During the summer months, travelers flock to the Flathead Valley, usually attracted by its outdoor and scenic offerings. But after a day hiking in Glacier National Park or boating on Flathead Lake, visitorrs may be surprised to discover a good deal of cultural offerings as well: professional theaters, symphony performances and live music.
The Bigfork Summer Playhouse will be celebrating its 50th season of live professional theater this summer. Known by many as the “theatre by the bay,” the playhouse brings talent from across the country and is a valley favorite.
In addition to the talented performers, patrons will also enjoy a recently completed $1.1 million lobby renovation at the Bigfork Performing Arts Center, the playhouse’s home.
Shows this summer include: “Smokey Joe’s Café;” “Seussical the Musical,” based on the classic childrens’ books by Dr. Seuss; “The Wiz,” a modern stage adaptation of the novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz;” “Singin’ in the Rain;” and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.”
For tickets or scheduling call (406) 837-4886 or visit www.bigforksummerplayhouse.com.
Founded by three Broadway veterans, Alpine Theatre Project has quickly established itself as one of the area’s best professional theaters. The theater has even produced two world premieres: one starring John Lithgow and the other starring Academy Award-winner Olympia Dukakis.
ATP’s fifth summer season begins June 16, with the opening of “Stones in His Pockets.” The Olivier Award-winning Irish comedy is the story of a quiet Irish village and how it is changed by the arrival of a big-budget Hollywood shoot. It features just two actors, who portray 13 different people without ever leaving the stage. The show runs June 16–28.
The comedy will be followed up by the regional premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” which chronicles the experience of six adolescent outsiders vying for the spelling bee championship. It runs July 9–26.
ATP will round out the season with “The World Goes ‘Round” (Aug. 11–23), a tribute to the work of the famed songwriting team of John Kander and Fred Ebb who penned Broadway hit shows like “Chicago,” and “Cabaret.”
Glacier Symphony’s Summer Symphony Pops (July 11) is one of the most enjoyable and relaxing events of the summer. Held at Rebecca Farm, a private farm in north Kalispell often used for equestrian events, it’s an evening of beautiful symphony music in an idyllic setting. There is tons of room for kids to run, and to spread out your blanket to enjoy a picnic or food and drinks from the vendors. The concert is rain or shine with covered seating under two large tents.
The symphony also has a dynamic lineup of musicians planned for the second-annual Festival Amadeus, a six-night classical music festival featuring the finest music of Mozart, Brahms, Haydn, Beethoven and many others, in a series of chamber and orchestra concerts to be held July 27 to August 1 in Whitefish. Last year, the inaugural festival drew more than 1,700 people.
For more information on the symphony’s summer offerings call the GSC office (406) 257-3241 or visit http://gscmusic.org/.
There’s also live music in abundance on stages from theaters to bars throughout the valley. Two popular offerings include the summer concert series presented by the Whitefish Theatre Company at the O’Shaughnessy Center, with its bluegrass, Irish, jazz and Cajun tunes, and the Picnic in the Park series throughout the summer in Depot Park in Kalispell.
For a full listing of up-to-date events, shows and more activities check out http://www.flatheadevents.net.