Co-Written by RI Contributing Editors Veronica Bruscini and Robert Barossi
Rhode Island theatergoers can expect an exciting season of comedy, drama, and music as local venues announce their summertime schedules. From downcity Providence to the sea breezes at Matunuck, here's a look ahead at summer theater highlights in the Ocean State.
1. This summer promises to be an exciting and entertaining one at 2nd Story Theatre. First, at the historical Bristol Courthouse is
The Exonerated, a documentary-style piece of theater that examines the lives of exonerated death row inmates and the failings of our criminal justice system. Following that, 2nd Story takes a different kind of look at crime with their unique Murder in Rep offering. The two shows performed in repertory will be
Agatha Christie's
The Mousetrap, the world's longest running play, and
The Murder Room, a farcical mystery that spoofs crime thrillers just like
The Mousetrap. Visit
www.2ndstorytheatre.com for more information or contact the box office at (401) 247-4200 for tickets.
2. After an inaugural season that was a resounding success, Ocean State Theatre Company carries the momentum into the summertime. Their first ever summer production will be the hit musical
Legally Blonde, based on the movie of the same name. The company will also be presenting a special one-day-only event with American Acappella, featuring a number of local choral groups, show choirs and quartets. Two shows only on Saturday, June 1. For tickets to any of Ocean State Theatre Company's performances, visit
www.oceanstatetheatre.org, call the box office at (401) 921-6800 or visit the theater at 1245 Jefferson Blvd in Warwick.
3. The
Providence Performing Arts Center closes out its regular season with two feature productions. NETWorks presents Disney's magical musical,
Beauty and the Beast, from May 31-June 2, and PPAC welcomes the much-anticipated Rhode Island premiere of
War Horse June 5-9. Other summertime events include one-night-only performances by
Harry Connick, Jr. and Motown legend
Diana Ross. Visit
www.ppacri.org for ticket information or call the box office at (401) 421-ARTS (2787).
4. 2013 marks the 80th Anniversary season of Rhode Island's celebrated Theatre by the Sea. Owner Bill Hanney steps in to produce the summer lineup, continuing TBTS's long tradition of presenting professional summer stock theater in South County. The season begins in May with
Nunsense!, followed by
Andrew Lloyd Webber's
CATS (June-July) and family favorite
Annie (July-August), and concludes with
La Cage aux Folles in August. TBTS also offers five Children's Festival productions and a two-week long Camp Theatre by the Sea program for children aged 9-14. For show times and ticket prices, log on to
www.theatrebythesea.com or call the TBTS box office at (401) 782-TKTS (8587).
5. In May and June,
Trinity Repertory Company presents an ambitious theatrical event, the comedic pair of
House and
Garden, as the finale to their 2012-13 season. Plan for two nights at TRC to see each part, as the shows take place simultaneously; a single cast performs both
House and
Garden in two separate theaters at the same time. Then, on August 17th, the company opens its doors to "families, friends, subscribers, Project Discovery students, anyone and everyone" in celebration of Trinity's 50th Birthday Bash. The block party and open house event (beginning at noon and running through to the evening) is free to attend and offers a variety of performances and workshops from several Rhode Island theater companies. For tickets or for further details on the Birthday Bash, call the Trinity Rep box office at (401) 351-4242 or purchase online at
www.trinityrep.com.
6. The Wilbury Group continues to get comfortable in their new home with a production of
The Threepenny Opera. With book and lyrics by
Bertolt Brecht and music by
Kurt Weill, this musical masterpiece offers biting satire and social commentary as relevant today as it has ever been. Directed by David J. Tessier and Wilbury's own Josh Short,
Threepenny Opera will run from May 23rd to June 8th at The Wilbury Theatre Group, 393 Broad St., Providence, RI. Tickets, $20 to $25; preview performances (May 23-26) just $20. Discounts for seniors and students available. Tickets at 401-400-7100 or
thewilburygroup.org/buy-tickets.
UPDATE - 6/22/13:
7. Cranston's Artists' Exchange will host their 8th annual One-Act Play Festival July 12 - August 4, 2013 in the new black box at Theatre 82. The plays run in two-week "waves"; evening performances start at 7pm, with Sunday matinees at 2pm. The one-act plays feature a variety of topics and genres by writers from Providence to Los Angeles and everywhere in between. Tickets cost $15 in advance (or $20 at the door) and can be purchased online at http://www.artists-exchange.org or by phone at (401) 490-9475. Artists' Exchange's Theatre 82 is located at 82 Rolfe Square, Cranston, RI 02910.
