The Maltz brings “Misery” to theatergoers, the spirits are willing at Boca Black Box, and Jerusalem Ballet makes its U.S. debut at FAU. Plus, the Magnetic Fields and more this Halloween weekend.
TUESDAY
What: “Misery”
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Maltz Jupiter Theatre, 1001 E. Indiantown Road, Jupiter
Cost: $74 and up
Contact: 561/575-2223, jupitertheatre.org
This theatrical adaptation of one of Stephen King’s most notorious novels arrives just in time for Halloween. If you’ve read the harrowing page-turner or seen its Oscar-winning 1990 film adaptation, then you know the broad contours of its plot: Paul Sheldon, an author of historical romance novels, is injured in a car crash in the remote, snowed-in town of Sidewinder, Colorado. He awakens to find himself in the care of ardent fan Annie Wilkes. But what initially seems like a period of grateful convalescence becomes a waking nightmare for Paul, as the psychotic Annie, ravenously eager for the next book in the author’s series, will do anything to keep her charge bed-ridden and under her control. Unlike its various other forms, playwright William Goldman’s stage version of “Misery” jettisons any scenes of the outside world, confining the action entirely to Annie’s remote cabin—thereby enhancing the story’s inherent claustrophobia and amplifying its menace. If the play does its job, you’ll never hear Liberace quite the same way again. Maltz’s production runs through Nov. 9.
THURSDAY TO SATURDAY
What: The Haunted Tavern
When: 6 and 8 p.m. Thurs.; 6, 8 and 10 p.m. Fri. and Sat.
Where: Boca Black Box, 8221 Glades Road, Boca Raton
Cost: $55-$65
Contact: 561/483-9036, bocablackbox.com
As far as we know, Boca Black Box, the comfortable arts haven just west of the Turnpike, isn’t actually haunted. But with the veil thinning this Halloween weekend, and with programming this spooky, who knows what supernatural entity will make itself felt? In this immersive production, the venue will certainly play the part of a haunted theater, wherein a tavern keeper—a descendent of Ichabod Crane, the doomed figure from Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”—will share four ghoulish stories. Each campfire tale will be accompanied by a themed libation—titled Doctor’s Orders, Final Encore, Crimson Gemini and Tavern Martini—which will help smooth over the bumps in the night. Will any of the disembodied spirits from the tavern master’s yarns materialize? Buy a ticket to find out.
SATURDAY
What: 38th-annual Block Party with Of Montreal
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Respectable Street, 518 Clematis St., West Palm Beach
Cost: Free for general admission, $59.06-$93.31 for VIP
Contact: sub-culture.org/respectable-street
A linchpin of the Palm Beaches’ music scene since 1987, Respectable Street always goes all out for its birthday, with a music-filled celebratory bash at the 500 block of its Clematis Street digs. This year, a major indie-rock headliner will make a rare South Florida appearance. Kevin Barnes, the charismatic frontperson of the theatrical Athens, Georgia five-piece Of Montreal, has led the band through a panoply of sonic reinventions over the course of 28 years and 19 studio albums—from twee pop and retro psychedelia to electronic, funk, glam and Afrobeat. These slippery sonic sponges are as famous for their baroque album and song titles as they are for the content within them. (Of Montreal LPs have included names like Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse and Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?). The opening acts will keep it loud, including Washington-based hardcore outfit Psychic Death, longtime West Palm Beach indie heroes Surfer Blood, Miami-based hard rockers Kill the Robot and more.
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
What: Jerusalem Ballet: “Memento”
When: 7 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun.
Where: University Theatre at FAU, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton
Cost: $54
Contact: 561/297-6124, fauevents.com
Since 2008, Jerusalem Ballet has been providing first-rate classical and contemporary dance performances both in Israel and abroad, but in all of its history, it’s never mounted a production in the United States—until now. Last weekend, the company made its U.S. debut right here at FAU with “Houdini—The Other Side,” a dance tribute to the pioneering magician. This weekend, the company’s Boca performances continue with another powerful themed production. “Memento” dramatizes the courageous resistance of Polish Jewish ballerina Franceska Mann, who, while imprisoned at Auschwitz, reportedly killed a Nazi guard. Founded by dancer and Bolshoi alum Nina Timofeeva, Jerusalem Ballet marries the best of the Russian tradition with modern and neoclassical styles from around the world. Given the historic rarity of this appearance, if you’re a dance lover of any kind, you shouldn’t miss this one.
What: The Magnetic Fields
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
Cost: $64.35-$111.15 per show
Contact: 305/949-6722, arshtcenter.org
A singular artifact of indie music at the time of its 1999 release, the Magnetic Fields’ 3-CD set 69 Love Songs is a unicorn of an album. Far from leapfrogging on alternative-music trends, its 69 tracks, which span nearly three hours, mostly harken back to the traditional tunefulness and lyrical effervescence of composers such as Cole Porter and Stephen Sondheim. In fact, Stephin Merritt, the low-key, low-voiced creative force behind the loose-knit collective known as the Magnetic Fields, drew inspiration from modernist composer Charles Ives’ 114 Songs, and he originally conceived the collection as a theatrical revue performed by a cast of singers and musicians. Ultimately, the album is hulking enough to encompass a sweeping range of musical styles, touching upon folk, country, jazz, punk, synthpop, madrigals, even a murder ballad—with artists ranging from Peter Gabriel to bluegrass’ Mollie Tuttle eventually covering them. This tour, continuing the 25th anniversary celebration of the album, features live performances of all 69 songs spread over two nights.
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