Guild Hall Offers Stellar Summer 2016 Lineup

Guild Hall kicks off their summer season with a production of The Underpants, by Steve Martin, from June 9–June 26. This laugh-out-loud comedy is an adaptation of the German farce Die Hose by Carl Sternheim. It tells of a woman’s wardrobe malfunction, during a parade, that spirals out of control. Bill Fennelly directs.

On Friday, July 1, see The Lion, a solo show by Benjamin Scheuer. Telling the story of his growing up, the songwriter uses six guitars throughout the evening. His raw wit, emotional depth and gripping coming-of-age tale will have audiences mesmerized. For another solo show, see storied cabaret star/drag performer Charles Busch in The Lady at the Mic on Sunday, July 3. The Lady at the Mic is a tribute to, and personal reminiscence of, five legendary women: Elaine Stritch, Polly Bergen, Mary Cleere Haran, Julie Wilson and Joan Rivers. Busch originally created The Lady at the Mic for Lincoln Center’s American Songbook series. Busch is accompanied by pianist Tom Judson. Everyone’s favorite comedic storyteller David Sedaris performs on Monday, July 25, with his usual brand of sardonic wit and warm pathos. Join Guild Hall for An Evening with Lucie Arnaz on Sunday, July 31. Tony nominee Jarrod Spector and Kelli Barrett perform This Is Dedicated: Music’s Greatest Marriages, a tribute to the music of Alan and Marilyn Bergman on Sunday, August 7. You won’t have to go too far “back to the future” to see Christopher Lloyd in a staged reading of My Parsifal Conductor: A Wagnerian Comedy by Allen Leicht on Sunday, August 21. On Friday, August 26, the popular Celebrity Autobiography returns, with Christie Brinkley, Brooke Shields, Fred Willard and other stars reading from actual celebrity memoirs.

On Thursday, July 7, check out Rock Rarities from the Vault, an evening of rare live footage. Curated by Joe Lauro, the show will feature clips from Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, The Rolling Stones and others. Other shows for music aficionados include The Complete Unknowns on Thursday, July 14; Around the World in 80 Minutes, starring Cole Rumbough and Molly Ryan on Thursday, July 21; Ladysmith Black Mambazo on Friday, July 22; Boogie Stomp, starring Bob Baldori and Arthur Migliazza, about the rise of boogie-woogie, on Sunday, July 24; Echoes of Etta: A Tribute to Etta James on Sunday, August 14; Mama Lee Rose & Friends and The HooDoo Loungers with Lilly-Anne Merat on Thursday, August 18; songwriter Suzanne Vega on Saturday, September 3;  and The Doo Wop Project on Sunday, September 4.

Guild Hall’s popular Guild Ha!! Comedy Series returns on Friday, July 8 with Sandra Bernhard: Feel the Bernhard. The blunt, opinionated Bernhard will blend political and observational comedy for an unforgettable night. Next in the Guild Ha!! Series is Freddie Roman, creator and star of Catskills on Broadway, a nostalgic salute to upstate New York.The Upright Citizens Brigade performs on Thursday, July 28; Tom Papa takes the stage on Saturday, July 30; Judah Friedlander runs the show on Friday, August 5; and Alex Guarnaschelli closes out the series with Caroline’s Comedy at the Beach on Friday, August 5. And there’s a special show by comedian Jay Pharoah on Saturday, August 13.

There are also a number of talks and lectures throughout the summer. The Designer Series will feature Jonathan Adler on Sunday, July 17; Richard Mishaan on Sunday, July 24; and Charlotte Moss on Sunday, July 31. Stirring the Pot: Conversations with Culinary Celebrities will welcome Jean-Georges Vongerichten on Sunday, August 7, Danny Meyer on Sunday, August 14 and Wolfgang Puck on Sunday, August 28. Alec Baldwin moderates a talk about the Supreme Court on Monday, August 22.

Guild Hall, 158 Main Street, East Hampton. Call 631-324-0806 or visit guildhall.org.