Anything Goes, Fantasy Works Youth Theatre, Toll Gate High School Auditorium, 575 Centerville Rd., Warwick. 621-6123; www.arttixri.com. Cole Porter musical about shipboard shenanigans. Fri-Sun 7 pm. $12 advance, $14 door. Closes Sun.
Badcat, Cape Cod Theatre Project, Falmouth Academy, 7 Highfield Drive, Falmouth, Mass. (508) 457-4242; www.capecodtheatreproject.org. Comedy about what happens when a person is dissatisfied with their role in their marriage and decides to make a drastic change. Thu-Sun 8 pm. $18, students $10. Closes Sat.
Copenhagen, The Publick Theatre, Christian Herter Park, 1175A Soldiers Field Rd., Brighton, Mass. (617) 782-5425; www.publicktheatre.com. Nobel Prize-winning physicists, once mentor and protege, compete in the race for atomic fission during Work War II in this Michael Frayn piece based on real events. Thu, Sun 7:30 pm; Fri-Sat 8 pm. Curtain times vary. $30; season pass $50, students/seniors $45. Closes Sept. 9.
Making Waves, Barn Summer Playhouse, Roger Williams University Performing Arts Center, 1 Old Ferry Rd. (Route 136), Bristol. 254-3666. Man's job as coxswain of the local lifeboat takes precedence over the needs of his family. Fri-Sat 8 pm. $10, students/seniors $5. Closes July 29.
Outbursts!, Elemental Theatre Ensemble, Tiverton Four Corners Arts Center, 3852 Main Rd., Tiverton. 624-2600; www.tivertonfourcorners.com. Evening of short plays from classic playwrights and local writers. Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm. $12. Closes July 30.
The Rydell High And Bandstand Reunion, Little Theatre of Fall River, The Fire Barn, 340 Prospect St., Fall River. (508) 675-1852; www.littletheatre.net. Musical revue about a high school reunion and some of its famous alumni who return to perform. Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm. $12; $10 students or 62+, $5 children 12 and under. Closes July 30.
Sawbones: The Cabinet of Dr. Jekyll, Workhorse Theatre Company, Brown University's Ashamu Dance Studio, 77 Meeting St., Providence. 863-2838; www.brown.edu. Based on the gruesome story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Fri-Sat 8 pm. $15, $10 students. Closes Sat.
Shakespeare's Actresses in America, Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater (WHAT) Theater, 1 Kendrick Ave., Wellfleet, Mass. (508) 349-9428; www.what.org. Rebekah Maggor's romp through a century of Shakespeare on stage and film. Sun-Tue 8 pm. $27. Closes Aug. 29.
--FREE-- The Taming of the Shrew, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Boston Common, Parade Grounds, near the corner of Beacon Street, parallel to Charles Street, Boston. (617) 532-1212; www.freeshakespeare.org. Shakespeare's farcical romp through the war of the sexes. Sat, Tue-Wed 8 pm, Sun 7 pm. Bad weather cancels. Closes Aug. 13.
Two Gentlemen of Verona, Epic Theater Company, Rhode Island College, Nazarian Center's Little Theater, 600 Mount Pleasant Ave., Providence. 368-7689. Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $7, students $5. Closes Sun.
The Wedding That Wasn't (A Roaring Good Time), Theatre at St. Michael's Summer Camp, St. Michael's School, 180 Rhode Island Ave., Newport. 849-5970, ext. 411. Fri-Sat 7 pm. $5. Closes Sat.
Brokeback: The Mystery, Murder on Us Dinner Theater, The Barnsider, 375 South Main St. 245-5850; www.murderonus.com. Fri-Sat 8 pm. $39.95 includes dinner, show, tax, tip. Advance reservations. Closes Aug. 26.
Speech & Debate, Brown/Trinity Playwrights Repertory Theatre, Leeds Theatre, 77 Waterman St., Providence. 863-2838; www.brown.edu/btprep. Three misfit teenagers in Salem, Ore., band together to uncover the truth abut a sex scandal that's just hit their town. Thu-Sa, Wed 8 pm. $10, students/seniors $8. Close July 29.
Rhode Island
Annie Warbucks, Mill River Players, 499 High St., Central Falls. 721-0909, www.millrivertheater.com. Annie sequel finds Daddy Warbucks looking for a bride. Fri-Sat dinner 7 pm, show 8 pm; Sun dinner 1 pm, 2 pm. Show only $23; dinner/show $38.50, seniors $31.50, children 12 and under $27.50. Closes Sun.
Beau Jest, Newport Playhouse and Cabaret Restaurant, 102 Connell Highway, Newport. 848-7529, www.newportplayhouse.com. Woman hires a man from an escort service to masquerade as her boyfriend at a dinner with her parents. Fri-Sat doors open 6 pm, buffet 6:15 pm, show starts 8 pm; Wed-Thu, Sun doors open 11 am, buffet 11:30 am, show at 1 pm. Additional shows added. Dinner/show $47.95, show only $32.95; includes dinner, show, tax and post-show cabaret. Reservations strongly recommended. Closes Sept. 10.
Cox and Box and the Best of Gilbert & Sullivan, Courthouse Center for the Arts, 3481 Kingstown Rd., Route 138, West Kingston. 782-1018; www.courthousearts.org. Gilbert and Sullivan musical. Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 3 pm. $20, members $18, students $10. Closes July 30.
Charlie Hall's Ocean State Follies, Elliot's Fish and Steak House, 307 Great Island Rd., Narragansett (Galilee). 353-3330. Satirical musical look at Rhode Island. Sat. Arrival/cocktails 6:30 pm, buffet 7 pm, show 8:15 pm. $40, all inclusive.
The King's Feast, Hose Company No. 6, 636 Central Ave., Pawtucket. 949-3523; www.kingsfeast.com. Comedic medieval-vaudeville theater. Doors open 7:30 pm, show 8 pm. Sat. $40 includes dinner/show/flagons of beer/wine/cider. Reservations required. Open-ended.
--FREE-- Macbeth, Daydream Theatre Company, Goddard State Park, 1095 Ives Rd., Warwick, table 8 area by fireplace 149-156. 487-1277, 647-5521. Shakespeare's tragic look at the lust for power. Thu-Sat 6:30 pm. Bring blankets, lawn chairs. Closes Sat.
Marble House, Firehouse Theater, 4 Equality Park Place, off Broadway, Newport. 849-3473; www.firehousetheater.org. Colette Schwoeri's play about suffragist Alva Vanderbilt, who believed in women's rights -- except in her Newport mansion. Thu-Sat 8 pm. $20. Closes July 29.
Move Over, Mrs. Markham, Granite Theatre, 1 Granite St., Westerly. 596-2341; www.granitetheatre.com. Comedy about seduction gone awry. Thu-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm. $17, seniors $14, children $10. Closes Aug. 6.
Murder at the Mansion, Astors' Beechwood, 580 Bellevue Ave., Newport. 846-3772; www.astorsbeechwood.com. Interactive murder mystery set in the 1920s. Guests search the mansion looking for clues. Every Thu 7 pm, Sat (July and August) 1:30 pm. $25, youth $15. Advance reservations. Closes Oct. 26.
Short Attention Span Theatre: Wave 1, 2nd Story Theatre, 28 Market St., Warren. 247-4200; www.2ndstorytheatre.com. Series of one-act plays. Thu-Sun 8:30 pm. $20. Closes Sun.
Waiting for Bessie Smith, Mixed Magic Theatre, 171 Main St., Pawtucket. 722-1881; www.mixedmagictheatre.org. Ricardo Pitts-Wiley's Depression-era story spun with traditional spirituals and blues songs. Fri 8 pm. Closes Aug. 20.
Boston area
The Beard of Avon, The Publick Theatre, Christian Herter Park, 1175A Soldiers Field Rd., Brighton. (617) 782-5425; www.publicktheatre.com. Amy Freed's farce about the true identity of the author of the works ascribed to William Shakespeare. Fri-Sat 8 pm. $30; season pass $50, students/seniors $45. Closes Sept. 3.
Golf: The Musical, Cutler Majestic Theatre, Emerson College, 219 Tremont St., Boston. (800) 233-3123; www.maj.org. Skits, puns and songs that poke tuneful, affectionate fun at the world of golf and the men and women who inhabit it. Wed-Sat 7:30 pm. $55; $40 per ticket for groups of 15 or more. Closes Aug. 5.
Menopause the Musical, Stuart Street Playhouse, 200 Stuart St., Boston. (800) 447-7400. Celebration of women who are approaching, in the middle, or have survived the "change of life." Wed-Fri 8 pm; Sat-Sun 2, 5 pm. $42.50. Open-ended.
Monsieur Chopin, A Play with Music, American Repertory Theatre, Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle St, Cambridge. (617) 547-8300; www.amrep.org. Romantic story and music of the Polish pianist-composer Frederic Chopin. Created and performed by Hershey Felder. Tue-Thu 7:30 pm; Fri 8 pm; Sat 2, 8 pm; Sun 2 pm. $45. Closes July 30.
Shear Madness, Charles Playhouse, 76 Warrenton St., Boston. (617) 426-5225; www.shearmadness.com. Interactive comedy whodunnit set in a unisex hair salon on Newbury Street. 426-5225. Tue-Fri 8 pm; Sat 6:30, 9:30 pm; Sun 3, 7:30 pm. $38. Open-ended.
Massachusetts
Cats, New Bedford Festival Theatre, Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, 684 Purchase St., New Bedford. (508) 994-2900; www.nbfestivaltheatre.com; www.zeiterion.org. Andrew Lloyd Webber musical based on poems by T.S. Eliot. Fri 7:30 pm; Sat-Sun 2, 7:30 pm. $24-$32. Closes Sun.
Guys and Dolls, Cape Playhouse, 820 Main St. (Route 6A), Dennis, Mass. (877) 385-3911; www.capeplayhouse.com. Frank Loesser musical from a Damon Runyon story about a gambler who falls for a Salvation Army lady. Mon-Sat 8 pm; Wed, second Thu at 2 pm; first Sat at 4 pm. $25-$45. Closes July 29.
Singin' in the Rain, North Shore Music Theatre, 62 Dunham Rd., Beverly. (978) 232-7200; www.nsmt.org. Spoof of Hollywood during transition from silents to talkies. Tue, Thu 7:30 pm; Wed 1:30, 7:30 pm; Fri 8 pm; Sat 2, 8 pm; Sun 2 pm. $35-$70. Closes July 30.
Connecticut
2 Pianos, 4 Hands, Hartford Stage, 50 Church St., Hartford. (860) 527-5151; www.hartfordstage.org. Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt's comic tale of two boys at two grand pianos sharing the same goal: concert pianist stardom. Tue-Thu 7:30 pm; Fri 8 pm; Sat 2, 8 pm; Sun 2 pm; July 19 at 7:30 pm, July 20, 26 at 2 pm. $25-$45. Closes July 30.
07.19.2006 17:39
Performance calendar for July 20 - 23
CABARET
Mixed Magic Cabaret, Mixed Magic Theatre, 171 Main St., Pawtucket. 722-1881, www.mixedmagictheatre.org. Sat 8 pm. $10.
Outbursts! 3: The End of the World Cabaret, by Elemental Theatre, The Meeting House at Tiverton Four Corners, 3852 Main Rd., Tiverton. 624-2600, www.elementaltheatre.org. Irreverent look at the stuff that keeps us up at night. Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm. $12. Closes July 30.
CIRCUS
Cirque du Soleil: Delirium, DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester. (401) 331-2211, (508) 931-2000, www.ticketmaster.com. Fri-Sat 8 pm. $70.75-$126.25.
COMEDY
Cape Cod Melody Tent, 21 West Main St., Hyannis, Mass. (508) 775-5630, www.melodytent.org.
Sat: George Carlin, 5, 9 pm. $42, $55.
Sun: Brian Regan, 8 pm. $34.75, $47.75.
George Carlin, North Shore Music Theatre, 62 Dunham Rd., Beverly, Mass. (978) 232-7200, www.nsmt.org. Sun 7:30 pm. $50, $60.
Catch a Rising Star, Lincoln Park, 1600 Louisquisset Pike, Lincoln. 723-3200, (800) 720-7275, www.catcharisingstar.com/providence.html. Mo Alexander and Paul Lyons, Thu-Fri 8 pm, Sat 7:30, 9:30 pm. $15 Thu; $17.50 Fri; $20 Sat; $10 college students with valid ID Thu.
Comedy Connection, 39 Warren Ave., East Providence. 438-8383, www.ricomedyconnection.com. Stephanie Peters, Thu-Fri, Sun 8 pm; Sat 9 pm. Frank Santos, R-rated hypnotist, Fri 10:30 pm. $10 Thu, Sun; $15 Fri-Sat.
Comedy Showcase, Jerky's, 71 Richmond St., Providence. 421-3947. Thu 9:30-10:30 pm. Followed by dance party with DJ Dusty Frazier. No cover.
MBA Comedy Night: John Rizzo, Paddy's Beach Club, 159 Atlantic Ave., Misquamicut. 322-1026. Thu 10 pm. $10.
Mohegan Sun, Mohegan Sun Boulevard (exit 79A off Route 395), Uncasville, Conn. (401) 331-2211, (401) 331-2211, www.ticketmaster.com.
Larry the Cable Guy, in the Arena. Sat-Sun 7:30 pm. $55.
Late Night Comedy Series: Mitch Fatel, in the Cabaret. Fri-Sat 11 pm. $15.
Newport Summer Comedy Series: Brian Regan, Newport Yachting Center, America's Cup Avenues, Newport. 849-3299, www.newportcomedy.com. Fri 7:30 pm. $37. Ages 15+. Rain or shine.
Out of the Gutter, New Eagle Restaurant, 35 North Main St., Fall River. (508) 678-3782. Fri 8 pm. $7. 18+.
South Shore Music Circus, 130 Sohier St., Cohasset, Mass. (781) 383-9850.
Thu: Brian Regan, 8 pm. $34.75, $47.75.
Fri: George Carlin, 8 pm. $42, $55.
Sunday Nights at The Big Bar, The Big Bar, 23 Clemence St., Providence. 276-4244, www.Oulalaentertainment.com. Sun 10 pm. $5 includes buffet until 9 pm.
Unexpected Company: The Morris, long-form improvisation, Warwick Museum of Art, 3259 Post Rd., Warwick. 737-0010. Sun 7:17 pm. $5.
DANCE
Island Moving Company, with guest dance companies Andary Dance, Table 62 and Tami Stronach Dance, Fort Adams, off Ocean Drive, Newport. 847-4470, 621-6123; www.arttixri.com. Flight of Steps. Fri-Sun 6:30 pm. $15; $10 seniors and students.
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, 358 George Carter Rd. (Route 20), Becket, Mass. (413) 243-0745; www.jacobspillow.org. Doris Duke Theatre: Nrityagram Dance Ensemble, Thu-Fri 8:15 pm, Sat 2:15, 8:15 pm, Sun 5 pm, $24; $10 youth tickets for children age 13 and younger available Sat 2:15 pm. Ted Shawn Theatre: Tero Saarinen Company with The Boston Camerata, Thu-Fri 8 pm, Sat 2, 8 pm, Sun 2 pm, $45-$58.
KARAOKE
Bailey's Pub, 1910 Smith St., North Providence. 353-7070. With Tony C., Thu 9 pm. With Stevie D., Fri-Sat 9 pm. No cover.
Baxter's Bar and Grill, 888 Charles St., North Providence. 726-8889. With Mr. B, Thu-Sat 9 pm. No cover.
The Coda Lounge Bar and Grille, 678 Killingly St., Johnston. 331-5291. With Ray Dog, Thu 9 pm.
Copperfield's, 1551 Warwick Ave., Warwick. 738-7936. With Ram upstairs and with Jay downstairs, Thu 9 pm. Caught In The Act with Adrienne, Sun 9 pm.
Darling's Lounge, Ramada Inn, 940 Fall River Ave., Seekonk. (508) 336-9222. With Silver Fox, Fri 9 pm-12:30 am.
Emilia's Cuisine (formerly Maxwell's Cafe), 288 Atwood Ave., Cranston. 942-6777. With Jonathan, Thu-Sun 9 pm-1 am. No cover.
Fitzpatrick's Pub, 1145 Park Ave., Cranston. 943-8368. With Tommy Tunes, Sun 9 pm-1 am. No cover.
Junior's Roadhouse, 17 Sandy Bottom Rd., Coventry. 821-9443. With Dawn, Thu 8 pm-midnight. No cover.
Eugene T. Lefebvre VFW Post 1271, 416 Hunt St., Central Falls. 726-9346. Star FX, Sat 8:30 pm-12:30 am. No cover.
LePage's Seafood and Grille, 439 Martine St., Fall River. (508) 677-2180. Fri 9 pm.
Lou's Cafe, 47 Summer St., Manville. 762-9741, www.calrayesdjandkaraoke.com. With Cal Raye. Contest and ladies night, Thu 8:30 pm-12:30 am.
Meatball Mike's Bar & Grill, 1280 Cranston St., Cranston. 944-4455. With Mike Marrocco Production, Fri 9 pm-1 am.
Memories, 200 George Waterman Rd., Johnston. 231-5501. With Jerry Jack Daniels, Thu 8 pm-midnight. With P.J.'s Limelight, Sun 8 pm-midnight. No cover.
Mulhearn's Pub, 507 North Broadway, East Providence. 438-9292. With Chase, Sun 9 pm-1 am.
Murrays Pub, 1091 Main St., Pawtucket. 728-0023. With Danimal, Thu-Sat 9 pm-1 am.
Oak Hill Tavern, 565 Tower Hill Rd. (Route 1), North Kingstown. 294-3282. With Nancy Thomas, Sun 8:30 pm. No cover.
Pinewood Pub, 16 Terry Lane, Chepachet. 568-5660. With Kim, Fri 9 pm.
Red Rock Bar and Grill, 6105 Post Rd., North Kingstown. 884-1800. Thu 9 pm-1 am.
Rhino Bar and Grille, 337 Thames St., Newport. 846-0707. Thu 9 pm.
Richard's Knightsville Pub, 1669 Cranston St., Cranston. 942-9868. With Bryon, Fri 9 pm-1 am. With DJ Jim, Sat 9 pm-1 am.
Rocky Point Pub, 1705 West Shore Rd., Warwick. 739-9800. Sun 9 pm.
Sh-Na-Na's, 731 Airport Rd., Warwick. 732-4737. With PJ's Limelight, Thu 8 pm. No cover.
Sunset Bar & Grille, 888 Charles St., North Providence. 726-8889. Thu 8:30 pm. No cover.
Third Base Tavern, 281 Massasoit Ave., East Providence. 434-4398. Thu 8 pm-midnight.
Cafe Arpeggio, 139 South Main St., Fall River. (508) 679-3333. Coffee House, Fri 9 pm. With Jay Cunningham, Sun 1-5 pm.
The Coffee Depot, 501 Main St., Warren. 247-9890. With Manny and Cathy Perry, Fri 7:30-10 pm.
Crickets, 280 George Washington Highway (Route 116), Smithfield. 232-0300. With Rumors, for vocalists, Fri 7:30-11 pm.
Daniel B's, 733 Kingstown Rd. (Route 108), Wakefield. 782-6700. With Jason Colonies, Thu 9 pm-1 am.
Narrows Center for the Arts, 16 Anawan St., Fall River. (508) 324-1926. For musicians, poets and thespians, Thu sign up 7-7:30 pm.
Nepenthe Cafe, 241 Main St., East Greenwich. 558-0047. Thu 8-11 pm. Sign-up 7:30 pm. No cover.
Oak Hill Tavern, 565 Tower Hill Rd. (Route 1), North Kingstown. 294-3282. With Buddy Cavaleri, Thu 8:30 pm-12:30 am. No cover.
Richards Memorial Library, 118 North Washington St., North Attleboro. (508) 699-0122. Summer Poetry and Acoustic Music Open Mike Session, Sun 1:30-3:30 pm.
Tinker's Nest, 322 Metacom Ave., Warren. 245-8875. Talent night with Mike Purcel, Thu 9 pm-1 am.
POETRY/READINGS
The Canterbury Tales, with Marilyn Malina, North Kingstown Free Library, 100 Boone St., North Kingstown. 294-3306. Thu 2 pm.
Poets & Players, Mixed Magic Theatre, 171 Main St., Pawtucket. 722-1881, www.mixedmagictheatre.org. Sun 7:30 pm. $10.
ETC.
Afrobeat Night: Issa & Seydou Coulibaly and Didakan, West African drum and dance, Tazza Caffe and Lounge, 250 Westminster St., Providence. 421-3300. Fri 8:30 pm.
Blue Man Group, Charles Playhouse, 74 Warrenton St., Boston. (617) 426-6912. Broadway hit with three performers painted blue, backed by a rock band. Wed-Thu 8 pm, Fri 7 pm, Sat 4, 7, 10 pm, Sun 2, 5 pm. $46-$56. Open-ended run.
Jay Johnson: The Two and Only!, ventriloquist, American Repertory Theatre's Zero Arrow Theatre, Arrow Street and Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard Square, Cambridge. (617) 547-8300, www.amrep.org. Tue-Thu 7:30 pm, Fri 8 pm, Sat 2, 8 pm, Sun 2, 7:30 pm. $38-$50; $15 students. Closes Aug. 6.
After a season of Beckett, Turgenev and O'Neill, director Ed Shea felt it was time for something light, a "great silly evening" of one-act plays, as he put it.
And that's just what Warren's 2nd Story Theatre has come up with for the first installment of this summer's Short Attention Span Theatre. Most all of the plays in this first grouping that runs through Sunday are indeed silly, lightweight comedies that poke fun at relationships, death and parenthood.
-- CHANNING GRAY
Local, first-time playwright Colette Schwoeri's Marble House, now at Newport's Firehouse Theater, offers a look at the often empty lives of the rich and powerful during Newport's Golden Age, enacted by a decent, if somewhat green, troupe of actors who are volunteering their time.
The play, set in 1912, contains titillating bits of gossip, talk of affairs, marriage and coming-out parties. But that's about it. Don't, in other words, go expecting profound insights into the human condition, or high drama.
Marble House, directed by Michael Gregory Johnson, is more a soap opera, based loosely on the life of imperious Alva Vanderbilt, a champion of women's rights but a tyrant when it came to her own daughter, Consuelo, and the members of her staff.
Alva is the main character, but we fgind out more about Consuelo, about her desires, her dreams, her feelings that the common folk lead freer lives than the rich. She talks about watching average Newporters walking along Cliff Walk in the evenings, "having the time of their lives."
But a lot of this play, which could use some trimming (it's 2 hours and 15 minutes long) deals with silly, superficial matters. It's not the play's length that is so much the problem, but that the script gets bogged down in such trivial, tedious goings-on.
While the writing is somewhat less than poetic, the plotlines unfold smoothly.
