4210 Palisades Center Dr., West Nyack; 845-353-5400; www.levitylive.com; $30, with a two-item minimum per person; audience members must be 18 or older
Saturday through Sunday: ‘The Color Purple’ at White Plains Performing Arts Center
Nominated for 11 Tony Awards in 2006, “The Color Purple” is a musical based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, first published in 1982, and Steven Spielberg’s film, released in 1985. Spanning 40 years in early 20th century Georgia, the musical chronicles the life of Celie, who, despite lamenting her marriage and missing her long-lost sister, heals through the power of love and her unwillingness to abandon hope. Directed by Jeremy Quinn, the White Plains Performing Arts Center’s production wraps this weekend and stars Kelechi Ezie as Celie, Daron Lamar Williams as Mister and Carlita Victoria as Nettie.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23; 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24
Info: White Plains Performing Arts Center, 11 City Place, White Plains, 914-328-1600, www.wppac.com; $30-$40
Saturday: J.R. Havlan at Bananas Comedy Club
A writer for Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” since its inception, J.R. Havlan has won eight Emmy Awards for his contributions to the satirical newscast. Before that, he refined his political comedy skills as a warm-up comic, and later as a monologue writer, for “Politically Incorrect.” Along the way, he has performed stand-up on late-night shows such as “Late Show with David Letterman” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” Also on the bill at Bananas are two of Havlan’s “Daily Show” colleagues: co-executive producer Adam Lowitt and writer/Twitter phenom Travon Free.
When: 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23
Info: Bananas Comedy Club at the Clarion Hotel, 2170 South Rd., Route 9, Poughkeepsie; 845-462-3333; www.paramountcenter.org; $30; must be at least 16 years old to attend
