With themes that examine acceptance, love, gender, and the powers of art and human kindness in the face of tyranny, this more-than-420-year-old play feels strikingly timely. Set in a world where people are forced to flee their conflict-torn homes, reinvent themselves while in exile, and see the world through another’s eyes, As You Like It reminds us, beautifully and urgently, of what it means to choose harmony, joy, and forgiveness even when it feels futile to do so. Join us in our very own “Forest of Arden” for this very special run of one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies. 

Directed by Brooke Hardman Ditchfield

Starring:

Leslie Field as Rosalind

Katherine Reid as Celia

Leif Moore as Orlando

Mac Young as Jaques

Ian Tripp as Oliver

Chris Roberts as Touchstone

Paul Padua as Duke Frederick

Amy Barrow as Duke Senior

Liz Hartford as Phebe

Brad Austin as Adam

David Mintz as Corin and Amiens

Xavier Powers as Charles the Wrestler and Silvius

Benedict Yancey as Le Beau and Audrey

Jo Orr as William and Ensemble

Emily Hewson as Ensemble

Crew:

Stage Manager: Violet Cabot

Assistant Director: Haley Hewson

Music Direction: Haley Hewson with David Mintz and Jo Orr

Scenic Design: Mac Young

Costume Design: Amy Barrow

Prop Design: Katherine Reid

Set Build: Mac Young and Brad Austin

Fight Choreography: Chris Roberts

Dance Choreography: Amy Barrow

Dir. Sam Green | Documentary | U.S.A. | 2026 | 1 hr. 27 min.
Followed by a discussion with director Sam Green and producer Josh Penn

A decade-long undertaking, this film chronicles a global journey to meet those holding the ever-changing record for being the oldest person on Earth. What begins as a profile of longevity becomes a meditation on the passage of time, the randomness of fate, and the joy and profound human experience of being alive.

Dirs. Anna Fitch and Banker White | Documentary | U.S.A. | 2026 | 1 hr. 18 min.
Followed by a discussion with directors Anna Fitch and Banker White

After losing her good friend Yo, filmmaker Anna Fitch spends a decade obsessively building a detailed, miniature version of Yo’s house, with a 20-inch puppet of her inside it. When the pair met, Yo was 73 and Anna just 24, but over almost two decades they formed a deep friendship despite the gap in their ages and experiences. Juxtaposing intimate vérité footage with Anna's creative interpretations of Yo's dramatic life stories, this documentary film blurs memory, time, and invention, revealing art’s power to channel—and share—grief and love. It premiered at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival, where it won a Silver Bear award.

Dir. Steven Spielberg | Adventure / Sci-Fi | U.S.A. | 1982 | 1 hr. 55 min. | Rated PG

Gates open at 7:30 p.m.; the film begins at approximately 8:15 p.m.

After a gentle alien becomes stranded on Earth, it is discovered and befriended by a young boy who introduces his brother and sister to it. The children decide to keep its existence a secret, but when "E.T." falls ill, the government intervenes and the situation becomes precarious.

Saturdays at 10 AM, July 11–August 29

Tisbury Amphitheater
Written and Directed by: Paul Padua

Starring: A rotating cast of Martha's Vineyard Playhouse actors and artists

Nearly every Saturday morning in July and August, Paul Padua and his company of incredible performers welcome families and young audiences to the beautiful Tisbury Amphitheater, to laugh out loud and celebrate the magic of live theater together. Fun for the whole family, featuring a rotating lineup of original plays that encourage audience participation, improvisation, and imagination, it’s the perfect way to kick off summer weekends!

Dir. Rian Johnson | Mystery / Thriller | U.S.A. | 2019 | 2 hrs. 10 min. | Rated PG-13

Gates open at 7:30 p.m.; the film begins at approximately 8:15 p.m.

When a wealthy crime novelist is found dead at his estate, renowned detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is brought in to investigate. As he interviews the wildly dysfunctional Thrombey family, a tangled web of lies, secrets, and red herrings begins to unravel.

Victoria Cardona is a guitarist, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist one-woman band whose live looping performances create a sonic and visual journey through intricate layers of guitar, bass, percussion, and vocal harmonies. Rooted in her Cuban heritage and spanning jazz, blues, soul, Afro-Cuban and Afro-Caribbean music, salsa, and rock ’n’ roll, she fuses rhythm and harmony to deliver performances that are both technically impressive and deeply emotive. Her spontaneous, improvisational style invites audiences into an experience that is bold, playful, and utterly captivating.

Luiz Lacerda will open the show. A 2026 MVRHS graduate and member of the Minnesingers, he was also a star of the Island high school’s recent production of the musical Hadestown.

Dirs. Peter Kunhardt, George Kunhardt, and Teddy Kunhardt | Documentary | U.S.A. | 2026 | 1 hr. 27 min.

Followed by a discussion with Mario Cuomo’s daughter, Maria Cuomo Cole, and fashion designer Kenneth Cole

The son of Italian immigrants, Mario Cuomo became governor of New York during Ronald Reagan’s presidency, forging a legacy of compassionate leadership while navigating the tensions between faith, politics, and his personal and public roles. Through unseen archival footage, family reflections, and excerpts from his personal diary, this new documentary not only covers Cuomo’s political battles, his doubts and ambitions, and his deeply held Catholicism, countered with his dedication to addressing the AIDS crisis and supporting abortion rights, but also conveys his identity as a leader shaped by humility, intellect, and struggle.

Dirs. Jennifer Ash Rudick and Amanda M. Benchley | Documentary | U.S.A. | 2025 | 1 hr. 20 min.

Followed by a discussion with director Amanda Benchley and film subject Marilyn Minter 

Visual artist Marilyn Minter has been a defining creative force since the 1970s, building a career on work that pushes against the boundaries between glamour, sexuality, and commercial imagery. Often dismissed for her provocative style, she has nonetheless remained committed to her own vision, moving through cycles of acclaim, controversy, and reinvention, and collaborating with contemporary icons such as Lizzo, Jane Fonda, Pamela Anderson, and Monica Lewinsky. This documentary explores her enduring influence and evolving legacy, asking whether the art establishment will finally embrace an artist who has long been ahead of her time.

Written and Produced by: Amy Brenneman and Sabrina Peck

Directed by: Sabrina Peck

Starring: Amy Brenneman, Jesse Jason, Adrianne Krstansky, Alison Manning, and Joshua Olumide

In this autobiographical journey infused with music and movement, celebrated actor Amy Brenneman takes us along as she learns how to become a true ally to her daughter Charlotte, born with a rare chromosomal abnormality. Funny, poignant, and powerful, Overcome takes a bold look at preconceptions of disability, unexamined ableism, and the promise/challenge of a truly inclusive society. Originally presented at The Yard, this is a workshop of a production now in development at the American Repertory Theater and offers audiences a behind-the-scenes glimpse into its creative development.

Dir. Robert Zemeckis | Adventure / Comedy | U.S.A. | 1985 | 1 hr. 56 min. | Rated PG

Gates open at 7:30 p.m.; the film begins at approximately 8:15 p.m.

In this 1980s classic, high school student Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is accidentally sent back to 1955 in a plutonium-powered DeLorean "time machine" invented by his friend, the eccentric scientist Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd).

Dir. Chris McKay | Comedy / Adventure | U.S.A. | 2017 | 1 hr. 44 min. | Rated PG

Gates open at 7:30 p.m.; the film begins at approximately 8:15 p.m.

In this animated film, the second from the Lego universe, Batman is used to working alone, but when the Joker threatens Gotham City with a new scheme for chaos, the caped crusader is forced to team up with an eager young sidekick, the city’s new police commissioner, and his loyal butler Alfred.

Dir. Rory Kennedy | Documentary | U.S.A. | 2026 | 1 hr. 33 min. | Rated R
Followed by a discussion with director Rory Kennedy and writer and producer Mark Bailey

Following the highly publicized death of Boeing whistleblower John Barnett, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Rory Kennedy and her Emmy-nominated producing partner Mark Bailey continue their urgent investigation into the once-revered aviation company, uncovering startling new revelations and capturing voices from the inside. This new documentary is Kennedy’s timely follow-up to her 2022 film, Downfall: The Case Against Boeing.

Dir. Rory Kennedy | Documentary | U.S.A. | 2025 | 1 hr. 51 min.
Followed by a discussion with director Rory Kennedy and writer and producer Mark Bailey

A timely and provocative look at celebrity, public outrage, and the human cost of life in the spotlight, this new documentary examines the aftermath of the 2021 shooting that claimed the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during production of the narrative feature film Rust. As investigations unfold, actor Alec Baldwin finds himself at the center of a media firestorm, facing relentless scrutiny, online hostility, and a legal battle that captivates the nation. Balancing the tragedy with a broader exploration of blame, spectacle, and accountability, acclaimed filmmaker Rory Kennedy crafts a nuanced portrait of a culture eager to judge and slow to empathize.

With opener Delanie Pickering

​Hailing from Tucson by way of Nashville, Freddy & Francine brings a joyful, high-energy blend of folk, soul, and Americana that has been winning over audiences from coast to coast for more than fifteen years. With seven albums, a devoted following, and performances alongside artists like Idina Menzel and the Spin Doctors, they have built a reputation for heartfelt songwriting and a magnetic stage presence. As they release new music and continue to grow, the duo remains rooted in what they do best: creating vibrant, soulful performances that leave crowds lifted, engaged, and coming back for more.

​Presented in partnership with MVYRadio.

Martin Luther McCoy, often credited simply as Martin Luther in his music career, is a San Francisco-born singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, and actor. He is best known for his work with the hip-hop collective The Roots and his breakout role as Jo-Jo in the 2007 film Across the Universe.