Things that go bump in the night, reflections on the immigrant experience, a look at the meaning of home and a non-fictional survey of America’s Colonial pirates are the topics of four new books by authors who will be in Chatham in coming days. Donna M. Bevans, a graduate of Harwich High School who now lives in Fort Collins, Col., will sign her novel “The Captain’s House” (AuthorHouse, 2019) on Aug. 13. Bev...

The life of a pirate is more than the perils of the sea, or the fear of the gallows; it’s filled with betrayal, greed and backstabbers. For dead men tell no tales and can’t reveal where the treasure lies. In Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic “Treasure Island” a young lad eager for adventure finds himself in the middle of a search for the buried treasure. There are good guys, bad guys and a bad guy who’s kinda good...

What a difference 10 years can make! And yet, does 10 years make that much difference? And does such existential dither mean anything? Here’s a fun show that just asks you to enjoy the music and the talent and, if you lived in the 1950s and ‘60s, the memories (or if you didn’t, you’ll learn a little bit about what your grandparents loved.) “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” now playing at the Cape Cod Theatre Compan...

While waiting for my coffee to brew early in the morning I often look out the window into my backyard. These days it is still a bit dark when I wake and the yard is often quiet except for my friend, the song sparrow, who seems to start every day with a song, no matter what. I wish I always felt so strong and happy that I could sing in the dawn. Soon the cardinal family is up and about and the first ...

If you enjoy novels set on Cape Cod, you will love the finely-crafted debut novel “Seeking Glory: A Novel About Relationships, Loss, and Finding Your Way Home” (Outskirts Press, Inc. 2018) by Patricia Hamilton Shook. Shook is a resident of Sharon with a timeshare in Yarmouth. But her Cape Cod roots run deep. She has known the Cape since she was a child staying in her grandmother’s cottage on a street that dead...

“A Chorus Line” explores the trials and tribulations encountered by professional dancers aiming for Broadway. After securing their coveted roles, the Cape Playhouse’s professional cast had some added hardships with this production—two days without power due to the tornado; an unexpected change in musical directors; and a blackout during their rehearsal time in NYC. In the end, the ensemble demonstrated grit, resi...

It's the time of year to get out and enjoy the natural world. We're fortunate here on Cape Cod that a significant amount of unspoiled open space has been preserved. Many of these conservation parcels, both privately and publicly owned, have walking and hiking trails that are open to the public. We asked a few local conservationists and outdoors enthusiasts to tell us their favorites. It is not so easy to say...

It is hard to describe the universal power of the musical “Once.” The fact that it is the only show to have ever won an Academy Award, Grammy Award, Olivier Award and Tony Award only confirms its uniqueness. Halfway through their 93 rd season, the Cape Playhouse’s production is hauntingly beautiful, emotionally charged, and selling out fast. The 2012 Broadway musical won eight Tony Awar...

It’s about lunacy, a Midsummer Night’s Dream of sorts. And it’s not the Addams Family you might remember from the TV show, odd but really gentle and sweet in their own weird way. No, this is The Addams Family musical, presented through Aug. 4 by the Chatham Drama Guild. Wednesday has grown up enough to fall in love and want to get married—and Morticia, angry that Wednesday now has a life of her own, is fixing ...

The satirical murder mystery “Murder for Two,” fittingly performed by two actors, is a feat of dancing, singing, piano playing, and comedic prowess few actors could master. Sam Krivda and Matthew McGloin seem born for their roles in the hilarious and zany romp, so much that I was shocked to learn this is not only the first time each has been in this musical, but also the first time they worked together. Kri...

After closing their doors due to financial issues in January, the Academy of Performing Arts is banking on “Disney’s Frozen Jr.” to help get them back in the black, and based on the sold-out opening weekend, they are off to a great start. Disney’s movie “Frozen” was an unprecedented hit in 2013, earning the title of highest-grossing animated film ever, with total worldwide sales surpassing well over a billion ...

If you spend any time with small children, you know they love to play the copycat game. They will repeat everything you say and mimic every action you make. Their eager joy in the game will easily outlast that of any grownup, sometimes to the point of annoyance. Older brothers and sisters are the usual targets of this game and it doesn’t always end well. Copying is a natural way of learning, not just for o...