July is typically off-season for Florida arts, but that doesn’t mean musical theatre isn't humming. Look to the smaller venues such as Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale, which is affiliated with the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. In fact, the BCPA presents programming and manages the Playhouse, which includes running a summer series.

 

This summer, the fare at Parker is BCPA support-driven. In anticipation of next season’s ABBA’s Broadway sensation Mamma Mia, Parker will be showing the ABBA tribute concert-cum-show, Björn Again, on Saturday, July 12 at 8 p.m. Like Muriel’s Wedding meets This Is Spinal Tap, the production recreates the ABBA phenomenon both visually and through the remarkably accurate reflection of the ABBA sound, dance steps and humor, complete with a big screen projection. Tickets are $35 and $45.

 

Follow that up with some rousing woman-power anthems such as “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” “I Will Survive,” and “Lady Marmalade,” which are the centerpieces of Girls Night-The Musical. This show will be performed on Wednesday, July 30 and Thursday, July 31 at 8 p.m. A hilarious 'tell-it-like-it-is' tale of female friends out-on-the-town, Girls Night-The Musical has audiences everywhere laughing, crying and dancing in the aisles—if only because there aren’t any tables. Tickets are $28.50 and $38.50. Performances continue into August. It’s a perfect set-up for the first Broadway show of the season—the fem-empowering hit Hairspray, taking the BCPA stage in October.

 

Tickets and group discounts are available at (954) 462-0222 or select a seat on-line at www.parkerplayhouse.com. Tickets are also available for purchase at the Parker Playhouse box office Tuesday - Saturday from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. The Parker Playhouse is located in Holiday Park at 707 N.E. Eighth Street in Fort Lauderdale. All dates, programs and artists are subject to change.