Summer Theater: Barnies at AVA Gallery. Dorset Theatre. Northern Stage
Summer Theater: Barnies at AVA Gallery. Dorset Theatre. Northern Stage
And this just in: might want to move quickly to catch this pop-up exhibition at AVA
Summer theater is here, and some of it is just a little bit south.
New London Barn Playhouse is giving the Upper Valley a sneak peek at its upcoming summer season with a presentation by its emerging artists (known as “Barnies”) at AVA Gallery in Lebanon NH this Saturday, June 3 at 5:30 pm. Admission is free, donations appreciated.
The Playhouse, located just down the road in New London, NH, is one of the oldest continuously operating theaters in the United States, celebrating its 91st (!) season. Of its first production of the summer, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee opening on June 14, it says, “Join us as the brightest and most talented spellers from around the county compete for the coveted title of champion. This thrilling musical event is a must-see for anyone who loves a good competition, the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat.” Northern Stage did this play a few years ago and it really is delightful. Click here to browse the other offerings of the season.
The Dorset Theatre Festival has announced its 46th season, opening on June 23 with Misery, adapted from the spine-tingler by Stephen King. It’s far enough from the UV that you could view it as an opportunity for an overnight (if pricey) stay. The town of Dorset sits just minutes outside of Manchester VT, known for its stately Equinox Hotel and umpteen outlet stores (including Eileen Fisher) that beguile shoppers from just about everywhere.
For a more old-fashioned experience, you might consider checking into the Dorset Inn, Vermont's oldest continuously operated inn. The floors creak with the history of the place, the public spaces are cozy including a narrow stone terrace, the in-house restaurant is good as well as convenient; you can enjoy an early dinner and then stroll down a picturesque street to the Dorset Playhouse, or catch a matinee, a nap, and dinner afterwards. (Hint: Both the hotel and the dining room fill up quickly during the theater season. Reservations are required for both.) There is a timelessness about it all that feels like you are joining the tradition of theatergoers of summers past.
Not up for a summer drive? Nearer to home in White River Junction VT, Northern Stage will present Sense and Sensibility, adapted from Jane Austen’s novel. “Set in gossipy late 18th-century England, with a fresh female voice, the play is full of humor, emotional depth, and bold theatricality.” It opens on June 14 (with two pay-what-you-can previews) in the outdoor Courtyard Theater. Click here for tickets.
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And this just in: Love, hate or don’t understand AI? Triple Helix is an interactive pop-up exhibition in conjunction with Dartmouth College, on view at AVA Gallery on June 6–9. It connects art with AI (artificial intelligence). “Imagine an art exhibition that changes and adapts to the audience’s experience, much like a chameleon blending into its surroundings. The artwork reflects the audience’s thoughts and culture, transforming the artist’s exhibition into a personalized experience for the viewer.” Through use of a centrally-placed laptop, viewers will have “the ability to change the artworks in real time.” AI Artist Audience Collaboration Exhibition by Dartmouth College Computer Science Graduate Students: Xuedan ZOU, Yenkai (Kyle) Huang, and Ziang Ren.
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And in case you are wondering . . . Susan B. Apel shuttered a lifelong career as a law professor to continue an interest (since kindergarten) in writing. Her freelance business, The Next Word, includes literary and feature writing; her work has appeared in a variety of lit mags and other publications including Art New England, The Woven Tale Press, The Arts Fuse, and Persimmon Tree. She connects with her neighbors through Artful, her blog about arts and culture in the Upper Valley. She’s in love with the written word.