John-a-Dreams

Looking to escape from the hot sun? Why not check out one of the many intriguing offerings at greater Boston venues where this summer’s vibrant theater scene boasts pre-Broadway productions, national tours, and summer-stock productions of everything from Shakespeare to classic and contemporary plays, musicals, and concerts. Bay State audiences have much to look forward to, including:

LA County Parks will present a free outdoor event at Bethune Park in Florence-Firestone featuring visual artist S2ART, rapper Louis King, and DJs Tiger and VRNIESHV as part of its inaugural Sounds of LA County summer concert series.

Oak Park Festival Theatre continues its 51st Anniversary season with Oscar Wilde’s smashing comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest. First produced in 1895, the play is memorable from Wilde’s fast wit and the farcical parody of the English upper class. Oak Park’s production of Earnest, directed by newcomer Kathryn Walsh, is a comical performance with high energy.

The Duke of York’s Theatre Will Be Renamed The Tom Stoppard Theatre, paying tribute in the heart of the West End to one of the most influential playwrights in British theatre. Learn more here.

Classic American Tales (CAT) will present Tales at the Dormer House in which guests are treated to lemonade and tasty treats while listening to stories written by noteworthy authors, read by a variety of performers.

Political blackmail, institutional corruption, and the frantic urge to incinerate compromising files. Oscar Wilde’s 1895 society drama An Ideal Husband has found a shockingly comfortable home in 2026.

Just yesterday, the 2026 Tony Award nominees gathered at the Sofitel New York to meet the press for the first time and BroadwayWorld was there for the special day. Check out photos of the 2026 nominees here!

Talk is Free Theatre's roprietary Augmented Reality for Immersive Accessibility (ARIA) translation glasses will be offered for use, free of charge, for all of the company's local productions, including Something Old by Keara Voo.

Petra Kalive has made some interesting casting choices.

Dibuk – The Musical opens April 23 at Teatro Sérgio Cardoso for a limited run through May 31, 2026. Inspired by S. An-sky’s classic The Dybbuk, or Between Two Worlds, one of the most important works of Yiddish theater, the production reimagines the tragic love story of Leah and Hanan — often called the “Romeo and Juliet” of Jewish drama. Directed by Marcelo Klabin, the musical blends drama, music, dance and circus elements, with traditional Jewish dance at the heart of the storytelling. Featuring 31 actors, 44 original songs and a large-scale visual production, the show runs Thursdays to Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 4 PM.

WhaSwan Lake was presented one night only, March 26, at Century II Concert Hall. The visually stunning ballet was presented by International Ballet Stars under the direction of Producer Ekaterina Vaganova-Yachmennikova. The North America ballet tour will present anywhere from 72 to 150 performances across the United States, creating one of the largest classical ballet tours in North America.t did our critic think of SWAN LAKE at Century II Concert Hall?

Soft Brain Theatre Company will present LOVE AND OTHER LIFE SENTENCES, an original Commedia dell'Arte musical by Jake Erickson, at the McGinn/Cazale Theater.

Sherlock and Watson, a new comedy, written by Ed. Weinberger, will have a reading presentation at Open Jar Studios. The play reimagines the unique relationship between Sherlock Holmes and his devoted companion Dr. John Watson.

In early 1895, the Marquess of Queensberry, the father of Wilde's young lover, Lord Alfred Douglas, left a card at Wilde's club bearing the phrase 'posing sodomite.' Wilde sued the Marquess for criminal libel.

Tommy Mesa will release his new album '17(67)' on February 13, 2026, showcasing a blend of classical and contemporary music performed on a historic 1767 Nicolò Gagliano cello.

Marking its 31st year, LA Art Show will return to the LA Convention Center. Led by director and producer Kassandra Voyagis, the fair will feature more than 90 exhibitors.

Open Space Arts will extend the run of its Chicago Premiere of DORIAN, by by one week, adding three performances. Open Space Arts' DORIAN is directed by 20-year veteran Chicago director, actor, and playwright Aaron Holland.

While the large majority of plays that make it to Broadway were written in English, a small fraction of plays were originally penned in a different language and translated. 

Dances Patrelle will present The Yorkville Nutcracker at the Kaye Playhouse. There will be a battle with life-sized mice, a midnight skate on the ponds of Central Park, and more.

The USC Department of Theatre and Dance will present the classic social satire The Importance of Being Earnest Nov. 7-16 at Longstreet Theatre. Learn more about the production here!

There probably isn’t a theatergoer who hasn’t already seen Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Ernest.

After a sold-out, kick-off concert on Sept. 28, The Scottsdale Philharmonic has announced the program for its next concert on Sunday, Nov. 16. Learn more here!

What did our critic think of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST at Austin Playhouse?

The Colburn School expands its acclaimed Recovered Voices program into Music Restored: The Ziering-Conlon Center for Exiled and Suppressed Composers, led by James Conlon.

World Stage Theatre Company will open their eighth season with The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. Performances are at 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays.