Summer Theater Preview

by Jim Romenesko

With all the excitement of a theatre curtain dramatically rising at the top of a show, the Appleton theatre community is edging its way back to normal operations.

Although with fewer productions in the hopper and, generally, smaller productions, several companies have announced their summer/early autumn offerings and theatre fans are thrilled at the prospect of attending a live performance in one of their favorite venues.

Get out your calendars and mark the dates of the following summer offerings!

Attic Chamber Theatre

Jeeves at Sea

by Maragret Raether, based on the stories by P.G. Wodehouse, and directed by Tom Stadler.

Recommended for ages 12 and older.

7 p.m. July 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 and July 11 at 2 p.m. in the James Perry Hall at UW-Oshkosh Fox Cities (formerly UW-Fox Valley).

Set sail for laughter as Bertie Wooster revels in life aboard the Vanderley yacht. Will this madcap case of mistaken identities end in Bertie’s doom — or worse, his marriage? Have no fear; Jeeves will sort it all out.

Director Tom Stadler said the show is a delightful romp aboard a ship in 1920s Monte Carlo. It’s the comic dialogue and double entendres of the colorful characters that keep things hopping right to the neatly drawn ending.

The Lifespan of a Fact

by Jeremy Kareken, David Murrell, and Gordon Farrell, based on the book by John D’agata and Jim Fingal, and directed by Berray Billington. 

Rated PG-13 — The play contains frank conversations about suicide, often using humor to offset the drama.

7 p.m. Aug. 12, 13, 19, 20, 21 and Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. in the James Perry Hall at UW-Oshkosh Fox Cities 

Celebrated author John D’Agata has just written a sublime and shattering magazine essay. But is his story true? And how negotiable are the facts? As the deadline looms, this timely, terrific, brainy Broadway hit wrestles with truth, what constitutes it, and who gets to decide.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit attictheatreinc.com or call 920-734-7887. Tickets on sale June 1. Both shows will be performed live and a streaming option will be available.

Riverside Players

Godspell

Conceived and originally directed by John-Michael Tebelak, music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, directed by Amanda A. Petersen, with musical director Brittney Baldwin, and choreographer Kyle S. Brauer.

8 p.m. July 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31 and 7 p.m. July 25 and Aug. 1

Prepare ye for this familiar tale of community, friendship, loyalty, and love. Based on the Gospel of St. Matthew, “Godspell” brings together a group of strangers from all walks of life who learn to build and care for a community together against all odds. Messages of kindness, resilience, unity, tolerance, and love come vibrantly to life through reimagined parables and recognizable songs. This early hit by Stephen Schwartz, who also wrote “Wicked,” will have you toe-tapping and humming! 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.ci.neenah.wi.us/departments/parks-recreation/riverside-players/ or call Neenah Parks & Rec Deptment at 920-886-6060. The show will be performed for a live audience in the traditional and charming Riverside Park outdoor setting. There will be a limited audience size, social distancing, and masks required.