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    Sizzling Summer Theater

    Banana man and shady dames headline summer theater in Dallas

    Lindsey Wilson
    May 30, 2013 | 3:00 pm

    June may as well be renamed "theater month" in Dallas, because it seems like every company in town is opening a show in the next 30 days. Luckily for audiences, that means plenty of amazing theater to choose from. Below are 10 exciting picks, plus two bonus events just because we like you.

     

     4.48 Psychosis, Davis Street Collective
    May 31-June 7

    It's a heavy way to head into summer, but controversial British playwright Sarah Kane's final work also offers the chance for a unique experience with each production — there are no specific characters, stage directions or narrative.

     

    The newly formed Davis Street Collective, a group of artists located in the Bishop Arts District, is courageously mounting this play, the first in what will be a series of works performed in the extremely intimate David Foundry space. The production promises to be "compelling" and "immersive," and given that the play deals with Kane's eventually fatal depression, that's an intriguing — albeit apprehensive — hook.

     

     One: Man. Show, Kitchen Dog Theater
    May 29-June 15

    I honestly don't know why anyone hasn’t tried this before: There's no better way to get an audience to pay attention than to put your leading player in a banana suit.

     

    Tim Johnson, the guy who's manly enough to don the costume, wrote and stars in this (mostly) solo cabaret that's both a world premiere and part of Kitchen Dog's annual New Works Festival. He's joined by Martha Harms, one of Dallas' busiest actresses, who was just seen at Kitchen Dog as a maniacally upbeat pharm exec in RX.

     

     The Civil War, Artisan Center Theater
    May 31-July 13

    As of press time, the first four performances of this Frank Wildhorn-penned musical are sold out. It's a sweeping, gut-wrenching glance at the four years in American history when brother fought brother, and Wildhorn's typically grandiose musical style feels oddly appropriate for this subject matter.

     

    Real letters, diaries and other writings of the time provide the basis for characters and lyrics, giving the show a hauntingly authentic touch.

     

     Black Tie, WaterTower Theatre
    June 3-23

    Stan Graner is one of those Dallas actors who consistently contributes incredible work practically everywhere, yet he never seems to get the recognition he deserves. Following up small but strong roles in The Grapes of Wrath and August: Osage County, Graner is returning to WaterTower as patriarch Curtis in Black Tie.

     

    Playing the father of the groom who's caught between maintaining old traditions and building new ones, Graner seems poised to deliver yet another strong turn. Hopefully this time that also means more credit.

     

     Sister Act, Dallas Summer Musicals
    June 4-16

    Considering its theme is about finding your voice through song, it was only a matter of time before someone put Sister Act onstage. Whoopi Goldberg, who created lounge-singer-on-the-run Dolores Van Cartier on film, is one of the musical's lead producers, and she even donned Mother Superior's habit for a bit during the show's London run.

     

    If you miss the show on its trip through Dallas, it's also stopping at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth later in the month.

     

     Daffodil Girls, Inspired by David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross, Fun House Theatre and Film
    June 5-8

    From the mouths of babes … The signature cadence known as "Mamet speak" is translated to a cast of young girls ranging in age from 7 to 14. They are the Daffodil Girls, adorable scamps who lie, cheat, and steal in order to sell the most baked goods. This homage to the original play and iconic movie was such a hit earlier in May that Fun House is bringing it back for four performances only. No cookies for you if you can’t close the deal on this one.

     

     The Taming of the Shrew and Julius Caesar, Trinity Shakespeare Festival
    June 13-30

    Now entering its fifth anniversary season, Trinity Shakes seems to be getting better and better with each year. Last year’s production of The Merry Wives of Windsor broke box office records and received critical love letters, and this summer’s repertory lineup looks just as promising.

     

     Jenny Ledel and Alex Organ, husband and wife who have recently been burning up the local stages, show up in both productions, while perennial TSF favorites Trisha Miller and Chuck Huber spar wittily in The Taming of the Shrew.

     

     City of Angels, Theatre Three
    June 13-July 13

    As an homage to 1940s film noir, City of Angels is dark, sexy and oozes vintage appeal. As a musical, it’s just plan cool to watch.

     

    Two plots play out simultaneously: A writer tries to turn his book into a screenplay while we see that prospective film’s narrative come to life. The creative kicker is that the “real” world happens in color while the “reel” world appears in black and white.

     

    It’s a murder mystery, a behind-the-scenes Hollywood comedy, a hard-boiled detective tale and a technical feat all in one.

     

     The Music Man, Lyric Stage
    June 14-23

    Broadway has a long history of basing shows around adorable cheats and scamps, and The Music Man is no exception. Watching Harold Hill roll into the quaintest small town ever and willingly deceive children is somehow charming when set to Meredith Wilson’s sweet score, here conducted by the outstanding Jay Dias and Lyric’s customary full orchestra.

     

    With Cheryl Denson directing and Ann Nieman providing choreography, here’s hoping this production follows in the footsteps of Lyric’s previous classic Americana hits like Oklahoma! and Gypsy.

     

     Songs for a New World, Uptown Players
    June 21-July 7

    Jason Robert Brown’s sort-of song cycle is neither a revue nor a plotted show; it’s more like a mash-up of songs that explore the theme of transition.

     

    Uptown Players has already proven its excellence with concert-like shows such as its annual Broadway Our Way, and having a cast that includes such top-notch local talent as John Campione (part of the universally strong Putting It Together at WaterTower Theatre) and Walter Lee and Feleceia Benton (who were behind some of the best performances of Smokey Joe’s Café, also at WaterTower) just ups the ante.

     

     Bonus No. 1
     This House, National Theatre Live
    May 30-June 19

    Political dramas are always compelling, but British political dramas seem to possess a extra layer of sophistication and exoticism. Maybe it’s the storied history of the United Kingdom’s government — or the upper-crust accents.

     

    Either way, this sold-out production of James Graham’s acclaimed play peels back the curtain at 1974 Westminster, a time when Parliament was in complete upheaval. The live-filmed version is playing at the Angelika in both Dallas and Plano, as well as the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, courtesy of Amphibian Productions.

     

     Bonus No. 2
     Festival of Independent Theatres
    May 31-June 22

    Besides acting as a launching pad for local playwrights, actors, directors and designers, FIT allows Dallas audiences a low-pressure way to explore new works by pairing two one-act plays together in what’s dubbed a “terrific two-fer.”

     

    This year, eight new shows are on the docket, among them one about a time-traveling robot and dinosaur (from Audacity Theatre Lab), the festival’s first-ever dance performance (courtesy of Rhythmic Souls), and a solo show by local monologist extraordinaire John Michael Colgin exploring the personal ramifications of life in the share-all digital world.

    What you looking at? Tim Johnson stars in One: Man. Show as part of Kitchen Dog Theater's New Works Festival.

    Tim Johnson in "One: Man. Show" at Kitchen Dog Theater
      
    Photo courtesy of Kitchen Dog Theater
    What you looking at? Tim Johnson stars in One: Man. Show as part of Kitchen Dog Theater's New Works Festival.
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    Theater Critic Picks

    From Wilde to 'The Wiz': 8 unmissable July shows in North Texas

    Lindsey Wilson
    Jul 2, 2025 | 10:18 am
    Second Thought Theatre presents Your Wife’s Dead Body
    Photo courtesy of Second Thought Theatre
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    Your instinct during the summer might be to hide out in an air-conditioned theater, and there are plenty of options to do exactly this month. But we would be remiss if we didn't remind you about a North Texas tradition: Shakespeare under the stars. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket, and watch The Bard (and this year Oscar Wilde) at Samuell-Grand Amphitheater with Shakespeare Dallas. Both shows opened in June, but continue through most of July.

    Here are eight shows local shows, listed in order of start date:

    The Importance of Being Earnest
    Shakespeare Dallas, through July 18
    This witty romantic comedy by Oscar Wilde, first performed in 1895, tells the story of two men who assume the identities of a fictional man named Ernest. This leads them to each fall in love and encounter an assortment of comical problems along the way.

    Othello
    Shakespeare Dallas, through July 20
    In this Shakespearean tragedy, Othello is at the peak of his powers: not only Venice's greatest general but also husband to the noble and beautiful Desdemona. But he does not know that in passing over his servant Iago for promotion, he has created a deadly but brilliant enemy. This production is set in an alternate-history version of the 1990s in which the Venetian empire is the predominant political, military, and economic power.

    King Kirby
    American Chronicle Theatre Co., July 4-12
    This is the story of Jack "King of Comics" Kirby. The play follows him from the tough Jewish ghetto of Hell’s Kitchen in New York, to the harrowing battlefields of Normandy during WWII, to tense Senate hearings in the 1950s. Watch as he creates some of the most iconic heroes in pop culture: Captain America, Thor, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, Iron Man, the New Gods, and countless others.

    Your Wife’s Dead Body
    Second Thought Theatre, July 9-26
    Written by Second Though Theatre artistic associate Jenny Ledel in her playwriting premiere, the play takes place in the near future, as Jane takes advantage of a new AI technology that would extend her lifespan ... even if she's not around to see it for herself.

    The Wiz
    Broadway at the Bass, July 15-20
    This all-new production of the groundbreaking, Tony Award-winning musical returns “home” in an all-new pre-Broadway tour, the first one in 40 years. The groundbreaking twist on The Wizard of Oz changed the face of Broadway, from its iconic score packed with soul, gospel, rock, and finger-snapping '70s funk to its stirring tale of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world.

    Noises Off
    Mainstage Irving-Las Colinas, July 18-August 2
    This play-within-a-play captures a touring theater troupe’s production of Nothing On in three stages: dress rehearsal, the opening performance, and a performance towards the end of a debilitating run. Playwright Michael Frayn gives a window into the inner workings of theatre behind-the-scenes, progressing from flubbed lines and missed cues in the dress rehearsal to mounting friction between cast members in the final performance.

    Everybody's Talking About Jamie
    Uptown Players, July 18-August 3
    Inspired by true events, this musical tells the inspiring story of Jamie New, a 16-year-old boy from Sheffield who dreams of becoming a drag queen. His loving mom showers him with endless support but it's not all rainbows for Jamie as his deadbeat dad and some ignorant school kids attempt to rain on his sensational aspirations.

    Shucked
    Broadway at the Bass, July 29-August 3
    This Tony Award-winning musical comedy features a book by Tony Award winner Robert Horn, a score by the Grammy Award-winning songwriting team of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, and direction by Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien. The corn-fed, corn-bred American musical is sure to satisfy an appetite for great musical theater.

    broadway at the bassmusicalsnational tourplayssecond thought theatreuptown playersshakespeare under starsshakespeare in the parktheater
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