Stages: Summer’s ending, but entertainment options abound

Labor Day weekend is always bittersweet. It signals summer’s end and back-to-school. But it also holds the promise of cooler days and more entertainment options than ever.

Three that piqued our interest include “Frankenstein,” playing at Portsmouth, NH’s Seacoast Repertory Theatre Sept. 19-Oct. 27. Coming straight from London to The Rep’s stage, it’s the regional premiere of Nick Dear’s wildly popular adaptation and a thrilling retelling of one of the most gripping horror tales of all time. A raw exploration of creation, humanity, and the monsters we make, Mary Shelley’s timeless classic becomes a bold, chilling dramatic masterpiece as the audience sees the story through the eyes of Frankenstein’s creature. Prepare for a seismic shift in perspective as you watch the legend reborn in this new adaptation. Visit https://ci.ovationtix.com/35751/production/1176576 for tickets.

“Rock of Ages’’ is on view at Seacoast Rep through Sept. 8. A press release says of the show: “Do you wanna rock? Seacoast Rep is hopping in the way back machine to the rockin’ 80s so you can come on and feel the noize with ‘Rock of Ages.’” The show features hit after hit from Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison, Europe and more. Strap in and prepare for a gnarly ride back in time to the ’80s – when the music was loud, Aquanet was the hairspray of choice and rockstars wore skin-tight spandex and loads of makeup. Dig up some crazy 80s clothes and join the fun. Take your next album cover shot at the venue’s photo display.

Stacee Jaxx is raffling off 3 of his guitars after his final performance with Arsenal at the Bourbon Room. These are the actual guitars he is playing on stage at the show, including the “The Flaming V,” “The Purple Punisher,” and “The Salsa Verde.” Jaxx  will autograph the guitar, if you want. Come to see the show and enter the raffle to win one of his beloved guitars. The raffle drawing will take place at the final show on Sept. 8. Winners will be notified and do not need to be present to win. Visit https://ci.ovationtix.com/35751/production/1176575 for tickets.

Also in downtown Portsmouth, NH, the Players Ring opens its season next week with Christopher Durang’s zany, Tony Award-winning comedy “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.” Playing Sept. 6-22, it’s about middle-aged siblings Vanya and Sonia, who share a home in Bucks County, Pa., where they bicker and complain about the circumstances of their lives. Suddenly, their movie-star sister, Masha, swoops in with her new boy toy, Spike. Old resentments flare up, eventually leading to threats to sell the house. Also on the scene are sassy maid Cassandra, who can predict the future, and a lovely young aspiring actress named Nina, whose prettiness somewhat worries the domineering Masha. Visit https://www.playersring.org/shows/vanya for info and tickets.

In the wings

‘LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS’ A DELICIOUS ROMP: If you’re heading to southern Maine in the coming few weeks, don’t miss “Little Shop of Horrors” at the Ogunquit Playhouse. On through Sept. 21, the musical is by the team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken before they wrote and composed such Disney classics as “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” and “Beauty and the Beast.” It tells the story of Seymour, a nerdy guy who loves plants and Audrey, the beautiful shopgirl with whom he works at Mr. Mushnik’s depressing Skid Row flower shop. Audrey is a clueless blonde bombshell who’s stuck in an abusive relationship with the motorcycle riding dentist Orin Scrivello. Things turn around miraculously for them when Audrey II, the plant that Seymour has nurtured, comes on the scene. Latrice Royale, Miss Congeniality on RuPaul’s Drag Race, is a hoot as the monstrous Audrey II, giving it her all with momentous dance moves and marvelous makeup. And the rest of the cast is Broadway caliber, too. Visit www.ogunquitplayhouse.org for tickets.

NO ’STAGES’ NEXT WEEK: We’re taking a Labor Day break from the column next week. But “Stages” returns on Sept. 12, so see you then!

Nancye Tuttle’s email is nancyedt@verizon.net