The New York Times-20080127-Theater

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Theater

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Theater

Charles Isherwood

People go to the theater in search of entertainment, emotional engagement, intellectual stimulation. This week they can expect something else too. Offensiveness is all but guaranteed at two notable openings.

The throwing of chairs will probably be kept to a minimum, but foul language aplenty will be heard in the hallowed precincts of Carnegie Hall as it plays host to the New York premiere of JERRY SPRINGER: THE OPERA. Written by Stewart Lee and Richard Thomas, this musical parody was a critical and popular hit in London, where it was seen at the National Theater in 2003 before moving to the West End.

For the two-night stand at Carnegie Hall -- widely considered to be a trial run for a transfer -- Harvey Keitel will play the talk show host. (It's a nonsinging role, you may be pleased to hear.) He receives visits from a chorus line of Ku Klux Klanners, not to mention the usual assortment of adulterers, transsexuals and publicity-crazed fetishists. The semi-staged concert version will be directed by Jason Moore, of Avenue Q fame.

Downtown, the Flea Theater opens its revival of OFFENDING THE AUDIENCE, the groundbreaking 1966 play by the Austrian playwright and novelist Peter Handke. Mr. Handke has been the subject of ongoing controversy over his support of the Serbian dictator Slobodan Milosevic, but his breakthrough dramatic work -- less a play than a deconstruction and reconstruction of the theatrical experience -- remains a seminal piece of po-mo drama. The Flea's artistic director, Jim Simpson, directs the resident company, the Bats, in the new production.

Jerry Springer: The Opera is Tuesday and Wednesday at Carnegie Hall, (212) 247-7800, carnegiehall.org; $59 to $175. Offending the Audience opens Thursday at the Flea Theater, 41 White Street, TriBeCa, (212) 226-2407, theflea.org; $10.