Critical 5 art events this week in NYC: politics and play, October 10-13

Art this week is equal parts politics and play. Well, maybe a little more play. Put on your party pants, NYC, because it's not election day yet.

An Enemy of the People at Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

Get your hands dirty with some townie drama that's working overtime. Based on Ibsen's play and directed by Doug Hughes, An Enemy Of The People follows one man's quest to reveal the contamination of the town's water, also it's main source of revenue, and the rest of the town's simultaneous quest to conceal it. Political censorship, juicy.

Playroom at the Paula Cooper Gallery

Take five at Paul Pfeiffer's exhibit Playroom at the Paula Cooper Gallery. Ending soon, this exhibit doesn't have that pool table or pinball machine, but it does have wall-to-wall sofas. Seriously. Based on a room in basketball player Wilt Chamberlain's L.A. mansion, Playroom will have you daydreaming about your own party pad in no time.

Jerry Seinfeld at the Lehman Center

No politician, but we aren't really apologizing for that, Jerry Seinfeld is at the Lehman Center for a stand-up performance this thursday. Rumor has it the show is sold out, but maybe you can wait outside the venue for him. Or figure out what his post-show ritual includes. We have a feeling he likes to party.

Circus and the City at Bard Graduate Center

Move over concrete jungle, we prefer circus central. It's a little more fun, a little more freak. Now at the Bard Graduate Center, Circus and the City is an exhibition that shows the history of the circus in the city through images and artifacts. We all know nothing says play or party, or both like a big red nose and polka dot pants.

Fired People at Anton Kern Gallery

Leaving you with a little advice, all play may actually not be a good thing so take Alessandro Pessoli's Fired People as a cautionary message. This exhibit doesn't have a theme but instead is about anarchy and features ceramic sculptures. It might be time to button up that blazer and get back to work. Unless lawlessness is your thing, in that case, party on.