July Theatre Highlights

Powerhouse Theatre- Vassar: Looks like the musical is making a comeback, at least in Poughkeepsie. John Patrick Shanley, whose Pulitzer/Tony winning Doubt got a final polish at Powerhouse in the ‘04 season, returns with his contribution to the genre ROMANTIC POETRY: A MUSICAL PLAY. With music by Henry Krieger (Dreamgirls), featuring William Evans, Ivan Hernandez, Mark Linn-Baker, Chris McGarry and Patina Miller, powerhouse.vassar.edu/season ,Call 845.437.7235 or 845.437.5599 for times. Th 7/19-29.

Bard Summerscape-Theatre Two, Fisher Center: Five years after Joan of Arc was canonized as a saint in 1920, George Bernard Shaw won the Nobel Prize, some say due to his remarkably sympathetic portrayal of the famous fanatic in 1923’s SAINT JOAN. Guest director Gregory Thompson, with his acclaimed AandBC theatre company, brings out the modern relevance of this classic clash between liberalism and fundamentalism, with what the UK’s Guardian calls “a beguiling magic, and an appealing directness.” 845.758.7900, www.bard.edu. Th-Su 7/12-15, 19-22, 8 PM.

Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival- at Boscobel Mansion, Garrison: This is a delightfully unique setting for outdoor summer theatre, where the proscenium extends out onto the open grounds, overlooking the Hudson. The company makes full use of the extra space, though most of the action remains under a large rain-proof canopy. Look for innovative and contemporary versions of the Bard this year, oscillating between the light (AS YOU LIKE IT, even days, except 11,31) and dark (RICHARD III, odd days). Route 9D, just south of Beacon/Cold Spring. www.hvshakespeare.org, 845.265.9575. All July, We-Th: 7 PM, Fr-Sa: 8 PM, Su: 6 PM.

Heidi Latsky Dance- Woodstock Playhouse: This New York-based company is “dedicated to creating provocative, highly technical, and physically adventurous dance.” Latsky, a longtime principal member of Bill T. Jones/ Arnie Zane Dance Co., pursues a more large scale concept to her work, integrating her own Latsky Method (combining meditation and movement), with principles of wellness and social activism. Rts 212 & 375, www.woodstockplay-house.org, 845.679.4101, Sa 7/28, 8 PM.

Martel Theatre, in the Vogelstein Center for Drama and Film- Vassar: Pete Townshend’s THE BOY WHO HEARD MUSIC, the hallucinatory tale about the rise and fall of a teenage rock band, through the eyes of an aging rock star. The one-man Who’s Who of great rock opera is back, getting a concert reading of an all-new work in an intimate Upstate environment. Adapted and Directed by Ethan Silverman. www.powerhouse.vassar.edu/season ,Call 845.437.7235 or 845.437.5599 for times. Fr/Sa 7/13,14.