If you’re a theater-lover, this is likely the best week to be in New Hampshire. Professional and community companies across the state will stage at least 10 unique productions.
The mix includes a little of everything: musicals and straight plays, classic stories and contemporary pieces, family-friendly shows and gritty tales.
In Concord, RB Productions, a children’s theater program will present Lion King Jr.
The adaptation of the Disney movie tells the story of the lion cub Simba, first in line to the throne of his father, Mufasa. His birth pushes his uncle, Scar, to second in line. Scar plots to kill Mufasa and Simba. When Mufasa is killed, Simba blames himself and runs away into hiding.
The musical is performed by a cast of children ages 9 to 19.
Shows will be held Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Capitol Center for the Arts. Tickets are $15 and available at ccanh.com.
In Talking to Starlight by Lowell Williams, now being staged at Hatbox Theatre, Eleanor Taylor weighs whether to move in with her boyfriend or take a dream job overseas by staging an experiment.
The play poses questions such as: how do we decide what path to take and how do we know we made the right choice?
As Eleanor and boyfriend Daniel work on a solution with a list of questions. As intimacy grows, secrets are revealed and the relationship is tested.
Shows will be Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are available for $16.50 or $13.50 for members, students and seniors at hatboxnh.com.
New England College’s Open Door Theatre will bring another Shakespeare classic to life after a successful run of A Midsummer Night’s Dream this spring.
The Taming of the Shrew will run this week on the mainstage in the science building on the college’s Henniker campus.
The show will be done in modern attire and aims to make the works of Shakespeare accessible to a 21st century audience.
Petruchio attempts to court and manipulate the obstinate Katherina (the shrew). Meanwhile, the lads are lining up to woo Katherina’s little sister Bianca, who is seen at the more compliant, ideal bride.
Katherina is eventually worn down by Petruchio’s torments, which include starvation.
The actors all have connections to New England College – either as students, faculty or staff.
It will feature Alex Picard as Katherina and Ian Allan as Petruchio. The cast is completed by Greg Stuart as Baptista, Russ Rattray as Gremio, Ian Harte as Tranio, Adam Boisselle as Lucentio, Katie Coe as Bianca, and Kevin Guimond as Vincent, Michelle Bibeau as Biondella, C. J. Smith as Grumio and Bill O’Donnell as Hortensio.
Shows will be Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 or $10 for students, seniors and NEC community members. To reserve in advance, call 428-2382 or visit opendoorstheatrenec.com.
There’s nothing simple about the latest installment at One Light Theatre in Tilton.
In The 39 Steps, an average guy, Richard Hannay played by Owen Thomas, is swept up into a world of espionage. He meets more than a hundred characters, all played by just three actors – Heather Hunt, Matthew McGinnis and Jack Harding.
The comedy is based on Alfred Hitchcock films, including one of the same name, and others such as Strangers on a Train, Psycho and North by Northwest. It was turned into a farce by Patrick Barlow, exacerbated by the huge character list and small cast that necessitates quick costume changes and acting out multiple roles at once.
One Light’s show is directed by Kirstin Riegler, a professor of theater and dance at Keene State College.
Shows will be held Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Tilton School’s Hamilton Hall. Tickets are $22 or $20 for seniors, students and children, and can be purchased at the box office or online at onelighttheatre.org.
The classic American musical loosely based on Romeo and Juliet is the next show to be staged at the New London Barn Playhouse.
West Side Story tells the tale of young lovers – Maria and Tony – torn apart by violence and hate from rival gangs in New York City.
Music by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim paired with skilled dancing means this is a show you won’t want to miss, even if you’ve seen it before.
Artistic director and director of West Side Story is Keith Coughlin and choreographer is Michael Jablonski.
Shows will be July 19 to Aug. 6 with times Wednesdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. Tickets are $19.50 to $40 at nlbarn.org.
Sherlock Holmes and John Watson’s most famous case is coming to the Winnipesaukee Playhouse.
In The Hound Baskervilles, legend has it that Sir Hugo Baskerville was punished for his drunkenness and debauchery by a demonic hound. Some 200 years later, his descendant, Sir Charles, faces a similarly grim fate on the Baskerville’s estate.
Will Sir Charles’ heir be next?
It’s up to Sherlock to solve the case.
Performances will be July 19 to 29, Mondays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and matinees at 2 p.m. on July 20 and 24. Tickets are $20 to $34 and available at winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.
A Biblical tale is brought to life with contemporary music in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, now on the Interlakes Summer Theatre stage.
Joseph, the youngest of 12 brothers, is sold into slavery by his kin.
In Egypt, he works his way up in the home of Potiphar, but is thrown in jail when Potiphar’s wife makes romantic advances toward him.
He’s saved by his ability to interpret dreams, which leads him to the aid of the Pharoah.
With calypso, bubble-gum pop, rock and roll and country western Joseph has a little something for all musical tastes. And a happy ending to boot.
The remaining shows will be through Sunday with times Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee Thursday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 to $33 and available at interlakestheatre.com or by calling 707-6035.
Can you spell well?
The Village Players of Wolfeboro will certainly try to as they stage The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee this week.
As each speller presents, they will share a little about their life in this comedic musical.
Spelling Bee is being directed by Kathleen Hill.
Shows will be Friday and Saturday this week and next at 7:30 p.m. and July 23 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $19 and available at the door or online at village-players.com.
America’s favorite spooky family, the Addams Family that is, will come to Jean’s Playhouse in Lincoln.
In The Addams Family stage show, Wednesday Addams has fallen in love with a “normal” boy from Ohio, and he and his family garner an invitation to dinner.
Hilarity will ensue in this macabre musical as the Addams family decides how far they are willing to go for love.
Showtimes will be Thursday through July 29 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. Opening night, the audience is invited to attend in costume. The best-dressed will win two tickets to a future show. On July 19, chat with the cast after the matinee.
Tickets are $30, or $25 for seniors and $16 for students and are available at jeansplayhouse.come or by calling 745-2141.
Barnstormers Theatre in Tamworth is returning to the beginning of its history with a run of The Ghost Train, the first show the company ever staged in 1931.
It starts with a rough night. An eclectic group of travelers is stranded at a train station in the backwoods of Maine in the rain after missing their connection.
Then it gets worse for them.
The rather unfriendly station master shares the story of a ghost train that rides the tracks annually on the anniversary of a horrific accident.
The group is skeptical until a train whistle is heard in the distance.
It will be difficult to get some sleep after that.
Shows will be Thursday through next Saturday. Times will be Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m. Tickets are $13.50 to $36.50 and available by calling 323-8500 or visiting barnstormerstheatre.org.
Seacoast Repertory Theatre continues its run of Spamalot through July 30.
The Palace Theatre’s children’s summer series includes Peter Pan, the Wizard of Oz and Cinderella in July.
The Hampstead Stage Company is on tour with Cinderella and Pinocchio.