The cast of "West Side Story" rumbles in Center Theatre's Teen Summer Stock production of the classic musical.

FRIDAY
Stage: ART Station’s “Married Alive” is a musical look at two married couples, one newly wed and one “oldly” wed. It continues at the Stone Mountain theater through Aug. 7.

Stage: “Stripped” features former Green Bay Packer Dorsey Levens, Lisa Wu Hartwell of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” Ryan Stewart of 790 The Zone and actor Karon Joseph Riley. It’s at the Ferst Center for the Arts at Georgia Tech through July 31. Check out Rodney Ho’s interview with Ryan Stewart.

Stage: “Hairspray” is the latest Broadway In The Park production from Suwanee Performing Arts. This fifth anniversary show is happening at 7 p.m. July 29 and 30 in Suwanee Town Center Park.

Stage: “The Ugly Duckling” gets an update and a lakeside setting — which incorporates the water — in this Serenbe Playhouse production. Through Aug. 28 in the Serenbe community …

Continue reading Weekend best bets: July 29-31 »

A falafel pita from Pita Palace. Photo: Gene Lee

YOUR PICKS
1. Pita Palace
You say, “Pita Palace has a serve-yourself toppings bar that is yummy” and “It reminds me a lot of Maoz which is the best ever, but not in Atlanta.”

2. Falafel King
3. Ali Baba
4. Hovan Gourmet
5. Café Agora

OUR PICKS
1. Mediterranean Bakery
The AJC dining team’s specialist in International Cuisine Gene Lee says, “After the first few bites, I immediately knew the falafel at Mediterranean Bakery was my top choice. They are a tad larger than my other four selections and also are the lightest in color. The nutty, crunchy exterior crackles against your teeth, and the steamy interior reveals balanced flavors of chickpea and cumin with just a hint of perfume from coriander. This is the ultimate falafel.”

2. Café Agora
3. Hovan Gourmet
4. Pita Palace
5. O U for U

Continue reading Best falafel »

Bernardine Mitchell (from left), Amber Iman and Crystal Fox play the title roles in Horizon Theatre Company's "Three Sistahs." Photo: Horizon Theatre Company

FRIDAY
Stage: Chock full of memorable songs, the current national tour of the musical theater classic “Fiddler on the Roof” returns to the Fox Theatre stage through July 24.

Stage: In August Wilson’s acclaimed “Seven Guitars,” friends gather in 1948 to mourn for a blues musician who died just as his career was taking off. the show is presented by New African Grove Theatre Company at Theatre in the Square in Marietta. It opens July 22 and continues through July 31.

Comedy: Chelsea Handler returns to Atlanta to make up a postponed show from June. She’ll be joined by “Chelsea Lately” contributors Heather McDonald, Josh Wolf and Brad Wollack. The show is at 8 p.m. July 22 at Chastain Park Amphitheatre.

Movie: “Lawrence of Arabia,” the classic David Lean film starring Peter O’Toole, will screen at the Earl Smith …

Continue reading Weekend best bets: July 22-24 »

How about a fish taco and a trio of salsas for lunch. Taqueria del Sol was your pick for best cheap lunch in and around Atlanta. Staff photo

YOUR PICKS
1. Taqueria del Sol
You say, “No competition, Taqueria del Sol – two people, 4 tacos, 1 cole slaw, guacamole for 2, 2 teas (the best tea in the world, by the way!) = $20!” and “Taqueria del Sol is the best deal on the planet for lunch OR dinner.”

2. Costco
3. Matthews Cafeteria
4. Eats
5. Lee’s Bakery

OUR PICKS
1. The Lunch Basket
The AJC dining team’s Popular Eats specialist Jon Watson says, “This small Marietta lunch spot near Kennestone Hospital serves up cheap and simply sandwiches each weekday to long lines of devotees. Most of their no-frills sandwiches cost less than $5 each, making this one of the best lunch deals in the city.”

2. Victory Sandwich Bar
3. Brandi’s World Famous Hot Dogs
4. Hankook Taqueria
5. Lee’s Bakery

Continue reading Best cheap lunch »