MONMOUTH — The British are coming to Monmouth for Theater at Monmouth’s 45th season. “The British Invasion,” running from June 28 through Sept. 28, 2014, features a line-up of plays from England’s greatest playwrights.

In celebration of Shakespeare’s 450th and TAM’s 45th, the Summer Repertory will include William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” and “Romeo & Juliet”; Oscar Wilde’s “A Woman of No Importance”; and Joe Orton’s “What the Butler Saw.” Opening Saturday, June 28, the “Family Show” is a world premiere adaptation of Andrew Lang’s “Tales from the Blue Fairy Book.” The fall musical, opening Thursday, Sept. 18, is “The Sorcerer,” the second production in a three-year commitment to Gilbert & Sullivan.

SUMMER REPERTORY SEASON

Performances take place in Cumston Hall, a 250-seat Victorian opera house designed by Harry Cochrane. Since its founding the Theater has rehearsed and performed in rotating repertory, inviting audiences to see the actors in different roles in four different shows in one weekend. Each of this season’s six productions features newcomers as well as TAM favorites including Mark S. Cartier, Janis Stevens, and Bill Van Horn.

“As You Like It,” July 10-Aug. 22 by William Shakespeare, directed by Catherine Weidner.

When Rosalind and Orlando are banished from the court by the usurping duke, they flee for their lives into the wild. It isn’t long before the lovers find each other and act out a bizarre ritual courtship that ends, as all good comedies do, with everyone paired up two-by-two.

“A Woman of No Importance,” July 17-Aug. 23 by Oscar Wilde, directed by Will Rhys.

In this dark comedy of serial seducers, moralizing monogamists, secret pasts, and simmering heartbreak, which will the idealistic George Arbuthnot choose—social advancement or loyalty of the heart? Surely the basis for Downton Abbey, Wilde’s deliciously witty satire lays bare the moral contradictions of Victorian England.

“Romeo & Juliet,” July 24-Aug. 24 by William Shakespeare, directed by Dawn McAndrews.

In a world consumed by self-interest and divided by hatred and mistrust, Shakespeare’s impetuous young lovers defy family, friends, and society to be together. With no one to turn to but each other, Romeo and Juliet provoke both fate and fickle fortune in their quest for pure and passionate love.

“What the Butler Saw,” July 31-Aug. 23, by Joe Orton, directed by Brian P. Allen.

When a psychiatrist invents a series of outrageous lies to cover up his attempts to seduce his young secretary, all manner of mayhem breaks out in the ward. Clothes are discarded, sensibilities skewered, and political correctness flouted in Orton’s risqué and ferociously playful farce.

FAMILY SHOW

Each summer, TAM presents a play for children of all ages adapted from classic literature.

“Tales from the Blue Fairy Book,” June 28-Aug. 21, adapted by Dawn McAndrews from the collection by Andrew Lang, directed by Luke Bartholomew.

Lang’s Blue Fairy Book bursts with classic tales from around the globe, including East of the Sun West of the Moon, The Bronze Ring, The White Cat, The Stars in the Sky, and more. From princesses to fairies, kings to dwarfs, there’s a magical happily ever after for both girls and boys.

FALL MUSICAL

The Fall Musical features talented voices and musicians from Maine and professional actors from away.

“The Sorcerer,” Sept.18-28, music by Arthur Sullivan, libretto by W.S. Gilbert, directed by Bill Van Horn.

What happens when a magically brewed cup o‘tea intoxicates unsuspecting residents of an entire community? Alexis, a young man obsessed with the idea of love leveling all social distinctions, engages J. W. Wells & Co., Family Sorcerers, to find out. When the potion causes everyone in the village to fall in love with the first person they see—the results are mystical mayhem.

SPECIAL EVENTS

“15th Annual Black Fly Follies,” July 5, at 7:30 p.m.

Theater at Monmouth’s annual variety show returns featuring the talents of our summer company. Black Fly Follies goes British Music Hall with songs, comic routines, and variety acts popular in England during the turn of the 20th century.

“The Making of A Hard Day’s Night” with Mark S. Cartier, Aug. 7, at 7:30 p.m.

As Beatlemania blossomed in Britain, United Artists offered the Beatles the chance to star in their own rock ‘n’ roll film. Cartier traces how the group conquered America, unleashed the British Invasion, hosted their own television special, and launched their first world tour—all while simultaneously helping to create what Andrew Sarris of the Village Voice calls “the Citizen Kane of juke box movies.”

“Point Last Seen” with Odelle Bowman, Aug. 14, at 7:30 p.m.

Hannah Nyala, search and rescue tracker, is so attuned to nature’s messages that she can read the history of a footprint and the secrets of desert sand. Adapted from the memoir of the same name, Hannah escapes an abusive marriage by teaching herself the skills of tracking in the Mojave Desert.

“Legends: The Music of Judy Garland” with Kelly Caufield, Aug. 21, at 7:30 p.m.

An engaging evening featuring many of Judy Garland’s most well-known songs and few surprises. Highlights include beloved hits from her movies, the Gershwin recordings, Broadway and cabaret standards, and more. Directed and co-written by Brian P. Allen. Music direction by Victoria Stubbs.

For more information, visit www.theateratmonmouth.org or call the box office at 207-933-9999.