Open Door stages ‘Spongebob the Musical’ for all
For over 40 years, Open Door Theater has made performing accessible to everyone from ablebodied performers to those who are deaf or have other disabilities, including autism, Down Syndrome and other mobility and cognitive challenges.
This year, the Actonbased company brings “The Spongebob Musical” to life for seven performances, March 24-April 2, at the Dragonfly Theater, R. J. Grey Junior High School, 16 Charter Road, Acton. All performances are relaxed/sensory friendly and feature ASL interpretation and open captioning. The second weekend features audiodescribed performances.
“This production is a don’t-miss production that’s squarely in your swim lane,” notes publicist Samantha Gould. “It’s an action-packed underwater adventure with a fantastic score and brilliant choreography, highlighting diversity, courage, and friendship.
It features Jared Palazzo, as an ebullient, neurodiverse, pitch-perfect Spongebob and a cast of actors who are deaf, and have disabilities such as being neurodiverse, autistic, Down Syndrome, and/ or have mobility and cognitive challenges.
Professional deaf actress Sabrina Denison graces the stage as Patrick Star, the sassy, pink starfish sidekick. Denison is director of Artistic Sign Language for many Boston theaters, HBO, and Broadway. Her comedic timing and sophomoric rapport with Spongebob and her puerile-tone-matching voice actor, Heather Pruiksma, will bring the house down — but not Patrick’s house, as that is a rock.
Performances are at 7 p.m. on March 24 and 31 and April 1 and at 1 p.m. on March 25, 26, April 1, 2. Tickets $15 at https:// beta.purplepass.com/organizer/44973.
In the wings
ELTON AT MRT: Merrimack Repertory Theater announces a limited engagement of “Elton Undressed: Todd Alsup Sings Elton John” featuring Todd Alsup and conceived by Rob Ruggiero. Performances are at 8 p.m., Sat., June 10, and 4 p.m., Sun., June 11. Excerpts will
be performed as part of MRT’S 44th annual gala on Friday June 9 at Liberty Hall. Elton John’s larger-than-life persona is famous around the world. Alsup, a singer and pianist, pulls back the curtain on the musical icon and legend. Acoustic, strippeddown renditions of Elton John’s classic hits bring audiences deeper into the artist’s life and closer to the heart of his timeless music. For info, visit www. toddalsup.com. Tickets to the show are $21-$35 and available at www.mrt.org or call 978- 654- 4678.
OUT AND ABOUT: Lowell’s Dramatically Incorrect Theater Group and Dance Company
stages “Next to Normal” March 24-April 2 in The Loft Theater, 9 Central
St., Lowell. Visit www.ditgdc.org for info and tickets… Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m., Friday, March 17, for a joint performance by Motown greats The Temptations and The Four Tops at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16. It’s jointly presented by Lowell Management Group and Middlesex Community College. Tickets $49-$99 at www.lowellauditorium. com or call 1-800- 6578744… Rebecca Bradshaw is the new artistic director at Gloucester Stage and will helm the North Shore theater’s 44th sea
son, which opens with a fresh take on Noel Coward’s iconic 1930 comedy “Private Lives,” June 2-25. The rest of the season includes “Stew,” July 7-23; “The Ding Dongs,” Aug. 11-27; and the newly commissioned “Tall Tales from Blackburn Tavern,” to help celebrate Gloucester’s 400+ birthday, Sept. 1-24. For detailed ticket info visit www.gloucesterstage. com. Tickets on sale starting April 1.
ON THE SEACOAST: Threshold Stage Company presents Lucas Hnath’s “A Doll’s House Part 2” March 17-April 7 at the Star Theatre, 120 Rogers Rd., Kittery, Maine. The play looks at why Nora has returned
many years after she walked out on her family in Henrik Ibsen’s classic “A Doll’s House.” It’s been praised as “smart, funny and utterly engrossing.” Tickets $25 at https://
portsmouthnhtickets.com/ organizations/kittery- community- center.