Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Oh, Those Summer Nights

Summer: Traditionally when theatres go dark as people play outdoors. And yes, for two weeks Salem theatre hit a lull, where you could only see improv comedy and stand-up without leaving town. I hope you enjoyed your break—the Summer Theatre Season in Salem begins now:

Albany Civic Theatre: Footlight Frenzy, by Ron House. A raucous back-stage farce (think Noises Off) directed by Albany’s Bob Olin. Check out the cast interview on the Theatre Talk podcast at kmuz.org. July 10 to July 25.

Pentacle Theatre: Chicago, the Tony-award winning musical by Kander & Ebb and Bob Fosse, directed by Ken Hermens and James Steele. You may remember it from the 2002 film with RenĂ©e Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Set in the roaring 20s, it tells a tale of crime, jealousy, and unquenched desire for fame. Pentacle packs in the razzle dazzle—and all that jazz—into its intimate space. July 10 to August 1st.

Children’s Educational Theatre: An extravaganza of theatre for and by young audiences. Performances start at the Salem Art Fair (July 17–19) with an adaptation of “The Jabberwocky” and continue through the following week at assorted venues. Check out the full calendar at cetsalem.org and take your kids to see some great plays.

Keizer Homegrown Theatre: Our own annual Shakespeare in the park production at the Keizer Rapids Amphitheater, this year featuring A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by Linda Baker. The twist: these lovers escape from their retirement home and the overbearing eye of their children. Bring a camp chair and enjoy some of Gilgamesh brewery’s finest at this lively outdoor event. July 22 to 25 only.

Theatre 33: The Willamette University offshoot company presents another series of staged readings by Oregon playwrights. Next up is The Snowmaker by Aleks Merilo, a thriller directed by the immensely talented Raissa Fleming. If you are looking for new plays, find them here. Sunday, July 26th only.

Enlightened Theatrics: Taking Broadway to Salem with Hair, directed by Vincenzo Meduri. Yes, that Hair, one of the most culturally-significant plays to come out of the 1960s (it’s a political satire, really). And yes, with nudity—but come on, people, it’s only one scene, and the music is fabulous. Let the sun shine in. July 29 to August 16.

WOU Theatre: Shakespeare’s other cross-dressing comedy, As You Like It. “All the world’s a stage,” “No news but the old news,” and a few other good lines. Directed by David Janoviak with a mixed cast of student- and community actors, including the brilliant Gregory Jolivette. July 30 to August 1 only.

Brush Creek Playhouse: Unfortunately, the Silverton company had to cut its traditional summer melodrama, but they will be back in September with their teen/youth show, You Know I Don’t Love You, another original piece by father-daughter team Michael and Emily Wood.

Look for more shows in August from Albany, Pentacle, and Theatre 33, and a downtown block party from Enlightened Theatrics on August 1st. Also look for a stronger presence from the Salem Theatre Network. These are exciting times for theatre in Salem. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.