They're dancing in the piney woods under the midsummer moon, and Stage Door Jonny does not mean elfish rings or fairy circles or men's movement maniacs. Jonny refers to summer stock theaters, those old barns and outdoor amphitheatres where thespians hold forth and hold summer tourists in their sway.
The history and tradition of summer stock theater in the upper Midwest now spans the better part of a century, and while some traditional stock companies still can be found in old barns, other warm-weather operations are festival theaters presenting the classics in rotating repertory. Whatever business model the 'straw-hat theaters' follow, there are any number of them within a few hours' drive of Chicago. Here are some of Jonny's favorites, arranged alphabetically by state. Check their Web sites for performance details; ticket discounts and packages; and information on dining, lodging and sightseeing. Ticket prices below are for adult single tickets.
ILLINOIS
Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Bloomington—For its 30th anniversary season, the Illinois Shakespeare Festival ( ISF ) presents Much Ado About Nothing, Henry V and Love's Labour's Lost in rotating rep, June 27-Aug. 12. The ISF boasts a purpose-built open air theater ( good sightlines, good seats ) on the grounds of Ewing Manor, a handsome private estate with formal Elizabethan and Japanese gardens. Picnic on the grounds ( bring your own or buy there ) and enjoy strolling madrigal singers. Kids welcome. The ISF often features top Chicago actors and directors. 309-438-8110; www.thefestival.org; $24-$40. Bloomington boasts numerous Victorian B&Bs plus excellent antiquing.
Little Theatre On The Square, Sullivan—The troupe founded by Guy Little, Jr., a local farmer's boy, celebrates its 50th anniversary with a June 6-Aug. 19 schedule of five musicals, among them Hairspray, My Fair Lady and La Cage Aux Folles. The theater—on a classic 19th-century town square—is a one-time movie house long since converted to air-conditioned live theater use and gut-rehabbed and updated just two years ago. 217-728-7375; www.thelittletheatre.org; $24-$27. Sullivan is in central Illinois Amish country, close to the recreations of Lake Shelby.
INDIANA
Round Barn Theatre, Amish Acres, Nappanee—The handsome, cathedral-like 1911 round barn was salvaged and converted to a theater by Amish Acres, a complex of historic rural buildings celebrating Indiana's strong Amish heritage. Indeed, as you approach Nappanee you'll see plenty of horses-and-buggies and neat-as-a-pin farms. The Round Barn runs April-December. Its summer shows are Pump Boys and Dinettes, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Plain and Fancy, an Amish-themed 1950s musical that runs in rep with other shows. 800-800-4942; www.amishacres.com; $27.50. You can just see the show, or see the show and eat a gargantuan Thresher Dinner, or spend a day for the complete Amish Acres experience ( buy a handmade broom and bring home a pie ) . Lots of antiques in Nappanee.
MICHIGAN
Barn Theatre, Augusta—The Ragotzy family has operated the Barn Theatre for 62 years! The big, red dairy barn ( long since an air-conditioned theater ) offers six classic summer stock musicals and comedies, May through August, and boasts Tom Wopat, Marin Mazzie, Jennifer Garner and Jonathan Larson ( author of Rent ) among its alums. There's plenty of parking on the barn lawn and a bar with an after-show cabaret performance. This is genuine, classic straw-hat theater. 269-731-1421; www.barntheatre.com; $29. Augusta is half way between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, which offer the best motel/hotel options. If you're in Saugatuck or South Haven, it's an easy shot through Michigan wine country.
Mason Street Warehouse, Saugatuck—In its fifth season, the Mason Street Warehouse in downtown Saugatuck is the new kid on the summer theater block and offers repertoire far less familiar than most. The June 22-Sept. 9 season includes the regional premiere of the satirical boy-band musical Altar Boyz and Nicky Silver's edgy Off-Broadway comedy The Food Chain, plus a British murder mystery musical, Lucky Stiff, and a show that recycles 1960s pop tunes, Shout: The Mod Musical. 269-857-4898; www.masonstreetwarehouse.org; $24-$36.50. Offering full resort town amenities, the Saugatuck/Douglas area is a major gay destination that can be reached by car or boat.
WISCONSIN
American Folklore Theatre, Fish Creek—Located in Door County, American Folklore Theatre ( AFT ) specializes in family-friendly musicals based on Americana, performed in rotating rep and running 90 minutes, max. A Cabin with a View, a world premiere based on E. M. Forster's A Room with a View, highlights AFT's 17th season, June 12-Aug. 25. AFT performances are outdoors in Peninsula State Park. 920-854-6117; www.folkloretheatre.com; $16. There's no charge to enter the park just for the show, but a day fee applies if you wish to camp in the park or enjoy its many attractions ( hiking, beach, swimming, golf, boating, etc. ) . Accommodations in Fish Creek and nearby Door County towns are heavily booked in advance, so plan accordingly.
American Players Theatre, Spring Green—For its 38th season, the region's outstanding classical festival offers three Shakespeares, one Shaw and a rare excursion into mid-20th-century drama, Tennessee Williams' The Night of the Iguana, June 9-Oct. 7, directed by popular Chicago actor William Brown. All five shows will run in rotating rep from August onwards in the spacious outdoor amphitheatre, located on 110 wooded acres near the Wisconsin River. American Players Theatre ( APT ) welcomes picnics ( bring or buy ) and barbeques ( grills provided ) but bans kids under six. 608-588-2361; www.playinthewoods.org; $35-$53. Close to Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin and that monument to bad taste, the House on the Rock, APT is wheelchair accessible and offers listening assistance for the hearing impaired. Some good antiquing in still-bucolic downtown Spring Green.
Door Shakespeare, Bailey's Harbor—Located on the quieter Eastern side of the Door Peninsula, Door Shakespeare presents its ninth season on the wooded, lakeside grounds of Bjorklunden vid Sjon, a tranquil 405-acre former private estate. Shakespeare's The Tempest and Moliere's Tartuffe will play outdoors in rotating rep, July 12-Aug. 19. Kids and picnics both are encouraged. 920-839-1500; www.doorshakespeare.com; $22. The troupe's Web site includes links to the complete texts of both plays. Door Shakespeare and American Folklore Theatre both were founded by the late, much-honored Fred Alley.
Peninsula Players, Fish Creek—Door County boasts three professional theaters and the Peninsula Players is the granddaddy of them all, presenting its 72nd season, June 19-Oct. 14. At press time, announced shows were the psychological thriller Angel Street, a world premiere comedy, Unnecessary Farce, the popular musical The Little Shop of Horrors and veteran leading lady Carmen Roman in Doubt. The impressively rebuilt theater pavilion—far better for actors and more secure and comfortable for audiences—is in its second year. The traditional pre-show sunset watch over Green Bay and post-show bonfire are still around. 920-868-3287; www.peninsulaplayers.com; $28.25-$31.25. For 2007, all shows are at 8 p.m., except Sundays. Picnics welcome ( bring your own ) ; bar on the grounds.
The above troupes are Jonny's favorites, but they aren't the only summer-stock options. In Northwest Illinois, not far from the Mississippi Palisades State Park and Galena, there's the Timber Lake Playhouse in Mt. Carroll offering an indoor summer season of musicals and comedy. In Kentucky, southern Illinois and southern Indiana, one can find outdoor pageants, some featuring hundreds of performers, celebrating Mormon history in Illinois ( Nauvoo, Ill. ) , Abe Lincoln ( Evansville, Ind. ) and Stephen Foster ( Beardstown, Ky. ) . Be sure to check local tourism guides as you vacation this summer.
And remember: Bugs like outdoor theater, too, so bring some insect repellant and, always, a jacket or sweater against the chilly night air.
