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Get on my lawn! Let’s talk yard games
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As we prepare to leap with both feet into the dog days of summer here in the aftermath of the Fourth of July, we should do what we can to fully embrace the opportunities for outdoor fun provided by what remains of these too-brief summer months. The clock is ticking – it’s time to really start leaning into the fun in the sun portion of 2022. Even the cruelest of weather patterns will allow us at least a few days over the coming weeks in which to get out and enjoy what the season has to offer.
(Note: That previous sentence is an effort at a reverse jinx. We’ll see how it goes.)
However, there’s only so much lazing around one can do. There are only so many places to go for a swim. And while hitting the water is great, sometimes you’re looking for fun that doesn’t involve taking a trip to the coast or to your favorite dipping spot.
That’s where lawn games come in. That’s right, folks – it’s our annual look at the joys of stuff you can play in your yard!
Nothing says summertime quite like being out in the backyard with a frosty beverage in your hand and the scent of the grill in your nostrils. If you can add an element of competition to that, how can you go wrong?
There are plenty of traditional games that many of us have played since we were kids and will likely bring back fond (or not-so-fond) memories of summers gone by. However, there are also some more adult-oriented games that prove to be a lot of fun as well.
We’re going to take a look at a few personal favorites. We’ll revisit a handful of classics, but we’ll also bring newer games to the table – some that you may have heard of before, others you may not have. And among these newer games, chances are good that you’ll find at least one that speaks to you in that so-special “crush your enemies and see them driven before you” summertime kind of way.
(As an aside, if there’s anyone out there with a set of vintage lawn darts that they’re looking to get rid of, please contact me. Nothing says summertime fun like potential grievous bodily harm and the looming specter of death. This is very real talk – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you’ve got a line on getting me my Jarts fix.)
Let’s talk lawn games.
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What a way to make a living! “9 to 5” marks return of summer musicals to the Opera House stage
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BANGOR – A beloved recent theatrical tradition is returning to the area after a hiatus of a couple of years.
Penobscot Theatre Company’s next production will be the musical “9 to 5,” bringing back the theatre’s summer spectacular for the first time since 2019. This show – based on the 1980 movie of the same name – features music and lyrics by Dolly Parton with a book by Patricia Resnick, who co-wrote the film’s screenplay. Directed by Ethan Paulini, the production’s preview performances are set for June 23 and 24, with the official opening night set for June 25. From there, the show will run through July 31.
“9 to 5” was meant to fill this slot during the 2020 season, but the show was postponed due to COVID. Now – after the summer slot went unfilled in 2021 as well – the big, flashy extravaganza is back!
Past shows to fill this slot – billed for years as the “surprise” show – include musicals like “Rock of Ages,” “The Full Monty” and “Mamma Mia!” The one non-musical exception was the beloved comedy “Shear Madness.” Regardless, the show was always intended to serve as a big, bold close to the season, a chance for area audiences to enjoy some summer fun.
There’s no need to delve too deeply into the plot particulars, but here’s a brief synopsis courtesy of the PTC website:
This hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking, and even a little romantic! When three female co-workers are pushed to the boiling point, they each concoct hilarious plans to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. Hey, a girl can scheme, can’t she?
Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?
Seeing a show of this scale grace the Bangor Opera House stage once again is truly welcome. However, that scale means that there are a LOT of people working VERY hard to bring the production to life. Whether we’re talking about the performers or the production team, making something this big work involves a ton of collaborative effort.
As such, I thought it might be nice to offer readers a bit of perspective on the show through some conversations with a few of the principals. Director Ethan Paulini and actors Christie Robinson and Heather Astbury-Libby – two of the three women in the central trio – were kind enough to share some of their thoughts about the show, their process and what it’s like to be bringing summer excitement back to the Opera House stage.
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All of Maine’s a (summer) stage: A 2022 summer theatre preview
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There’s a lot to love about summer in Maine.
Once again, summer’s arrival is upon us. The weather is warming up and the days are approaching their greatest length. People near and far are going to descend on our state’s beaches, mountains and forests; people are going to swim and hike and boat and generally experience the outdoors in a fashion that one can only achieve in Maine.
But there are other summertime perks, too.
For those who love live theater, there are loads of options. Companies near and far are bringing exciting work to stages all over the region; no matter where you might be, there’s a good chance that you’ve got some excellent theater happening nearby.
Our focus is on the greater Bangor area, but we also go fairly far afield, venturing in every direction to show you just how many great summertime offerings there are out there. Comedies and dramas and musicals, classics and new plays – there’s something for just about every theatrical taste coming our way over the coming months.
It’s well worth your time to experience some of what our area’s summer stages have to offer. Here’s a look at just some of what’s to come.
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