Celebrate The Season with Live Theater!

There’s a little something for everyone in the list of upcoming shows, and Connecticut patrons will not have to travel far to enjoy quality theater at affordable prices. Here is a sampling of local theater offerings in our area:

MUSICALS

The Bijou Theatre, located in Downtown Bridgeport presents its Young Adult Theatre Program’s production of In The Heights. Winner of 4 Tony awards in 1988, including Best Musical, this innovative celebration of family and home features salsa, hip hop, and rap to tell the story of a close knit community in New York’s Washington Heights. The Bijou Theatre expanded their outreach to the local community, and many of the talented young artists performing in the show hail from the cities of Bridgeport, Norwalk and West Haven. In the Heights is directed by Christy Newsom, with musical direction by Eli Newsom, both from Bridgeport Theatre Company, reinforcing the already strong ties within Bridgeport’s performing arts community. It’s a real family affair for me personally, as well as for the city of Bridgeport, and audiences will surely leave the theater dancing to the show’s Latin rhythms. In the Heights plays at the Bijou Theatre July 11^th, 12^th, 18^th, and 19^th at 8:00 pm; July 13^th at 6:00 pm and July 19^th at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $15 for students, $19 for theatre seats, and $24 for tables and high tops, and can be purchased at The Bijou Theatre.

Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven celebrates the season

with the 60’s musical beach party, The Bikinis. Created and written by Ray Roderick and James Hindman, with musical arrangements by Joseph Baker, this show is about a girl group that brings back the great songs they sang on the boardwalk at the Jersey Shore, all to raise money for their favorite vacation spot. These best friends relive their heyday in a non-stop celebration of song with over 30 hits like, “It’s In His Kiss,” “Yellow Polka Dot Bikini,” “Heat Wave,” “Under the Boardwalk,” and many others. The Bikinis will be on the Claire Tow Stage in the C. Newton Schenck III Theatre July 9^th – 27^th. Tickets are $59.50. Call the box office at 203-787-4282 or visit Long Wharf Theatre for tickets.

DRAMA 

The Players at Putney Gardens present The Seagull, July 11
through August 1.  Photo by KevinMcNairPhotography

The Players at Putney Gardens venture outside of their usual Shakespeare fare with their eleventh production: The Seagull by Anton Chekov. Set in the Russian countryside at the end of the 19^th century, this classic, character-driven drama tells the story of the conflicts that arise in the pursuit of art and romance. Directed by Mark Frattaroli, this experienced and innovative company is sure to offer a delightful evening outdoors under the stars. The Seagull will be presented Fridays and Saturdays, July 11^th through August 1^st at Boothe Memorial Park in Stratford. Admission: FREE. You are encouraged to bring low lawn chairs or blankets and refreshments. Visit The Players at Putney Gardens for more details.

A Dangerous Man at Ridgefield Theatre
Barn, July 11-20. Photo by Pat Halbert.

A Dangerous Man comes to the Ridgefield Theater Barn July 11^th – July 20^th. This play, written by Mel Power and directed by Sherry Asch, is based on true events. Tara Jones, a young, white, single mother arrives home from work to find a most unwelcome visitor, Anthony, a black man who is the object of an intense manhunt by the police…for murder. He is a man on the run with nothing to lose. Regardless of his intentions, he has killed two people, one of them a police officer. Tara’s life hinges on every glance, every word, every perceived threat that passes between them. All tickets are $15 and can be purchased at Ridgefield Theatre Barn.

The cast of Westport Country Playhouse's
Nora. Photo by Kat Gloor

Westport Country Playhouse will stage the sexy and suspenseful story of love, lies, and blackmail, Nora, July 15^th –  August 2^nd, adapted by Academy Award-winning director/writer Ingmar Bergman from Henrik Ibsen’s masterwork, “A Doll’s House.” Directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director, the work is translated by Frederick J. Marker and Lise-Lone Marker. The title character, Nora, has a seemingly perfect life, a happy home, and a healthy marriage. But when a menacing man from her past appears, her idyllic world is suddenly turned upside down. Nora is appropriate for ages 16 and up. Running time is approximately 90 minutes; no intermission. Tickets are $30 to $50. Call 203-227-4177 or visit Westport Country Playhouse for tickets.

COMEDY

Town Players of Newtown present I Hate Hamlet. Written by Paul Rudnick and directed by

Ruth Anne Baumgartner, this lighter summer fare offers up dramatic comedy when an aspiring star meets a plastered poltergeist. Up-and-coming television star Andrew Rally has been offered the part of Hamlet as part of the Shakespeare in the Park series and rents a fabulous gothic apartment in New York City. Unfortunately, Andrew is not thrilled with the idea of spouting classic lines written by The Bard. In fact, he hates Hamlet. Adding to his quandary is the presense of John Barrymore's ghost, who arrives at the apartment (his former home) in full Hamlet regalia - and fully inebriated, with the sole intent of convincing young Andrew to take on the iconic role. I Hate Hamlet runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm through July 20^th at The Little Theater in Newtown. Tickets are $15 to $20. Call 203-270-9144 or visit Town Players of Newtown for more information.

AND SPEAKING OF SHAKESPEARE…

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for these FREE productions:

The romantic comedy of wits, Much Ado About Nothing,  is being presented by the Valley Shakespeare Company on July 10th - 12th at 8:00 pm at Shelton’s The Riverwalk/Veteran’s Memorial Park. The park opens at 6:30 pm for early picnicking.  Visit Valley Shakespeare Festival for details.

Hudson Shakespeare Company is also bringing a non-traditional version of Shakespeare’s Cymbeline to the Stratford Library on Saturday, July 26^th at 2:00 pm. This fairy tale romance with an “Old West’ feel will be presented outside in the library amphitheater. Come early with your chairs and blankets as seating is limited. Visit Stratford Library for details.

Our third Shakespeare offering, an anachronistic adaptation of Shakespeare’s As You Like It, set in 1969, will be presented on the grounds of The American Shakespeare Festival Theater in Stratford, July 30^th – August 3^rd at 8:00 pm and at McLevy Green in Downtown Bridgeport, August 6^th – 10^th. Visit Connecticut Free Shakespeare for details.

With so much to choose from, it will turn out to be a very busy July. What better time to celebrate the arts in our own backyards?