Arts & Entertainment

On Stage: Wacky Juggling, Groovy Hippies & Hard Rock

Tickle your funny bone with this week's selections.

In the mood to laugh? Whether you like blue-collar comedy or Adam Sandler-style silliness, you'll want to read on to this week's On Stage Scoop.

But the theater scene in August isn't all about comedy; you'll find chances to rock out with Queensryche, to get cultured with Indian Song and Sance, to experience classics like "Tom Sawyer" and "The Wizard of Oz," and to experience the brilliance of the legendary Gypsy Kings,

Check back each Tuesday for the latest from the local theater scene, in the On Stage Scoop.

Find out what's happening in Chathamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

ON STAGE SCOOP

Chatham Community Players Announce 2011-12 Season: Tracey Letts’ “Bug” will kick off Chatham Community Players' new season with a run starting Oct. 14 and continuing through Oct. 29. The play from the writer of “August: Osage County” follows a middle-aged waitress with a terrible past and a Gulf War veteran who enters her life. Next up is Frank Galati’s adaptation of John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath,” March 2 through 17. The season will conclude with a run of the classic musical “Cabaret” May 4 through 19. For more information, go to ChathamPlayers.org.

Find out what's happening in Chathamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Brothers in Music: The Gipsy Kings are coming to  in Morristown on Aug. 2 for an 8 p.m. concert. The world-famous band consists of two bands of brothers, who grew up in southern France. The Gipsy Kings’ music puts a modern spin on the traditional music they listened to. Tickets cost $57 to $107. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Hard Rock Royalty: Queensryche is coming to  on Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. The heavy-metal band had major success in the 1980s with anthems like “Silent Lucidity.” Tickets cost $39 to $69. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Death and Laughter: ’s next show, “The Accidental Death of an Anarchist,” will open Aug. 3 and continue through Aug. 28 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison. The 1970 play was written by Nobel Prize winner Dario Fo and is described by the theater a “hysterically sly and caustic slapstick farce inspired by a real-life event involving a man accused of a crime who ‘fell’ from the window of a police station.” For tickets and information, call 973-408-5600 or go to ShakespeareNJ.org.   

Get Outside and Hear the Music: , the Arts Council of the Morris Area and the United Methodist Church are concluding their second annual Music Without Borders free summer outdoor concert series with Sounds of the North, Bells of the South on Aug. 3 at 12 p.m. The lunchtime performance will feature Indian song and dance, performed by Shubanjali, accompanied by tabla music and other traditional instruments. Go to MayoArts.org for more information.

Ready for an Adventure? Then go see "Tom Sawyer:"  is staging a musical adaptation of Mark Twain’s “Tom Sawyer” through Aug. 7. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. All tickets cost $12. For information, call 908-369-7469 or go to SVPTheatre.org.

Juggling Act: Marcus Monroe will bring his “Extreme Juggling!” act to the on Aug. 9 for a 10:30 a.m. performance. The Mayo Center bills the act as a “sight and sound thrill ride full of comedy, audience participation and much more.” Tickets cost $10. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Love and Music: Villagers Theatre in Somerset is presenting “The Wedding Singer” as part of its TeensVill series through Aug. 14. Based on the Adam Sandler comedy, the musical is about Robbie Hart, a wedding singer longing for the rock star life whose fiancée leaves him at the alter. Robbie makes himself, and everyone else, miserable until he meets Julia, who he’s attracted to but who is about to get married. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $16. For reservations, call 732-873-2710 or go to VillagersTheatre.com.

Go See the Wizard: Kaleidoscope Theatre of Youth is presenting “The Wizard of Oz” at  through Aug. 7. The show features music and lyrics from the famous MGM movie. Remaining performances are Aug. 2, 3, 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m., as well as Aug. 7 at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $15. The theater is located at 10 New England Ave. in Summit. For tickets, call 908-273-2192 or go to SummitPlayhouse.org.

Prepare Ye the Way to “Godspell:” Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in Budd Lake is performing “Godspell” for a run continuing through Aug. 20. The show adapts the Gospel According to St. Matthew into a rock musical where Jesus and his disciples sing and act in various theatrical styles. Its songs by Stephen Schwartz include the hit “Day By Day” and “All for the Best.” Remaining performances are Aug. 6, 13, 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. and Aug. 7 and 14 at 2 p.m. Pax Amicus Castle Theatre is located at 23 Lake Shore Road in Budd Lake. Tickets cost $25. Call 973-691-2100 to purchase tickets. For more information, go to PaxAmicus.com.

Jazzy Sounds: ’s Jazz Summer Fest continues on Aug. 2 with a performance by Paris Washboard, with Louis Mazetier at Piano. Also joining Washboard are Daniel Barda on trombone, Alain Marquet on clarinet and Stephane Seva on percussion. The summer series will wrap up with some swing as Allan Vache performs a tribute to Benny Goodman. Clarinetist Vache will be joined by Mark Shane on piano, Matt Hoffman on vibes, Joel Forbes on bass and Kevin Dorn on drums. Tickets cost $18, $15 at the door. For information, call 973-971-3706 or go to MorrisMuseum.org.

Picnic and Play:  will present the second of its free Picnic Series performances of the season with Molière’s “Tartuffe” on Aug. 6 at 5:30 p.m. The performance will be held on the lawn outside the , 36 Madison Ave. (at Lancaster Road) in Madison. The show is free, and patrons are invited to bring picnic blankets or lawn chairs. Seating is on a first-come-first-served basis. In the event of rain, the performance will be held in an indoor venue. For more information, visit ShakespeareNJ.org or call 973-408-5600.

Audition Alert, “Steel Magnolias:” Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in Budd Lake will hold auditions for “Steel Magnolias” on Aug. 6 at 1 p.m. and Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. Seeking six women over 18 for this touching and funny comedy-drama. Everyone, including beginners, is welcome to try out, have some fun and meet new people. Performances are Sept. 24 through Oct. 9. The theater is located at 23 Lake Shore Road in Budd Lake. Call 973-691-2100 for more information.

Man-Eating Balloon? This I Gotta See: Jungle John will perform a Comedy Balloon Show at Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in Budd Lake on Aug 6, with performances at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The show features audience participation and a balloon so big that Jungle John steps inside it. The theater is located at 23 Lake Shore Road in Budd Lake.
Call 973-691-2100 for reservations.

When Life Gives You Fuzzy Lemons:  in Morris Township will host two family-friendly concerts with The Fuzzy Lemons on Aug. 6, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets cost $8 and will benefit educational programs at Historic Speedwell. Included with admission is a family-fun day at Historic Speedwell, featuring face-painters, jugglers and more fun until 3 p.m. For tickets, call 973-971-3706. For information about the activities at Historic Speedwell, call 973-285-6550.

Juggling Act: Marcus Monroe will bring his “Extreme Juggling!” act to the on Aug. 9 for a 10:30 a.m. performance. The Mayo Center bills the act as a “sight and sound thrill ride full of comedy, audience participation and much more.” Tickets cost $10. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Hey Man, Hippiefest is Coming: It’s going to be a groovy when Hippiefest takes stage at the The concert will feature Dave Mason, Mark Farner of Grand Funk, Rick Derringer, Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals and Gary Wright. Tickets cost $47 to $87. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Welcome to His Nightmare: Alice Cooper will bring his “No More Mr. Nice Guy Tour” to on Aug. 15 at 8 p.m. Fans can expect to hear classics like “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” “School’s Out” and “I’m Eighteen.” Tickets cost $57 to $97. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Children Should Be Seen and Heard: Brundage Park Playhouse in Randolph will present its Kids Cabaret 2011: “Love Is All You Need,” Aug. 17 through Aug. 21. The cast of young performers, ranging in age from 10 to 18 will share their singing, dancing and acting talents in a family-friendly production. Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. Tickets cost $15, or $12 for seniors and for children under 12. Reservations can be made by calling the box office at 973-989-7092.

Working For Those Laughs: Blue Collar Comedy staple Bill Engvall is coming to the on Aug. 17 for an 8 p.m. performance. The star of his own TBS sitcom and current host of the game show “Lingo,” Engvall presents comedy based on the absurdities of everyday life. Tickets cost $57 to $97. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Musical Legends at the Mayo Center: Tickets for Jackson Browne’s Oct. 17 concert at the  will go on sale on July 29. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee will perform an acoustic solo set, with tickets priced at $65 to $100. Tickets for Loretta Lynn’s March 30 concert will go on sale Aug. 12, with tickets priced at $47 to $97. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information about the entire season, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Next Season at Growing Stage: Season ticket plans for the 2011-12 main stage season at The Growing Stage Theatre in Netcong go on Sale Aug. 1, with individual performance sales beginning Sept. 1. Group and main stage matinee tickets are on sale now. The season begins with “The Code Breaker” by Pauline C. Conley, Oct 1 trhough 23, recommended for ages 8 and up. “Babes in Toyland” will run Nov. 25 through Dec. 18. Recommended for all ages, the original adaptation by The Growing Stage is loosely based on the operetta by Victor Herbert and the Laurel and Hardy film. Next up is “Mother Hicks,” for ages 7 and up, running Jan. 13 through Feb. 5, followed by the all-ages appropriate “Seussical” March 9 through April 1. The season will wrap up with “Diary of a Worm, A Spider, A Fly,” April 27 through May 20. Go to GrowingStage.com for more information.

Submissions for Villagers’ VIP Series: The Villagers Theatre in Somerset is seeking submissions for its 2011-12 Villagers Independent Producers (VIP) Series. Writers, directors and performers are encouraged to take creative control of their productions to a far greater extent than a more traditional setting might allow. The theater’s goal is to select a season of three shows to be performed in October 2011, January 2012 and May 2012. Please submit the titles and authors of the productions you would like to mount. Also include any and all staff you have on board or would like to ask to be on board. Include a brief description of the production, including number of cast members, and a brief concept or vision of production. It is always helpful if you submit a copy of the script (and cast recording for musicals) in electronic format with your submission, however, it is not required with your initial submission. All submissions for consideration must be received in the Villagers Main Office at 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset, NJ 08873 no later than Aug. 10 or e-mailed toVIP@villagerstheatre.com.

New Season at the Barn Theatre:  in Montville has announced its 2011-12 season, which will open with Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons,” Sept. 9 through Oct. 1. Musical favorite “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” will take stage Nov. 11 through Dec. 3. Next up is Scott McPherson’s “Marvin’s Room” from Jan. 13 through Feb. 4. Ken Ludwig’s comedy “Lend Me a Tenor” is after that, March 16 through April 7. Stephen Sondheim’s musical, “Assassins” will wrap up the season from May 18 through June 9. For information, go to BarnTheatre.org.

Dover Little Theatre’s Season Announcement: “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” will open Dover Little Theatre’s new season, starting Sept. 10 and continuing through Sept. 24. Next will be the world premiere of “An Act of Will” by Grace Wessbecher, Nov. 11 through 20. Ken Ludwing’s “Moon Over Buffalo” will take stage from March 4 through 11. Stephen Sondheim’s “Company” will close out the season, May 5 through 20. For information, go to DoverLittleTheatre.org.

Got news for On Stage? E-mail Louis@Patch.com.


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