Because Dallas has a large and in charge theater scene, and summer’s got you feeling adventurous, we decided to take this July’s lineup of new shows and break it down for you. From action to romance, Broadway productions to independent theaters, we found something for everyone.
1. Family quarrels, teen romance, poison, runaways, and street fights. We all read Romeo and Juliet (or watched the Leonardo DiCaprio film version) at one point in high school. This summer, Dallas’ Shakespeare in the Park will present the classic tragedy under the stars at the Samuell-Grand Amphitheatre — an appropriate setting to watch the star-crossed lovers of Verona fight to the death, quite literally, for their chance at love.
2. Experience the legendary adventures of Alonso Quixano’s fictitious and questionably deranged alter ego Don Quixote de la Mancha and his more reasonable comrade Sancho Panza as they march their way around Spain in The Quixotic Days and Errant Nights of The Knight Errant Don Quixote. Fort Worth’s Amphibian Stage Productions will perform their adaptation of Cervantes’ famous tale Thursday through Sunday from July 9 through Aug. 2.
3. This summer the Uptown Players take on an adaptation of Steven Spielberg’s Catch Me If You Can, which documents the true story of infamous conman Frank Abagnale and FBI Agent Carl Hanratty. The story chronicles how Abagnale, at only 17 years old, conned his way into millions of dollars by forging checks and claiming to be everything he’s not — including a doctor, lawyer, pilot, and unbelievably enough, a Secret Service agent.
4. Motown the Musical is coming to the Winspear Opera House later this July, and staying through mid-August. With 57 songs on the set list (including “Dancing in the Street,” “Do You Love Me,” “My Girl,” and loads more) this musical chronicles the story of how the record label and its artists transformed the American music scene forever.
5. If you’re looking for something a little less mainstream, check out the Festival of Independent Theaters at the Bath House Cultural Center. The plays feature an array of subjects, including comedic cancer patients, existential shoes, swordfighters, and more.
Also opening in July: Second Thought Theatre’s Othello at Bryant Hall at Kalita Humphreys Theater; WaterTower Theatre’s Sweet Charity at Addison Theatre Centre; The Color Purple at Jubilee Theatre
