Summer Stages: Top Summer Picks in Delaware

As the summer months heat up, here are my top picks for summer theatre in Delaware:

1. MUSICAL OF THE LIVING DEAD at Bootless Stageworks. Started in July of 2009, Bootless' Summer Bloody Show has included several versions of Evil Dead, The Musical and the East Coast premiere of The Texas Chainsaw Musical. This July, Bootless brings back one of Chicago's funniest shows, MUSICAL OF THE LIVING DEAD. MOTLD takes audiences on a hysterical journey beyond the grave with its satirical send-up of the classic (original) zombie film, Night of the Living Dead, where ten survivors of the recent zombie apocalypse are trapped in a farmhouse and will try anything to escape a ravenous horde of brain-eating and, in this case, dancing zombies. The show's original songs cover a variety of styles from Gershwin to Green Day. MOTLD, like Evil Dead, The Musical, sells out the run BUT is different because it's not just blood coming your way. The Pit Splatter Zone tickets give the ultimate 4D theater experience. This year, audience members can enter to win the change to be zombified and perform on stage in the open scene. Only four shows (July 15, 16, 22 & 23). Get tickets and more information atwww.bootless.org.

2. COMEDY OF ERRORS at Delaware Shakespeare Festival. Separated at birth. Reunited by chance. Two pairs of identical twins are destined to meet on one very confusing day in the wild and mysterious town of Ephesus. Join DelShakes under the stars for Shakespeare's madcap romp of mistaken identity. Bring your own blankets or chairs, pack a picnic, come for the pre-show entertainment, and enjoy Shakespeare outdoors at what Delaware Today calls "summer's must-do event." Show dates are July 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, & 31. Visitwww.delshakes.org/festival/the-comedy-of-errors/ for tickets.

3. TITANIC at Delaware All-State Theater. The young artist of DAST set sail this summer with TITANIC, THE MUSICAL. TITANIC is a riveting and haunting musical based on the worst nautical disaster in history. It depicts the final hours of the real-life people who set sail on the ocean liner RMS Titanic which sank on its maiden voyage... April 15, 1912. Winner of five Tony Awards including Best Musical, Titanic celebrates the human spirit of the rich and the poor, the lovers, the heroes, and cowards for a theatrical experience that will stay with audiences long after the curtain comes down. DAST give area students from elementary, middle, and high schools the unique opportunity to showcase their theatrical talents in an annual large-scale musical production. Show dates are June 18, 19, 23, 24, 25 & 26. Visit www.dastonline.org/purchasetickets.html for tickets.

4. SHREK THE MUSICAL at The Brandywiners, Ltd. Breaking from its usual fare of classical standards, The Brandywiners go green this Summer with SHREK THE MUSICAL. Set in a "once upon a time" land, SHREK is the musical adventures of a hulking green ogre, a gang of homeless fairy-tale characters, an evil Lord, and a beautiful Princess. Family fun theater performed amidst the backdrop of Longwood Gardens. Show dates are July 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 28th, 29th, & 30th. Visit http://www.brandywiners.org/tickets.shtml for tickets.