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 11th, 12th, 18th, and 19th at 8:00 pm; July 13th at 6:00 pm and July 19th 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.
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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 9th – 27th. Tickets are $59.50. Call the box office at 203-787-4282 or visit Long Wharf Theatre for tickets.
DRAMA
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A Dangerous Man comes to the Ridgefield Theater Barn July 11th – July 20th. 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.
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 20th 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:
Hudson Shakespeare Company is also bringing a non-traditional version of Shakespeare’s Cymbeline to the Stratford Library on Saturday, July 26th 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 30th – August 3rd at 8:00 pm and at McLevy Green in Downtown Bridgeport, August 6th – 10th. 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?
