Summer Stages: BWW's Top Summer Theatre Picks - Costa Mesa & Orange County!

Ah, summer! While the weather in Southern California gets warmer, the cooler interiors of local theaters in Orange County will offer their final shows to close out their 2011-2012 season. Below is a list of our Top 5 Summer Must-See Picks, plus a few noteworthy shows to check out, too!

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1. Free Movie Mondays!
Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa
Mondays, July 9 – August 6

One of the most popular recurring summer events in the O.C., 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 Billy Elliot on July 9, followed by An American in Paris (July 16), Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas (July 23), the Barbra Streisand classic musical Yentl (July 30), and MerEdith Wilson's family musical The Music Man (August 6).

For more information, visit www.SCFTA.org.

2. Stephen Sondheim: In Conversation
Segerstrom Concert Hall, Costa Mesa
July 13

Sidelined by a freak NYC snowstorm back in October of last year, musical theater icon Stephen Sondheim has agreed to this rescheduled one-night-only tribute concert and interview/talk show hybrid with host Michael A. Kerker (ASCAP). The composer himself will be supplying thoughts and anecdotes while Broadway superstars Christine Ebersole and Brian Stokes Mitchell will, once again, be on hand to perform some of his most treasured creations.

For more information, visit www.SCFTA.org.

3. West Side Story
Chance Theater, Anaheim Hills
July 6 – August 12

In its latest production, the Chance Theater is promising to bring a completely re-imagined and unexpected staging of this groundbreaking musical. As powerful and timely today as ever, WEST SIDE STORY will be presented with a fresh, contemporary look in its exploration of ethnic tensions and youthful passion set against the rivalry between two opposing NYC gangs.

For more information, visit www.ChanceTheater.com.

4. Les Misérables: The 25th Anniversary Tour
Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa
June 12 – 24

The lavish 25th Anniversary production of this beloved Cameron Mackintosh spectacular finally arrives in Orange County for a two-week limited engagement. See the stage version now before the film adaptation hits theaters this Christmas!

For more information, visit www.SCFTA.org.

5. Von Trapped!
Irvine Barclay Theatre, Irvine
July 20 – 21

The 130-plus voices that comprise Men Alive – The Orange County Gay Men's Chorus will be performing Von Trapped!, an extravagant, tongue-in-cheek tribute to the classic Tony/Oscar-winning musical The Sound of Music. Large sets, lavish costumes and unique musical arrangements will be featured in this full-scale theatrical concert production.

For more information, visit www.MenAliveChorus.org.

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Also worth checking out:

The Hobbit – Maverick Theater, Fullerton, June 1 – July 14
Hedwig & The Angry Inch – Costa Mesa Playhouse, June 8 – July 8
Cabaret – Theatre Out at Empire Theatre, Santa Ana, June 29 – August 4
Avenue Q – 3D Theatricals at Plummer Auditorium, Fullerton, July 13 – 29
La Cage Aux Folles (National Tour) – Segerstrom Center for the Arts, July 24 – August 5