There should be no lack of laughter and song across from City Dock in the coming months as the Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre presents its 33rd season of theater under the stars.
The season will open May 22 with the first ASGT performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Old Testament rock opera, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," which will play Thursdays through Sundays until June 27.
"Joseph," of course, is the story of the biblical hero who is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and later raised to lofty station by none other than the pharaoh of Egypt. In this incarnation of the story, Joseph is a young, innocent dreamer while the monarch he works for bears an unmistakable resemblance to Elvis Presley.
"Joseph" surely is Lloyd Webber's most colorfully diverse score, with songs inspired by reggae, '50s rock, country and throbbing Parisian torch songs.
The Bible gives way to the Bard as fairies, lovers, goofy actors and the theater's most famous donkey take the stage July 3 to present Shakespeare's magical "Midsummer Night's Dream."
"Midsummer Night's Dream" will play for 17 performances through Aug. 1.
The Bard of Avon's spirit will linger through September though, because the summer's final show will be Cole Porter's oh-so-clever musical "Kiss Me Kate."
The story of life and love amid a troupe of actors, "Kiss Me Kate" adopts the play-within-a-play format, making liberal use of Shakespeare's politically incorrect comedy, "The Taming of the Shrew."
"So In Love," "Too Darn Hot," "Another Openin', Another Show" and the hilarious "Brush Up Your Shakespeare" are the jewels in the crown of the score.
"Kate" will close the season Sept. 5.
Information: 410-268-0809.
Pub Date: 4/23/98
