As this epically hot summer soldiers on, there's plenty of time to seek shelter from the heat inside the confines of an air-conditioned theater. Not a movie theater — those blockbusters can wait — but rather the region's playhouses, where a number of excellent performances have been running this season, with still more to come.
Already, the Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre, in its rebirth as a pared-down series on a smaller stage, has delivered a pair of quality shows, including the currently running Addams Family musical (see the review, as well as a look at Interplayers' take on A Midsummer Night's Dream, in this section). But it's not just that seasonal cultural stalwart that is making the end of a summer a big time for local stages. It seems like there's a production — from touring heavyweights to youth plays — happening on almost every local stage to close out the season. (MB)
COEUR D'ALENE MURDER MYSTERY THEATRE
There are still two evenings of mystery left in this summer series. Each show has a limit of 50 people, so reserve your spot in advance. Don't worry, no one actually gets killed. The two performances include The Mafia Murders on Fri, Aug. 15, and A Taste for Wine and Murder on Fri, Aug. 22.
$30-$35 • Coeur d'Alene Cellars • 3890 N. Schreiber Way, Coeur d'Alene • cdacellars.com (FW)
THE EMPIRE SINGS FLAT
If you're heading east for a long weekend, you might want to stop off in Wallace, Idaho, where you'll find this creative local production with a clear Star Wars influence. The play tells of a heroic hand model who attempts to save a princess from the dastardly Dorf Vader. The Western-themed melodrama was written and directed by locals Eli and Brady Bourgard.
Through Aug. 24 • Wed-Sat at 7 pm, Sun at 2 pm • $16-$18 • Sixth Street Theater • 212 Sixth St., Wallace, Idaho • sixthstreetmelodrama.com (FW)
THE BOOK OF MORMON
There's been no shortage of buzz around this traveling Broadway production. Local theater fans have been clamoring about it for a year now. It was written by the creators of South Park — Trey Parker and Matt Stone — and it's a nine-time Tony award-winning musical that's been killing it at the box offices since opening in 2011. Its music was co-written by Robert Lopez, one of the composers and lyricists of Avenue Q.
Through Sun, Aug. 17 • Showtimes vary • $45-$155 • INB Performing Arts Center • 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. • bestofbroadwayspokane.com (MB)
LEGALLY BLONDE
Beginning tomorrow night, a cast of young, local actors in grades 7-12 tell the story of Elle Woods, a blonde, fashion-focused sorority girl who decides to attends Harvard Law School. Through Sun, Aug. 17 • Wed-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2 pm • $10-$19 • Spokane Civic Theatre • 1020 N. Howard • spokanecivictheatre.com (FW)
LAKE CITY PLAYHOUSE SEASON PREVIEW AND AWARDS SHOW
Get a look at this Coeur d'Alene community theater company's 2014-15 season at this one-night only event. You'll see numbers from some of the season's productions, including Tommy, Rent, The Last 5 Years, Les Misérables, Hair and others. Sat, Aug. 23, at 7:30 pm • $15 • Lake City Playhouse • 1320 E. Garden Ave. • lakecityplayhouse.org (MB) ♦
