11 Things to Do in Comedy, Movies, Theater and Storytelling

Julio Torres, Marie Antoinette, Rob Sheffield and more.


Roy Wood Jr. plays Punchline Friday through Sunday. (Nicol Bisek)

Ex Files StorySlam @ Punchline | Wednesday, February 14
First Person Arts puts on its biggest StorySlam of the year. Chris Lundy hosts an evening of “true stories of loves lost and found.” It’s Valentine’s Day, FYI.

Marie Antoinette @ Curio Theatre Company | February 14-March 10
Brenna Geffers directs David Adjmi’s contemporary retelling of the historical tale. Jennifer Summerfield stars in the title role; Brian McCann plays King Louis.

Borderline @ Lightbox Film Center | Wednesday, February 14
Lightbox’s “race film” series continues with Kenneth MacPherson’s 1930 drama about racism in a Swiss village, starring Paul and Eslanda Robeson.

 

Robert Darnton @ Parkway Central Library | Thursday, February 15
The author/cultural historian will discuss his new book, A Literary Tour de France: The World of Books on the Eve of the French Revolution.

Waitress @ Kimmel Center | Through February 18
The musical version of Adrienne Shelly’s film about a small-town waitress who enters a baking contest. Music by Sara Bareilles, book by Jessie Nelson, and direction by Diane Paulus.

Chip Chantry/Abby Rosenquist @ Helium | Wednesday & Thursday, February 14 & 15
Standup by two very funny comedians. Wednesday’s a special Valentine’s show, btw.

Dreaming the Beatles with Rob Sheffield @ Kelly Writers House | Thursday, February 15
Author and Rolling Stone contributing editor Rob Sheffield discusses his new book Dreaming the Beatles: The Love Story of One Band and the Whole World with fellow rock critic Anthony DeCurtis.

Roy Wood Jr. @ Punchline | Friday-Sunday, February 16-18
In my humble opinion, Roy Wood Jr. is the best thing going at the current incarnation of The Daily Show. With his blunt delivery and expressive gestures, he crushes it nightly as senior [insert unlikely area of expertise] correspondent. So it’s exciting to hear Wood will be getting his own Comedy Central show. He’ll play a parole officer on Re-Established, produced by The Daily Show’s Trevor Noah and The Boondocks’ Aaron McGruder.

 

Get Pegged @ FringeArts | Friday, February 16
Adrienne Truscott and Jackie Soro guest star at the Bearded Ladies’ Get Pegged cabaret show. Hosted by John Jarboe.

Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two-Woman Show @ Keswick Theatre | Friday, February 16
The veteran comedian/actress takes the stage twice — as herself and as her fan-favorite “mama” character, best known from the TV show Mama’s Family.

Julio Torres: My Favorite Shapes @ Good Good Comedy Theatre | Friday, February 16
The standup comedian/Saturday Night Live writer returns to Good Good for two performances of his multimedia comedy show “My Favorite Shapes.” The New York Times recently praised Torres’ “dreamy, off-kilter sensibility.” Here’s one of his SNL shorts: