Summer Stages: My Choices for California Summer Theatre

LOS ANGELES:

Ghost, Pantages Theatre/June 27 -July13/www.hollywoodpantages.com/ The musical stage adaptation of the 1990 runaway hit film of the same title that starred Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore and Oscar-winning Whoopi Goldberg. Despite its mixed reviews, the show, which originated on the West End, received 3 Tony nominations for its Broadway engagement. With book/lyrics by Bruce Joel and music/lyrics by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard, Ghost's musical score includes the ever-popular "Unchained Melody" and is bound to be an audience grabber.

Hair, Hollywood Bowl/August 1, 2 and 3/www.hollywoodbowl.com/ Once a year, the Hollywood Bowl offers a classic Broadway musical for three performances. This year they have chosen Hair which defined the rock musical in the 60s. It will be directed by Emmy-nominated Adam Shankman, with celebrity cast Kristen Bell, Hunter Parrish, Amber Riley, Jenna Ushkowitz and Beverly D'Angelo as Mom. Galt MacDermot's American anthems "Aquarius" and "Let the Sunshine In" are a vibrant part of our music history. This should prove a huge audience favorite.

Once, Pantages Theatre/July 15-August 10/www.hollywoodpantages.com/ Adapted from the 2006 movie of the same name, Once with book by Enda Walsh and music by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, won 8 of its 11 Tony nominations including Best Musical of 2012. It's a very unusual love story with a unique Dublin bar setting...and contains the gorgeous Oscar-winning Best Song of 2006 "Falling Slowly" by composers Hansard and Irglova, upon whose association the story is based.

Stoneface, Pasadena Playhouse/ June 3- 29/ www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org Vanessa Claire Stewart's brilliant stage adaptation of the era of silent movies and life of Buster Keaton which originated at the Sacred Fools Theatre in 2012. It stars the irrepressible French Stewart, known for his great skill at physical comedy, portraying who else but Buster Keaton. The amazing feat of this show is being able to show both the comic and personal sides of the man in the guise of a silent movie.

The Country House, Geffen Playhouse/June 3-July 13/www.geffenplayhouse.com/ This much anticipated world premiere play by Pulitzer-Prize winning playwright Donald Margulies stars Tony-winning actress Blythe Danner and is directed by award-winning Daniel Sullivan. Based on Anton Chekov's pastoral comedies, the play takes place in the Berkshires during the Williamstown Theatre's Summer Festival. When a grande family of actors gather at their Berkshire home, their passions for art and love are put to a severe test. Born and bred on the East coast and a huge fan of Williamstown, Margulies and Danner (photo above), I am most eager to see The Country House.

The Last Confession, Ahmanson/June7-July6/www.centertheatregroup.org Roger Crane's play about the papal election in 1978 of Pope John Paul I and his sudden death shortly into his reign. Stars renowned international stage/TV actor David Suchet, best known as Inspector Hercule Poirot on PBS, and for his astounding turn a few years back as Salieri in the Ahmanson's great production of Amadeus.

SACRAMENTO:

Brigadoon, Sacramento Music Circus/ Wells Fargo Pavilion/August 5-10/www.californiamusicaltheatre.com/ Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's classic, rarely done musical will be onstage for one week only in early August. Directed by Glen Casale, who knows summer theater in the round inside out, Brigadoon takes place in a mythical and mystical Scottish village and features glorious tunes such as "Almost Like Being in Love" and "The Heather on the Hill".

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