By Robyn Smith
Community theater is like a book club for intellectual types who need that Socratic fix—no one is in the club to become a successful author; they’re just there because they love to read and want to share this love with others.
The amateur actor does what she or he does for love, not compensation. In fact, in many community theater performances, actors have to pay to play. This atmosphere is built by the cast, for the cast to connect with their community the best way they know how.
On the community theater stage, which can be anything from a high school auditorium to a public amphitheater, we bear witness to performances that allow almost any passionate person to take on a new role, even if they’re going to law school in the fall or they do fundraising for a nonprofit during the day.
Instead of rushing over to buy tickets for the next Broadway hit on tour, appreciate what’s right around your block and head on over to any of these five amateur shows. You’re more than likely to enjoy the performance, and you’ll also be supporting a group of people just like you doing what they love.
McLean Community Players present “Jesus Christ Superstar”
July 10-25, Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. // This is not your ordinary rock opera. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, McLean’s production of the popular musical is set in modern times. Lead actor and fundraiser for Pew Charitable Trusts Brian Hill prepared to play God by letting his inner history major geek out over a plethora of research of biblical times. The McLean Community Players have put on shows since 1964. // Alden Theater: 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean; $23-$25
The Castaways Repertory Theatre presents “Romeo and Juliet”
July 10-25, Fridays and Saturdays, 5:30 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. // We all know how this one ends, so there’ll be no surprise plot twists for anyone in the audience over the age of 10. But this production stands out: This particular cast is posed as a modern traveling acting troupe like the ones from Shakespeare’s day, pretending to wander upon various stages and using what they find already set up on those stages as props and costumes. That explains why a different night means a new venue, and all of those venues are public parks. Sit back and enjoy the star-crossed lovers dive into this incredulous train wreck of lust, power and deceit. // Various // Various parks in Clifton, Triangle and Woodbridge; free
Prince William Little Theatre Presents: “The Who’s Tommy”
July 10-26, Fridays at Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. // Based on the 1969 The Who album of the same name and its subsequent film adaptation in 1975, this show follows the recovery of one young child who, due to a traumatic incident, became deaf, blind and mute. The actors who play Tommy and his cousin are married, making for an interestingly personal dynamic. To contrast the large amount of video and picture streaming on stage, director Melissa Jo York-Tilley has designed an extremely minimalist set. This is the first show of its kind for PWLT. // The Gregory Family Theater at Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas; $15-25, tickets available at pwlt.org
City of Fairfax Theatre Company and Truro Anglican Church present “Hairspray”
July 17-25, Fridays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. // Starring a mix of musical theater students and local players, this production of the colorful, toe-tapping Tony hit surely won’t turn bad. The show’s lead, Anna Hicks, just graduated from University of Miami and will attend University of Virginia’s School of Law in the fall. This is her first musical performance since middle school. // Lanier Middle School: 3801 Jermantown Road, Fairfax; $5-$15
Sterling Playmakers present “The Music Man”
July 24-Aug. 9, Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. // Written by Meredith Willson, “The Music Man” was a huge hit on Broadway back in the ’50s, which resulted in an even bigger movie starring Robert Preston. “The Music Man” holds a special place in lead actor and local high school band director TJ Miles’ heart because it was the first musical he ever performed in. The director of the show, Kathy Bleutge, was also Miles’ high school theater teacher. // Potomac Falls High School: 46400 Algonkian Parkway, Sterling; $15
