Opera House Arts announces return of theater, music, movies, more

Opera House Arts recently announced its summer performance schedule. This season, OHA safely brings back outdoor live performances to the seaside community of Stonington. As part of OHA’s 22nd summer season, visitors can enjoy a full lineup of music, dance, film, and theater.

OHA Executive Director Tony Adams said in a news release, “We are excited to produce live performances once again this summer; live music, theatre, and dance returns. Last year, we wanted to offer a breath of fresh air and hope amidst the pandemic. Our community came together to build a drive-in movie screen and outdoor stage, which felt like a perfect encapsulation of why the Opera House has been such an important gathering place for 100 years.”

The summer season is highlighted by the return of Shakespeare in Stonington. The opera house will return to Nervous Nellie’s in August for a three-week run of “Desdemona,” a play about a handkerchief by Paula Vogel. Julia Sears returns to OHA to direct the reimagining of Shakespeare’s “Othello”. This story of a newlywed living on an unfamiliar island is set in the magical woods behind Nellieville in Deer Isle. The show follows three women as they navigate the perils of honesty, desire, and the men who decide their fate. Tickets are on sale now, with performances scheduled Aug. 12-29.

A concert by Noel Paul Stookey (of Peter, Paul, and Mary fame) is set for July 10. Other concerts include the return of the popular Bud Carter Memorial Scholarship Concert on June 12, benefiting music education for island students; the annual Deer Isle Jazz Festival, featuring Hamid Drake and Michael Zerang on July 16 and Indigenous Mind and Solitude on July 17; and Sunset: Songs of Maine and the American Northeast, a classical concert from Katie Zaffrann on Aug. 24.

On Aug. 1, Broadway Comes to Stonington, a fun night of new and old favorites featuring Broadway stars Hugh Panaro (“Phantom of the Opera,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Lestat,” “Showboat,” “Side Show,” and “Les Misérables”), Leenya Rideout (Cabaret, Company, Cyrano, and War Horse), and friends.

Live! for $5, OHA’s intergenerational family programming will take place at the Stonington Ball Field every Wednesday at 7 p.m., starting June 23. Performers will include local favorite Atlantic Clarion Steel Band, the pirate-themed folk trio The Shank Painters, as well as comedians, dancers, jugglers, and more. In addition, The Stonington Library will host an open-air workshop with the Atlantic Clarion Steel Drum Band for the whole family from 2 to 3 p.m. on the afternoon of June 23 at the Island Community Center prior to their performance at the Ball Field.

In addition to live performances, drive-in movies will also return to the Stonington Ball Field during most weekends throughout the summer. Field of Dreams kicks off the season on May 28 and 29.

For more information, visit operahousearts.org.

Tickets for many summer events are on sale now and may be purchased online at operahousearts.org or by calling 207-367-2788.

Ticket office hours are Tuesdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

All shows are currently scheduled as outdoor performances, with the majority taking place at the Stonington Ball Field.

Summer lineup:

Saturday, June 12: Bud Carter Memorial Scholarship Concert

Wednesday, June 23: Atlantic Clarion Steel Band Concert and Workshop

Wednesday, June 30: Musical Ensemble, The Fourth Wall

Saturday, July 10: Noel Paul Stookey Concert

Wednesday, July 14: Hilby the Skinny German Juggling Boy

Friday, July 16 – Saturday, July 17: 21st Annual Deer Isle Jazz Festival

Wednesday, July 28: Dancer, Vanessa Anspaugh