{"id":86310,"date":"2025-07-10T10:49:36","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T17:49:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/hi-lo\/?p=86310"},"modified":"2025-07-10T10:50:23","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T17:50:23","slug":"theater-news-whats-on-stage-in-july-shakespeare-buddy-holly-a-fiddler-a-lobby-hero-and-the-devil-himself","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/theater-news-whats-on-stage-in-july-shakespeare-buddy-holly-a-fiddler-a-lobby-hero-and-the-devil-himself","title":{"rendered":"Theater News: What\u2019s on stage in July? Shakespeare, Buddy Holly, a fiddler, a lobby hero and the Devil himself"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to Theater News, a regular column by longtime reviewer Anita W. Harris. Look for it most Thursdays. Or sign up<\/a> for our Eat See Do newsletter to get it in your inbox.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShall I compare thee to a summer\u2019s day?\u201d William Shakespeare asks in a sonnet. \u201cSometime too hot the eye of heaven shines\u201d the poem goes on to say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, the sun is definitely heating things up outside. All the more reason to go see a Shakespeare play! Or any other local (and air-conditioned) show this month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what\u2019s on at a theater near you in July:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long Beach Shakespeare Company<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shakespeare\u2019s comedy \u201cMuch Ado About Nothing\u201d begins July 18 at Long Beach Shakespeare Company\u2019s Helen Borgers Theatre, 4250 Atlantic Ave. in Bixby Knolls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not one, but two romantic plotlines converge in Italy, including one where neither person wants to be in a relationship. Deception, disguise, infidelity and witty verbal sparring all feature in this play about love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n Link<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOften hailed as Shakespeare\u2019s original rom-com, \u2018Much Ado About Nothing\u2019 is a fast-paced tale of courtship, rumor and mistaken identity,\u201d says the theater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Performances run July 18 to Aug. 3, with shows Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. For tickets, call 562-997-1494 or visit <\/i>LBShakespeare.org<\/i><\/a>. Metered parking is available on Atlantic and surrounding streets.<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long Beach Playhouse<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The musical \u201cFiddler on the Roof<\/a>\u201d continues through Aug. 3 in Long Beach Playhouse\u2019s downstairs Mainstage Theatre, while comedic drama \u201cLobby Hero\u201d begins July 19 in its upstairs Studio Theatre, through Aug. 16.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written by Kenneth Lonergan, \u201cLobby Hero\u201d focuses on Jeff, a midnight-shift security guard for a Manhattan high-rise who had left the Navy deeply in debt to loan sharks. He\u2019s helped by his boss William, whose brother is a suspect in a murder case investigated by rookie female cop Dawn, whom Jeff has a crush on, and her partner Bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Preview photo of “Lobby Hero” at Long Beach Playhouse. Photo by Mike Hardy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKenneth Lonergan\u2019s brilliant script examines the racial bias that is inherent in America\u2019s justice system, and sexism in law enforcement, with nuance and humor,\u201d says Sean Gray, the Playhouse\u2019s producing artistic director. \u201cAll of the characters find themselves in situations that test their morals and are often motivated by a mix of noble and selfish impulses.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Executive Director Madison Mooney says the play handles difficult situations and topics with lines that are laugh-out-loud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a perfect summer show,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s funny and thought provoking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long Beach Playhouse is at 5021 E. Anaheim St. Performances for both \u201cFiddler on the Roof\u201d and \u201cLobby Hero\u201d are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. For tickets, call 562-494-1014 or visit <\/i>LBPlayhouse.org<\/i><\/a>. Free parking is available in the theater\u2019s back lot or on surrounding streets.<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical Theatre West<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you know the words to \u201cPeggy Sue\u201d or can hum the tune to \u201cThat\u2019ll Be the Day\u201d then you\u2019ll be pleased to hear that Musical Theatre West is bringing \u201cBuddy: The Buddy Holly Story\u201d to the stage beginning July 11.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Will Riddle as Buddy Holly in Musical Theatre West’s “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story.” Photo courtesy of Musical Theatre West.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Written by Alan Janes, the musical explores the life and music of one of rock-and-roll\u2019s pioneers, from his humble beginnings in Lubbock, Texas, to his meteoric rise to fame in the 1950s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis high-energy musical is more than just a show \u2014 it\u2019s a full-blown concert experience,\u201d says Musical Theatre West. \u201cAll-star actor-musicians will perform every iconic hit live, capturing the raw energy and groundbreaking music that made Buddy Holly a cultural phenomenon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musical Theatre West\u2019s \u201cBuddy: The Buddy Holly Story\u201d will play at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center on the CSULB campus, 6200 E. Atherton St., from July 11 to 27, with shows Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. For tickets, call 562-856-1999 or visit <\/i>Musical.org<\/i><\/a>. Click <\/i>here<\/i><\/a> for parking information since the lot in front of the theater is impacted by summer construction. <\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Garage Theatre<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Also beginning July 11, The Garage Theatre<\/a> is staging Jen Silverman\u2019s play \u201cWitch\u201d \u2014 in which the Devil prowls a small village seeking to make Faustian bargains, only to be refused by a woman branded the \u201ctown witch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The theater describes the play as a \u201cwitty and irreverent drama\u201d that explores themes of power and agency, love and respect, and home and despair. Sounds perfect for our times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWitch\u201d will perform at The Garage Theatre,<\/i> 251 E. Seventh St., from July 11 to Aug. 9, with shows Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the theater\u2019s box office 30 minutes before each show or online at <\/i>TheGarageTheatre.org<\/i><\/a>. Metered parking is available on surrounding streets.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It’s hot outside! Go see a play at one of these local (and air-conditioned) theaters this month.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":207,"featured_media":86311,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","inline_featured_image":false,"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":"","_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_":"","_author_alias":"","cap-aim":"","cap-description":"","cap-display_name":"","cap-first_name":"","cap-jabber":"","cap-last_name":"","cap-linked_account":"","cap-newspack_employer":"","cap-newspack_job_title":"","cap-newspack_phone_number":"","cap-newspack_role":"","cap-user_email":"","cap-user_login":"","cap-website":"","cap-yahooim":"","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_email_html":"","newspack_email_type":"","newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_hide_page_title":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_show_share_buttons":"","newspack_sponsor_byline_prefix":"","newspack_sponsor_disclaimer_override":"","newspack_sponsor_flag_override":"","newspack_sponsor_only_direct":"","newspack_sponsor_url":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_show_updated_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"coauthors":[32310],"class_list":["post-86310","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hi-lo","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86310","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/207"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=86310"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86310\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86317,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86310\/revisions\/86317"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/86311"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=86310"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=86310"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=86310"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=86310"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=86310"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}