SUMMER STAGES: Top 5 Summer Picks for Columbus Theatre

Great theater abounds in Columbus and summer is a great time to step outside your regular theater-going routine and try a new venue. We all know that CAPA's Broadway in Columbus Series is stellar, and while the extremely popular, "Wicked" sets up shop in Columbus June 5-23, if you are looking for some sizzling summer sensations, exploring local theater groups will also result in fabulous entertainment that the whole family can enjoy, and you won't break your summer fun budget!

Check out some picks for great entertainment this season:

1. ACTOR'S THEATER OF COLUMBUS- Their 32nd summer in German Village's Schiller Park kicked off May 23rd with "King Arthur and the Sword of Britain". Shows run Thursdays through Sundays at 8pm, with "Twelfth Night" next up June 27- July 28, and "The Beaux Strategem" August 1- September 1. Grab your picnic blanket and friends, and enjoy a free (donations accepted) production of theater under the stars. 'King Arthur" is a reinterpretation of the famous tale, filled with brave knights, beautiful maidens, mischievous woodland sprites, and enough stage combat to keep things lively. For additional info, go to : http://www.theactorstheatre.org/index.asp

2. OTTERBEIN UNIVERSITY'S SUMMER THEATER- Opening with 'Almost Maine", (May 30- June 8) in which, "As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Almost's residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways.", followed by "Boeing Boeing" (June 13-29), a 1960's farce, the debonair Bernard, an architect living in Paris, is juggling relationships with three vivacious flight attendants - each of whom believes she is his only girl., and closing with off-beat, must-see "Little Shop of Horrors" (July 11-27) in which a geeky floral shop owner stumbles upon a man-eating plant that leads to a hysterical 1950's sci-fi spoof with a terrific 1960's rock n' roll score, school might be out for summer, but Otterbein's theater department is just warming up! Details can be found at: http://www.otterbein.edu/public/About/Calendars/ArtScene/TheatreDancePerformances/ost.aspxx

3. CATCO- Tucked away in Studio 3, in what appears to be just another high-rise downtown, the Riffe Center is home to one of Columbus' best-kept theater secrets. June 20- July 7th, CATCO presents, "Forbidden Broadway", billed as, "a satirical send-up of Broadway musicals from Les Mis to Mamma Mia, Wicked to the Wizard of Oz. Nothing is sacred in this hit musical review", followed by the "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" (July 31-August 18 in Studio 1 of the Riffe Center). This gem of a great theater find presents consistently good shows at a great value. To learn more go to: http://catco.org/shows/

4. SHADOWBOX LIVE- Another Columbus 'Must-See", the amazing talent at this Brewery District hot spot will blow your mind! Several productions run simultaneously, but you won't want to miss cult classic, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" , running Sundays at 2pm and 7pm, June 2nd- August 18th. Venture into Frankenfurter's domain where time warps and transvestites take center stage. Go to : http://www.shadowboxlive.org/shows/the-rocky-horror-show for ticketing information.

5. COLUMBUS CHILDREN'S THEATRE- Performed by CCT's Summer Pre-Professional Company, performers ages 16-21 will take on the musical version of Adam Sandler's hysterical film July 11-28, in which a Robbie Hart, New Jersey's favorite wedding singer learns about love. Grab the AquaNet, flip your collar up, and go relive the 80's. It's summer- anything goes. Check it out at : http://www.colschildrenstheatre.org./index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=97&Itemid=141