Sh-Ron Almeida
Assist. A&E Editor
In Mar. 2020 the pandemic had stripped everyone of their favorite forms of entertainment. Instead of having fun with friends at the shopping mall or going to the movies, the people of the world are put on lockdown. It was a dark time for us as we had no idea how dangerous COVID_19 was capable of being. Though we have opened up stores and public parks there were still a few things that were put on ice, such as music concerts and performing arts theaters.
Fortunately, Bill Hanney, Theatre By The Sea owner and producer has made a recent announcement on the grand opening for the box office in the 2022 Summer Season. Beginning on Friday Apr. 29, patrons can purchase tickets online to Theatre By The Sea’s Monday spectacles. The company is also celebrating 89 years of summer entertainment. Taking place in Wakefield, Rhode Island, there will be a Children’s Festival and a new Summer Fairy-Tale Musical Series that is sure to entertain and amaze families. Additionally, there will be four awesome musicals worth looking into:
Million Dollar Quartet: The Tony® Award-nominated, smash-hit sensation featuring an incredible score of rock ‘n’ roll, gospel, R&B, and country hits, performed live onstage by world-class actors and musicians. Presented from May 25 – June 18.
Footloose: One of the most explosive movie musicals of all time, bursts onto the live stage. Revisit this classic throwback and rock out to the rhythm of the Oscar® and Tony®-nominated top 40 score (the soundtrack album reached number one on the Billboard charts and has sold over 15 million copies!) elevated with dynamic new songs for the stage musical. Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people and guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind. Presented from June 22 – July 16.
Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella: A surprisingly contemporary take on the classic tale. The magical production features an incredible live orchestra, jaw-dropping transformations and all the memorable moments including the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball and more - plus some surprising new twists! This is a hilarious and romantic experience for anyone of any age who has ever had a dream. Presented from July 20 – Aug. 13.
Kinky Boots: A refreshing, wholesome musical with songs by Grammy® and Tony® Award-winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper and book by Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein (La Cage aux Folles, Newsies). In this dazzling and uplifting musical, comes a touching story, inspired by true life events, taking you from the factory floor of a Northampton men's show to the glamorous catwalks of Milan! Presented from Aug. 17 – Sept. 11.
Opening weekend performances will be held on Friday at 8:00 pm, Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. All other performances will be held Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, Thursdays at 2:00 pm, Saturdays at 3 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. The theatre is located at 364 Cards Pond Road, Wakefield, RI. Tickets range in price from $59– $84 (additional fees may apply). Discount rates for groups of 10 or more are available by calling (401) 782-3800 x112.
Online sales begin Friday, Apr. 29, with the box office window opening on Sunday, May 1 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Beginning Monday, May 2, the box office will be open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Fairy-Tale Musical Series will be presented on select Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m. and noon. Productions will include Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Sleeping Beauty, as originally produced by Kaleidoscope Theatre with book, music and lyrics by David G. Payton. Tickets are $15.
For ticket or subscription information and sales, visit www.theatrebythesea.com, stop by the box office during normal box office hours, or call (401) 782-TKTS (8587).