Plenty of productions set for the fall

ALBANY, N.Y. » Most of the summer theaters have closed, but not-to-worry. In the world of area theater there is hardly a beat between the summer closings and fall openings.

A quick glance at the plays offered in September would have you think it to honor the recently deceased playwright Neil Simon. Of course, the plays were selected in the spring, but nonetheless September is a terrific tribute to a great playwright.

Albany Civic Theatre opens the Neil Simon dramady “The Gingerbread Lady” on September 7.

On the same day, Theatre Barn, a summer troupe, presents its 2018 season ending show, the comedy “The Decorator.” It plays September 7 to September 23.

Curtain Call Theatre is offering another Neil Simon play to open its season on September 13. The coming of age comedy- drama “Biloxi Blues,” plays at the Latham theater through October 13.

If you want theater that is the polar opposite of Neil Simon, the month of September will offer an evening of plays written by Samuel Beckett. Troy Foundry is following up on its successful first year of presenting bold theater in unusual spaces by offering “Catastrophe Carnivale,” an evening of Beckett one acts plays in Troy’s Gasholder Building. It’s a truly unique space that should be perfect for several rarely produced theater pieces. It runs September 20 -30.

Lake Theatre is offering its second show of the sea- son opening on September 14 and running through foliage season, closing on October 13. The romantic comedy “The Long Weekend” isn’t by Neil Simon, but is the next best thing. The playwright Norm Foster is referred to as “the Canadian Neil Simon.”

If you prefer musical theater, Schenectady Light Opera Company opens “In the Heights,” on September 21. If the title is unfamiliar, Lin-Manuel Miranda created the Tony Awardwinning show just prior to “Hamilton.”

Capital Repertory Company starts its season on September 21, with “The Royale” a story inspired by boxer Jack Johnson.

That’s not a bad September. Two drama- comedies, a musical, a night of Beckett and a relatively new play that addresses a serious so- cial issue.

And it’s just a warm-up. There are another dozen plays that will be offered starting in October and continuing through New Year’s Day. They include Broadway musicals “Anastasia” (October 9-14) and “A Bronx Tale” (October 23-28). HomeMade Theatre in Saratoga also presents a popular musical, “Young Frankenstein,” October 13-28

Look over the list below and you’ll find musicals, comedy, drama and works that are familiar and some that are new. One thing is for sure – there will be something available that will please you.

September

Sept. 7 - The Gingerbread Lady, Albany Civic Theatre, Albany

Sept. 7 - The Decorator, Theatre Barn, NewLebanon

Sept. 13- Biloxi Blues, Curtain Call Theatre, Latham

Sept. 14 - The Long Weekend, Lake Theater, Lake George

Sept. 15- HIR, Shakespeare & Company, Lenox, Mass.

Sept. 20 - Catastrophe Carnivale, Troy Foundry, Gasholder Building, Troy

Sept. 21 - In The Heights, SLOC, Schenectady

Sept. 25 - The Royale, Capital Rep, Albany

October

Oct. 3 - The Glass Menagerie, Barrington Stage Co., Pittsfield, Mass

Oct. 4. – Always… Patsy Cline. Park Playhouse at Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes

Oct. 9 - Anastasia, Proctors, Schenectady

Oct. 12 - Mad Woman of Chaillot, Schenectady Civic Theatre, Schenectady

Oct. 23 - A Bronx Tale, Proctors, Schenectady

Oct. 25. – Every Brilliant Thing, Curtain Call Theatre, Latham

November

Nov 1. Million Dollar Quartet, Park Playhouse at Cohoes Music Hall

Nov. 2 - Gloria, Albany Civic Theatre, Albany

Nov 13. - Grease, SLOC, Schenectady

Nov. 27. – Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberley, Capital Rep, Albany

Nov. 29 - Comedy of Tenors, Curtain Call, Latham

December

Dec. 5. - Dr. Suess’ The Grinch, Proctors, Schenectady

Dec 7 - A Christmas Story, Home Made Theatre, Saratoga Springs

Dec 7. - Looking at Christmas, Schenectady Civic Players, Schenectady