These classic summer shows will heat up our local stages through July
From one of the most respected theater festivals in the country to an evening of jazz with tunes by Duke Ellington and Fats Waller, here are a few shows to keep in mind in July.
Mary Poppins
Through July 15, Brookville Community Theatre
Step back in time as Brookville stages the classic and tuneful Disney musical about the magical nanny who brings love and discipline back into the Banks household in 1910 England. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays at the theater, 770 Arlington Rd., Brookville. July 1 and 8 performances are sold out. $17. Call Brookville Flower Shop at (937) 833-3531 or visit brookvillecommunitytheatre.com.
Mamma Mia!
July 12-15, Wilmington College Wilmington College-Community Summer Theatre offers this ABBA-friendly musical about a young bride-to-be seeking to discover the identity of her father. 7:30 p.m. ThursdaySaturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Hugh G. Heiland Theatre on the campus of Wilmington College, 1870 Quaker Way, Wilmington. $15. Call (937) 481-2267 or visit wilmington.edu.
The Secret Garden
July 12-22, Epiphany Lutheran Church
Epiphany Drama Ministry presents Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon’s heartwarming musical about a young girl unlocking family secrets based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 6430 Far Hills Ave., Centerville. $5-$20. Call (937) 433-1449 ext. 105 or visit epiphanydayton.org.
13July
13-15, Dare to Defy Productions
Jason Robert Brown’s charming musical about the highs and lows of adolescence and friendship features a cast entirely made of students between the ages of 10 and 14. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St, Dayton. $10-$35. Visit showtix4u.com.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
July 13-21, Yellow Springs Theater Company
The course of true love is once again under fanciful inspection as Yellow Springs Theater Company presents Shakespeare’s timeless romance on the lawn of Mills Lawn School, 200 S. Walnut St., Yellow Springs. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Free admission. Patrons must provide own seating. Visit ystheater.org.
The Joint Is Jumpin’
July 18, Muse Machine
The Muse Machine’s summer concert blends great jazz musicians from New York City and New Orleans with local artists and Muse performers. 7 and 8:30 p.m. at the Loft Theatre, 126 N. Main St., Dayton. $25 and $35. Call Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or visit musemachine.com.
FutureFest
July 20-22, Dayton Playhouse The Dayton Playhouse’s 28th annual FutureFest of new, unproduced plays features Carl Williams’ comedy “What Are Words Worth to a Long Fellow” (8 p.m. Friday), William Kovascik’s period drama “Fettered” (10 a.m. Saturday), Barbara Snow’s Baby Boomer dramedy “Late in the Game” (3 p.m. Saturday), Randy Neale’s racial drama “Last Rites-Detroit, 1967” (8 p.m. Saturday), Jim Geoghan’s father-son dramedy “Of Men and Cars” (10 a.m. Sunday), and John Minigan’s dramedy “Queen of Sad Mischance” (3 p.m. Sunday). Weekend passes are $100. Limited number of single tickets will be available before each performance. Call (937) 4248477 or visit daytonplayhouse. com.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
July 20-29, Vandalia Youth Theatre
Vandalia Youth Theatre provides the local premiere of Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz’s Disney musical retelling of the classic story by Victor Hugo. This Senior Production, directed by Jake Lockwood, will be held at 7 p.m. July 20, 21, 27 and 28, and 2 p.m. July 29 at Northridge High School, 2008 Timber Lane, Dayton. $12-$14. Visit vandaliayouththeatre.net.
Jesus Christ Superstar
July 27-29, Dare to Defy Productions
Dare to Defy continues its Dare 2 Inspire initiative with a contemporary, multimedia spin on Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s 1971 rock opera featuring a cast ranging in age from 15 to 20. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St, Dayton. $10-$35. Visit showtix4u.com.
Contact this contributing writer at rflorence2@gmail.com.