Coming Attractions Theater

The show still goes on

Summer Theatre's annual Christmas shows will be staged this year at The Coeur d'Alene Resort, to coincide with The Resort's annual holiday light show and cruises, said theater director Laura Little.

"We've been selling those tickets like hotcakes," Little said. "It's exciting."

For the "GI Holiday Jukebox" performances, The Resort's old Shore Lounge will be transformed into a World War II-era military canteen.

"We're always looking for new attractions for the holiday light show, and we are very excited about adding this top-calibre performance," said Bill Reagan, general manager of The Resort.

Little said she thinks people are looking forward to the holiday shows because they are a tribute to the USO (United Service Organizations), the nonprofit that works to lift the spirits of American troops and their families.

As Summer Theatre organizers prepare for the holiday extravaganza, they are also reflecting on the regular season that just ended.

"It turned out to be really strong," Little said.

"Sound of Music," the company's final production, sold out four times during its eight-show August run on stage at the Shuler Performing Arts Center on the North Idaho College campus.

The company kicked off its annual run of four shows with "The Wizard of Oz." Little said theatergoers flocked to that production as well.

"I think a highlight was Ellen Travolta playing the Wicked Witch and flying," Little said. "There were more pyrotechnics in that show than any other show we've done."

A member of the fire department had to be stationed at the performing arts center each time the curtain went up, Little said, and many special permits were required before the show could go on.

"It really was very impressive," Little said.

The surprise show of the summer was "Once on this Island," she said.

Although attendance was not as high as it was for the other shows, Little said those who did see the play gave it rave reviews.

Coming Attractions in Theater: September 2011 » The Arts Fuse

Every September proffers an explosion of productions; as usual, my eclectic picks, driven by my prejudice for the new. There are few world premieres among the openers this season, aside from the Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival’s “Once in a Lifetime” and ArtsEmerson’s presentation of The Foundry Theatre’s “How Much is Enough.” . Written and performed by Bread and Puppet Theater, September 1 through 4. At Hopkinton, NH, Owen Farm, 580 Brockway, on September 1 at 3:30 p.m.; at the Cambridge Common, Cambridge, MA, September 2 at 6 p.m.; at Haverhill, NH on Saturday, September 3, Alumni Hall, 75 Court Street at 4 p.m. (outside if weather allows), and at Rochester, VT, Big Town Gallery, 99 North Main on Sunday, September 4 at 2 p.m. An entertainment for children of all ages, this Bread and Puppet extravaganza appears to be based on the intriguing premise that man has evolved from carrots. The show “is based on the revelation that upright man rooted in dirt was created in the image of the upright carrot rooted in dirt. Fifteen Vermont puppeteers and musicians will enact the issues of the day, not only in how they affect carrots, but how they affect us all. Some of the circus acts may be politically puzzling to adults, but usually an accompanying kid can explain what’s going on.”