Westerly native opens TBTS summer season

Westerly native Nicolas King opened Theatre-by-the-Sea’s Summer Concert Series with a polished, personal program that he called “Hindsight’s 2020,” reflecting on the pandemic and how it affected everyone in the nearly sold-out Friday night audience.

King mixed some familiar tunes with a number of cabaret-style songs I had not hears before, backed by drums, bass and fabulous Rhode Island jazz pianist Mike Renzi.

Renzi has played with many of the jazz legends around the world, but always finds time to return to his roots.

Poppy Champlin, a comedian, actress and singer with Rhode Island roots, takes the TBTS stage on Friday, July 16, at 8 p.m. for her latest show, “On the Funny Side of the Street with Poppy Champlin.”

A URI graduate, Champlin has appeared on the Joan Rivers and Oprah Winfrey shows and was the subject of a feature story on “Entertainment Tonight.” She has also taught stand-up comedy at the Courthouse Center for the Arts.

Nicholas Rodriguez, whose Broadway and national tour credits include “Tarzan” and “The Sound of Music,” will be performing an evening of love songs from pop and Broadway composers on Saturday, July 17, at 8 p.m.

Emily Luther, another native Rhode Islander, will bring her concert to the barn theatre on July 23.

Luther has appeared on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” and season 13 of “The Voice.” She was in the ensemble of “Evita” at Theatre by the Sea back in 2008. She is currently creative arts director for Mount St. Charles Academy.

Tony nominee and Emmy winner Liz Callaway, the original voice of “Anastasia,” will round out the concert series on Friday, July 23, at 8 p.m.

For more information and additional shows on July 23 and July 30, call TBTS at 782-8587 or visit theatrebythesea.com.