Summer Stages: BWW's Top Summer Theatre Picks - Houston!

Living in Houston and covering Houston's illustrious theatre scene thoroughly spoils us. However, we are always more than happy to share the wealth and talk about what is happening all over town. This summer, we are thrilled that Houston's theatre community is embracing women and giving Houston audiences the chance to see a plethora of shows featuring strong female characters and fascinating female leads.

XANADU - Already running at Stages Repertory Theatre, XANADU is a must-see musical comedy. In a recent review, David said, "If you don't like to have a good time, if you abhor fun, if you dislike cheerful musicals, if you despise feeling good, then please avoid XANADU. Stages Repertory Theatre's sparkling production of XANADU is unashamedly a summery, theatrical confection. It is candy-coated glee with a side of champagne. It is a relatively family friendly fun night out. It's a fantastic show to share with friends or a date. XANADU is the type of musical that leaves you celebrating the fun, frivolity of life. Give in to the giddiness of the show, give your brain a break, and let your heart take its fill." XANADU, produced by Stages Repertory Theatre, runs on the Arena Stage at Stages Repertory Theatre, 3201 Allen Parkway, Suite 101, Houston, 77019 now through June 29, 2014 (But we're hoping it extends!). For tickets and more information, please visit http://stagestheatre.com or call (713) 527-0123.

SWAN LAKE - In all sincerity, Houston Ballet never disappoints. The company excels at crafting gorgeous productions. Also, is there any other ballet that really exposes the power and glory of the female dancer? Every ballerina dreams of dancing the lead dual roles in SWAN LAKE, alternating form the gracefully innocent White Swan to the darkly sensual Black Swan. With a mesmerizing and unforgettable score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, SWAN LAKE tells the story of Odette, a beautiful maiden that is transformed into a swan by an evil knight, and a young, valiant prince swears his love for her. SWAN LAKE, designed by Kristian Fredrikson and produced by Houston Ballet, runs from June 5 through 15, 2014 in the Brown Theater at Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Avenue, Houston, 77002. For tickets and more information, please visit http://houstonballet.org or call (800) 828-2787.

PIPPI LONGSTOCKING: THE FAMILY MUSICAL - It is not always easy to find shows that the whole family can enjoy. Most kids programming is simply unappealing to adult audiences; however, Main Street Theater's Theater for Youth options usually are fun for kids of all ages, and we expect that PIPPI LONGSTOCKING: THE FAMILY MUSICAL won't be any different. Based on Astrid Lindgren's beloved novel, the musical follows Pippi Longstocking, who lives alone with her monkey, as she dances with robbers, learns her "pluttification" tables at school, fights the strongest man in the world at the circus, plays tag with police officers, and through other hysterical hijinks. PIPPI LONGSTOCKING: THE FAMILY MUSICAL, produced by Main Street Theater, runs from June 8 through August 3, 2014 at Main Street Theater - Chelsea Market, 4617 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, 77006. For tickets and more information, please visit http://mainstreettheater.com or call (713) 524-6706.

THE LITTLE MERMAID - Theatre Under the Stars is finishing their current mainstage season with what is promising to be a sumptuous production of Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID. Like the film, the musical tells the story of the impetuous teenager Ariel, who barter's her voice with Ursula the Sea Witch all to chase after a prince she has only seen once. So, while Ariel may not be the strongest female, it is nice to see a female character lead a show. Also, who doesn't love the fabulously embittered Ursula? Seriously, she has to be one of the absolute best villains ever created by Disney. Lastly, for those familiar with the Broadway version, TUTS is kicking the Heelys and utilizing the Sarofim's fly rigging to have characters literally swim through the air. THE LITTLE MERMAID, produced by Theatre Under the Stars, runs in Sarofim Hall at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, 800 Bagby Street, Houston, 77002 from June 13 to 29, 2014. For tickets and more information, please visit http://www.tuts.com or call (713) 558-TUTS (8887).

THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS - Miss Mona is back this summer, and the best part is that you and your friends and family can visit her infamous brothel for free! Based on the real-life Chicken Coop outside of La Grange, Texas and Marvin Zindler's crusade to get the place shut down, THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS is a tongue-in-cheek musical comedy featuring more strong females than you can shake a stick at. Venture out to this lil' ole bitty pissant country place and let Miss Mona, Jewel, and Miss Mona's girls entertain you and heat up your summer nights. THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, presented by both Theatre Under the Stars and Miller Outdoor Theatre, runs at Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, 77030 from July 15 through 20, 2014. For tickets and more information, please http://milleroutdoortheatre.com or call (281) FREE-FUN (373-3386). Please note that Tickets in the covered reserved seating are available at the Miller Theatre Box Office between 10:30 am and 1:00 pm on the day of the performance. Any remaining tickets will be given out one hour before curtain. Additionally, For each $50 tax-deductible donation to TUTS, the organization will set aside two reserved tickets under the covered pavilion. For reserved tickets TUTS at (713) 558 - 2651. For more information, please visit http://www.tuts.com.

A VERY TAMARIE CHRISTMAS - It's not summer in Houston without seeing a Tamarie Cooper musical. This year, she's taking on Christmas and our holiday-obsessed culture. According to the Catastrophic Theatre's website, "A VERY TAMARIE CHRISTMAS will feature the wacky costumes, dance numbers, and butt jokes you've come to expect, but with all the tinsel, ermine, and plastic snow you've been missing! With a cast of dozens and a live band, Tamarie celebrates the holidays with as much angst and equivocation as you probably find in your own dysfunctional homes." A VERY TAMARIE CHRISTMAS will run at The Catastophic Theatre, 1119 East Freeway, Houston, 77002 from July 17 to August 30, 2014. For tickets and more information, please visit http://catastrophictheatre.com or call (713) 522-2723.

POLLYWOG - Houston's own Mildred's Umbrella Theatre Company is producing The World Premiere of POLLYWOG. This new play promises to be touching and emotionally riveting. It opens with Polly wading into the Atlantic Ocean, as she begins her first ocean swim. She has a container, holding the ashes of her mother, secured to her body. She's not swimming in a contest, and she's not looking for glory. Instead, she is seeking "a genuine conclusion to swimming lessons prematurely halted at age nine when Jule [her mother] suffered a stroke and Polly's childhood effectively ended. Although physically alone on her journey, she carries within herself, and ultimately confronts, the main characters of her life: Jule, before and after her stroke; Esther and Johnny, Hollywood swim idols and Polly's imaginary helpmates in Jule's care; and her father Mort, a former sailor turned cemetery salesman." The World Premiere of POLLYWOG, produced by Mildred's Umbrella Theatre Company, runs in Studio 101 at 1824 Spring Street, Houston, 77007 from July 31 to August 16, 2014. For tickets and more information, please visit http://www.mildredsumbrella.com or call (832) 463-0409.

TRIASSIC PARQ - Well we're pleased as punch that Colton Berry and his Bayou City Theatrics is bringing the Regional Premiere of our favorite Off-Broadway musical TRIASSIC PARQ to Houston audiences. This quirky musical comedy tells the story of Jurassic Park from the point of view of the dinosaurs. Science, religion, and gender run amok in the show, which follows the Velociraptor of Innocence as she sets out to see what the world is like outside of her paddock. Along the way, a startling change causes a tyrannosaurs rex to question everything she knows about life and herself. With catchy music, hysterically bawdy lyrics, and an edgy story, this is definitely a show that you'll need to leave the kids at home for. Enjoy this zany treat with your close friends or a date. TRIASSIC PARQ, produced by Bayou City Theatrics, runs at The Kaleidoscope, BCT's new home, at 705 Main Street, Suite B, Houston, 77002 from July 31 to August 9, 2014. For tickets and more information, please visit http://www.bayoucitytheatrics.com.

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