BOSTON — Summer is the time for free, open-air Shakespeare and the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company is best known for its annual production at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common, which this season is the comedy “Much Ado About Nothing.”
Cohasset High graduate John Kuntz stars in the play. This weekend’s performances are 4 p.m. Saturday, July 30 and 8 p.m. Sunday, July 31. The show runs through Aug. 7.
“Much Ado About Nothing” is directed by Megan Sandberg-Zakian. It is one of the Bard’s most popular comedies, with a heartfelt message about the nature of love. The play, most famously, features the cat-and-mouse love story of Beatrice and Benedick, both of whom have sworn off love. With their witty banter and sparky relationship, they're the last to realize that they're a perfect match for each other.
Attendees may bring blankets, chairs and snacks. Chairs are also available to rent on-site for $10 (cash only) and can be reserved at commshakes.org.
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PLYMOUTH — “Something Rotten!,” the Tony Award-winning musical that mocks Shakespeare takes the stage at Priscilla Beach Theater, which was once a training ground for several famous actors, including Paul Newman, Jean Seberg, Albert Brooks, Jennifer Coolidge and Rob Reiner.
This weekend’s performances are 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 30 and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 31. The show runs through Aug. 30.
Set in 1595, “Something Rotten!” revolves around brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom, playwrights whose careers are wilting in the shadow of the one and only Will Shakespeare. When the soothsayer Nostradamus predicts that song-and-dance shows will be the next big thing, the Bottom brothers set out to write the world's very first musical. Shakespeare, of course, has no plans to share the spotlight. The brothers' spat with the Bard then erupts in hilarity.
Tickets to all shows cost $35 for adults and $32 for seniors 65 and older. The theater is at 800 Rocky Hill Road in Manomet. The box office can be reached at 508-224-4888 or online at pbtheatre.org.
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COHASSET — After bursting onto the pop music scene 40 years ago, KC and the Sunshine Band is still going strong.
Get ready to “Get Down Tonight’ when KC and the Sunshine Band take the circular stage at the South Shore Music Circus at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 30.
Wear your dancing shoes and expect a string of hits including “That’s the Way (I Like It) and “Shake Your Booty”
Tickets cost $44.50-$70.50 and $38.50-$64.50 for members. Call 781-383-9860 or go to musiccircus.org
HINGHAM — A six-movement suite inspired by the poetry of Langston Hughes is one of the highlights of the last performance in South Shore Conservatory's "Evening Under the Stars" series.
The concert is at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 30 at the Jane Carr Ampitheater, One Conservatory Drive, which is the South Shore's version of Boston's Hatch Shell. Tickets cost $30 for lawn seats and $50 for pavilion seating and can be bought by calling 781-934-2731 Ext. 22. or online at summer.sscmusic.org
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Musicians are: Peter Bianca, clarinet; Donald Zook, flute; Sarah Troxler, piano; Bahar Soyoz, piano; Ming-hang Tam, violin and Kay Jang, cello. They will also perform composer Paul Schoenfield's blues-inspired "Cafe Music."
The South Shore Conservatory, incorporated in 1970 in Hingham, is a nonprofit community arts school that provides education in music, dance, drama and other performing arts for children and adults on the South Shore. The conservatory also has a large creative arts therapy department, which focuses on providing similar, adapted opportunities for students with disabilities. The conservatory hosts concerts by faculty and students throughout the year.
NORWELL – The Company Theatre will let the sunshine in for its production of the groundbreaking hippie musical "Hair," at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 30 and 3 p.m. Sunday, July 31.
"Hair" is directed by Company Theatre co-founder Zoe Bradford with musical direction by Robert McDonough, choreography by Sally Ashton Forrest, lighting by Dean Palmer Jr. and sets by Ryan Barrow.
General admission tickets are $48 and premium seating tickets are $56. To buy tickets, call 781-871-2787 or go to www.companytheatre.com. The theater is at 30 Accord Park Drive.
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