The Dead

It’s not at all a stretch to imagine James Joyce’s short story “The Dead” as a musical. Using Irish sounds and dance, composer Shaun Davey and lyricist Richard Nelson helped create a show that, in its Broadway incarnation, The New York Times called “enchanting.”

Also the subject of an acclaimed John Huston film, “The Dead” is a portrait of family and friends in early 20th-century Dublin—and a marriage that may not be as solid as it seems on the surface. The center of the action is a wonderful party. Here, Joyce’s Dubliners are brought to life by a singing (and dancing) cast of 13.

Capital Repertory Theatre’s Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill promises theatergoers that “if you were not Irish when you went in, you’ll be Irish when you come out.” We don’t think that will be much of an issue around here.

Preview performances of The Dead begin tomorrow (Friday, March 13) at 8 PM and continue through Tuesday (March 17). Opening night is Wednesday (March 18) at 7:30 PM, and the show continues through April 5. Tuesday through Thursday shows are at 7:30 PM; Friday shows at 8 PM; Saturday shows at 4 and 8:30 PM; and Sunday shows at 2:30 PM. Tickets are $31 to $46. For more info, call 445-7469.

Greg Ginn and the Taylor Texas Corrugators

Think about it: What’s the most radical thing you can do with the twilight of your career after having founded a seminal hardcore punk band and popularized atonal guitar soloing? If you said “start a jam band,” then not only are you right, but you’ve nearly described the direction Black Flag guitarist and principal songwriter Greg Ginn has taken. See, Ginn started two jam bands, and they’re both coming to Valentine’s.

We’re willing to bet there’s going to be slightly less blood and screaming than when Ginn shared the stage with Henry Rollins, but the loping Western swing that the Corrugators deal in could still make for some pleasant crowd surfing. Come early for Jambang, a fuzzier psych project that Ginn also fronts.

Greg Ginn and the Taylor Texas Corrugators come to Valentines (17 New Scotland Ave., Albany), Tuesday (March 17) at 8 PM. Tickets are $10. Call 432-6572 for more info.

Flamenco Vivo! Carlota Santana

Founded in 1983, Flamenco Vivo! Carlota Santana, according to artistic director Santana, aim to uphold and extend the “purity and traditions” of flamenco, that traditional Spanish dance. (Think precision, excitement, and sensuality.) They do this by expressing the “richness” of the form in new choreographies, including works by Santana and associate artistic director Antonio Hidalgo.

Ballet-Dance magazine wrote of a November 2008 performance that the company’s “brand of flamenco is fiery and sensuous and extremely enjoyable.”

Flamenco Vivo! Carlota Santana will perform tomorrow (Friday, March 13) at 8 PM at the Egg (Empire State Plaza, Albany). Tickets are $13 to $26. For more info, call 473-1845 or visit theegg.org.