By Mark Edelman

 “Summertime and the living is easy” Ira Gershwin would have us believe in his groundbreaking lyrics for the Gershwins’ “Porgy and Bess,” a recent hit at the Kennedy Center. That venue and more have some easy living theater all this month and next in the DMV. The entertainment may warm hearts or heat up passions, but you’ll still get thru the evening without breaking a sweat.

Now thru July 7

ANDY WARHOLD IN IRAN

Atlas Theatre

In this intriguing tale, compliments of the often thought-provoking Mosaic Theatre, the eponymous Pop artist travels to Teheran to paint a portrait of the Shah’s wife (this is pre-Ayatollah Iran). Alex Mills captures Warhol’s persona intrepidly – he’s a real fish out of water who fins and flops his way out of trouble provided by Nathan Mohebbi as Farhad, a hapless terrorist trying to shine a light on the Shah’s evil regime. The unlikely duo find a common bond under Serge Seiden’s artful direction. Tickets at http://www.mosaictheater.org

 

Now thru July 13

THE UNTITLE UNAUTHORIZED HUNTER THOMPSON MUSICAL

Signature Theatre

Seventeen years in the making, Signature presents this new musical, a paean to the Father of Gonzo Journalism. Pulling no punches—Christopher Ashley’s staging tells it like it was—a hard-working, talented cast led by Eric William Morris as Thompson delivers Joe Iconis and Gregory Moss’s spirited musical with the right measure of panache to win the day. Thompson’s bete noire was Tricky Dick; it’s eerie to see history repeating itself on the Signature stage. Tickets at http://www.sigtheatre.org

 

Now thru July 14

LES MISERABLES 

Kennedy Center

Back where it all again (at least in the States). Jean Valjean outruns single-minded

Inspector Javier and saves the beauteous Cosette and virtuous Marius in this ravishing musical, based on some of Victor Hugo’s immortal novel.  Tickets at http://www.kennedy-center.org

 

Now thru July 20

A WRINKLE IN TIME

Arena Stage

Meg Murry’s father was experimenting with time travel and the fifth dimension when he mysteriously disappeared. Now, Meg, her friend Calvin, and her younger brother Charles Wallace must rescue him and outwit the forces of evil arrayed against them. Based on Madeleine L’Engle’s Newbery Medal-winning young adult novel, it’s a story that just might inspire you to believe that love, friendship, and courage can conquer all. Tickets at http://www.arenastage.org

 

Now thru August 17

The Lightning Thief

Adventure Theatre MTC

Percy Jackson is a troubled boy who finds out his father is a Greek god, making him a demigod. He and his friends are given the task of finding and returning Zeus’s lightning bolt as monsters from the Underworld attempt to stop them. And you thought Little League baseball was tough!

Tickets at http://www.my.adventuretheatre-mtc.org.

 

July 1-20

DUEL REALITY  

Shakespeare Theatre Company

Cirque du Soleil alums 7 Fingers of the Hand imagine the Bard’s star-crossed lovers aloft in an acrobatic sporting arena. Highflying theatricality sends the feud between Montagues and Capulets skyward, reimagining sword fights with aerial grace and leaps of faith as literal leaps across the Harman Hall stage. Tickets at http://www.shakespearetheatre.org

 

July 2-13

YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND: WOMEN POP SONGWRITERS         

Signature Theatre

Next up at Signature’s intimate Ark Theatre is this cabaret piece, featuring the music of Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Dolly Parton, Carly Simon and more.  From pop standards to newer hits, spend a cool summer night in Shirlington, groovin’ to favorites from “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” and “Rolling in the Deep” to “If I Ain’t Got You” and “You’re So Vain.” Tickets at http://www.sigtheatre.org

 

July 8 – Sept 6

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

National Theatre

Holy Hogwarts! Harry and his pals are all grown up, but—wouldn’t you know it—there are still dark forces at work, compliments of he who shall not be named (Voldemort, not the guy in the White House).  It’s nineteen years after the last book and Albus Potter, Harry’s son, somehow gets sorted into Slytherin, where he fails to live up to his famous father’s legacy. Magic and wizardry make this stage version of J. K. Rowling’s oeuvre one more money spinner. Tickets at

http://www.broadwayatthenational.com

 

July 9-27

DEAD INSIDE

Woolly Mammoth Theatre

“Trying to conceive is a full-time job that pays in despair and stretchier pants,” sayeth Riki Lindhome, our hostess for an evening of music, mirth and monthly disappointment as she navigates a cultural that still expects women to smile thru her journey thru infertility. Part musical, part solo stand-up spiral, Dead Inside pulls back the speculum on Lindhome’s experience with hormone shots, invasive tests, and humming a tune all the way to your next OB-GYN appointment. Tickets at http://www.woolly-mammoth.net

 

July 10- August 31

SESAME STREET – THE MUSICAL

Kennedy Center

Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, and everybody’s favorite friends bring the TV show’s iconic songs and stories to the Terrace Theatre stage. Enjoy the Muppets from Sesame Street in an intimate theatrical setting, complete with sing-alongs of the classic songs we all know and love. Don’t forget to bring a kid! Tickets at http://www.kennedy-center.org

 

July 12- Aug 10

APROPOS OF NOTHING  

Keegan Theatre

Owen confesses, apropos of nothing, that he’s in love with his best friend’s wife. But it’s just “a passing phase,” he tells him. “Forget I even said it.” Unfortunately, no one can.  In a comedy about love, irony, and cliche, five friends struggle with love, irony, and cliche. Tickets at http://www.keegantheatre.com

 

July 17- Aug 9

HOW THE SAUSAGE GETS MADE  

Capitol Hill Arts Workshop

Faction of Fools, the DMV’s premier (and perhaps only) Commedia Dell’Arte purveyors, offer up this take on the biggest circus in town, which takes place far too often just down the street from their Capitol Hill venue. Tickets at www.factionoffools.org

 

July 26- August 16

KINKY BOOTS   

Little Theatre of Alexandria

Fabulous footwear fosters fierce friendships in this Tony ® Award winning Best Musical. Cyndi Lauper’s rocking score is all about empowerment as a small shoe company learns the importance of open-mindedness and embracing your inner drag queen. Tickets at http://www.thelittletheatre.com

About the Author: Mark Edelman is a playwright who loves writing about theater. He is a lifetime member of the Broadway League and a Tony® voter.  Catch his monthly podcast at www.onstagedmv.org.

 

Photo credits:

Andy Warhol in Iran by Iwan Bagus.  Hunter Thompson by Daniel Rader.

Les Miserables by Matthew Murphy. Duel Reality by Emmanuel Burriel. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by Matthew Murphy.