June theatre picks: The Picture of Dorian Gray to Oliver!

It’s getting hot outside so it shouldn’t take much coercion to get you in a nice cool theatre. A perfect show to catch is the David Hensley directed ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray‘ at Duke Energy Theatre.

Hensely’s take on the play begins in 1980s London and continues to modern day. Hensley has an incredibly talented cast and has brought in a dialect coach to help with their British accent. Kevin Aoussou has been working out an insane amount to play the vain Dorian Gray and it shows. Gray, who doesn’t age, is forced to watch his friends grow old and be impacted by his narcissistic decisions. In a world full of ‘selfies’ this play will make you think. It’s dark, it’s deep, it’s not family friendly and after you see Aoussou you’ll want to go to the gym and do crunches all night. You should go.

Agenda Picks:

• ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ at Duke Energy Theatre produced by Shakespeare Carolina. From Oscar Wilde’s classic about Dorian Gray’s deal to trade his soul for his painting’s immortality leads to his downfall. June 11-20; Tickets $10-20. Go
• ‘Closer’ at Upstage produced by Appalachian Creative Theatre. Four lives intertwine in this densely plotted and stinking look at modern love and betrayal. June 12-21; Tickets $12-15: *Must be 21 to get in* Go

Charlotte Area:

• ‘Seven Guitars’ at The Duke Energy Theatre produced by On Q Performing Arts. August Wilson’s play about blues, unexpected musical hits, righting wrongs and the fight for man’s own humanity. Now-June 6; Tickets $28. Go

Go see #SevenGuitars by @youarenowonq! 💯 out of 💯!!! 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️

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• ‘A Woman of Now Importance’ at Frock Shop produced by Paperhouse Theatre. Oscar Wilde’s classic about lost love, new love, familial love, our past and secrets. June 5-14; Tickets $30. Go
• Oliver!’ at CPCC. Based on the Charles Dickens novel, Oliver! engages the audience with its pathos and drama, while delighting everyone with its outstanding musical numbers. June 5-11; Tickets $18-22. Go
• ‘Charlotte Squawks’ at Booth Playhouse. The annual roundup of all things Charlotte rolls around again. Bring your sense of humor! June 5-28; Tickets $24.50-49.50. Go

Congratulations to the incredibly talented, funny cast and crew of #CharlotteSquawks on the #Recordbreaking run at #BoothPlayhouse! 13 of 15 shows of #CLTSquawks X: Ten Carolina Commandments #SoldOut! #Happy10thAnniversary! Here’s to another #10Years

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• ‘Cougar: The Musical’ at Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte. Three women let their inner cougar roar and purr, finding self-love and empowerment in the process. June 10-27; Tickets $26-31. Go
• ‘The Wizard of Oz’ at Matthews Playhouse. Dorothy will be carried from Kansas by a twister to a land over the rainbow filled with Munchkins, Witches, talking Scarecrows, Lions and flying Monkeys! June 12-28; Tickets $12-18. Go

There are just SO many fun events and activities coming down the Yellow Brick Road this summer. Here is another one you want to be sure not to miss! #TheWizardOfOz #CharacterBreakfast #Characters #Matthews #MatthewsPlayhouse #TheresNoPlaceLikeMatthews

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• ‘Anything Goes’ at CPCC; The classic musical about the age-old tale of Boy-Meets-Girl and the complications which ensue. June 19-27; Tickets $18-22. Go 
• ‘Circle Mirror Transformation’ at Upstage produced by Innate Productions. When novices enroll in a community-center theatre class a few harmless games tear hearts apart and tiny wars of epic proportions are waged and won. June 26-28; Tickets: Prices coming soon! Go 

Just a little bit North:

• ‘Chicago’ at Duke Family Performance Hall produced by Davidson Community Players. The classic musical comes alive in Davidson. A sure bet – not to be missed. June 18-27; Tickets $15-27. Go

What to look forward to in July: ‘Catfish Moon’ at Upstage produced by Appalachian Creative Theatre. It’s going to be hilarious!