Curtain Calls: July performing arts performances

June 28, 2019 3:56 PM PT

Performances coming to San Diego this month include Rock of Ages, Miss Saigon, Last Podcast on the Left Live and The Book of Mormon.

7.2-8.25: Rock of Ages

Don’t stop believin’ that this jukebox musical is capable of cranking up the laughs -- even as it traffics in some of the most cringe-worthy hair-metal sounds and fashions of the 1980s.

Cygnet Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town, 619.337.1525, cygnettheatre.com

7.6-8.11: The Tale of Despereaux

PigPen Theatre Co. charmed Old Globe audiences in 2017 with its fable-like The Old Man and The Old Moon. Now the company returns with this world-premiere musical take on the children’s story about a brave mouse who dreams of becoming a knight.

Old Globe, Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623, theoldglobe.org

7.9-14: Miss Saigon

The long-running 1989 musical about love and loss against the backdrop of the Vietnam War returns to town for the first time since 2004, in the national touring version of the latest Broadway revival.

Broadway/San Diego, San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown, 619/858/760.570.1100, broadwaysd.com

7.10-8.4: Another Roll of the Dice

North Coast Rep scores the world premiere of this follow-up of sorts to classic musical Guys and Dolls. The piece intertwines songs by Frank Loesser (including Heart and Soul) with stories by Damon Runyon, that old-time Bard of New York grit and wit.

North Coast Rep, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, 858.481.1055, northcoastrep.org

7.11-8.18: Million Dollar Quartet

The Coronado-based Lamb’s heads north with its staging of this jukebox musical about the moment in 1956 when a 21-year-old Elvis Presley got together with Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis for an epic Sun Records jam session.

Lamb’s Players Theatre, The AVO Playhouse, 303 Main St., Vista, 619.437.6000, lambsplayers.org

7.12-21: [title of show]

No, that’s not a misprint: [title of show] is the actual title of this show -- an inventive and very funny 2008 Broadway musical that chronicles the making of a musical. Namely, itself.

Tenth Avenue Arts Center, 930 10^th Ave., downtown, tenthavenuearts.com

7.17-8.3: Matilda the Musical

Moonlight continues its summer outdoor season with the Broadway musical (based on the Roald Dahl story) about a little girl whose fervent need to read has seismic effects on everyone around her.

Moonlight Stage Productions, Moonlight Amphitheatre, 1250 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista, 760.724.2110, moonlightstage.com

7.20: Last Podcast on the Left Live

The popular comedy podcast with the macabre on its mind – as in aliens, cults and more – hits town for a one-night live gig, just in time for San Diego Comic-Con International.

Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., downtown, 619/858/760.570.1100, sandiegotheatres.org

7.23-28: The Book of Mormon

“Hello” again! The seriously irreverent musical comedy, a still-running Broadway hit, heads to town once again; its humor is sure to push buttons as eagerly as its Mormon-missionary heroes punch at doorbells.

Broadway/San Diego, San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown, 619/858/760.570.1100, broadwaysd.com

7.27-8.25: The Underpants

The one and only Steve Martin’s 2002 comedy centers on a woman who sparks mass disruption when she inadvertently loses her bloomers. The piece originally was commissioned for New York’s Classic Stage Co. by Barry Edelstein – now the Old Globe’s artistic chief.

Old Globe, Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623, theoldglobe.org