Nova Y Payton stars in “The Color Purple” at Signature Theatre this month.

Cameron Whitman / Signature Theatre

August traditionally is the slowest month for D.C. theater. And while there aren’t a zillion new openings to keep track of this month, there are still enough interesting shows to keep theatergoers satiated until new seasons kick off in September. Here are the highlights:

WHAT ABOUT LOVE?: Nova Y Payton has a meaty role ahead of her. She’ll lend her powerhouse vocals to Celie in Signature’s production of the musical adaptation of The Color Purple. (Aug. 16-Oct. 9)

BE IN THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS: Also on the musicals front, the Kennedy Center is hosting two of the biggest blockbusters to take the stage in the last several years, both in August. Hamilton needs no introduction, and it’s coming back to the Kennedy Center Aug. 2-Oct. 9. Meanwhile, the haunting teenage drama Dear Evan Hansen is also back in town from Aug. 20-Sept. 26.

GO GO GO JOE: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s bouncy first hit, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, is being staged by Avant Bard. (Aug. 5-7)

GET POLITICAL: D.C. audiences are bound to appreciate Keegan’s The Outsider, a comedy about an unlikely candidate for governor who embraces what a crappy candidate he truly is. (Aug. 27-Sept. 24)

Also opening this month

  • Musicals are playing double duty at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, where the Monty Python-tastic Spamalot opens (Aug. 5-21), followed by Ghost the Musical, sadly Swayze-free. (Aug. 26-Nov. 6)
  • Go behind the scenes as two actors perform a meaty romance in Transformation Theatre’sThe Higher Love, a virtual production.(Aug. 2 only)
  • The New York Neofuturists’ The Infinite Wrench, courtesy of Flying V, takes on an impressive 30 original plays in 60 minutes. (Aug. 26 only)
  • Jo, Beth, Amy, and Meg come together in a musical version of the classic Little Women staged at NextStop. (Aug. 26-Sept. 25)
  • See what the kiddos over at Anacostia Playhouse can do; the SYEP: Lion King Project features the work from their summer youth employment program. (Aug. 4-5)
  • Solas Nua is staging a one-night play reading of iGirl by Marina Carr (Aug. 7 only)

Still playing at D.C.-area theaters

Aug. 7 is the last chance to catch Mr. Popper’s Penguins at Imagination Stage, the Logan Festival at 1st Stage, and the delightful The Hot Wing King at Studio … Fantastagirl and the Math Monster closes at Adventure Theatre Aug. 21 … Folger’s National Building Museum-set A Midsummer Night’s Dream and American Prophet at Arena both close Aug. 28 … you’ve until September to catch the crowd-pleasing Six at the National.

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