Why stop celebrating winter just because the holiday season has come to a close? You may not be able to lighten the winter sky any faster, but there are plenty of ways to brighten the long, polar nights that lay ahead of Cape Cod’s favorite season, as community theater and comedic acts take center stage.
Local Theater
The Barnstable Comedy Club, the Cape’s oldest live community theater (along with one of America’s), has the shoulder season perfectly covered. The venue kicks off its 102nd season with the fast-paced whodunit The 39 Steps from January 4-21, followed by the uproarious comedy Ripcord March 7-24, following the hilarious antics of two women forced to share a room in a senior living facility. Got a flair for drama? Check out the Auditions board!
Run, don’t walk to the Black Box Theatre at Cotuit Center for the Arts January 11-28 to see the theatrical parody BITTER, a farcical homage to the works of two German Art House directors. Next up on the playbill is Tennessee Williams's masterpiece Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (February 8-18) and On Golden Pond (February 22-March 10), the classic love story of an aging couple returning to their summer home on Golden Pond for the 48th year.
Chase away the big chill at the Falmouth Theatre Guild's production of the hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery Clue, running at Falmouth's historic Highfield Theater February 2-18. Inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, this tale follows six mysterious guests at an unusual dinner party, where murder and blackmail are on the menu.
The Cape Cod Theatre Company - home of Harwich Junior Theatre Company - presents a solo musical theatre piece The Couch on Saturday, January 13 (proceeds to support the CCTC|HJT Scholarship Fund). Then, be part of the action (either on stage or in the audience) at the theatre's 24 Hour Play Festival, where new short plays will be completely written, rehearsed, and performed within the span of only 24 hours! Playwrights, directors and actors of all experience levels are encouraged to participate; or just come watch the showcase of final performances Saturday, January 20 at 7:30 pm.
Finally, the Academy Playhouse in Orleans presents Stage Kiss February 8-25, Helltown Players March 1-10 and the beloved award-winning musical Annie March 21-April 7.
Comedy Shows
They say laughter is the best medicine for the winter blues, and these upcoming comedy acts on Cape Cod have the cure.
Boston comic Janet McNamara headlines the talented line-up of comedians taking the stage at 400 East in Harwich Saturday, January 6. Over in Mashpee, Naukabout Brewing plays host to TikTok sensation and stand-up comic Jimmy Cash on Thursday, January 18, followed by iconic Boston comedy legend Lenny Clarke on Wednesday, January 24.
On Saturday, January 20, the Cotuit Center for the Arts presents the Smiley Fund Comedy Night, featuring such well-known comedy acts as Steve Sweeney, Paul Nardizzi and Dave Rattigan. Besides the guarantee of side-splitting laughs, ticket proceeds benefit the Smiley Fund, Inc., a non-profit raising funds and fostering awareness for brain cancer.
Then later this winter, the oceanfront Sea Crest Beach Hotel in North Falmouth welcomes two popular comics. Kelly McFarland of Last Comic Standing headlines the show on Saturday, February 17, while comic Mitch Stinson takes over the mike on Saturday, March 16.
