They Might Be Giants Playing Mr. Smalls; “Othello” Opens at Pittsburgh Public Theater (CPs Thurs., 4/16/15)

1) They Might Be Giants started in 1982 with two guys living in Brooklyn, both named John, who recorded energetic rock songs with zany lyrics (like this one). The next 30 years breaks down like so: 16 albums, the big crossover radio hit (“Birdhouse in Your Soul”), themes for shows like Malcolm in the Middle and The Daily Show, a new generation of young fans following a slew of children’s albums, Grammys, platinum sales. (Whew!) 2015 offers little in the way of a breather. This January the duo began posting a new recording each week on DialASong.com. They also began a monthly residency at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. Finally, they plan to release three albums within the next 12 months, the first due this spring. Somewhere in between, they play Mr. Smalls tonight. And although they have done kids’ shows in the past to promote their children’s albums, this concert will be 14+. 8 p.m. 400 Lincoln Ave., Millvale.

2) What can we say about Shakespeare’s Othello that hasn’t been said? Theater fans and scholars over the centuries have considered it one of the most crisply dramatic plays in the Shakespearean canon. It has a formidable hero married to an admirable heroine, and a devious villain who brings them both to grief. The tragic climax, with Othello murdering Desdemona after “honest Iago” tricks him into thinking his wife is unfaithful, continues to stun audiences even though they know it’s coming. Othello comes our way as part of Pittsburgh Public Theater’s 40^th-anniversary season. Opens tonight at 8 p.m. Through May 17. O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Ave., Cultural District.

3) Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo. Get out your leg warmers and styling mousse for this 1984 movie about a group of break-dancers who hold a dance-off to save a local community center. Remember how that used to happen all the time in the 80’s? (Producer Pieter Jan Brugge will be in attendance April 11 & 12 to discuss Boogaloo and several of his other films including Heat, Glory, The Insider and Love & Other Drugs.)  5 p.m. Row House Cinema, 4115 Butler St., Lawrenceville.

Share on Social Media