HARWICH — Summer nights, incredible views and unforgettable music are all part of the Cape Cod Jazz and Arts Festival, now celebrating its 20th year. Now featuring live musicians every Tuesday and Wednesday in July and August.
Tony Award winner Alan Cumming
Twenty years ago, the former owners of the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club in Harwich wanted to find a way to attract more guests during the week. So they decided to bring in live musicians for entertainment.
This year, Tony Award-winning artist Alan Cumming will open the festival. “I’ll try to be a little bit swingy, but I’m not really jazzy, I’m more of the arty part.”
Cumming is best known for his roles in “The Good Wife” and his iconic performance as the Emcee in “Cabaret.” Now, his latest one-man show called “Uncut” is coming to Cape Cod.
He says, “It’s about being an outsider and how I’ve always felt like an outsider. I’ve found as I’ve gotten older, that’s a great place to be… because you have such a healthy perspective on things.”
Not only will Cumming take to the stage, but other talented musicians will also entertain audiences all summer long from the five-star resort’s Garden Terrace Venue.
The lineup features a wide variety of talent, from local favorites like Grace Kelly to Loren Allred, featured on the soundtrack of “The Greatest Showman,” and even the Blue Man troupe.
But Cumming told WBZ he can’t wait to get on stage.
“I see it as a great treat to feel all the things that I love most about being a performer, which is that connection with an audience, the scary side of live theatre, the potential for things to go wrong, and how energetic and alive you have to feel to be able to do it. So it’s a great thing to do.”
How to see the performances
A dinner reservation will guarantee you a seat, but the performances are free and open to the public, something Cumming greatly appreciates.
“You want your work to be seen, and you want your work to be seen and heard by a very broad demographic of people,” he said. “I want to make sure I’m playing to as broad a selection of people as possible.”
The 20th season of the Cape Cod Jazz and Arts Festival kicks off on July 9 with Cumming’s show.
