The first stop on any itinerary should be the Williamstown Theatre Festival (wtfestival.org, 413-597-3400). Located in the bucolic college enclave of Williamstown, Mass., the fest has drawn name actors and directors since 1955. And this season is a doozy. Maura Tierney and Steven Weber appear in a revival of Jon Robin Baitz’s “Three Hotels” (June 29 to July 24) on the Main Stage.
The smaller Nikos Stage allows an up-close-and-personal look at Sam Rockwell and Jessica Hecht in “A Streetcar Named Desire” (Wednesday through July 3), and at Lili Taylor and Lily Rabe in “A Doll’s House” (July 20 to 31). John Doyle — director of the Broadway revivals of “Sweeney Todd” and “Company” — presents a new Rodgers and Hart revue, “Ten Cents a Dance” with the feisty Donna McKechnie (Aug. 11 to 28).
Prepare to endure the three-hour drive several times this summer — Williamstown’s schedule is that good.
* While its Bay State neighbor banks on variety, Connecticut’s Goodspeed (goodspeed.org, 860-873-8668) specializes in musicals, and has won two Tonys along the way. New shows are staged at the Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, while the Opera House in East Haddam houses classics. The season’s centerpiece is a revival of Jerome Kern’s “Show Boat” (July 1 to Sept. 11), with Sarah Uriarte Berry and Ben Davis.
Driving is the best option and takes less than two hours. It also gives you the ability to visit the Griswold Inn in nearby Essex (griswoldinn.com, 860-767-1776) for dinner or an overnight stay. Either way, that well-heeled establishment, which opened in 1776, is a textbook illustration of Yankee taste.
* The opposite of the Goodspeed experience is the Jersey Shore. Located in Long Beach Island’s Beach Haven — about 2½ hours away by car — Surflight Theater (surflight.org, 609-492-9477) can be counted on for chewy favorites and cheeseball pairings. “American Idol” runner-up Justin Guarini is in “Rent” until Sunday, then Food Network host Marc Summers appears in a revival of “Grease” (Wednesday through July 15). Judd Hirsch stars in Yasmina Reza’s Tony-winning comedy “Art” (July 19 to 31), after which Cindy Williams and JoAnne Worley head “The Female Odd Couple” (Aug. 4 to 21).
While you’re around, a hefty breakfast at The Chicken or the Egg (492fowl.com, 609-492-3695) is a necessity. After a performance, the Show Place Ice Cream Parlor (609-492-0018) offers sugar and pizzazz — the specials are named after Broadway hits, and the staff sings.
* But summer theater doesn’t always require a car. A 90-minute Metro-North ride away, Vassar College’s Powerhouse Theater (powerhouse.vassar.edu, 845-437-5599) is mounting intriguing works in collaboration with New York Stage and Film. “F2M,” a play about gender and sexuality, was written by Patricia “thirtysomething” Wettig and stars Ken “thirtysomething” Olin (June 29 to July 10). Comedian Mario Cantone plays real-life female impersonator Craig Russell in a workshop of the new “Margaret and Craig” (July 1 to 3). Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik — the creative team from “Spring Awakening” — present their new musical, “The Nightingale,” headlined by Tony winners Michael Cerveris and Harriet Harris (July 8 to 10).
Poughkeepsie is hardly a dining mecca, but the Beech Tree Grill (beechtreegrill.homestead.com, 845-471-7279) serves healthy-ish, mostly American specialties at reasonable prices, and is within walking distance of the campus.
* Shakespeare on the Sound, meanwhile, isn’t even a festival per se: There’s only one show, “Much Ado About Nothing,” performed under the stars at two locations — Rowayton’s Pinkney Park (until June 26) and Greenwich’s Baldwin Park (July 5 to 10). What makes this laid-back event stand out is its enduring relationship with Stew and Heidi Rodewald — the creators of Broadway’s “Passing Strange.” This year, they contribute an original score to Joanna Settle’s staging. Picnicking is the best option, and fortunately two good local places have concessions in the parks: Brendan’s 101 (brendans101.com, 203-853-1050) in the first and Aux Délices (auxdelicesfoods.com, 203-622-6644) in the second.
Less than an hour from NYC by train, this may be the easiest, most affordable way to enjoy theater out of town.
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