Redlands Theatre Festival, a summer entertainment tradition in our town for more than four decades, returns for another season with five plays in repertory at its outdoor venue under the stars in Prospect Park.
The 47th season opens on Monday, June 17, and runs through Saturday, July 27. All shows begin at 8:30 p.m.
The Addams Family
Originally created by cartoonist Charles Addams, The Addams Family is the story of macabre married couple Gomez and Morticia Addams, and their even more macabre children Wednesday and Pugsley. In this musical production, written by Andrew Lippa, Marshall Brickman, and Rick Elice, the family faces the challenges of Wednesday and Pugsley growing up, and Wednesday falling in love with someone…normal.
The Robber Bridegroom
This tale of greed and lust is a dark comedy about a charming gentleman bandit, the rich plantation owner’s daughter he loves, a wicked stepmother who wants her dead, and an evil thief who carries his brother’s head around in a trunk. Written by Alfred Uhry and Robert Waldman and set in 18th-century Mississippi, this is a bawdy, raucous tale, which has mature themes and situations.
Barefoot in the Park
What’s a theatre season without something from Neil Simon? This romantic comedy centers on newlyweds Corie and Paul who live in a fifth-floor walkup apartment. Paul is an uptight attorney and Corie is a free spirit. As they deal with the challenges posed by living in this Manhattan brownstone, they also must reconcile their own differences in how they approach life.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
A theatre season is not complete without William Shakespeare, and his most beloved comedy is perfect for this stage under the stars. This performance is set in 1959 and has the swanky soundtrack that might get the audience on its feet dancing. This mid-century version of a Shakespeare classic is filled with plot twists, magic, and more.
Present Laughter
Written by Noel Coward, Present Laughter originally premiered in the early years of World War II, in a time of fundamental social change. The story centers on a matinee idol heading for a midlife crisis and forced to face his misdemeanors.
Redlands Theatre Festival is a nonprofit organization that welcomes members of the community to audition, usually in February of each year, and to volunteer as production crew or to help with props and costumes. The Festival also welcomes donor support.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the theatre’s box office. Tickets are $18 Monday through Wednesday, $21 Thursday through Sunday. Season tickets cost $84, entitling the ticket holder to one ticket to each of the five productions. An unlimited pass is available for $105. For details, call 909-792-0562. —Jennifer
Posted: May 22, 2019