Performing arts shows playing July 22-28
Reviews are by Donald Munro; NR = not reviewed.
OPENING
The Collection: A touring play about eccentric art collector Peggy Guggenheim makes a stop at Fresno’s 1821 Gallery & Studios. (Plays Friday, July 22)
Dog Sees God: In this dark take on the Peanuts cartoon, Visalia’s Fourth Wall Theatre Company opens Bert V. Royal’s play about a boy named CB, who begins to question the existence of an afterlife after his dog dies. (Opens Friday, July 22)
My Fair Lady: Good Company Players presents the timeless story of a Cockney flower girl who takes London society by storm at Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater. (Opens Thursday, July 21)
The Secret Garden: The Tulare County Office of Education opens the musical version of the classic novel at the L.J. Williams Theater. (Opens Friday, July 22)
ONGOING
Beauty and the Beast: The popular Disney musical is presented by CenterStage Clovis Community Theatre. Closes Saturday, July 23.
The Buddy Holly Story: Joseph Ham plays the title role in this River City Theatre Company jukebox musical saluting the famed rock ’n’ roller. Through Aug. 7 (NR)
I Hate Hamlet: Good Company Players presents Paul Rudnick’s comedy-drama about a TV star scared to play Hamlet on stage. This fresh summer hit at the 2nd Space Theatre is a witty and well-written romp, and director Elizabeth Fiester strikes a fine balance between insider Shakespeare jokes and general silliness. CJ Dion is a standout as the ghost of John Barrymore, who nurses TV actor Andrew Rally (an amusing Chase Stubblefield) through the angst of playing one of theater’s most challenging roles. The small ensemble cast is uniformly top-notch. Through Aug. 14.
NEXT WEEK’S OPENINGS
Casa Valentina: StageWorks Fresno opens at the Dan Pessano Theatre Harvey Fierstein’s play about a group of men who spend weekends in the Catskills dressed as women. (Opens Friday, July 29)
This story was originally published July 22, 2016 at 1:38 AM with the headline "Performing arts shows playing July 22-28."