Best Summer Theater Productions On The South Shore & Cape Cod
"Spamalot"
The Company Theatre
30 Accord Park Drive
Norwell, MA 02061
(781) 871-2787
www.companytheatre.com
Dates: July 26 to Aug. 28, 2013
"Spamalot" is the theater equivalent of television and movie comedy from the inexorably brilliant Monty Python comedy team. It riffs on the team's most popular film, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." It differs from the film in a great many ways, but is consistent in the silliness of the humor that made the "Monty Python" film so lovable. There is fish slapping, singing, dancing, medieval hi-jinks and even a brief voice recording courtesy of John Cleese at the start of the show.
"5 Women Wearing the Same Dress"
Bay Players at First Parish Church
842 Tremont St.
Duxbury, MA 02332
(781) 361-2453
www.bayplayers.org
Dates: June 21, 22, 28 and 29, 2013
A comedy strongly geared toward women, "5 Women Wearing the Same Dress" is a piece about bonding in spite of apparent differences and seeing beyond that which is immediately evident. Several of the show's characters never appear on stage, but those that do are a colorful bunch with strong opinions about each other, the wedding reception that is happening downstairs from the play's setting, the bride and much more. The "Same Dress" referred to in the title are their matching bridesmaid dresses which symbolize the similarities they share and their realization that none of them is particularly like the bride for which they showed up to support.
"Aladdin"
Kaleidoscope Children's Theatre at South Shore Music Circus
130 Sohier St.
Cohasset, MA 02025
(781) 383-9850
www.themusiccircus.org
Date: Aug. 1, 2013
Kaleidoscope Children's Theatre gives talented children the chance to learn and grow while putting on wonderful family plays. In this case, the long-beloved tale of "Aladdin" is in Cohasset for one day only. This show is certainly a family affair with its adorable characters, colorful sets, humorous adaptations and youthful cast. This is a great way to take in some summer theater, support some local children and have a fun family day all at once.
Related: Best Family Theater Around Boston
"Sweet Charity"
Cape Playhouse
820 Route 6A
Dennis Village, MA 02638
(877) 385-3911
www.capeplayhouse.com
Dates: July 8 to July 20, 2013
The Cape Playhouse is located in idyllic Dennis Village on Cape Cod. Take the day to explore the beaches, soak up some sun and grab some seafood by the shore before heading to an evening at the theater. "Sweet Charity" is the story of the saccharinely-named Charity Hope Valentine, a bubbly gal that keeps dating the wrong guys. It is set in New York City and has elements of music, dance and comedy. With Charity being a dance hall girl, dancing is one of the focuses of the show, which is something of a change from summer productions further inland.
"Frost/Nixon"
Curtain Call Theatre
182 Commercial St.
Braintree, MA 02184
(781) 356-5113
www.curtaincallbraintree.org
Dates: May 2-4, 2013
Just before summer begins, the Curtain Call Theatre is putting on a play that shines a spotlight on one of the most embarrassing events in United States history. United States President Richard Nixon has been caught in a cover-up scandal that shocked the world. He has resigned. Host David Frost sees a chance to capitalize on the Watergate Scandal and invites the former president to do a series of interviews. The rest is history and good theater.
Shelly Barclay is a professional freelance writer and amateur author. She writes on a variety of topics from food to mysteries. She loves to share the culture and rich history of her birthplace and home, Boston, with the rest of the world. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
