A SHOUT OUT FOR SUMMER THEATER FUN

JOHNNY NEWCOMB AS DANNY AND KIMBERLEY IMMANUEL AS SANDY
IN "GREASE" AT THE IVORYTON PLAYHOUSE
PHOTO BY ANNE HUDSON

Now that summer is officially here, it’s time to schedule some firecrackers of theatrical entertainment to sparkle your July and August months. Area theaters can’t wait to tempt you into their doors to celebrate the fervor and fever of summer.

You have until July 29 to settle in the shadow of the George Washington Bridge in the Washington Heights section of New York City for a hearty dose of spice and Latin American joy with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first musical hit “In the Heights.” West Hartford’s Playhouse on Park is busy splashing the stage with this joyous tribute to a community, one Miranda lived in and loves. Dance your way now to join the hip hop fun by calling 860-523-5900, ext. 10 or online at www.playhouseonpark.org.

Goodspeed Musicals is shouting “more, please sir, more” as they offer up the classic Charles Dickens tale “Oliver!” for your pleasure. The delights of Victorian England will be yours for the taking as a troupe of pocket picking scamps plan to steal your heart in this rousing musical family favorite. Call Goodspeed at 860- 873-8668 or online atwww.goodspeed.orgfrom June 29 to September 9. Next door in Chester, from August 3 to September 2, at the Terris Theatre is a brand new musical of secret love letters, ghost written by “Cyrano” guaranteed to entertain.

Want to travel a little for a summer drive, then set your GPS for a scarely known gem hiding in the hills of Waterford. On eleven rolling acres, discover the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center which offers four theaters on site, two indoor and two outdoor. The entire month of July features staged readings of eight plays and three musicals, all brand new and exciting. If you want to be on the cutting edge of what’s happening in the theater, make a reservation by calling the O’Neill at 860-443-1238 or online atwww.oneill.org.

Grab your pink poodle skirts and black leather jackets as that perennial favorite “Grease” brings its lightning and thunder to the Ivoryton stage from July 5 to the 29th. Come rock and roll with the kids at Rydell High School as the cool crowd lights up the sky. Bop on over to Ivoryton for a ton of fun. Call the Ivoryton Playhouse at 860-767-7318 or online at www.ivorytonplayhouse.organd start practicing your hand jive moves with Sandy and Danny and the gang..

For inspiring story and piano sounds, let the Hartford Stage share the tale of a woman surviving the Holocaust in the incredibly moving
“The Pianist of Willesden Lane.” From July 12-22, let Mona Golabek tell and perform the story of her mother as she uses her musical skills to live through a monstrous time in history. Call Hartford Stage at 860-527-5151 or online atwww.hartfordstage.orgfor tickets to this performance you will long remember.

Not into musicals, let Hartford TheaterWorks entrap you with “Hand to God,” a drama where evil is lurking in a small town in Texas’ church basement, in a puppet club started by a new widow for teens. How do Satan, sin and sex suddenly play a significant role? Call 860-527-7838 or online atwww.theaterworkshartford.org.

Join the parade the African animals as the Bushnell in Hartford welcomes “Disney’s The Lion King” for a three week engagement from August 1 to the 19. Let the majesty of the jungle overpower you with this compelling tale of power and prestige and leadership of the pack. Call the Bushnell at 860-987-5900 or online at www.bushnell.orgfor your passport to this passionate spectacle.

Mark your calendars as many times as possible to be sure you don’t miss any one of these irresistible offerings. Happy happenings.