Vermont venues offer a summer of musicals, dramas and comedies

By David Lampe-Wilson
© 2015 – Telegraph Publishing LLC

Vermont’s summer months offer an array of pleasures – from long hikes on hidden trails to backyard get-togethers with friends and family. In addition to the natural wonders of a short, cherished season, we also look forward to the arrival of the summer theater season.

From right next door in Weston, north to Burlington and east to Marshfield — wherever you are in Vermont this summer — you will find a diverse schedule of drama, comedy and musical entertainment to lend enchantment to your summer days and nights.

Whether you are of a mind to spend the evening with one of Shakespeare’s classics or you yearn for a boffo Broadway musical or you want to explore a work-in-progress, there’s something here for everyone, including the children.

Below is a list of theater companies, their upcoming presentations and links to their websites. Some theaters have multiple stages and offer a choice of productions. Companies range from professional Equity theaters to dedicated community players. While this list was accurate at the time of publication, it’s best to check with the company prior to the performance.

Bookmark this page for future reference.

WPTC June B JonesWeston Playhouse Theatre Company

703 Main St., Weston. 802-824-5288
Weston Playhouse is Vermont’s oldest professional theater with two stages and an after-show cabaret.
June 25-July 12: Junie B. Jones
June 30-July 11:Pump Boys and Dinettes
July 16-25: Peter and the Starcatcher
July 23-Aug. 9:The Other Place
July 30-Aug. 22:Guys and Dolls
Aug. 13-30:The Road to Where
Aug. 27-Sept. 5: The Glass Menagerie

Dorset Theater Festival

104 Cheney Road, Dorset. 802-867- 2223.

Dorset Theater Festival offers five main stage productions each summer, introducing new works and bold off-Broadway fare.
June 25-July 5:Intimate Apparel
July 9-25:Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily
July 30-Aug. 15: Outside Mullingar
Aug. 20-Sept. 5:I Hate Hamlet
Sept. 9-12: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Lamoille County Players

The Lamoille County Players performs at the Hyde Park Opera House, 85 Main St., Hyde Park. 802-888-4507
The Drama League of New York City has called this theater one of the best regional theaters in America.
July 23-Aug. 2:Cats
Sept. 24-Oct 4:Curtains
Nov. 13-15* and 20-22:Wait Until Dark

Lost Nation TheaterPatsy cline

City Hall Auditorium Arts Center, 39 Main St., Montpelier. 802-229-0492
Lost Nation Theater  offers innovative productions of classic and contemporary plays.
Through June 21:Always, Patsy Cline
July 23-Aug. 9:Stone
Sept. 17-Oct. 25: The Hound of the Baskervilles
Sept. 24-Oct. 24: As You Like It

Middlebury Actors Workshop

This Middlebury Actors Workshop production will be held at the black box Patricia Hannaford Center, 51 Charles Ave., Middlebury. 802-382-9222
This is a small, professional ensemble and resident theater company.
July 23-Aug. 2:Greater Tuna

Oldcastle Theatre Company

The Oldcastle Theatre Company is located at 331 Main St., Bennington. 802-447-0564
Performing professional live theater in a new, intimate space, this company is celebrating its 44th year.
Through June 21:Time Stands Still
July 10-Aug. 2:Cabaret
Aug. 21-Sept. 6:Black Comedy
Sept. 25-Oct. 11:The Lion in Winter

QuarryWorks Theatre

QuarryWorks  is located on Quarry Road, Montpelier. 802-229-6978
This intimate pocket theater seats a mere 50 people. This is theater up-close and personal, and all performances are free.
July 9-19Baker Street-The Sherlock Holmes Musical
July 25-Aug. 2Rapunzel
Aug. 6-16The Trip to Bountiful

SpamalotSaint Michael’s Playhouse

McCarthy Arts Center, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester. 802 -654-2281.
Saint Michael’s Playhouse is an award-winning theater that has been entertaining Vermont since 1947.
June 16-27:Monty Python’s Spamalot
July 1-11:Wait Until Dark
July 15-25:Outside Mullingar
July 29-Aug: 8:Woody Guthrie’s American Song

Skinner Barn

609 Common Road, Waitsfield. 802-496-4422   
The Skinner Barn offers theatrical charm in a rustic setting
July 19:Broadway Cabaret
July 29-Aug. 9:Pete ‘n’ Keely: A Musical

Stowe Theatre GuildChess

Performing Arts Theater, 67 Main St., Stowe. 802-253-3961
Stowe Theatre Guild offers an eclectic mix of musicals.
June 18-July 3:Company
July 16-Aug. 1:Shrek The Musical
Aug. 20-Sept. 5:Chess
Sept. 24-Oct. 10: A Midsummer Night’s Dream: The ‘40s Musical

Vermont Shakespeare Company

The Vermont Shakespeare Company will be performing at various locations (see below). 802-863-5966
This group is dedicated to training, education and performance. And remember to pack a picnic basket for their outdoor venues.
Aug. 1-2: Romeo and Juliet Knight Point State Park, North Hero
Aug. 7-9:Romeo and JulietShelburne Museum, Shelburne
Aug. 14-16: Romeo and JulietRoyal Tyler Theatre, University of Vermont, Burlington

Vermont Stage Company

Vermont Stage Company is located at FlynnSpace, 153 Main St., Burlington. 802-862-1497.
Burlington’s only year-round professional theater company.
June 16-21: The Dining Room The Bake Off production features 1 play, 3 directors and 3 casts.

Vermont Theater Festival

The Vermont Theater Festival is held at the Unadilla Theatre, 501 Blachly Road, Marshfield. 802-456-8968
This theater has multiple stages and offers a variety of works.
June 26-July 5:Iolanthe
July 5-22: Living Together
July 7-18: The Voysey Inheritance
July 19-22:A Room of One’s Own
Aug 18-29:The Show Off
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Filed Under: Community and Arts LifeIn the Arts

About the Author: After 30 years as a theater critic and arts editor for a Connecticut daily newspaper, David Lampe-Wilson transplanted to Vermont with his wife and two cats.

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