By Eileen Sondak
The entertainment scene really heats up in July, with the addition of the San Diego Pops, the welcome return of Hershey Felder to the Old Globe, the continuation of the Globe’s Shakespeare Festival, two fascinating works at the La Jolla Playhouse and a smorgasbord of other shows and attractions tempting audiences around town.
Summer Pops starts the month with a bang, when Marvin Hamlisch shows his patriotic spirit through a series of concerts titled “Star Spangled Pops.” The three performances to kick off the season run July 1-3 at Embarcadero Marina Park South. Pops goes Motown July 8-9, with “Motown’s Greatest Hits,” starring Spectrum and Radiance.
Michael Feinstein arrives July 15-16, singing his brilliant interpretations of beloved classics by Gershwin, Porter and other legends. Guest star Josie James will sing the music of James Bond July 17, and July 21 (coinciding with Comic-Con), Pops will present the U.S. premiere of “Martial Arts Trilogy.” “Cirque Musica” will bring soaring aerialists and other circus acts to Marina Park July 22-23, and “A Tribute to Neil Diamond” is headed this way July 29-30. The eclectic month of Pops will culminate July 31 with “Broadway’s Tony Winners.” Theater lovers won’t want to miss this fabulous finale.
North Coast Repertory Theatre is ready to unveil a San Diego premiere, Gregg Coffin’s “Five Course Love.” The play, which runs July 16-Aug. 7, is a hilarious musical roller coaster ride about the elusive search for love. It focuses on five dates at five restaurants and adds up to just one chance at love. The show is a screwball comedy with a merry mix of musical styles, from pop and country to Motown.
The Old Globe’s annual Shakespeare Festival dominates the outdoor theater scene this summer. Aficionados of alfresco entertainment will want to catch all three shows, running in rotating repertory through Sept. 25. The exciting potpourri includes “Much Ado About Nothing,” Shakespeare comedy of delightfully ill-matched lovers trading comic barbs; “The Tempest,” the Bard’s masterpiece of redemption and forgiveness; and Peter Shaffer’s “Amadeus,” a powerful drama about Mozart that features some of the greatest music ever composed.
The arrival of Hershey Felder is more reason to celebrate. Felder returns to the Globe July 1-10 with his popular “George Gershwin Alone” one-man show. From July 15-Aug. 28, the talented artist performs his latest work, “Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein,” a tribute to Bernstein’s genius. The Globe’s annual Fashion Show is set for July 14 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, and on July 30, the troupe will honor Audrey Geisel at its premiere fundraiser.
July 29-Sept. 4, the White Theatre at the Globe will be bristling with the wit of George Bernard Shaw and his real life romantic interest, socialite Charlotte Payne-Townshend. The sparks will fly between them in a new comedy, “Engaging Shaw.”
Cygnet Theatre continues to showcase Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town.” Set in a fictional New England town at the dawn of the 20th century, this insightful portrait of life, love and death is an American treasure, but it is only slated to remain at the Old Town Theatre through July 10. Cygnet finishes the month with a reimagined version of “Little Shop of Horrors” July 28. Director Sean Murray created this staging to look and feel more like the old black-and-white horror flick. It runs through Sept. 11.
The La Jolla Playhouse has two enthralling productions on the boards this month. A unique staging of Henrik Ibsen’s “Peer Gynt” (adapted and directed by David Schweizer) is ensconced at the Potiker Theatre and promises a few surprises for audiences. The most famous wanderer makes his quest for fame and fortune with just five actors portraying the sweeping epic. This Ibsen classic will remain on stage through July 24.
The Playhouse’s Weiss Theatre will be the home of “Sleeping Beauty Wakes,” a musical from the Pop Rock Group GrooveLily, when it bows in on July 19. This unusual twist on the fairy tale (the sleeping beauty in this show is being treated in a sleep disorder clinic) will enchant audiences through Aug. 21. Rebecca Taichman directs the beguiling musical.
The San Diego premiere of “My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish and I’m in Therapy” is settled in at the Lyceum Theatre, where it will remain through Sept. 4. The one-man comedy, penned by Steve Solomon, has been described as “hysterical.”
The Lamb’s Players is presenting “Music Man,” one of America’s greatest musicals, in its Coronado home. The exuberant musical will take us back to the beginning of the 20th century with songs, dances and vintage costumes. “Music Man” was extended to July 24, so bring the whole family to enjoy this bit of Americana. The Lamb’s Horton Grand Theatre is still jumping with “MixTape,” the 1980s musical. That long-running show has been extended again through Sept. 4.
Broadway-San Diego is bringing a special treat to the Civic Theatre July 5-10. “Shrek The Musical” (based on the award-winning film) will bring to life everyone’s favorite ogre and the other irresistible misfits for a bit of irreverent fun. Bring the kids and enjoy!
Moonlight’s summer season continues with the final performances of “Forever Plaid” (set to close July 2). Then, look for everyone’s favorite comic strip character, “Annie,” to bring cheery optimism to the Vista outdoor bowl July 20-Aug. 6 much to the delight of audiences of all ages.
The Oceanside Museum of Art’s “Looking for a Miracle” exhibition of works by Italo Scanga is enticing local aficionados with this alchemist of everyday life’s transformations of mundane objects into sculptural works of art. That show will remain through Aug. 21.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps has more than a dozen species of seahorses on display for an extended period, and beginning July 9, the Aquarium will feature a comprehensive exhibition, “Boundless Energy.”
Read more stories from the July 2011, Popular Stories from SDJJ SDJJ edition.
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