It’s a grand season for CdA theater

Add two French titles together – “La Cage Aux Folles” and “Les Miserables” – and the result could be la plus grande saison – the biggest season ever – for the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre.

Both of those shows are enormously ambitious for a regional summer-stock theater, especially “Les Miserables.”

“It has never been done by regional theaters – only national tours and some high school productions,” said Roger Welch, the CdA Summer Theatre’s artistic director. “But they decided for one chunk of time to release the rights to a select group of theaters. We got chosen as one of those theaters by Cameron Mackintosh (the producer).”

How did Welch react when his theater was selected?

“We snapped it up and then went, ‘Oh God, what did we do?’ “

“Les Miz” is a famously expensive and complicated show, but Welch promised that it will be “as majestic as we can make it, based on the budget.” Yes, they are renting a revolving stage.

Here’s a look at the 2008 season:

• “All Shook Up” – The Elvis jukebox musical. (See accompanying story). Saturday-June 21.

• “La Cage Aux Folles” – The flamboyant musical version of the French film about two middle-aged partners who own a drag club in St. Tropez. American audiences might remember it as “The Birdcage,” a 1996 remake. It will have “spectacular costumes,” said Welch, rented from a theater in Arizona, and lots of big musical numbers. Welch called it a “huge audience pleaser” and said that, at its core, it’s “about family values and doing what’s best for your child.” June 27-July 12.

• “Once Upon a Mattress” – The 1959 Mary Rodgers musical based on the fairy tale, “The Princess and the Pea.” This musical made Carol Burnett a star, and in this production, Princess Winifred will be played by Seattle actress Kat Ramsburg. July 19-Aug. 2.

• “Les Miserables” – The renowned musical based on Victor Hugo’s epic novel about love and revolution in 19th century France. The CdA Summer Theatre will recreate the barricade set and the whirling-turntable staging. The director will be Kirk Mouser, a veteran of the national tours. He’ll bring in Douglas Webster, as Jean Valjean, a role he has played on Broadway and on national tour, and Geoffrey Blaisdell as Javert, which he has played on national tour. In addition, you’ll hear the full orchestration, live from the pit. Aug. 9-23.

The word is already spreading – the theater has sold nearly 5,000 season tickets, already exceeding its goal, said Welch.

Season tickets and single-show tickets are still available by calling (800) 4-CDATIX or (208) 769-7780.