Summer stages

June 8, 2008

Wherefore art thou Juliet? You’ll find her on the banks of the Boardman River in Traverse City, participating in one of several offerings from William Shakespeare this summer.
Summer tends to bring lighter fare from regional theatre groups. From outdoor venues to dinner theatre and big concert hall productions, here’s what the summer of ‘08 has to offer:

Lakeside Shakespeare Theatre
Elberta • Benzie County

The Chicago-based theatre ensemble returns to Benzie County for its fifth season with “The Taming of the Shrew” on July 22, 24, 27 and 30 and “All’s Well That Ends Well” on July 23, 25, 29 and 31 at the Performance Pavilion in Elberta’s Waterfront Park.
Lakeside Shakespeare Theatre (LST) was founded in 2003 by artistic director Elizabeth Laidlaw, a professional actress, producer and theatre instructor based in Chicago. Laidlaw is among the fourth generation of her family to spend summers in Frankfort and has ties to Benzie County.
Her theatre credits include work with the Goodman, Steppenwolf, Court and Chicago Shakespeare Theatres. She holds a certificate in Shakespearean studies from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
All performances are at 7:30 pm. Admission is free, but a $10 donation for adults is suggested.

Theatre North TC

Theatre North has a new home: the Grand Trunk Theatre, which opened in April at the old railway depot next to the Traverse City Library. Theatre veterans Mike Kelly, Gary Bolton, Tom Stokes and Ron Murden have an ambitious agenda of shows waiting in the wings at the small, atmospheric venue:
“Glengarry Glen Ross” runs June 13-14, 19-20-22 and 26-29. The Pulitzer Prize winning play by David Mamet probes the lives of four desperate Chicago real estate agents who are prepared to engage in any number of unethical and illegal acts to sell undesirable property.
“West Side Story” -- the remake of “Romeo and Juliet” in the slums of New York City with gang members from the Sharks and the Jets duking it out. At the Northport Community Arts Center, July 24-27 & 31 and Aug. 1-3.
Check out www.theaternorth.com for details.

Manistee & Cadillac

The Cadillac Footliters are fielding a huge cast for Disney’s “High School Musical,” which entwines the lives of jocks, skater kids, “brainiacs,” thespians and other cliques in song and dance. The show runs June 12-14 and 20-21 at the Cadillac High School Auditorium, 8 p.m.

The Williamsburg Showcase Dinner Theater

This popular dinner theater across from the Grand Traverse Resort will offer two musical revues this summer: “Boogie Woogie Summertime,” which runs most Wednesdays-Saturdays through August, and “My Generation,” which starts Aug. 28 and runs through the fall.
Director Dominic Fortuna guides a troupe of professional and college actors through a singing-dancing extravaganza with an interactive dinner served by the performers.

Blue Pelican Dinner Theater

The Blue Pelican Restaurant has certainly upscaled the entertainment offerings in the Central Lake area, offering a variety of concerts. Add to that a summer of dinner theater offerings, including “The Woman in Black” in June, highlights from “West Side Story” in July, and highlights from “Forever Plaid” featuring the Overtones in August. See www.thebluepelican.com for details.

Historic Bayview

An enclave of Petoskey, Bayview offers a robust theatrical season with the following productions:
“Stage Door Canteen: the Music of World War II”: This original music revue tells the story in song of three war couples who meet at the Stage Door Canteen in New York City. July 3,4,5 and July 10,11,12. Voorheis Hall. Tickets: $25/$20/$7.
“Guys and Dolls”: A classic tale of redemption as humorously told through the story of gamblers and missionaries on the streets of New York City. Songs America loves to hear include: “Luck Be a Lady,” “Bushel and a Peck,” and “I’ve Never Been in Love Before.” Perfect for the entire family. July 24, 25, 26, John M. Hall Auditorium. Tickets: $25/$20/$7.
“Carmen”: Accompanied by orchestra, the young artists of the Bay View Music Festival present this fully staged production of Georges Bizet’s opera. Some of the best loved tunes of the opera world sparkle in this story of love and betrayal. Sung in French with English subtitles. August 6, 7, 8, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey. Tickets: $25.
For tickets and more info go to: www.bayviewassociation.net or call
1-800-595-4849.

Cheboygan Opera House

The Northland Players Children’s Theatre offers “The Saddle String Review: A Horse Opera in Once Act.” Set in wartime America of 1942, “The Saddle String Revue” is a “rip roaring” blend of radio comedy, live production and “B” western movies. June 27-29, with tickets $5 for adults and $3 for kids.
Look for “Pump Boys and Dinettes,” a musical focused on the ’50s, presented by the Northland Players, Aug. 7-10 at the Opera House in downtown Cheboygan, with tickets at $12 ($10 seniors and students).

Interlochen Arts Festival

Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” offers a farce of misdirection and mistaken identity, with surrealist painter Rene Magritte providing inspiration for the set. June 26-29 and July 3-6 at the Harvey Theatre, 7 p.m., $25.
The Golden Dragon Acrobats of China bring 2,500 years of tradition to the Kresge Auditorium stage on July 18 at 7 p.m., $19.50.
Interlochen also hosts a revival of “Guys and Dolls,” July 31-Aug. 3 at Corson Auditorium, $20.

Riverside Shakespeare
Hannah Park, Traverse City

“Romeo and Juliet” is this year’s selection by Riverside Shakespeare, the troupe which performs each year on the banks of the Boardman River in downtown Traverse City. Bring a blanket, a lawn chair and a picnic, as you like it. The show runs on Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 27 at 6 p.m.

Old Town Playhouse
Traverse City

It’s mostly kid stuff at the OTP this summer, with the Traverse City Children’s Theatre taking center stage, with admission $4 for kids and $8 for teens and adults. Their selections include:
“James & the Giant Peach” on June 13-14 at 7 p.m.
“Charlotte’s Web,” a musical, on July 18-19.
“Kid Rocket,” an original short musical by Ken McKay on Aug. 9.
“Little Red Riding Hood,” a musical version of the fairy tale on Aug. 16.
OTP’s Studio Theatre will also host an adult drama: “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen, adapted by Albert Pia, to be performed Aug. 8-9, with tickets at $6.