Lampooning American politics in song

On Stage

Of Thee I Sing
A comic classic with satire that feels ripped from today’s headlines, “Of Thee I Sing” was the first musical to win the Pulitzer Prize when it debuted in 1931. With a tuneful and witty score by George and Ira Gershwin and a libretto by Kaufman and Ryskind, written during the time of their famed association with the Marx Brothers, it’s a tale of truth, justice, and corn muffins. It skewers electoral politics with lines that are just as relevant now as when they were written, including such hits as “Love is Sweeping the Country” and “Who Cares” in addition to the title song. This semi-staged concert version includes Bryce Pinkham (“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”), Denée Benton (“The Great Comet”), Kevin Chamberlin (“The Addams Family”), Elizabeth Stanley (“On the Town”), Chuck Cooper (“The Life”), Brad Oscar (“Something Rotten!”), Fred Applegate (“Wicked”), David Pittu (“LoveMusik”), and Mo Rocca.
Saturday, Nov. 4, 8 p.m. $105, $85, $55. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post, Rte. 25A, Brookville. (800) 745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com or www.tillescenter.org.

Musical Adventures

Poetica Musica
Old Westbury Gardens welcomes November with a spirited musical program performed by artists-in-residence Poetica Musica at Westbury House. The concert, entitled “Three is Company” features flutist Barry Crawford, cellist Eugene Moye, pianist Natasa Mitrovic, and soprano Eleanor Valkenburg. The programi includes works by Gaubert, Shostakovich, Villa-Lobos, Franck and others. Poetica Musica performs a variety of genres, including early music as well as contemporary compositions. The ensemble reamains dedicated to performing seldom-heard works with rare and unique instrumental combinations. A pre-concert talk is offered at 7:30 p.m., with a reception on the West Porch following the concert.
Saturday, Nov. 4, 8 p.m.; with a guided tour of Westbury House at 6:45 p.m. Advance ticket purchase is required. $30, $25 seniors, and students. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. (516) 333-0048 or
www.oldwestburygardens.org.