Although things start slowing down in South County as we get into September, you’ll still have plenty of entertainment options when visiting in the shoulder or off seasons.
You probably won’t spend much time at the beaches if you vacation in coastal Rhode Island in the fall unless you head there for a walk along the water or a scenic sunset. Still, the region’s towns have events and attractions that are sure to keep you busy.
One such location is the Granite Theatre, a historic Greek revival performing arts venue set in a former church built in 1849 and reconstructed in the late 1930s.
The theatre is an excellent spot to check out a show and its downtown Westerly location makes it easy to dine at a local restaurant beforehand. It’s also a short drive from many South County vacation rentals.
Here’s a look at the performances coming to the Granite Theatre in Westerly, Rhode Island, in the fall of 2022
The Importance of Being Earnest
The fall season kicks off with Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, a play focusing on two women – Cecily Cardew and Gwendolen Fairfax – who are in love with men they believe to be named Earnest. The problem is that neither Earnest exists, and hilarity ensues.
The Importance of Being Earnest is one of Wilde’s most famous plays and was first produced at the St. James’s Theatre in London in 1895.
The Westerly version of this show runs on September 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, and 24, with most shows starting at 7:30 PM. The lone exception is a 2:00 Sunday matinee on September 18.
Buddy: One Last Night
Buddy Cianci is a local legend in Rhode Island, having been mayor of Providence from 1975 to 1984 and again from 1991 until 2002. He was one of the longest-serving mayors in American history, but he’s perhaps best remembered for how his second term came to an end.
In April 2001, Cianci was indicted on federal criminal charges, including racketeering, mail fraud, witness tampering, conspiracy, and extortion. He was found guilty of racketeering and spent five years in prison as a result.
Buddy: One Last Night is a one-person show written and performed by local actor Nick Albanese that allows the audience to spend one last evening with the late Cianci as he tells stories about his life and career.
This show is worth checking out if you’d like to learn about Rhode Island history during your time in the state. There’s only one show, though, on October 1 at 8:00 PM.
The Diary of Anne Frank
The Diary of Anne Frank, the memoir of a young Jewish girl forced into hiding for two years during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during World War II, is perhaps the most famous story of the 20th century. It’s also a haunting retelling of one of the darkest times in human history.
The Granite Theatre will host Wendy Kesselman’s adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank, which draws from previously unpublished sections of the diary and is a powerful show that’s sure to leave you speechless.
This show runs for three weekends between October 14 and 29, with most shows starting at 7:30. There will be 2:00 Sunday matinees on October 16 and 23, as well.
A Christmas Carol
It wouldn’t be the holidays without watching A Christmas Carol at least once, and this year you can do it live at the Granite Theatre if you’re in Westerly between November 25 and December 18.
Of course, A Christmas Carol is an adaptation of Charles Dickens’s classic 1843 story that focuses on the ever-greedy Ebenezer Scrooge’s path to redemption.
A Christmas Carol runs over four weekends, with Sunday matinees on November 27, December 4, December 11, and December 18. If you’re in South County around the holidays, checking out this play at the Granite Theatre is well worth your time.
Buying Tickets
You can purchase tickets to all shows online through the Granite Theatre’s official website. Tickets for The Importance of Being Earnest and The Diary of Anne Frank are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors, and $15 for youths, while A Christmas Carol admission is $25 for adults, $22 for seniors, and $20 for children. Buddy: One Last Night is $20 per ticket, no matter your age.
Don’t hesitate to get out early and pick up some tickets to these great shows at the Granite Theatre in Westerly, Rhode Island. The earlier you purchase your admission, the better your seats will be when the night comes.