Summer theater preview: Jim Parsons in 'An Act of God,' Mary-Louise Parker in 'Heisenberg,' more
Jim Parsons in "An Act of God." Credit: Jeremy Daniel
AN ACT OF GOD (in previews, opens Thursday) Jim Parsons, who has been terrific on Broadway in "Harvey" and "The Normal Heart," returns as, well, the King of the Universe in this comedy said to be written by the "creator of, well, everything." Down on earth, the 90-minute show has been written by David Javerbaum, a former head writer and executive producer for "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart." Joe Mantello ("Wicked," "The Normal Heart") directs. Tickets are $55-$159. Studio 54, 254 W. 54th St., 212-239-6200, anactofgod.com
HEISENBERG (in previews, opens June 3) Mary-Louise Parker plays a woman who kisses the neck of a much older stranger (Denis Arndt) at a London train station in this world premiere by Simon Stephens ("The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time"). Since the Manhattan Theatre Club is presenting this in its tiny Stage II, 131 W. 55th St., tickets ($75) are beyond hot. Call 212-581-1212 or visit manhattantheatreclub.com
PENN & TELLER ON BROADWAY (previews begin June 7, through Aug. 16) The existential comic magicians return to Broadway for the first time in more than a quarter-century, promising classics and tricks that refuse to stay in Vegas. Tickets are $47-$147 for the show at the Marquis Theatre, 1535 Broadway. Call 877-250-2929 or visit pennandtelleronbroadway.com
GUARDS AT THE TAJ (in previews, opens June 11) Rajiv Joseph, whose "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo" on Broadway was a 2010 Pulitzer finalist, turns his provocative imagination to the impact of the brand-new Taj Mahal on a couple of imperial guards in 1648. Steppenwolf Theatre's Amy Morton, better known here as a stellar actress, directs the world premiere at the Atlantic Theater Company, 336 W. 20th St. Tickets are $20-$65. Call 866-811-4111 or visit atlantictheater.org
THE QUALMS (in previews, opens June 14) Bruce Norris, who mercilessly updated "A Raisin in the Sun" in his 2011 Pulitzer winner, "Clybourne Park," explores the complications of suburban partner-swapping in his latest work at Playwrights Horizons, 416 W. 42nd St. Pam MacKinnon again directs. Tickets are $75. Call 212-279-4200 or visit playwrightshorizons.org
GLORIA (previews begin Thursday, opens June 15) Obie-winning, rising-star playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins ("An Octoroon") takes us into a famed Manhattan magazine, where young editorial assistants climb over one another in the quest to get a book deal. The drama was developed at the Vineyard Theatre, 108 E. 15th St. Tickets are $79. Call 212-353-0303 or visit vineyardtheatre.org
DOCTOR FAUSTUS (previews begin June 2, opens June 18) Chris Noth, whose portrayal of the governor-husband in "The Good Wife" sometimes suggests he has a pact with the devil, takes on a more blatant Faust in this revival of Christopher Marlowe's 1592 classic at Classic Stage Company, 136 E. 13th St. Zach Grenier, Alicia's nemesis at the law firm, is Mephistopheles. Tickets are $66-$126. Call 212-352-3101 or visit classicstage.org
SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK ("The Tempest" begins previews Wednesday, opens June 16, "Cymbeline" begins previews July 23, opens Aug. 10, through Aug. 23) The Public Theater's 53rd season of free Shakespeare in Central Park starts with Sam Waterson and Jesse Tyler Ferguson in the compassionate masterwork, "The Tempest," directed by Michael Greif ("Rent"), and continues with Park regulars Hamish Linklater and Lily Rabe in the craggier "Cymbeline," directed by Daniel Sullivan. Check publictheater.org for information on how to snare tickets.
ENCORES! OFF-CENTER (June 24-July 18) The fascinating summer season of semi-staged revivals of seminal Off-Broadway musicals returns for a third year, again with Jeanine Tesori ("Violet," "Fun Home") as artistic director. The series begins June 24-27 with Jonathan Groff in "A New Brain," with music and lyrics by William Finn and directed by co-author James Lapine. Jake Gyllenhaal (no kidding) plays the nerdy Seymour in "Little Shop of Horrors" July 1 and 2, with Ellen Greene returning as Audrey, the role she created in 1982. Then Sutton Foster stars in Andrew Lippa's "The Wild Party" July 15-18. All are at New York City Center, 131 W. 55th St. Tickets are $25-$150. Call 212-581-1212 or visit nycitycenter.org
SHOWS FOR DAYS (previews begin June 6, opens June 29) Patti LuPone plays the force behind a community theater in 1973 and Michael Urie is the playwright in this comic reminiscence by Douglas Carter Beane ("The Nance"). Told through a 14-year-old narrator, the play at Lincoln Center Theater's Newhouse Theater describes one man's introduction to the crazy wonder of the theater. Tickets are $75-$85. Call 212-239-6200 or visit lct.org
OF GOOD STOCK (previews begin June 4, opens June 30) Alicia Silverstone plays one of three sisters gathering at their late father's house in Cape Cod for a revealing reunion in Melissa Ross' serious comedy. Lynne Meadow, artistic director of Manhattan Theatre Club, 55th Street east of Seventh Avenue, stages the New York premiere. Tickets are $90. Call 212-581-1212 or visit manhattantheatreclub.com
LINCOLN CENTER FESTIVAL 2015 (July 6-Aug. 2) This summer's annual international fest offers an especially rich theater lineup. This includes Ireland's passionate Druid Theatre Company in a marathon called "DruidShakespeare: The History Plays," London's innovative Cheek by Jowl in Alfred Jarry's 1896 "Ubu Roi," Frank Galati's adaptation of "Kafka on the Shore" directed by Yukio Ninagawa, Strindberg's "Miss Julie" performed by Moscow's Theatre of Nations and the return of the acclaimed Gabriadze Puppet Theatre from Georgia. For venues and prices, visit lincolncenterfestival.org
AMAZING GRACE (previews begin June 25, opens July 16) This new musical explores the journeys of John Newton, the former slave-trader who wrote the inspirational title song, and the woman who believed in him. The show, which had a tryout last fall in Chicago, is at the Nederlander Theatre, 208 W. 41st St. Tickets are $65-$139. Call 877-250-2929 or visit amazinggracemusical.com
HAMILTON (previews begin July 13, opens Aug. 6) Lin-Manuel Miranda's breakthrough hip-hop musical about founding fathers has swept just about every prize it could win during the Off-Broadway run at the Public Theater. The smash by the creator of "In the Heights" now moves to Broadway's Richard Rodgers Theatre, 226 W. 46th St. Tickets are $57-$157. Call 877-250-2929 or visit hamiltonbroadway.com
JOHN (previews begin July 22, opens Aug. 10) Annie Baker, whose "The Flick" won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize, begins her season-long residency at the Signature Theatre Company, 480 W. 42nd St., with this world premiere about an innkeeper and a young couple and Thanksgiving. Tickets are $25. Call 212-244-7529 or visit signaturetheatre.org
AND KEEP IN MIND . . .
GHOST STORIES: THE SHAWL AND PRAIRIE DU CHIEN (June 9, Atlantic Theater-Stage 2) Revivals of two David Mamet plays from the '80s.
PRELUDES (June 15, Claire Tow Theater, Lincoln Center Theater) A musical set in the mind of Sergei Rachmaninoff is by the creators of the enchanting "Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812."
MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA (W.E.B. DU BOIS) (June 11, New Federal Theatre, Castillo Theatre). World premiere by Amiri Baraka about the co-founder of the NAACP.
SIGNIFICANT OTHER (June 18, Laura Pels Theatre, Roundabout Theatre) Joshua Elias Harmon, whose "Bad Jews" was a hit for the Roundabout Theatre, returns with a coming-of-age story about being single in the city.
SAYONARA (July 5, Pan Asian Repertory Theatre) The musical about Yanks in post-World War II Japan is re-imagined, including an all-female dance theater.
KING LIZ (July 23, Second Stage-McGinn/Cazale Theatre) The rare female sports agent confronts a high school basketball superstar in this drama by Fernanda Coppel.
WHORL INTO A LOOP (Aug. 4, Second Stage Theatre) Michael Mayer ("Spring Awakening") directs Sherie Rene Scott in this new play about felons and the dark side of the rest of us.
MERCURY FUR (Aug. 19, The New Group) Two brothers throw parties for the ultrarich in Philip Ridley's apocalyptic fantasy-drama.
LOVE AND MONEY (Aug. 24, Signature Theatre Company) This season devoted to the work of A.R. Gurney concludes with this world premiere about a rich woman who wants to give away her money.
DESIRE (Aug. 24, 59 E. 59th Theatres) Six playwrights -- including John Guare and Beth Henley -- create short plays based on Tennessee Williams stories. -- Linda Winer
