arts & entertainment A Bite Of The Big Apple New Broadway and Off-Broadway shows with a Jewish connection. Alice Burdick Schweiger and boots for cross-dressers, and Charlie begins making footwear for that unusual market. The theme throughout is accep- tance of yourself and others. Special to the Jewish News BROADWAY At the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, 302 W 45th St. (212) 239-6200. The Assembled Parties, with three Tony nominations, was written by Tony nominee Richard Greenberg and stars Jessica Hecht and Tony nominee Judith Light in the story of an affluent Jewish family on New York's Upper West Side. In 1980, a house guest joins them for a holiday dinner; 20 years later, there are repercussions. Through July 7. At the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, 261 W. 47th St. (212) 239-6200. Cinderella, with music and lyr- ics by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, has been performed many times on stage and on TV but never before on Broadway, where the classic fairy tale has some new twists and nine Tony nods. At the Broadway Theatre, 1681 Broadway at 53rd St. (212) 239-6200. First Date, a musical comedy with a score by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner and a book by Austin Winsberg, tells the story of Aaron and Casey, who meet on a blind date where everything from Google checks to fake emergency phone calls ensue. Will they be a match? Previews begin July 9; show opens Aug. 4. At the Longacre Theatre, 220 W. 48th St. (212) 239-6200. Lucky Guy, with six Tony nods, is the last play written by Tony-nominated Nora Ephron before her death last year and stars Tony-nominated Tom Hanks as real-life New York tabloid journal- ist — and Pulitzer Prize winner — Mike McAlary. Through July 3. At the Broadhurst Theater, 235 W 44th St. (212) 239-6200. Matilda, a glorious musical based on the children's classic by Roald Dahl, nabbed 12 Tony nominations, including one for director Matthew Warchus. A precocious little girl (played in rotation by four young actresses) neglected and misunderstood by her parents, Matilda has extraordinary powers, loves read- ing, makes up her own stories and faces down a sadistic, bullying headmistress played in drag by British actor Bertie Carvel. At the Schubert Theatre, 225 W 44th St. (212) 239-6200. I'll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers stars Bette Midler in a one- woman show about the late legendary Hollywood agent who represented the biggest names in the movie industry in the 1960s, '70s and '80s. From her Beverly Hills home, she reminisces about her life — from fleeing the Nazis at age 8 to becoming a super-agent. Through June 30. At the Booth Theatre, 222 W 45th St. (212) 239-6200. Motown the Musical, with four Tony nominations, is the new jukebox pro- duction that tells the story of Detroit- born record producer Berry Gordy, who discovered such talents as Smokey Robinson, Mary Wells, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. It begins with the 1983 televised 25th- anniversary tribute to Motown and quickly flashes back to Detroit, where it all began. Be prepared to hear many of your favorite Motown tunes. David Goldsmith is one of the script consul- tants, and Kevin McCollum one of the show's producers; with former Detroiter Jeffrey Seller, he has received three Tony Awards for Best Musical (In the Heights, 2008; Avenue Q, 2004; and Rent, 1996). At the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 W. 46th St. (800) 745-3000. Kinky Boots, an energetic musical inspired by the 2005 movie of the same name — with a score by Cyndi Lauper, direction and choreography by Paw Paw, Mich., native Jerry Mitchell and book by Harvey Fierstein — garnered a year- high 13 Tony nominations. When the owner of a failing British men's footwear factory dies, his son, Charlie, needs to reinvent the company. A drag queen tells him there is a need for well-made shoes Pippin, a 1972 musical revival with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Roger 0. Hirson, is a coming-of- age story about a medieval prince. Earning rave reviews and 10 Tony nominations, it's framed as a show within a show, with lively pop- rock songs, stunning circus acts and acrobatics. At the Music Box Theatre, 249 W 45th St. (212) 239-6200. 130 May 23 • 2013 JN The Big Knife, a revival written by playwright Clifford Odets in 1948, stars Bobby Cannavale as a stage actor who becomes a Hollywood star and compro- mises his integrity, and Tony-nominated Richard Kind as a mega-maniacal stu- dio executive. Through June 2. At the American Airlines Theater, 227 W 42nd St. (212) 719-1300. The Nance tells the story of Chauncey Miles (Nathan Lane), a gay burlesque performer of the 1930s. "Nance" was a name for a straight man playing a homosexual, but Miles is liv- ing a secret life: He is gay on and off stage. Andrea Burns plays Carmen, a burlesque girl. Through Aug. 11. Valisia Kaye as Diana Ross and Brandon Victor Dixon as Berry Gordy in Motown: the Musical At the Lyceum Theatre, 149 W. 45th St. (212) 239-6200. Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, a comedy starring David Hyde Pierce and Sigourney Weaver about a rural Pennsylvania farm family whose "long-lost" sister returns home with a young "boy toy:' features music by Mark Bennett. Through July 28. At the John Golden Theatre 252 W 45th St. (212) 239-6200. OFF-BROADWAY The Accidental Pervert chronicles the story of a boy, who grows up in a home with X-rated sex tapes, and his 15-year addiction to hard-core pornog- raphy. This one-man show is written by and stars Andrew Goffman. Closing July 27 and reopening Sept. 20-Dec. 7. The creative team behind Kinky Boots: Jerry Mitchell, Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper At the 13th Street Repertory Company, 50 W. 13th St. (212) 675-6677. Fried Chicken and Latkes, written by Richard Pryor's daughter Rain Pryor, who grew up black and Jewish in Beverly Hills, is a one-women autobiographical show she performed around the country before bringing it to New York. At the Actors Temple Theatre, 339 W 47th St. (212) 239-6200. Old Hats, starring veteran stage clowns Bill Irwin and David Shiner and directed by Tina Landau, entertains with comic sketches, slapstick, digital technology and music of pop singer Nellie McKay. Through June 9. At the Signature Center, 480 W 42nd St. (212) 244-7529. ❑ Bailey Ryon, Milly Shapiro, Sophia Gennusa and Oona Lawrence share the title role in Matilda the Musical.