Theater groups plan busy summer of open-air productions

Every year there seem to be more outdoor summer shows to choose from in Western Washington — more Shakespeare, Broadway musicals and children's classic stories, enacted by well-schooled pros and eager amateurs. And this year is no exception.

Ken Holmes, artistic director of the Seattle touring Shakespeare troupe GreenStage, said "the more we have, the better. There are benefits for the theater companies — we have a lot lower costs.

"And for the audiences," he continued, "it's nice to be able to hang out in a park in the summer and watch a play, instead of being in a stuffy indoor theater."

GreenStage plays outside to upward of 8,000 people per summer — depending, in part, on the weather. (Let's all pray for mucho sunshine.)

So whether you're roaming in and near Seattle, or heading north to Port Townsend or east to Leavenworth, you might want to bring along those picnic supplies, tubes of sunscreen and blankets for a theatrical outing. And don't forget some spare change and bills to keep those free shows coming!

Here's a rundown of what's playing, currently or soon, on Northwest open-air stages.

Mostly Shakespeare

Wooden O Theatre

Thursday-Aug. 3

206-733-8222

www.seattleshakespeare.org/WoodenO/index.asp

This year, the long-running Wooden O merged with Seattle Shakespeare Theatre to create one year-round, classics-centered, indoor/outdoor company.

Wooden O artistic head George Mount will continue to oversee the free, open-air productions, which boast a fine track record of agile, inventive interpretations. This year, Wooden O takes on two Bard biggies: "Romeo and Juliet" (staged by Mount) and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (directed by Vanessa Miller) will have performances at Mercer Island's Luther Burbank Park, the Seattle Center, Lynnwood's Lynndale Park and other locales.

GreenStage

Friday-Aug. 16

206-748-1551

www.greenstage.org

Wooden O's predecessor and friendly rival, GreenStage, is celebrating its 20th anniversary by doing its thing: offering gratis Shakespeare in area parks.

The troupe is going for the gusto with a new airing of "Hamlet," staged by Susanna Wilson with gifted Seattle actor Shawn Law in the lead, and lightening things up with the frolicsome comedy "Twelfth Night," directed by Amelia Meckler. GreenStage performs in seven parks in and around Seattle.

The Mountaineers

Kitsap Forest Theater

Aug. 2-24

206-542-7815

www.foresttheater.com

"A Midsummer Night's Dream," as adapted successfully by Arne Zaslove and performed to a jukebox full of rock songs from the 1950s, is on the bill at the Kitsap amphitheater, located in a bucolic nature preserve near Bremerton. Tickets run $8-$16; free for ages 5 and under.

Skagit River Shakespeare Festival

July 19-Aug. 10

360-416-7727

www.shakesnw.org.

This Mount Vernon-based theater outfit plans a busy summer slate: a free tour of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in regional parks and two indoor plays in rep ("The Merchant of Venice" and "All's Well That Ends Well") at McIntyre Hall in Mount Vernon. Tickets are $12-$25.

Key City Public Theatre

Aug. 1-17

360-385-7396

www.keycitypublictheatre.org

Formerly the Key City Players, this Port Townsend organization has been mounting community productions for a half-century.

The free summer offering by the group, in downtown Port Townsend's waterfront Chetzemoka Park, is the sprightly comedy "As You Like It."

Bard on the Beach

Vanier Park, Vancouver, B.C.

Now through Sept. 27

877-739-0559

www.bardonthebeach.org

While visiting Vancouver, B.C., why not commune with the great works of Will in a picture-postcard setting overlooking English Bay?

This leading Canadian Shakespeare ensemble performs in open-flapped circus tents, and on certain nights couples its shows with salmon bakes, wine-tastings and fireworks displays. "Twelfth Night," "King Lear," "Titus Andronicus" and "The Tempest" are on the repertory schedule this year. Tickets: $18-$33 (Canadian).

Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Ashland,Ore.NowthroughNov.2800-219-8161www.osfashland.org

The granddaddy of American Shakespeare fests, this elaborate Ashland, Ore., operation keeps three stages busy with annual seasons of 11 productions in rep.

Outdoors this year, in the spacious Elizabethan Stage amphitheater, are well-outfitted versions of Shakespeare's "Othello" and "Comedy of Errors," and Thornton Wilder's folksy saga "Our Town." Ticket prices vary.

Musicals Under the Stars

Leavenworth Summer Theater

Now through Aug. 31

509-548-2000

www.leavenworthsummertheater.org

Craving to hear a rendition of "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains? This company is happy to oblige with its annual productions of "The Sound of Music" at the Ski Hill Amphitheater.

Also offered, in a Cascade alpine setting this season, is "Sugar" (a musical-theater take on "Some Like It Hot") at Leavenworth's Hatchery Park, and "Kiss Me, Kate" at the faux-Bavarian village's indoor FestHalle. Tickets range from $14 to $28.

Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater

July 19-Aug. 31

425-736-7252

www.foresttheater.org

Imagine a Polynesian island smack-dab in the middle of a forest glen, and you've got this venerable outdoor company's 2008 summer attraction, "South Pacific."

Make a day of it in the 95-acre park, and if you don't feel like hauling in dinner, you can purchase a barbecue repast with the show. Tickets (performance only, dinner is extra): $8-$18; ages 5 and under free.

Classic Tales

Theater Schmeater

Saturday-Aug. 10

206-324-5801

www.schmeater.org

Commune with the critters at Toad Hall in the Schmee's new adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's "The Wind in the Willows," scripted by J.D. Lloyd. All performances are free in Seattle's Volunteer Park.

Open Circle Theater

July 19-Aug. 10

206-382-4250

www.octheater.com

The Mad Hatter, the Cheshire cat and other characters created by Lewis Carroll cavort in a free, all-ages version of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" at Volunteer Park.

Misha Berson: mberson@seattletimes.com