Coming to Cape Cod stages: 'Muskrat Love,' a tale of a ghost investigating her own murder

Sue Mellen, Contributing writer
·3 min read
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As the summer season gets ever-closer, the Cape theater circuit is heating up, with companies along the peninsula staging new offerings. Here’s a look at what’s coming:

“Company,” is offered at the Eventide Theatre Company in Dennis from May 4 through May 21. The popular Sondheim musical was written by George Furth and tells the story of bachelor Bobby, who struggles to find romance in 1970s Manhattan.

The Barnstable Comedy Club will also run its next production, “Murder on the Rerun” through May 21. This sophisticated whodunit takes a different tack on the murder mystery genre, with a ghost coming back to the mortal plane to uncover the identity of her murderer.

The cast of Stephen Sondheim's "Company," on stage at Eventide Theatre Company in Dennis. Center seated: Zack Johnson as commitment-phobic leading man Bobby. Front kneeling: Ken Holland as David, Meg Morris as Sarah, Rebecca Riley as Amy, Max Dexter as Paul. Second row: Lynne Ruberti Johnson as Jenny, John Weltman as Larry, Kathleen Larson Day as Joanne, Laura Shea Holland as Susan. Back Row: Mike Good as Harry, Sarah Bleything as April, Morgan Dexter as Marta, Martha Paquin as Kathy, Kevin Kennelly as Peter.

From May 4 through May 21, the Watermelon Alligator Theatre Company will present “The Way It Is” in the Black Box Theater at the Cotuit Center for the Arts. This is the first time the production has been staged in the U.S. Here’s the plot: After eight years, Cane dumps fiancée Yasmine and is ready to propose to someone else, as soon as he retrieves his mother's engagement ring. Yasmine and Cane face off over the truth of eight years together and arrive at life-changing consequences.

Tension mounts between leading ladies Samantha Walker as Betsy Reynolds (left) and Sandy Basile as Valerie Vickers (right) while Delaney Sump as Kitty (center) looks on in a scene from "Murder on the Rerun" at the Barnstable Comedy Club.
Tension mounts between leading ladies Samantha Walker as Betsy Reynolds (left) and Sandy Basile as Valerie Vickers (right) while Delaney Sump as Kitty (center) looks on in a scene from "Murder on the Rerun" at the Barnstable Comedy Club.

The Academy of Performing Arts in Orleans will present “Robin Hood” from May 11 through May 28. This is a new take on the old folk tale, written by local playwright Mark Roderick. It’s Robin and his merry men in a whole new light.

The Provincetown Theater will offer “Casa Valentina” May 11-28.  Written by Harvey Fierstein, this show tells the tale of two men who spend weekends at a Catskill resort dressed as women.

The flyer from an upcoming show at Cotuit Center for the Arts.
The flyer from an upcoming show at Cotuit Center for the Arts.

From May 18 through June 3, the Cotuit Center for the Arts puts on “Muskrat Love II: The Muskies.” This is a completely new and riotous look at music award shows, and it features some well-known Cape vocalists.

Running from May 27 through June 10, the Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre will stage “Silver Threads 2,” another tour of the musical catalog of Linda Ronstadt, ranging from her rock and folk numbers to selections with trio partners Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris.

Next month, the Provincetown Theater will present a series of new, solo works with a “4-Star Solo Show Festival." The offerings will be staged Tuesdays through Thursdays from June 6 through June 30.

The Cape Playhouse in Dennis welcomes its 2023 season with the June 7-17 run of “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” the tribute to the music of the immortal jazz great Fats Waller.

The Harbor Stage in Wellfleet will open its 2023 season with “Bread and Butter,” a loopy comedy loosely adapted by Brenda Withers from George S. Kaufman’s “The Butter & Egg Man.” The show runs June 15 through July 8,

The Academy of Performing Arts presents that tried-and-true Rodgers and Hammerstein favorite “Oklahoma!” June 15 through July 9. This will bring to life favorites including “Oklahoma!” and “Surrey With the Fringe on Top.”

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Theater on Cape: Robin Hood gets a new look, Ronstadt revue returns