ALON NECHUSHTAN – SURVIVAL CODES
The debut theatrical work by the Uzbeki-born pianist-composer Alon Nechushtan isn’t a timid one. Set in the pre-perestroika days of the 1980s in the Soviet Union, “Survival Codes” ranges from the plight of Jews in Stalinist Russia to the Cold War, and throws into the mix allusions to the Holocaust, Chernobyl, the Kabbalah and the I-Ching. The unrequited-love plot centers on a pair of young musicians steeped in the Cold War climate, and Nechushtan namechecks Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Billy Joel. The “opera-musical drama” is directed by James Martinelli. — June 28, 8 p.m., PlayHouse Theatre, 126 St. Felix St., Fort Greene, Brooklyn, musicalon.com. $20/$10 seniors, students.
DANIEL KAHN AND THE PAINTED BIRD
The klezmer band leader and accordionist/banjoist/singer Daniel Kahn grew up in Detroit, which may explain his fascination with factories and labor issues. The video to his song “March of the Jobless Corps” was shot in what looks like a wrecked auto factory. The video to the band’s new release, “The Butcher’s Share,” an homage to a long-ignored tradesman, is shot in a slaughterhouse. “You gotta give the butcher his share,” intones Kahn, who moved to Germany in 2005. The German weekly Die Zeit describes the Berlin-based band this way: “Shtetl music spiked with a proper shot of punk.” The Painted Bird makes a rare appearance here next week to play the madcap, happy-sad, socially relevant tunes from its new album. — Tuesday, June 26. 7 p.m., Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave., jccmanhattan.org. $25. (See story here.)
ALL HAIL HERRING!
When’s the last time you celebrated the arrival of the new catch of Holland herring? (Sort of like getting that first bottle of Beaujolais nouveau, huh?) Well, Russ & Daughters uptown is marking the coming of the “buttery and mild matjes (young) herring — at the peak of its season,” and pairing the appetizing dish with a curated lineup of sparkling wines, spirits and cocktails. In the perfect Old/New World aural accompaniment, saxophonist Paul Shapiro (Ribs & Brisket Revue) will play. Tickets include private viewing of the Chaim Soutine show, and the whole shebang is kosher. — Wednesday, June 27, 6:30 p.m., Russ & Daughters at The Jewish Museum, Fifth Avenue at 92nd Street, thejewishmuseum.org. $79.
Theater
SKINTIGHT
Joshua Harmon (“Bad Jews,” “Significant Other,” “Admissions”) is back with “Skintight,” starring Idina Menzel as Jodi Isaac, who turns to her father, a famous fashion designer, for support after her ex-husband’s engagement to a younger woman. Dad, it runs out, is wrapped up in his Greenwich Village townhouse with a 20-something guy who’s probably gay and an adult film star. Billed as a “scorching story of beauty, youth and sex.”— Through Aug. 26, Laura Pels Theater, 111 W. 46th St., roundabouttheatre.org. $119.
TOUJOURS L’AMOUR (MIT EYBIKE LIBE)
The New Yiddish Rep presents a reading by Stephanie Brecher Sloane, directed by Amy Coleman. A middle-class Jewish girl from the Bronx meets a wealthy Jewish boy from Manhattan. They fall in love, but life interferes. — Tuesday, June 26 and Wednesday, June 27, 7 p.m., New Yiddish Rep office, 315 W. 39th St., No. 902, brownpapertickets.com. $20.
ASHLEY BLAKER: STRICTLY UNORTHODOX
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A well-known writer for British TV and radio and arguably the best-known Jewish Orthodox stand-up come in the UK, Ashley Blaker returns to NYC for a five-week, Off-Broadway run of his one-man show “Strictly Unorthodox.” Call it black humor. — Through June 28, Jerry Orbach Theatre, 1627 Broadway, (212) 921-7862, ticketmaster.com.
VITALY: AN EVENING OF WONDERS
Israel-raised magician Vitaly Beckman makes his NYC debut. (Production recommended for ages 8+). — Opens Thursday, June 21, through Sept. 30, Westside Theatre, 407 W. 43rd St. (9th-10th avenues), telecharge.com. $89.
Film
SPIRAL
As anti-Semitism explodes across the planet, the 500,000 Jews of France are caught in a cycle of fear, hatred, and violence; should they pack up for Israel or remain to battle the rising hostility? Director/veteran journalist Laura Fairrie’s new film, “Spiral,” explores the issue.— Opens Friday, June 22, Quad Cinema, 34 W. 13th St., (212) 255-2243, info@quadcinema.com, quadcinema.com.
RBG
At 84, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has developed a breathtaking legal legacy while becoming an unexpected pop culture icon. A documentary from Betsy West and Julie Cohen, “RBG” explores Ginsburg’s unique life, career and legacy. Co-produced by Storyville Films and CNN Films. — In wide release.
Music
ROOFTOP MUSICAL HAVDALAH
Iraqi-Jewish Israeli singer and oudist Yair Dalal, who has devoted his life to singing for peace, plays a close-of-Shabbat show. He’ll be joined by banjoist/fiddler/folkie Andy Teirstein. Cosponsored by Global Institute for Dance and Music: Translucent Borders at NYU. — Saturday, June 30, 8 p.m., Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave., jccmanhattan.org. Free.
SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED
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A celebrated NY event since 2010, this series features some of Broadway and cabaret’s best voices, accompanied by piano only, delving into the musical world of Broadway’s master composer. Hosted by series creator Phil Geoffrey Bond. — Sunday, June 24, 7 p.m., 54 Below, 254 W. 54th. St., cellar, (646) 476-3551, 54below.com. Tickets (from $35) do not include $25 additional food & beverage minimum.
Talk
FLIGHT OR FIGHT?
At this special Shabbat program, director/journalist Laura Fairrie uses clips from her new film “Spiral” to discuss the the perilous plight of French Jews amid rising anti-Semitism. — Friday, June 22, 6 p.m., Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center, 1 E. 65th St., (212) 507-9580, emanuelstreickernyc.org/events/flight-or-fight/. Free.
Exhibitions
EXILE IS HOME
Iraqi-born, Israel-raised and london-educated Oded Halahmy fills his sculptures with images evocative of the cultures he is connected to. — Through July 1, Bronx Museum of the Arts, 1040 Grand Concourse, (718) 681-6000, bronxmuseum.org.
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