When the thermometer soars, two really cool things happen in New York: 1) an avalanche of cutting-edge shows hit town and; 2) top celebrities join the casts of some of Broadway’s biggest hits. The problem, of course, is fitting everything in. Fortunately, summer days are long.

The new shows arrive -- largely revolving door-style -- courtesy of the city’s ever-growing collection of summer performance festivals. New works by young and established playwrights, solo shows, avant-garde pieces, parodies, musicals (both zany and poignant), and experimental works -- beaucoup experimental works -- flood both Manhattan and the outer boroughs.  

To my jaded eye, particularly provocative was the promotional material for The Antidepressant Festival at Brooklyn’s acclaimed Brick Theatre, which stated: “Side effects may include sock puppets, 1980s Text Adventure Video Games, booze, pills, casinos, clowns, dogs, Furry Sex Communities, STD’s, amnesiacs, Glee Club singers, robot wars, serial killers, pirate radio, frogs, bears, Schadenfreude and Minnesotans.”  

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: PART I

Theatrically speaking, one of the most anticipated summer stage delights is the Public Theater’s annual under-the-stars homage to the Bard at Central Park’s Delacorte Theatre. This year’s first production -- Twelfth Night -- has serious juggernaut clout thanks to an Entertainment Tonight-worthy cast, starting with film star Anne Hathaway in the ingénue breeches role of Viola. The Devil Wears Prada leading lady shares the spotlight with some of New York theatre’s most high-profile and respected actors, such as Tony winners Audra McDonald and Julie White and four men that never cease to amaze in any role they take on: Raul Esparza, Michael Cumpsty, David Pittu and Jay O. Sanders (6/10-7/12).

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: PART II

In August, the second production (not Shakespeare, but a certifiable mega-classic) Euripides’ The Bacchae moves into the Delacorte, serving up an al fresco Greek amphitheatre feast with a twist: original music newly created by visionary composer Philip Glass. The cast, too, has its own special allure, with Jonathan Groff (who originated the role of Claude in last summer’s pre-Broadway run of Hair) playing Dionysus and the Andre De Shields (fresh from his critically acclaimed performance in Impressionism opposite Jeremy Irons and Joan Allen) as Teiresias (8/11-8/30).

FYI: Free tickets to Shakespeare in the Park are distributed the day of the performance beginning at 1pm at The Delacorte Theater. The closest entrances to the Delacorte are at 81st St. & Central Park West or 79th St. & Fifth Ave. There is a limit of 2 tickets per person. In addition, a limited number of tickets are available online at www.publictheater.org. Theatregoers are invited to log on to the virtual line between midnight and 1 pm the day of the show and to check back after 3 pm that day to see if they’ve been awarded tickets, which they can then claim at the Delacorte Theater Box Office between 4:30 and 7:30 that evening.

STAR SCOOP

On the VIP front, Shakespeare in the Park isn’t the only game in town. Take for example Chicago, the Fosse-flavored Broadway hit known for importing intriguing talent. From June 8th through July 5th, Chandra Wilson (Grey’s Anatomy’s Dr. Miranda Bailey) is stepping into the show-stopping role of prison matron “Mama” Morton. Meanwhile, over in August Osage County, Tony winner Phylicia Rashad is spending June heading up the gloriously dysfunctional Weston clan in the role of pill-popping matriarch Violet.

“Under the Sea,” Disney’s The Little Mermaid recently welcomed teen favorite Drew Seeley (Another Cinderella Story) as the dashing romantic lead Prince Eric (another “for the summer only” stint, so don’t delay). He joins Tony winner Faith Prince, who recently took over the sublimely devious role of the evil sea witch Ursula.  

And finally, if you happen to be in town June 12th through July 5th, make it a point to catch the New York City Center Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz, with Grammy winner Ashanti playing Dorothy, Tony winner LaChanze as Glinda, and TV & film star Orlando Jones in the role of The Wiz!