What to See This Summer! (June)

Hi, everyone! So as the summer season rolls around, what better way to beat the heat than by sitting in a nice, air-conditioned theatre seeing a show?! There are a lot of amazing productions going on in our area this summer. So here are what shows you should see this June!

• Hairspray - Actor's Youth Theatre - June 24 to July 2 - I'm a little biased towards this one as I'm playing Prudy Pingleton in it! The cast also includes Kaleigh Feuerstein (Tracy), Josh Weisler (Edna), Nick Williams (Link), Grace Lisicki (Penny), Jessica Sinodis (Velma), Anson Romney (Seaweed) and many more talented actors and actresses!
• Rock of Ages - Arizona Broadway Theatre - Runs through June 19 - This show is already getting some RAVE reviews! It features performances from people like Chanel Bragg (Justice), Laurie Elizabeth Gardner (Sherrie), Seth Hunter (Drew), Michael Thompson (Mayor/Ja'Keith) and many more!
• After Hours at Rosie's Pub - Brelby Theatre Company - June 16 to 25 - Here is the synopsis from Brelby's website: "After the lights have dimmed, and the early crowd has left the scene, Rosie’s Pub is frequented by a medley of female revolutionaries from throughout history. As they take the stage for an unconventional open mic night, they tell their stories through song, poetry, and narratives. Their individual histories weave together, and allow them to pose questions about today’s world. Its history like you’ve never heard it before, and these women have a lot to say."
• How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying - Don Bluth Front Row Theatre - June 2 to July 9 - I LOVE this show and I am so glad a theatre is putting it on this summer! It will feature performances form Stephen Johnstun (Finch), Darryl Poenisch (Biggley), and Katie Marburger (Rosemary).
• Snow White and Rose Red - East Valley Children's Theatre - June 16 to 26 - Here is the description from EVCT's website: "In this spirited Brothers Grimm adaptation, they are sisters who are
• cast from the opulent palace to survive with their parents in the Dark Forest. Not only do they survive, they thrive using their skills and wits. And when Prince Nikolai wanders into the forest and runs across a rather unpleasant dwarf, it is up to Snow White and Rose Red to work together to free him from a terrible curse!"
• Miss Minnie’s Melodram-odeon! - Fountain Hills - Runs to June 12 - A new play that tells the story of Minnie, who must take over her father's old melodrama theatre.
• Disney's My Son Pinocchio JR. - Musical Theatre of Anthem - June 16 to 19 - Stephen Schwartz's adaptation of the classic Pinocchio story!
• Next to Normal - Nearly Naked Theatre - June 5 to 25 - Unlike many of Nearly Naked's production -- which inherently veer towards being adult--, this show actually features two awesome youth actors, Johnna Watson as Natalie and Vincent Pugliese as Henry! But don't worry: there isn't NONE of Nearly Naked's signature "Nearly Nakedness:" there is a very shirtless Adam Bei as Gabe!
• Two shows from Phoenix Theatre: When You Wish (runs through June 12) and Avenue Q (June 8 to July 10) - When You Wish tells the story of Walt Disney and features performances from Trisha Ditsworth, James Gish, Joey Sorge, Debby Rosenthal and more! Avenue Q, esentially dirty Sesame Street, features performances by Toby Yatso, Emily Mulligan Ferry, Yolanda London, Laurie Trygg and more!
• The Music Man - Queen Creek Performing Arts Center - June 24 to 27 - The classic musical tells the story of con man Harold Hill who poses as a band organizers, selling instruments to people in a small Indiana town and promising to teach them to play. However, he plans to skip town before falling through, but before he can, he falls in love with Marian the Librarian.
• Shrek Jr. - Desert Stages - Runs through June 26 - After the success of their production of the full version, Desert Stages presents Shrek Jr. with all youth actors!
• Moon Over Buffalo - Desert Stages - June 3 to July 24 - One of Ken Ludwig's best! It tells the story of two actors -- a couple -- prepping to present their show to Frank Capra in the hopes of landing roles in his upcoming movie. Of course, hilarity ensues.
• Cinderella: A Rock-n-Roll Fairytale - June 3 to 19 - The last show of SYT's spectactular season! This retelling of the classic Cinderella tale is written and director by the Artistic Director of SYT, Kenny Grossman.
• Oliver! - Starlight Community Theatre - June 3 to 12 - This show has been popping up quite a bit in the past few years, so if you haven't had the chance to catch it, here you go! It is the musical version of Charles Dickens's classic novel.
• Green Day's American Idiot - Stray Cat Theatre - June 23 to July 16 - I LOVE THIS SHOW! Featuring an awesome score based on the music of Green Day, American Idiot encapsulates the young adult experience in the 2000s. Features performances from David Samson, Alan Khoutakoun, Breona Conrad and more!
• The Little Mermaid - Valley Youth Theatre - June 10 to June 26 - VYT will bring the classic Disney tale to life on the Herberger stage! VYT's shows always have incredible production value and I can't wait to see what they do with the costumes, sets, etc. The show also has a powerhouse cast, featuring Tatum Zale, Nathan Sheppard, Mark Munoz, Liam Thibeault and more!

Check back later in June to find out what's coming up in July!