Everywhere we look around the valley, all signs are pointing to summer’s arrival. The mountains are shedding their snow, the birds are back in chorus, and the sun has made appearances for several consecutive days in a row.
But for many, one of the true signs of summer lies at the Bigfork Performing Arts Center, where young actors from around the country are currently busy learning the complex and professional musicals that will be featured in the Bigfork Summer Playhouse’s repertory season.
“It’s definitely a season of dance,” Brach Thomson, associate producer at the Playhouse, said during a rare five minutes of downtime during rehearsal last week. “We’ve got a great crew of dancers this year.”
The Bigfork Summer Playhouse will celebrate its 57th season bringing some of the best theater performances to the valley, with a rotating schedule of four main shows presented through the heart of summer.
Actors audition around the country for these roles, Thomson said, and this year’s cast and crew includes talent from Ohio, Florida, Iowa, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and more. These are the actors who are in the top of their classes, right in the space between school excellence and Broadway, Thomson said.
“It’s a good group and they’re learning two shows at once,” he said. “Between the 20 of them, they’re hitting it hard. It’s exciting to see it come together.”
The shows this year are “Young Frankenstein,” “42nd Street,” “Shrek: The Musical,” and “Grease.” Each one has plenty of music and dancing in it, Thomson said, showing off the talents on the cast.
The productions are run on a rotating repertory schedule to keep the theater hopping and diverse all summer.
“Young Frankenstein” is a musical from the humor genius of Mel Brooks, based on the 1974 film of the same name. The story parodies a horror film, but gives it a silly, fun spin. Thomson said it contains some adult humor, so it might not be entirely appropriate for young attendees. Opening night is June 7.
The musical “42nd Street” is a classic from Harry Warren and Al Dubin, following a naïve, young actress named Peggy Sawyer who is trying to make her way onto Broadway in New York City, and gets her big break in a way that means learning six songs and 10 dance numbers in 36 hours. This show opens on June 4.
“Shrek: The Musical,” is based on the incredibly popular DreamWorks film series starring this malcontented ogre and his loyal steed Donkey as they rescue the headstrong Princess Fiona. It’s a big, bright production with plenty of kid-friendly songs and dancing. Shrek opens on June 21.
Another classic, “Grease” follows Rydell High’s bad boy Danny Zuko and good girl Sandy Dumbrowski as they navigate the world of high school after spending a summer romance together. Tunes from this show will be stuck in your head for decades. Grease opens July 5.
On July 24, the Summer Playhouse will put on its popular Benefit Revue, featuring an evening of song and dance from all types of productions. All proceeds benefit the BSP scholarship fund, and following the performance, guests can enjoy a champagne reception and meet and greet with the company.
Thomson said the summer will be a busy one, but he is already proud of the group they’ve brought together for this 57th season.
“It’s a really good group,” he said. “The music is just wonderful.”
Ticketing and scheduling information can be found online at www.bigforksummerplayhouse.com or by calling 406-837-4886. The box office is open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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