Arts Picks: 'Taming of the Shrew,' July 4 Blossom Festival concerts, painting at Summit Lake

Kerry Clawson, Akron Beacon Journal
·4 min read

Shakespeare's 'Shrew' at Stan Hywet

Enjoy Shakespeare under the stars with Ohio Shakespeare Festival's production of "The Taming of the Shrew," previewing at 8 p.m. July 7 at the lagoon at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron. The show runs 8 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays through Aug. 14. Gates open for picnicking at 6 p.m., and the rollicking Greenshow that precedes the Shakespearean comedy starts at 7:30 p.m.

See what happens with sweet Bianca and her sour sister Kate, who is supposedly unweddable. This production of the classic comedy, which has its share of mistaken identities and toxic masculinity, will challenge traditional ideas of gender with nontraditional casting.

Ticket cost is $15 for the preview, $15 for students and $30 general admission for regular shows. July 10 is a pay-what-you-will performance, and July 14 is free student night. See www.ohioshakespearefestival.com or call 330-574-2537.

Special Shakespeare and dinner events also will be held at 6 p.m. July 15 and Aug. 12. See www.stanhywet.org/events/shakespeare-dinner for more information.

Tess Burgler co-stars as Petruchio in "The Taming of the Shrew" at Ohio Shakespeare Festival at Stan Hywet.
Tess Burgler co-stars as Petruchio in "The Taming of the Shrew" at Ohio Shakespeare Festival at Stan Hywet.

More: Review: 'Midsummer Night's Dream' gets off to wet start at Stan Hywet

Rockin' with the Bard at Beck Center for the Arts

Check out Shakespeare as a rock star in the hilarious musical comedy "Something Rotten!" a regionally produced premiere playing at Beck Center for the Arts from July 8 to Aug. 7. The story's set in the 1590s, with brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom desperate to write a hit play but stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as "The Bard." Nick and Nigel, who dare to dream about singing, dancing and acting at the same time, set out to write the world's very first musical.

Tickets are $10-$34. Student tickets cost $15. See beckcenter.org. The theater is located at 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood.

The regionally produced premiere of "Something Rotten!" will play at Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood July 8 through Aug. 7.
The regionally produced premiere of "Something Rotten!" will play at Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood July 8 through Aug. 7.

Theater review: 'Something Rotten!' hilariously sends up Broadway and the Bard

'Fanfare' opens Blossom festival with Cleveland Orchestra

Kick off your summer of picnicking to the sounds of The Cleveland Orchestra with the Blossom Music Festival opener "Fanfare for the Common Man" at 8 p.m. Saturday at Blossom Music Center, 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls.

More: Blossom Music Festival to kick off with holiday weekend concerts. What you need to know

The concert, conducted by Vinay Parameswaran, will feature the orchestra's premiere of Gulda's "Concerto for Cello," with the orchestra’s principal cellist, Mark Kosower, as soloist, and Copland's "Symphony No. 3." Fireworks will follow.

Single pavilion tickets start at $25 for adults, $15 for students and children. Single lawn tickets start at $25, which include two under-18s-free tickets for every adult lawn ticket purchased. Call 216-231-1111 or see clevelandorchestra.com.

The Cleveland Orchestra's 2022 Blossom Music Festival will run Saturday through Sept. 4.
The Cleveland Orchestra's 2022 Blossom Music Festival will run Saturday through Sept. 4.

July 4 Blossom concerts with Cleveland Festival Band

The Blossom Festival Band, directed by Loras John Schissel, will perform star-spangled "Salute to America" concerts at 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday at the Blossom Music Festival. The family concerts at Blossom Music Center will include patriotic marches, Broadway favorites, an Armed Forces salute and more, ending with fireworks.

Single pavilion tickets start at $25 for adults, $15 for students and children. Single lawn tickets start at $25, which include two under-18s-free tickets for every adult lawn ticket purchased. Call 216-231-1111 or see clevelandorchestra.com.

The Cleveland Orchestra's Blossom Music Festival will open July 4 weekend with concerts July 2, 3 and 4 at Blossom Music Center.
The Cleveland Orchestra's Blossom Music Festival will open July 4 weekend with concerts July 2, 3 and 4 at Blossom Music Center.

More: Cleveland Orchestra announces Blossom season with return of films, some lesser-known gems

'Godspell' at Porthouse Theatre

The musical "Godspell" previews July 7, opening July 8 and and running through July 23 at Porthouse Theatre, 3143 O'Neil Road, Cuyahoga Falls, at Blossom Music Center.

The 1971 "Godspell," by Stephen Schwartz, is an eclectic blend of songs telling the story of Jesus' life. Tickets cost $30-$35 for the preview, $36 to $48 opening night, other performances $35-$45. See www.porthousetheatre.com or call 330-672-3884.

Porthouse's 45th season will continue with the musical "Godspell" July 7 through 23 on the grounds of Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls.
Porthouse's 45th season will continue with the musical "Godspell" July 7 through 23 on the grounds of Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls.

More: Theater Review: 'Little Shop' more than a little fun at Porthouse Theatre

'Classy Canvas' at Summit Lake

Summit Lake Nature Center invites adults to paint brightly colored creatures with the help of step-by-step instruction at "Classy Canvas" from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at 411 Ira Ave., Akron. All supplies will be provided to create a personal masterpiece. Registration is required by calling 330-865-8065.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Arts picks: See 'Shrew' at Stan Hywet, Blossom festival July 4 concerts