Pendragon’s summer theater festival

SARANAC LAKE — An American classic. A cult favorite. A new play. A hit cabaret. A spin on an old fairy tale. The 2023 Pendragon Summer Festival has something for everyone.

The festival runs June 28 through Sept. 10 and includes five theatrical productions. To kick off the Summer Festival, Pendragon Theatre will present “The Rocky Horror Show,” with direction by Sarah Norris. In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. FrankN-Furter. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker and a creepy butler. Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named Rocky. Featuring a top caliber of musical theatre performers, Pendragon’s production will be unlike any version of “Rocky” you’ve seen before. Performances begin June 28.

Norris, also Pendragon’s artistic producer, directed last summer’s “Circle Mirror Transformation” which garnered a BroadwayWorld award for Best Lighting Design, among other nominations. Norris’ work has been seen around the country and featured in the BBC and New York Times. Two productions Norris directed were named a TimeOut NY Critics’ Pick.

Then in July, Pendragon presents an original cabaret inspired by Jim Henson and The Muppets, “The Muppets Cabaret.”

This self-referential style of variety-sketch comedy combined with classic songs will be a funny, heart-felt, family-friendly show for all.

Next, Pendragon dives into the Camp Pendragon production of “The Sleeping Beauty, sort of,” adapted by award-winning playwright Amina Henry and directed by Hannah-Kathryn Wall. This is not your traditional Sleeping Beauty — Henry gives a contemporary twist on this classic, featuring a prince who prefers baking to waking sleeping beauties and a princess who likes fighting with swords

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The production will feature over 20 local students, grades five through 12. Camp Pendragon serves to not only give students a professional theatre experience but give them the chance to also meet other peers in the area. Performances for “The Sleeping Beauty, sort of” begin July 28. Last Summer, Wall won best performer for BroadwayWay World and Pendragon is thrilled to have her leading Camp Pendragon once again.

Then, Pendragon returns to a classic: “Our Town,” the story of the fictional American small town of Grover’s Corners between 1901 and 1913 through the everyday lives of its citizens. It’s a tender play about how we must embrace and appreciate the value of life itself. Written by Thornton Wilder, part of the production will be immersive as Pendragon will utilize Pine Ridge Cemetery behind the theatre to deliver the dramatic third act of the play. Performances begin Aug. 15.

Finally, Pendragon concludes its summer festival with a world premier, “Friends with Amenities,” written by Ahsan Ali and Lisa Jill Anderson. A romantic comedy, two strangers navigate love and romance while finding their own identity and purpose in life. The production will premiere at Pendragon Theatre on Sept. 5 and subsequently move off-Broadway to New York City in the fall. Details for shows can be found at PendragonTheatre.org or by calling the box office at 518-891-1854.