Summer is here — and so are summer shows

Final weekend to see ‘Alice in Danceland,’ ‘Godspell,’ ‘Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood’

2022-06-24 - Steve Couch Young Thespians is a column that focuses on area youth theater. If you have a story idea or a show that you would like to share in this space, e-mail stevecouch@ windstream.net.

Feeling the heat now that the summer solstice has come and gone? Why not check out the comfy confines of a local indoor theater? Plenty of options abound this week for your summer stock pleasure.

Read on:

The Fine Arts Association

In Willoughby, closing weekend is arriving for a local original work, “Alice in Danceland.” One more weekend of performances awaits at 7:30 p.m. on June 24 and 25 at 2 p.m. on June 26. The June 26 performance is sign-interpreted by The HeArd.

“Alice in Danceland” is rated PG and is especially appropriate for ages 8 and older. Tickets are $15 for children ages 10 and under, $23 for children ages 11 and up and seniors 65 and over, and $25 for adults. Call Fine Arts at 440-951-7500 or visit www.fineartsassociation.org/performance to purchase tickets and get further information. “Alice in Danceland” is supported by sponsorship from Marous Brothers Construction and funding provided by the Ohio Arts Council. The Fine Arts Association is located at 38660 Mentor Ave. in Willoughby, and The Corning Auditorium is barrier free. Secure, on-site parking is free.

“Alice in Danceland” is the creation of writer/director David Malinowski, composer/lyricist Kyle Lorek and choreographer Howard Washington. It is a new musical based on the characters from Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”. You can’t say that too often with local productions that it’s a world premiere.

Ashtabula Arts Center

This weekend will be the final chance to see “Godspell” at Straw Hat Theatre. The show follows Jesus Christ and a group of his followers, who tell colorful and frequently humorous stories conveying his lessons in the days leading up to the Last Supper and

Crucifixion.

Closing-weekend performances run June 24-26. All Straw Hat Theatre shows begin at 7:30 p.m.

Advance sale tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, students and military, and $11 for children 2-12. For tickets at the door, add $2. Pay What You Can Pricing is available for all performances of this show. Get tickets at 440-964-3396 or ashtabulaartscenter.org.

“Godspell” is directed by Kimberly Godfrey Warren, with music directed by Debra Fleming.

This modern classic features a book by John-Micheal Tebelak and music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. It was originally produced on the New York stage by Edgar Lansbury, Stuart Duncan and Joseph Beruh. “Godspell” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International. All authorized performance materials also provided by MTI.

“The show is a re-imagining of the Gospel of Matthew,” says director Warren, “but at its heart, the story is just about being a good person. The parables that are included are focused on kindness, community, mercy and love, and this cast tells the story with energetic humor.”

The 2022 season of Straw Hat Theatre is sponsored by KeyBank. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund the arts center with state tax dollars to encourage economic

growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

Curtain 440 Productions

If you’d like to enjoy some actual outdoor theater instead of staying inside, Curtain 440 productions under director Mark Cipra might be more your style.

“Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood” opened last weekend and has one more weekend of performances. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. June 24 and 25 and 3 p.m. June 26 at Celebration Lutheran Church at 10621 Auburn Road in Chardon. Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for students and can be purchased online atcurtain440.com/

Tickets or at the door.

Enjoy Little John, Friar Tuck, Maid Marian and of course Robin Hood in this unique outdoor production.

Wildwood Theatre Camp

Wildwood Theatre Camp is presenting its first performance of the summer at 7 p.m. on June 23 in Lecture Hall A (the “Little Theatre”) at Mentor High School. This is a free public performance.

This is my 28th year of directing the program. Originally conceived by Len Zito, the former longtime director of cultural activities for the city of Mentor, kids from grade two and up get to learn the basics of performance and enjoy the grounds of the Tudor-style mansion that is Wildwood Cultural Center in Mentor.

This year’s production is a new production written by my daughter, Casey Couch, with an assist by yours truly. It is titled “Shiver Me Timbers: A Show of Sea Shanties and Sailors.”

It features music by my longtime collaborating composer, Joseph Hollings.

Wildwood Theatre Camp features both kids with no performance experience and those who have been on stage multiple times.

Kids range from as young as 7 or 8 up to high school age. The program is provided by the City of Mentor and supports itself through its registration fees and the Parks and Recreation Department. As a city program, it is not auditioned and takes all children who sign up, including those with special needs.

Bring your young actor and see if this program would be right for them next year. Or if you did the show earlier in the summer, come check it out and see how another group did!

And if you stop by, be sure to say hello!