This fall, experience world-class musicals and contemporary dramas – right here, in Rhode Island. Stop by at the Sandra Feinstein Gamm Theatre, in Pawtucket, to attend Caryl Churchill’s acclaimed one-act plays: A Number and Far Away. Churchill’s A Number, paints the picture of a near-future world in which cloning is possible. Over the course of the play, the protagonist confronts the startling consequences of an experiment gone wrong. In Far Away, mysteries collide to create a dystopian nightmare full of genocide and environmental disaster. Churchill tackles topics that are unsettlingly relevant to our times. The plays will be presented September 12-October 13. 172 Exchange St, Pawtucket. 723-4266.
More interested in traveling back in time than forward? Check out Les Misérables at the Ocean State Theatre Company in Warwick. Frequently labeled “the world’s most popular musical,” Les Mis takes the audience back to the turmoil of 19th century France. This epic and uplifting play has touched audiences around the world. Les Mis will be presented October 2-27. 1245 Jefferson Blvd, Warwick. 921-6800.
Yet another classic, the stage version of Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, will be performed at Trinity Rep. Set in the midst of the Great Depression, The Grapes of Wrath shows the struggles of a nation, in the eyes of one Oklahoma clan forced on an epic journey. Watch this enduring classic take on new life on the Trinity Rep stage, throughout the fall season. 201 Washingston St., Providence. 521-1100.
Don’t miss out on Brown University Theatre’s truly unique upcoming season. Quiara Alegría Hudes’ play, Water by the Spoonful, will be presented September 26-October 6. Hudes, a Brown Alum, recently won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The play is about an Iraq war veteran who, having returned from the war, is struggling to re-adjust to everyday life. Charlotte Thomas-Davidson, Publicity and Box Office Manager, says that, “The play definitely appeals to a diverse crowd of people who may be dealing with anything from family issues to serious addiction issues.” Also coming to the Brown Theatre, on September 11, is the incredibly inspiring Freedom Theatre. The Freedom Theatre, an artistic community housed in the northern part of the West Bank, works with refugees to utilize theatre as a form of empower- ment and communication. The theatre emphasizes the use of art as a tool in social change. The Freedom Theatre will be performing a show called The Island, by Athol Fugard, which depicts the struggles of South Africa during the apartheid era. 77 Waterman St., Providence. 863-3283.
Your theatre experience wouldn’t be complete without checking out shows at The Vets and the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC). On October 12, Richard Nader’s Doo-Wop and Rock & Roll All Stars will take you for a stroll down memory lane. This all-star line-up will include Rock & Roll legends such as Gene Chandler and The Charlie Thomas Drifters. 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence. 222-1467.
PPAC is celebrated for its first-class Broadway shows, concerts and contemporary dramas. Enjoy the beauty of the theatre and its spectacular performances with this season’s presentation of Broadway’s finest, Evita. Eva Perón rose from the slums of Argentina to become one of the most powerful women in the world. Learn about her passionate and extraordinary life story in this masterful production. The show will be presented September 8-14. Also at PPAC this season is the Tony Award-Winning Musical, Once. This authentic Broadway show tells the tale of a struggling Dublin street musician, who finds a new sense of hope and motivation when a beautiful young woman takes interest in his love songs. Once is a unique story about going for your dreams and embracing the power of music. Take the whole family to enjoy this inspiring musical from October 1-6. Lastly, from the big screen to the stage comes Ghost The Musical. It tells the tragic tale of a couple that is mugged on their way home one night. Sam is murdered and then transforms into a ghost trapped between two worlds. The show depicts Sam’s struggle to communicate and protect Molly, even when they’re a world apart. It is a new and touching twist on the romantic classic. The show will be presented October 22-27. 220 Weybosset St. #2, Providence. 421-2997.
So, whether you’re a theatre junkie or novice, there are plenty of opportunities to experience some great shows in Rhode Island. With this season’s wide-range of performances, from classic Broadway hits to contemporary dramas, you’ll be sure to find something you’ll enjoy.
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