Labor Day weekend is always bittersweet — it marks the end of summer and the start of a new school year — but it also promises cooler days and more entertainment options than ever before.
The three productions that piqued our interest are: Frankenstein, playing September 19-October 27 at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth, New Hampshire; coming straight to the repertory theatre from London, this production is the regional premiere of Nick Dear’s wildly popular adaptation, a thrilling reinterpretation of one of the most gripping horror stories of all time. A raw exploration of creation, man, and the monsters we create, Mary Shelley’s timeless classic becomes a bold, chilling dramatic masterpiece as audiences see the story through the eyes of Frankenstein’s monster. See the legend come to life in this new adaptation and prepare for a dramatic shift in perspective. For tickets, visit https://ci.ovationtix.com/35751/production/1176576
Rock of Ages is playing at Seacoast Rep until September 8th. A press release about the show states, “Want to rock? Seacoast Rep is taking you back to the rock-heavy ’80s. Get rowdy with Rock of Ages.” The show features hits by Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison, Europe and more. Fasten your seatbelt and prepare for a wild ride back to the ’80s, when music was loud, Aquanet was the hairspray and rock stars wore skin-tight spandex and heavy makeup. Dig out your crazy ’80s clothes and join in the fun. Take your next album cover photo at the onsite photo exhibit.
Stacee Jaxx will be giving away three of his guitars after his final performance with Arsenal at the Bourbon Room. These are the guitars he actually plays onstage at his shows, including “The Flaming V”, “The Purple Punisher” and “The Salsa Verde”. Jaxx will sign the guitars if you would like. Come to the show and be entered into a drawing to win one of his beloved guitars. The drawing will take place at the final show on September 8th. Winners will be notified, but you do not need to be there to win. For tickets, visit https://ci.ovationtix.com/35751/production/1176575
Also in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Players Ring will open its season next week with Christopher Durang’s Tony Award-winning comedy “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.” The drama, which runs from September 6-22, tells the story of Vanya and Sonia, two middle-aged sisters living together in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who argue and complain about their living conditions. Suddenly, their movie-star sister, Masha, arrives with her new boyfriend, Spike. Old grudges are ignited, eventually threatening to sell the house. Also featured are Cassandra, a sassy maid who can predict the future, and Nina, a beautiful young aspiring actress whose cuteness worries the domineering Masha a little. For more information and tickets, visit https://www.playersring.org/shows/vanya.
Behind the scenes
Little Shop of Horrors is a fun-filled extravaganza: If you’re heading to southern Maine in the next few weeks, don’t miss Ogunquit Playhouse’s Little Shop of Horrors. The musical, which runs through September 21, is by the team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, who previously wrote and composed Disney classics The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast. It tells the story of Seymour, a nerdy plant-loving man, and Audrey, a beautiful salesgirl at Mr. Mushnik’s shady Skid Row flower shop. Audrey is a clueless blonde beauty embroiled in an affair with motorcycle-riding dentist Orrin Scrivello. Things miraculously turn around when Audrey II, a plant that Seymour has been growing, makes an appearance. Latrice Royale, Miss Congeniality from RuPaul’s Drag Race, will bring the laughs with her powerful dancing, stunning makeup and monstrous portrayal of Audrey II. The rest of the cast is Broadway-caliber. For tickets, visit www.ogunquitplayhouse.org.
No “Stage” Next Week: The column will be on a break next week in observance of Labor Day. However, “Stage” will resume on September 12th, so see you then!
Nancy Tuttle can be reached at nancyedt@verizon.net.