Must Go: Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre

It’s one of our favorite things about summer in Winchester.

Besides al fresco dinners downtown, outdoor movies, and trips to the pool, one of the surest signs of summer in Winchester is the return of the Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre.

This season promises to be an upbeat, lively, and downright fun season: shows include Legally Blond (now running), Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5, Grease, and Peter Pan.

Two of the shows are brand-new to the SSMT repetoire– Legally Blonde and 9 to 5.

“Our Producing Artistic Director, Harold Herman, likes to have a well balanced season and something for everyone,” said Sue Robinson, SSMT’s Managing Director.

“He also likes to offer newly released shows whenever possible; and so, when Legally Blonde and Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 became available, we immediately applied for a license.”

Although some audiences may be familiar with their Grease and Peter Pan productions, this year Grease fans will see something new– a few new to us, yet classic songs of the movie, like “Your the One that I Want”, which will certainly make all fans of the movie happy.

The SSMT stage is happy to welcome back some of their favorite professional actors, Robin Higginbotham and Rick Wesley, who have graced the SSMT stage throughout the last 28 years.

“Robin Higginbotham will be seen in 9 to 5 and as Peter Pan, the boy.  Rick Wesley will return to portray Captain Hook.  We are quite pleased to have Lou Steele with us for the second summer.  He was seen as the male lead, Ramades in last season’s AIDA.  He will portray Emmett in Legally Blonde and Danny Zuko in Grease.”

New to the stage this year are a couple of canine actors.

We have two canine members of the cast of Legally Blonde,” said Sue.

“Sir Timothy, an adorable chiuaua, will be seen as Bruiser, and Lola, a lovely bulldog has agreed to play the male role of Rufus.”

So we recommend taking the family, a date, or your best friend, because this season at SSMT, there’s something for everyone.

Legally Blond continues through Sunday, June 24th. For ticket information for all shows, visit www.shenandoahsummermusictheatre.com

 Story by Jenny Brockwell
Photos contributed by Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre