CdA Theatre celebrating 40th year

In 1967, the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre was born when it mounted a production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Carousel.”

The theater grew into the region’s premier professional summer-stock theater.

Now, the CdA Summer Theatre will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a lavish concert version of “Carousel,” Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. each night, at North Idaho College’s Schuler Auditorium.

The show will feature a 28-piece orchestra and the 60-member North Idaho College Chorale. The music director is Max Mendez.

Director Roger Welch has gathered together many of the best performers from the theater’s history, including Krista Kubicek, Kelly Quinnett, Callie McKinney Cabe, Mark Cotter, Todd Jasmin, Jennifer Niederloh, Jadd Davis, Robby French, Jessi Little and Molly Allen Ritter. Billy Bigelow will be played by New York actor David Jon Wilson.

Call (208) 769-7780 or (800) 423-2849 for tickets, $40 reserved.

Meanwhile, here’s one other reason “Carousel” is a fitting choice for a celebration: Since 1967, the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre has also been known as the Carrousel Players.