Theatre By the Sea is one of the East Coast’s oldest performing arts venues, having hosted its first production in 1933. Since then, the building has been rebuilt, undergone numerous renovations, and opened and closed several times, but it keeps returning to entertain locals and visitors to South County, Rhode Island.
The theater enjoys a prime location in Wakefield, a short distance from South Kingstown Town Beach, and is renowned for the quality of the performances it brings to this secluded area every summer.
If you’re lucky enough to book a vacation rental in this area, you can expect a great show in an intimate setting you won’t find anywhere else.
Here’s a look at what’s in store at Theatre By The Sea during the 2022 summer season.
Million Dollar Quartet
Million Dollar Quartet is a Tony Award-nominated production that takes you back to December 4, 1956, when circumstances brought Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins to Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee, at the same time.
The result was one of the most extraordinary jam sessions of all time and a legendary night that’s told through this production.
Songs included in this play include “Hound Dog”, “Great Balls of Fire”, “Walk the Line”, and “Blue Suede Shoes”, so music lovers will get full value when checking this show out while it runs between May 25 and June 18.
Footloose
It’s one of the best-known movie musicals of all time, and now Footloose is coming to Theatre By The Sea between June 22 and July 16, 2022. This production’s score, which features “Almost Paradise”, “Let’s Hear It for the Boy”, and title track “Footloose”, is Oscar and Tony award-nominated, and the soundtrack has sold over 15 million copies worldwide.
Footloose tells about the importance of listening to youth in society and does so in an incredibly entertaining way that will have your toes tapping all night long.
Cinderella
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella is a modern take on the classic fairytale, although it still features the glass slipper, pumpkin carriage, and masked ball. It also has magical costume transformations that you’ll have to see to believe.
Perhaps the best thing about checking out this show is the live orchestra, which accompanies the performers as they sing “In My Own Little Corner” and “Ten Minutes Ago” in this funny yet romantic musical that runs at the theater from July 20 until August 13.
Kinky Boots
Kinky Boots won many awards during its time on Broadway, including the 2013 Tony Award for Best Musical. It’ll be in South County from August 17 until September 11, 2022, giving you the chance to see this instant classic in person while vacationing in the area.
This production features music by Cindy Lauper and takes you on a true story that starts on a men’s shoe assembly line and finishes on the catwalks of Milan.
There’s a lot of energy throughout this show, and it’s sure to uplift your mood while providing you with a fun night out during your vacation.
Monday Evening Concerts
The regular summer season at Theatre By The Sea isn’t the only thing on tap at this venue, as there’s also a summer concert series with shows on various Mondays.
It all starts on June 13 when Harvey Robbins presents Once in a Lifetime! Fats Domino Meets Liberace. This concert celebrates the music of those two musicians in an unforgettable evening in Wakefield.
Next, on July 11, Sirius/XM radio personality Seth Rudetsky brings his one-person show, Seth’s Big Fat Broadway Show, to South County. This production is more of a variety show than a concert, but you’ll surely be entertained throughout the evening.
You might recognize John O’Hurley as Peterman from the TV series Seinfeld, but did you know he can sing? O’Hurley and his band will perform A Man With Standards, which combines comedy, song, and storytelling into a night for the ages, on August 1.
On August 29, Forbidden Broadway, a satirical roast of over 30 Broadway productions, comes to liven things up at Theatre By The Sea. This performance targets everything from Hamilton to The Book of Mormon and is perhaps the funniest show coming to the area this year.
If you’re in South Kingstown when any of these Monday concerts are taking place, they’re well worth the trip from your vacation rental.
Shows For Kids
Those bringing their children on their South County vacation will find plenty of options at Theatre By The Sea, too. For starters, three kid-friendly plays – Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Sleeping Beauty – are coming to the venue on June 29, July 6, and August 24, respectively.
That’s not all, though, as the Friday Morning Children’s Festival, featuring acrobats, magicians, a performance of Frozen, and a puppet show, has dates on July 8, 15, and 29, and August 5 and 12.
These shows for kids are a great way to get your young ones involved in the performing arts while giving them something fun to do while on vacation.
Catch a Show While Vacationing in South County
Theatre By The Sea has been in an institution in South County for the better part of a century, and the productions featured at this venue have never been better than they are today.
Take the time to check out one of these plays or concerts while vacationing in the area; you won’t regret your decision.