BLOOD ON THE SNOW A remount of Patrick Gabridge’s drama about the immediate aftermath of the Boston Massacre, when acting governor Thomas Hutchinson, played by Dale Place, faced a difficult choice. Featuring Ken Baltin, Daniel Berger-Jones, Lewis D. Wheeler, and Bill Mootos. Directed by Courtney O’Connor. June 1-Aug. 20. The Bostonian Society. At Old State House, Boston. 617-720-1713 ext. 120, www.bloodonthesnow.com
THE MUSIC MAN The husband and wife team of Bob Richard (director) and Diane Laurenson (choreographer) tackle Meredith Willson’s musical about the rascally but endearing musical instruments salesman Harold Hill (Matt Loehr), who woos Marian the librarian (Siri Howard) as he bamboozles the good folks of River City, Iowa. June 6-18. North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly. 978-232-7200, www.nsmt.org
Advertisement
WICKED Perhaps you’ve heard of it? Composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz wrote a marvelous score for this blockbuster musical, adapted from Gregory Maguire’s novel. It’s a back story to “The Wizard of Oz’’ involving the complicated friendship between green-skinned Elphaba — later to be known by the less flattering sobriquet of the Wicked Witch of the West and portrayed by Jessica Vosk — and Galinda, later Glinda the Good Witch, played by Ginna Claire Mason. Directed by Joe Mantello. June 7-July 23. Broadway In Boston. At Boston Opera House. 800-982-2787, www.broadwayinboston.com
THE EFFECT In this New England premiere of a play by Lucy Prebble (“Enron’’), Lindsay Crouse and Brad Hall portray physicians in a medical research center who give a new antidepressant to a pair of volunteers as part of a controlled drug test. When the volunteers, played by Mickey Solis and Susannah Hoffman, fall for each other, they wonder if they’re feeling true love or simply the effects of the drug. Directed by Sam Weisman. June 16-July 8. Gloucester Stage Company, Gloucester. 978-281-4433, www.gloucesterstage.com
Advertisement
RAGTIME The stirring musical adaptation of E.L. Doctorow’s novel, with a book by Terrence McNally, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and music by Stephen Flaherty. Featuring Elizabeth Stanley as Mother, Darnell Abraham as Coalhouse Walker, J. Anthony Crane as Tateh, and Davis Harris as Father. Directed by Joe Calarco. June 21-July 15. Barrington Stage Company. Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, Pittsfield. 413-236-8888, www.barringtonstageco.org
CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD Joshua Jackson (Showtime’s “The Affair’’) portrays James, an unorthodox speech therapist who is drawn to Sarah, a deaf woman played by Lauren Ridloff. Directed by Kenny Leon. June 22-July 22. Berkshire Theatre Group. At Fitzpatrick Main Stage, Stockbridge. 413-997-4444, www.berkshire
theatregroup.org
THE ROOMMATE Jane Kaczmarek (“Malcolm in the Middle’’) portrays a poet from the Bronx who further complicates the life of an Iowa homemaker, played by S. Epatha Merkerson (“Law & Order’’), who is coping with an empty nest after the end of her marriage and the departure of her son. Jen Silverman’s play is directed by Mike Donahue. June 27-July 16. Williamstown Theatre Festival, Williamstown. 413-458-3253, www.wtfestival.org
ROMEO AND JULIET Allegra Libonati, who was recently at the helm of Boston Lyric Opera’s “The Rake’s Progress,’’ directs Shakespeare’s tragedy of the star-crossed lovers. July 19-Aug. 6. Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, on Boston Common. Performances free and open to the public. A limited number of reserved chairs are available for $60-$75 donation. For information or to reserve chairs: 617-426-0863, www.commshakes.org
PERSONA Robert Kropf’s adaptation of the classic 1966 Ingmar Bergman film about the blurring of identities between a stage actress who has ceased to speak and her young nurse. Directed by Kropf, and starring Brenda Withers and Jane Stiles O’Hara. Aug. 10-Sept. 2. Harbor Stage Company, Wellfleet. 508-514-1763, www.harbor
stage.org
Advertisement
THE WHARTON COMEDIES David Joseph, Corinna May, and Diane Prusha star in adaptations by Dennis Krausnick of two short stories by Edith Wharton, “The Fullness of Life’’ and “Roman Fever.’’ Directed by Normi Noel. Aug. 17-Sept. 10. Shakespeare & Company. At Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre, Lenox. 413-637-3353, www.shakespeare.org
Don Aucoin can be reached at aucoin@globe.com.