All We Need Is a Show!
by Aja Martin
Lincoln has a theatrical system that is once again thriving after pandemic lows. While some live theatres haven’t updated their 2023 calendars, they all show promise for a great year.
TADA Productions, Inc.
is located in the Creamery Building at Seventh and P Streets in Lincoln’s Haymarket. For more information on performances, comedy nights, and one-night events, visit tadaproductions.info. They are sure to have something that will appeal to even the pickiest critics in your group.
Ain’t Misbehavin’ – June 15-July 2
(The Fats Waller Musical Show)
TADA takes on this three-time Tony award-winning musical revue and brings music from The Harlem Renaissance to Lincoln.
Beehive – August 10-27
Skipping forward in time, TADA will showcase female vocalists from the 1960s!
The Lincoln Community Playhouse
or LCP, is located at 2500 S. 56th Street lincolnplayhouse.com. The LCP recently celebrated it 75th year and is already making strides towards a full century of talented local theatre.
The Music Comedy Murders of 1940 – May 5-7, 12-14
“A wildly comic romp that is a loving satire on show biz and old Hollywood melodramas.”
Newsies Jr. – June 9-11, 16-18
An adaptation for a younger crowd that still includes favorite songs from the original—Carrying the Banner, Seize the Day, and Santa Fe.
Something Rotten
A musical comedy, set in 1590, shows a pair of brothers willing to take on the most famous playwright of their time. Some dude everyone keeps calling The Bard?!?
Nebraska Repertory Theatre
Located on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s city campus, in the Hixson-Lied College of Fine Arts Building. Visit nebraskarep.org for more information. The Nebraska Repertory Theatre, sometimes shortened to just The Rep, is another longterm Lincoln mainstay. This will be the 55th year since it’s first opening.
The Play That Goes Wrong – May 3-7
A play about a murder mystery (play) within a mansion (held in a theatre). Its a premise as convoluted, and funny, as the production itself.
Lied Center for Performing Arts
is located at 12th and R streets.
Visit liedcenter.org
While a full story about The Lied is found on page 14, no article about live Lincoln theatre can ignore its overwhelming prescence. If you are craving live entertainment but aren’t finding anything from the smaller venues, check out The Lied. They have flashy bigger, longer runs on their books. But they also have many fantastic, one-night-only offerings.
Just a few miles north of Lincoln is another summer tradition, the Mahoney Melodramas. Since 1993, from May to August, families have been treated to a night of booing and throwing popcorn at the villain and cheering on the heroine, who is always in need of saving. For a complete schedule, visit melodrama.net.
Other Lincoln theaters producing during the summer months include:
Pinewood Bowl
pinewoodbowl.org
The Pinewood Bowl is an open-air ampitheater located within Pioneers Park. They are one year away from celebrating their 75th season. Check their events listings to find out about music, performance, and educational offerings!
Flatwater Shakespeare Company
flatwatershakespearecompany.org
The Flatwater Shakespeare Company’s first show is always at the open-air Stables at Wyuka Cemetery (3600 O Street). They then move to other venues across the city to finish the summer. See Shakespeare performed in some of Lincoln’s best locations, including the Lincoln Community Garden, James Arthur Vineyards, Pioneers Park Nature Center and the Railyard’s Canopy street, as well as city parks like Henry, Cooper and Holmes.
The Angels Theatre Company
Due to their nature as a collaborative collective, The Angels Theatre Company is bound to no singular address. And as they learned from the pandemic, they are also no bound to a physical place; some offerings moved online and can be enjoyed from wherever you call home. Check their website to see what strikes your fancy.
The Rococo Theatre
rococotheatre.com
Great care was taken to refurbish the Rococo Building to its 1929 glory. This venue hosts an incredible variety of public and private events. See their website to find music, comedy, book readings, live performances, and more.
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