Theatrical shows for all ages move outside for summer nights

"If't be summer news, Smile to't before."

— from "Cymbeline," by William Shakespeare

You may think spending a balmy summer evening watching a play means being cooped up indoors. Or that dinner and a live show with the whole family is too pricey. Think again.

Parks in and around Seattle are once again offering a panoply of theatrical shows for all ages. You can drink in the immortal verse of William Shakespeare, or treat your kids to a comic fairy tale — outdoors and at no charge, except whatever you can toss into an actor's hat. (The picnic is on you, though.)

Broadway musicals presented in the grand outdoors also are gearing up. These usually charge admission, but a modest one.

So grab sunscreen, edibles and potables, blankets or cushions (don't bring a camp chair unless it's low to the ground) and go forth. All shows listed below are free, unless noted otherwise.

Seattle area

Wooden O Theatre. This top-notch pro touring troupe (now part of the Seattle Shakespeare Company) offers the Bard's tragedy "Othello" and one of his most adroit comedies, "Much Ado About Nothing." The latter is especially enticing: Sheila Daniels directs, and married actors Hans Altwies and Amy Thone play the battling and wooing Beatrice and Benedick.

Runs in local parks through Aug. 1 (206-733-8222 or www.seattleshakespeare.org).

GreenStage. Love is in the air, as this veteran Shakespeare outfit presents the sprightly "As You Like It" and searing "Romeo and Juliet" in Seattle, Lynnwood and Burien parks.

Tonight through Aug. 14 (206-748-1551 or www.greenstage.org).

Theater Schmeater. A "live-action cartoon" for all ages, the critter comedy "An Inconvenient Squirrel," staged by Theater Schmeater, is set in a lost village of the Squirrel People — where a rebel squirrel causes havoc.

At Volunteer Park, Seattle, through Aug. 8 (206-324-5801 or www.schmeater.org).

Open Circle Theater. The fringe group presents an outdoor family show, "Pirates at Princess Island," about an enchanted isle invaded by some scurvy seadogs.

At Volunteer Park, July 24-Aug. 8 (206-382-4250 or www.octheater.com).

Balagan Theatre. The ancients liked their drama al fresco, so it's apt that Balagan Theatre is transporting the world premiere "Greetings from Styx," based on the Roman poet Ovid's "Metamorphoses," to Sand Point, Queen Anne and Capitol Hill parks. The work features fresh adaptations of such classic tales as "Echo and Narcissus."

Tonight through Aug. 1 (balagantheatre.org).

Western Washington

Last Leaf Productions. This community-based Monroe group brings Shakespearean comedy and drama to outdoor sites (in Richland, Woodinville, Monroe, etc.). This year's selections: "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "The Winter's Tale."

Through July 30 (360-805-9379 or lastleaf99.org).

Skagit River Shakespeare Festival. The established company will romp through "Two Gentlemen of Verona" and the compilation show "Shakespeare's Clown" in airy locales in Sedro-Woolley, Bellingham, Ferndale, Whatcom County and other parts. (Also on the bill: indoor, ticketed versions of "The Taming of the Shrew" and "Antony and Cleopatra" at Skagit Valley College and Whatcom County Community College).

Through Aug. 15 (360-201-6893 or www.shakesnw.org).

The Mountaineers Players. Stephen Schwartz's celebratory musical "Godspell," inspired by the Book of Matthew, is performed by this longtime community company at the sylvan Kitsap Forest Theater near Bremerton.

July 31-Aug. 22; $8-$16, children under 6 free (206-284-6310 or www.foresttheater.com).

Leavenworth Summer Theater. Yup, the actors in this troupe are still climbing every mountain and fording every stream, in their annual staging of "The Sound Music" at Leavenworth Ski Hill. They're also trilling through the Broadway tuners "Crazy for You" (at Hatchery Park) and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" (inside at the Festhalle Theatre).

Through Aug. 29; $14-$28 (509-548-2000 or www.leavenworthsummertheater.org).

Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theatre. This private park and amphitheater mounts a production of "The Wizard of Oz." (Barbecue dinners can be ordered in advance.)

July 24-Aug. 29; $8-$18 (425-736-7252 or www.foresttheater.org).

Misha Berson: mberson@seattletimes.com