HINTERLANDS

Bard in the Bush

The big Shakespeare festivals in Oregon and Idaho are great, but they’re expensive and, let’s face it, a little intense. Why not opt instead for this laid-back, open-air series in beautiful NELSON, B.C.? For most of July, every Wednesday through Saturday evening, the players will perform Shakespeare Shorts VI, a greatest-hits collection of scenes from the bard’s plays — in an order determined by the audience. Then, in August, the Nelson Youth Theatre will perform As You Like It.

CDA/PF

Life is a Stage

Idaho comes alive with theatrics during the warm months, and leading the pack is ROCKN’ B RANCH, opening its barn doors for a 16th season Friday, June 11. This is Eastern Washington’s only cowboy supper show (out of how many in the United States, we’re not sure, but that’s beside the point), and this year they’re showcasing a freshly re-written stage script that celebrates cowboy western movies, followed by the traditional gourmet BBQ dinner. Also new this year — here’s a cultural juxtaposition for you — Spaghetti Western Wednesdays. Yee Haw. Visit www.rockinbranch.com.

Also heading into full swing is the COEUR D’ALENE SUMMER THEATRE, whose lineup includes 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Pump Boys & Dinettes, the ever-popular Hairspray, and Cinderella (featuring Ellen Travolta as the step mother, and Annie and Margaret Travolta as the two stepsisters). Visit www.cdasummertheatre.com.

The IDAHO REPERTORY THEATRE is partnering with CdA Summer Theater in the Spelling Bee production and is putting on three other productions of its own at the University of Idaho: You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, The Dining Room and As You Like It. The season begins June 28 and runs until Aug. 1; visit www.uidaho.edu/class/irt.

Don’t miss 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at CdA Summer Theatre. [Photo: Young Kwak]

The whimsically catawampus SIXTH STREET MELODRAMA in Kellogg has two shows lined up for the summer season, including D.K. Molar, The Devious Dentist, or…There’s Gold in Them Thar Teeth and Mezmerizing Merry, or…Thanks for the…Uh, Memories. Visit www.sixthstreetmelodrama.com.