Summer Stages: BWW's Top Summer Theater Picks for Costa Mesa / Orange County!

Though the coming of summer usually signals local theaters' final shows for the 2012-2013 season, there are still plenty of things to see, hear and experience in the O.C. to keep avid theatergoers entertained. Below is a listing of our five top Summer Must-See Picks, plus a few other noteworthy shows to check out, too!

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1. Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson

Chance Theater, Anaheim Hills
July 5 - August 4

A unique rock musical take on the life of "maverick" president Andrew Jackson and the founding of the Democratic Party, the Chance Theater will try to get all sexy pants with their regional production of this critically-acclaimed Broadway stage show. Part revisionist history lesson, part sketch comedy satire, the adults-only musical will reconfigure Chance Theater's interiors into a grungy Wild West tavern.

For more information, visit www.ChanceTheater.com.

2. Free Movie Mondays!

Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa
Mondays, July 8 - August 5

Back for its seventh consecutive summer, Segerstrom Center for the Arts will once again offer its series of al frésco Free-for-all outdoor screenings. This year's set begins with The Wedding Singer on July 8 followed by Buena Vista Social Club (July 15), Disney's The Lion King (July 22), then concluding with two Andrew Lloyd Webber movie musical adaptations: The Phantom of the Opera (July 29) and Evita (August 5).

For more information, visit www.SCFTA.org.

3. Sister Act: The Musical

Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa
August 6 - 18

Based on the smash hit film, the Broadway stage musical adaptation turns its central character, Deloris, into a disco diva hiding out in a convent after witnessing a horrific crime. So how does she fit in? By joining the choir, of course!

For more information, visit www.SCFTA.org

4. Next to Normal

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, La Mirada
May 31 - June 23

O.C.-adjacent La Mirada will be hosting the Southern California Regional Premiere of this Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical that features an emotionally-gripping story and memorable, contemporary score.

For more information, visit www.LaMiradaTheatre.com

5. Sunset Boulevard

Musical Theatre West, Long Beach
July 12 - 28

Based on the Billy Wilder film classic, this stage musical adaptation from Andrew Lloyd Webber---the final show in MTW's 2012-2013 season---will be playing at their home at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach.

For more information, visit www.musical.org

Follow BWW's Michael Lawrence Quintos on Twitter: @cre8iveMLQ

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Also worth checking out:

The Fantasticks --- South Coast Repertory, now through June 9
An Evening of Classic Lily Tomlin --- Segerstrom Center for the Arts, June 22
MenAlive presents Made in America --- Soka Performing Arts Center, June 29
Catch Me If You Can (National Tour) --- Segerstrom Center for the Arts, June 25 - 30
Shrek: The Musical --- 3-D Theatricals at Plummer Auditorium, Fullerton, July 19 - August 4
Bye Bye Birdie --- Huntington Beach Playhouse, July 19 - August 11
Cannibal! The Musical --- Maverick Theater, Fullerton, July 26 - September 14

Worth the Drive to L.A.:

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: The Musical --- Pantages Theatre, now through June 9
Sleepless In Seattle: The Musical --- Pasadena Playhouse, now through June 23
The Scottsboro Boys --- Ahmanson Theatre, now through June 30
Chicago: The Musical --- The Hollywood Bowl, July 26 - 28

Photo of Sister Act - The Musical by Joan Marcus.