Performing arts shows playing July 29-Aug. 4
Reviews are by Donald Munro; NR = not reviewed.
OPENING
Casa Valentina: At the Dan Pessano Theatre, StageWorks Fresno opens Harvey Fierstein’s play about a group of men who spend weekends in the Catskills dressed as women. (Opens Friday, July 29)
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown: CenterStage Clovis Community Theatre opens the musical based on Charles M. Schultz’s “Peanuts” characters. The cast features members of the CenterStage Kids Program. (Runs at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District Auditorium Thursday, July 28, through Saturday, July 30).
ONGOING
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)
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. Closes Sunday, July 31. (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.
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. Through Sept. 11. (See review in next week’s Seven section)
The Secret Garden: The Tulare County Office of Education opens the musical version of the classic novel at the L.J. Williams Theater. Closes Saturday, July 30. (NR)
NEXT WEEK’S OPENINGS
Heathers: The Musical: Selma Arts Center opens the central San Joaquin Valley premiere of the musical based on the cult-classic film. (Opens Friday, Aug. 5)
Shrek the Musical: Children’s Musical Theaterworks opens the musical based on the popular Disney film at the Fresno Memorial Auditorium. (Opens Friday, Aug. 5)
This story was originally published July 28, 2016 at 11:08 AM with the headline "Performing arts shows playing July 29-Aug. 4."