The Boston theater scene is typically light to non-existent during the dog days of summer. This year, however, there’s plenty to see and do. Whether it’s indoors or out, you’ll find something exciting for every theater lover and a few things that just might entice the non-fans to give it a try. Some of it’s even free — what’ve you got to lose? ‘Blood Wedding’
July 8 – July 26
Wednesday through Sunday, 7:30pm
Apollinaire Theatre Company
Port Park, 99 Marginal St., Chelsea
Free to the public
Apollinaire Theatre in the Park is back for its 12th season of outdoor theater under the stars in Chelsea. Produced in collaboration with Escena Latina Teatro, “Blood Wedding” will be done in Spanish (“Bodas de Sangre”) each Friday night throughout the run. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and be prepared to move along with the action in this fiery tale of love and betrayal. ‘Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin’
July 8 – 26
Cutler Majestic Theatre, 219 Tremont St., Boston
$35 – $75
After impressive performances as George Gershwin (“George Gershwin Alone”) and Leonard Bernstein (“Maestro: Leonard Bernstein”), it’s safe to say that Hershey Felder’s latest, “Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin” will be something fans of the Great American Songbook won’t want to miss. As Berlin, Felder takes the audience from the composer’s humble beginnings through to his great success, using humor and musical performance of his biggest hits to give life to the legendary songsmith. ‘Saving Kitty’
July 9 – August 2
Nora Theatre Company
Central Square Theater 450 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge
$15 – $59
617-576-9278
Even if you don’t care what happens when uber-liberal atheists in New York City learn, over dinner, that their daughter’s new beau is an Evangelical Christian, “Saving Kitty” stars Stifler’s mom. That’s reason enough to see this show. Seriously. Jennifer Coolidge, (also known for TV’s “2 Broke Girls”), makes her Boston debut as a ruthless, politically incorrect matriarch in Marisa Smith’s comic tale. ‘Outside The Box’
July 14 – July 19
Boston Common
Free to the public
Following its triumphant debut in 2013, Outside The Box will return to the Boston Common for an extraordinary six-day arts festival. A lavish opening ceremony on July 14 will kick off the event, which features more than 70 local, national and international artists of all genres. The Boston theater scene will be well-represented with performances by the Puppet Showplace Theater, Sleeping Weazel Theater, Our Place Theater Project and Liars & Believers. Many of the performances are family friendly. ‘Colossal’
July 17 – August 15
Company One
BCA Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont St., Boston
$25 – $38
The physical and emotional brutality of football takes center stage in this powerful tale of dreams gone catastrophically wrong. Played in four quarters complete with a half-time show, dance company and drumline, “Colossal” promises “full-contact physicality” and an emotional evening of theater. ‘King Lear’
July 22 – August 9
Tuesday – Saturday @8pm, Sunday @7pm
Parkman Bandstand, Boston Common
Free and open to the public
Shakespeare under the stars has become a great tradition on the Boston Common. Now in its 20th season, the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company presents “King Lear,” the tale of an aging king who tries to give up his power and divide his kingdom among his three daughters. Deceit, corruption and one of the Bard’s most tragic endings await you. Grab a blanket, lawn chairs or donate to the CSC Fund and enjoy reserved seating in the Friends Section. Arrive early as this is one of the most popular events of the summer. And don’t forget to bring a picnic dinner. ‘i don’t know where we’re going but I promise we’re lost’
July 30 – August 16
Boston Teen Acting Troupe
Boston Playwrights’ Theatre, 949 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
www.bostonteenactingtroupe.com
The Boston Teen Acting Troupe is tackling a timely subject with this world premiere of local playwright MJ Halberstadt’s tale of familial dysfunction. Teen brothers quickly learns what it means to be an adult after seeking a safe haven from parents who punish them for their devotion to a sibling who’s undergoing gender transition. ‘The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?’
August 8 – August 23
Bad Habit Productions
BCA Wimberly Theatre, 527 Tremont St., Boston
$20
Talk about a mid-life crisis! At 50, Martin, a successful architect living the dream, admits to his friend Ross that he’s fallen in love with Sylvia, a goat. Though disturbing as one would imagine a play with a bestiality theme and an ending that leaves everyone shattered might be, Edward Albee’s 2002 Tony Award-winning play is actually quite funny. Bad Habit Productions is the perfect troupe to find the humor and the confounding moral issues in this beast of a play. ‘Kinky Boots’
August 11 – August 30
Boston Opera House 539 Washington St., Boston
Starting at $44
866-523-7469
The high-spirited, high-heeled Broadway hit shows you what happens if you open your mind and your heart to new possibilities. When a failing shoe factory about to shudder its doors receives a visit from a potential new customer in search of some big boy pumps, an entire town learns the real meaning of love and acceptance. The Tony Award-winning smash hit features songs by Cyndi Lauper and some of the finest stilettos you’ll ever see. ‘S—faced Shakespeare’
Through August 29
OBERON 2 Arrow St., Cambridge
Davis Square Theatre, 255 Elm St., Somerville
The inebriated adaptation of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is so popular they decided to extend the run through the summer. Three hours before each performance, a previously selected cast member begins to drink. By curtain time, you have one drunk and several sober actors trying to put on a show. You don’t even have to like Shakespeare to enjoy ‘S—faced.’ Steer clear of the front row if you’re at all shy.
Your guide to the Boston theater scene this summer
Matthew Murphy
