Tracy Poindexter-Canton

Dean Regan’s “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline” offers an intimate, nostalgic stroll through much of Cline’s music but keeps the audience at an arm’s length in revealing the inspiration behind her signature songs. Directed by Jhon Goodwin at Spokane Civic Theatre’s Firth J. Chew Studio Theatre, the show is the second of two jukebox musicals about the country legend to grace Spokane’s local theater scene this season. Similar to “Always … Patsy Cline,” presented last month by Interplayers Professional Theatre, “A Closer Walk” provides well-sung and skillfully orchestrated interpretations of Cline’s spellbinding compositions.

We’re all familiar with the oldies “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Sherry” and “Oh, What a Night,” but few know much about the four men behind these hits – until now, thanks to the Tony Award-winning, international Broadway phenomenon “Jersey Boys.” Subtitled “The Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons,” “Jersey Boys” is an irresistible musical biography of a hugely successful pop group – and one of the best jukebox musicals to date.

Nearly a decade later, Interplayers Theatre brings back its tried-and-true production of Ted Swindley’s musical revue “Always … Patsy Cline.” It’s hard to imagine the theater’s wildly popular 2003 show – whose run was extended twice – could’ve been any more heartwarming and worthwhile than the current production, starring Cheyenne Nelson playing one of the 20th century’s most celebrated female vocalists. The show triumphs mostly because of Nelson’s ability to convey Patsy Cline’s distinct, full-bodied contralto vocals and emotional honesty. Its success also depends on the overall easy delivery of Swindley’s interesting storyline, centering on the real-life friendship and pen-pal relationship Cline developed with fan Louise Seger in 1961, until her tragic death in a plane crash at the age of 30, in 1963.

Conveyed with raw intensity, Lake City Playhouse presents its preseason production, “Spring Awakening.” The mature-themed rock musical by Duncan Sheik (music) and Steven Sater (book and lyrics), adapted from Frank Wedekind’s 1891 controversial play of the same name, offers an emotionally stirring depiction of teenagers grappling with sexuality in a society where such a matter is not discussed. The play also sheds light on other taboo topics, including abortion, homosexuality, child abuse, incest and suicide – how education and religious values intersect with these issues as well as the consequences when they aren’t addressed.

Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre really hams it up, or rather “Spams” it up, in its latest production, “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” directed by Roger Welch. The jaunty score of this Tony Award-winning musical by John Du Prez and Eric Idle only makes the trademark gags it incorporates from the 1975 British comedy film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” all the more saucy.

“Hello, I'm Johnny Cash.” With Southern hospitality, this is how we meet the cast of “Ring of Fire,” the latest production from Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre. Each of the six actors – three men and three women – steps to the microphone to deliver Cash’s signature greeting. From there, it’s a high-energy musical extravaganza and endearing tribute to the country and rock ’n’ roll legend whose music spans genres and generations.

As expected, Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre’s 45th anniversary season is off to a promising start with its perky and spirited production of “Hello Dolly.” Hollywood veterans and husband-and-wife duo Ellen Travolta and Jack Bannon return to the summer stage reprising their lead roles from the professional musical theater’s 2000 production. They reunite with director Roger Welch, musical director Steven Dahlke and choreographer Mike Ericson Wasileski, as well as actors Krista Kubicek and Callie McKinney Cabe.

That old Disney magic will once again have you under its spell in the latest stage production to hit Spokane, “Mary Poppins.” Like Disney’s previous Broadway successes, “The Lion King” and “Beauty and the Beast,” this production is high-quality and delightfully stunning in sight and sound.

Zing plus mischief equals office politics a go-go in Lake City Playhouse’s production of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” Frank Loesser’s award-winning comedic, musical satire of American big business in the 1960s. The story centers on J. Pierrepont Finch, an ambitious window washer who – supplied with charm, wit, manipulation and a how-to book – swiftly climbs the World Wide Wicket Building’s corporate ladder.

After a 28-year hiatus from the Spokane Civic Theatre stage, “Annie” returns with a glorious bang. Directed by Yvonne A.K. Johnson, the show exudes the uplifting and heartfelt spirit of Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin and Thomas Meehan’s 1977 Broadway hit – a quintessential rags-to-riches story based on Harold Gray’s “Little Orphan Annie” comic strip about the adventures of a redheaded orphan girl and her dog, Sandy, set during the Great Depression.

Spokane Civic Theatre’s director Wes Deitrick, cast and crew try their best to add sparkle to Dale Wasserman’s lackluster satirical comedy “Premiere.” This is not to say Wasserman wasn’t a phenomenal playwright. Before his death in 2008 at the age of 94, Wasserman wrote numerous scripts for film, television and theater. Most notably, he wrote the book for the Tony Award-winning 1966 musical, “Man of La Mancha” and created a 1963 stage adaption of Ken Kesey’s novel, “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” It’s just unfortunate that his final play is so underwhelming.

Infused with hip-hop rhyme and Latin rhythm, “In the Heights” is “muy excitante.” During its three-year run on Broadway, the show earned two Drama Desk Awards in 2007, four Tony Awards including Best Musical, a Grammy Award for Best Show Album in 2008, and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2009.

It’s all fun and games until somebody shoots a celestial being in Spokane Civic Theatre’s “Duck Hunter Shoots Angel.” Kathie Doyle-Lipe directs an applaudable production of the comedy by Mitch Albom, award-winning sports columnist and author of the best-selling books “Tuesdays with Morrie” and “The Five People You Meet in Heaven.”

Showmanship and swingin’ music flourish in Lake City Playhouse’s “Pete ’n’ Keely.” Cabaret singer and local theater veteran Abbey Crawford directs and performs in this entertaining production of James Hindman, Patrick S. Brady and Mark Waldrop’s well-received off-Broadway musical. Crawford reunites with musical director Carolyn Jess; the two were also part of the Actors Repertory Theatre’s production of this show in Spokane in 2008.

Zany antics and shenanigans abound in “Bingo,” an interactive experience that involves bingo playing, friendship and not-so-friendly competition. Spokane Civic Theatre Director Scott Doughty provides a rip-roaring interpretation of Michael Heitzman, Ilene Reid and David Holcenberg’s new musical comedy.

Based on the literary masterpiece, “The Count of Monte Cristo” spins the ultimate tale of treachery, romance, adventure and revenge. Yvonne A.K. Johnson effectively directs the Spokane Civic Theatre’s production of Alexandre Dumas’ mid-19th-century adventure novel, adapted to the stage by Charles Morey. Set mostly in France following the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte’s empire, the story focuses on Edmond Dantes, a merchant sailor who is falsely imprisoned, manages to escape from jail, retrieves a fortune of buried treasure, and devises a grand scheme of revenge on the men who conspired against him.

Disney fans of all ages will delight in the current touring production of “Beauty and the Beast” for the following reasons: • Its lighthearted retelling of a beloved, romantic fairy tale and animated smash.

Spokane Civic Theatre director Marianne McLaughlin and musical director Benjamin Bentler deliver a satisfying version of Carol Hall’s musical “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” chock-full of spot-on comedic timing and catchy honky-tonk melodies. The 1978 musical comedy was a winner of numerous Tony and Drama Desk awards and was adapted into a 1982 film of the same name starring Dolly Parton, Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuise. Based on the book by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson – and a real-life brothel that existed in La Grange, Texas – the show tells the story of a beloved Texas brothel, the Chicken Ranch, that the town sheriff fights to keep open when an investigative TV reporter threatens to get it shut down.

If you fancy filthy language, dirty jokes and pure, unadulterated inappropriateness, then “Young Frankenstein” is the show for you. The touring production of the Mel Brooks musical comedy, based on his 1974 hit film, manages to maintain most of the shtick, cheekiness and zany characters the movie made famous.

Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre’s current production of the “The Sound of Music,” directed by Kirk Mouser, delightfully captures the charm of one of the most treasured musicals of American theater. Steven Dahlke triumphantly directs the 19-piece orchestra in translating Rodgers and Hammerstein’s signature repertoire of arias, enchanting waltzes and whimsical folk music.

With its vivid music, chants, dancing and Caribbean rhythms, “Once on this Island” is storytelling at its finest. Under the direction of Roger Welch, the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre’s current production is a pleasing rendition of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s popular Broadway show.