Heady Days for Theatre

June and July give local actors a big chance to shine.

When it comes to entertainment, June is rarely “prime time” for anything. Don’t tell that to Springfield’s theatre community. Almost every company/stage we can think of is doing something big this month. Here’s a rundown.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

June 5-8
8:15 p.m.; Free
Jordan Valley Park
The Springfield Shakespeare Festival finishes its two-weekend run of free shows in Jordan Valley Park. Look for more classical theatre later this year.

Cyrano de Bergerac

June 11-14, 16-21
8:15 p.m.; $13, $33 season
Tent Theatre (near National and Grand)
Missouri State University’s opening Tent Theatre show is the French classic story of a lovable dimwit dating out of his league, leading to misunderstandings and tough choices.

Seussical: The Musical

June 13-15, 19-22, 26-29
7:30 p.m. Thursday–Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; $15-$25
Landers Theatre
Springfield Little Theatre’s final show of the ’07-’08 season is the colorful mashup of the good Doctor’s most-loved characters, including The Cat in the Hat.

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown

June 25-28, June 30-July 3
8:15 p.m.; $13, $33 season
Tent Theatre (near National and Grand)
The Peanuts gang comes to life, though (disappointingly to some) without the issues and drug problems of Dog Meets God, performed at Springfield’s 2nd Stage earlier this year). This one’s a fun one, so take the kiddies.

Cats

June 24-25
7:30 p.m.,
$15–$50
Juanita K. Hammons Hall
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s fantastical tale of felines with good voices makes a two-night stop in Springfield.

Tintypes

July 3-6, 10-13, 17-19
7:30 p.m. (2 p.m. Sunday)
$16–$20
Vandivort Center Theatre
Directed by Gary Lyons, this is a patriotic-music salute to Old Glory, conveniently scheduled around the 4th of July. Come sing along to a bunch of your favorites, thankfully not including “God Bless the U.S.A.” (they’re all pre-World War I songs).

Anything Goes

July 9-12, 14-20
8:15 p.m.; $13, $33 season
Tent Theatre (near National and Grand)
A wacky cast of characters experiences love and humor on the high seas, including a stowaway and a mobster who want to keep their identities secret. Madcap antics ensue. Like Love Boat, but funny.

—Melissa Hastings contributed to this story.