Summer Fun in Northeast Ohio


Porthouse Theatre on the grounds of Blossom Music Center raises the curtain on its 41st season of quality performances in a beautiful setting. The covered, open-air theatre offers audiences the chance to enjoy semi-professional productions chosen for their entertainment value. This summer, the fun starts off with Stephen Sondheim's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (June 11-27). The comedy of ancient Rome is transformed into bawdy contemporary farce that won the Tony Award for Best Musical. Stand-out songs include "Comedy Tonight" and "Lovely." From July 2 through 18, Oscar Madison and Felix Ungar meet again in Neil Simon's beloved comedy The Odd Couple. Sparks fly when neat nick Felix moves in with slovenly Oscar after his wife asks for a divorce.

The season concludes with Irving Berlin's rousing Annie Get Your Gun (July 23-Aug. 9). Based on the true story of sharp shooter Annie Oakley, this celebration of love in the American West offers classic songs such as "There's No Business Like Show Business," "Anything You Can Do," and "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun." WKSU members receive a ticket discount for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday performances. Find more online at www.PorthouseTheatre.com.

Legendary folk singer Judy Collins returns to Northeast Ohio with a performance on the Evans Amphitheater stage at Cain Park on June 27. With a soulful voice that is equally comfortable singing works by Joni Mitchell, Stephen Sondheim or the masters of the American Songbook, Collins is sure to present a concert filled with memorable moments. On June 25, Eric Bibb brings his signature mix of folk, blues and jazz to Cain Park. Son of folk legend Leon Bibb, Bibb left his father's house for France and Sweden, where he rediscovered his love for American music. Cool will be the rule when the Big Cool Cats Music Festival takes over Evans Amphitheater for a day-long event on June 20. Performers include 70 Lewis, Cats on Holiday, Mo Mojo, Magpies, Mifune and Ital, Cleveland's old-school legendary reggae band reunited for the first time in three years. Annual favorite the Workman's Circle Yiddishe Concert on June 28 offers WKSU's own Vivian Goodman on flute.

In July, the 40th anniversary of Woodstock is marked by a concert featuring Arlo Guthrie and Richie Havens on the 18th. Veteran singer/songwriter John McCutcheon returns to the Evans Amphitheater on July 23. On Aug. 1, Tartan Terrors will shake up the Cain Park audience with a unique mix of championship bagpipes, international drumming and raging guitar - along with a hint of comedy and dance.

This summer's musical on the Alma stage whips up the magic of Pippin. From the creative minds behind Wicked and Godspell, the show tells a coming-of-age story loosely set in France in the Middle Ages. Includes the songs "Magic to Do" and "Corner of the Sky." Ask about the WKSU discount when ordering tickets. Find more on Cain Parks concerts and events through August online at www.CainPark.com.

Live theatre sets up shop at Stan Hywet for another summer of comedy and drama from the pen of William Shakespeare. Disguised identities and political intrigue add spice to the popular romantic comedy As You Like It on July 9 to 25. Romeo and Juliet, perhaps the world's most-iconic story of love gone wrong, takes the stage near the Stan Hywet Lagoon on July 30 through Aug. 16. Enjoy the beautiful Stan Hywet grounds as you taste samples of beer and ale from 40 Ohio breweries and listen to live music at the 5th Annual Blues & Brews on Aug. 9. Find the complete details at StanHywet.org.

From June 19 through July 26, Actors' Summit, Hudson's Equity professional theatre, presents the inaugural season of a new summer theater festival intended to reflect the American experience. The focus of the festival is works by American authors that explore the diversity of the country. This summer, four plays will be presented in a rotating repertory format. Neil Thackaberry revises the lead role in Clarence Darrow; Ashland University Professor Ric Goodwin plays Samuel Clements in Mark Twain, Semi-literate Lecturer, Liar & Loafer; life in Minnesota – land of walleye and the Mall of America – brings out the laughs in the musical comedy, Don't Hug Me; and the music of a master is at the center of Unforgettable, the Life and Times of Nat "King" Cole. Productions will be staged at Actors' Summit theatre space in Hudson and at the Hudson Library and Historical Society. Learn more: www.ActorsSummit.org.

The City of Akron throws the spotlight on dance with a series of free performances in communities throughout Akron. The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival features children's pre-show programs and appearances by Ballet Theatre of Ohio at Hardesty Park on July 24 and 25, GroundWorks Dancetheater at Glendale Cemetery on July 31 and Aug. 1, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company at Firestone Park on Aug. 7 and 8 and VERB Ballets at Goodyear Heights Metro Park on Aug. 14 and 15. See the full list of Akron Performs events at AkronPerforms.com.

Gospel makes its Picnic Pops debut as the Akron Symphony offers its own outdoor concert series highlighting the lighter side of symphonic music. Along with a mix of American patriotic songs, themes from Hollywood and Broadway and Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, the ASO brings members of the Gospel Meets Symphony chorus along for a taste of the annual event merging fantastic voices and a symphony orchestra. See Picnic Pops concerts on June 22 at Hardesty Park, June 27 at Firestone Park, July 5 at Lock 3 (with special guest Jack Schantz on trumpet) and July 10 at Goodyear Heights Metro Park. Visit the Akron Symphony online: AkronSymphony.org.

This summer, Kent/Blossom Music's professional subscription series celebrates the bicentennial of a Romantic composer with Mendelssohn Mania. The five-concert series in July and August features concerts with the Miami String Quartet (currently artists-in-residence at Kent State University) on July 1 and 8 and the traditional side-by-side performance of the Kent/Blossom Chamber Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom on Aug. 2. On July 13, eight-time Grammy Award-winners the Emerson String Quartet make their Kent/Blossom Music debut. The series closes on Aug. 5 in Ludwig Recital Hall with the Cleveland Orchestra Piano Trio. Subscription information is available: dept.Kent.edu/blossom.

Lock 3 Live! focuses on the bounty of America with concerts and special events throughout the summer, beginning with Rib, White & Blue July 2 through 4 featuring music and barbecue vendors from across the country. The American Roots night on July 4 offers performances by The University of Akron Steel Drum Band, Mo Mojo, Rebirth Brass Band from New Orleans and fireworks on the Innerbelt. Other musical headliners this season include David Sanborn on July 25, NAJEE on Aug. 1, Marcia Ball with Ruthie Foster on Aug. 8, Tito Puente Jr. on Aug. 15 and the Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie on Aug. 29. The National Hamburger Festival returns July 18 and 19 and visitors can eat locally by purchasing food and more during Friday farmers' markets and HomeGrown Saturday Mornings on select weekends during the summer and fall. See the full schedule online: www.Lock3Live.com.

See roots music outdoors at the Howe Meadow special events site in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park with a summer collection of Music in the Meadow. Concerts are free with family activities before each performance. Regional favorites taking the stage include Hey Mavis on June 3, Mo Mojo on June 10, the Mickeys on July 1, HeartBEAT Africa on July 15, Sammy DeLeon on Aug. 5 and Carlos Jones and the PLUS Band on Aug. 19. Music in the Meadow is presented by Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association: www.CVNPA.org.

For a different way to take advantage of the temperate weather, the Ohio Canal Corridor is offering guided tours of historic Cleveland now through early September. Take a Hike! walks are free and approximately 1 1/2 hours in length. Tour the historic Gateway neighborhood on Thursdays, the historic Warehouse District on Saturdays and Canal to Harbor on Sundays. Get directions at www.HistoricGateway.org.

Summer stock theatre is alive and well in Huron where BGSU operates the Huron Playhouse. This summer's line-up of musicals, dramas and comedies includes one week runs of Rodgers and Hammerstein's A Grand Night For Singing (June 30 to July 4), Over the River and Through the Woods (July 7 to 11), The 1940's Radio Hour (July 14 to 18), Thornton Wilder's Our Town (July 21 to 25) and The Secret Garden the musical (July 28 to Aug. 1). Visit the website at www.BGSU.edu.

Rabbit Run Community Arts Association's summer theatre program offers a mix of plays and musicals in a real barn theatre in Madison, starting with Neil Simon's Broadway Bound on June 5 to 20 and continuing with Les Miserables the School Edition (June 26 to July 11), the musical She Loves Me (July 17 to Aug. 2), Educating Rita (Aug. 14 to 29) and Presenting Mark Twain! (Sept. 4 to 6). Details are online at www.RabbitRunOnline.org.

For a list of 10 interesting things to do each week in Northeast Ohio, check out WKSU's Hot Picks - updated each Monday for the week ahead.