Civic, Firth Chew announce stage lineups for 2009-10

The Spokane Civic Theatre has announced its 2009-10 season and here’s a hint: It includes a milkman named Tevye, a broad named Roxie and a cowgirl named Annie.

This is the Main Stage lineup:

•“Fiddler on the Roof,” the beloved musical about Tevye and his daughters. Sept. 25 to Oct. 25.

•“Chess” In Concert, the 1980s musical about a love triangle at a chess match, written by the ABBA guys. Oct. 30 and 31.

•“A Tuna Christmas” and “Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” performed in repertory. One is a raucous redneck comedy, the other is a beloved holiday family story. Nov. 20 to Dec. 20.

•“Chicago,” the sexy Kander and Ebb musical about mobsters in the Roaring ’20s, featuring two upstanding citizens named Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart. Jan. 15-Feb. 7, 2010.

•“Steel Magnolias,” the cut ’n’ curl comedy-drama about the women in a Southern hair salon. Feb. 26 to March 21, 2010.

•“Escanaba in da Moonlight,” a farce about a group of guys at a Michigan deer camp, written by actor-playwright Jeff Daniels (“Dumb and Dumber,” “Purple Rose of Cairo”). April 9 to 25, 2010.

•“Annie Get Your Gun,” the Irving Berlin musical about Annie Oakley and her gunslinging adventures. May 21 to June 20, 2010.

Meanwhile, here’s the lineup downstairs at the Firth Chew Studio Theatre:

•“String of Pearls,” a comedy-drama by Michele Lowe about a pearl necklace that is passed down through many hands. Oct. 23 to Nov. 15

•“Sylvia,” A.R. Gurney’s wildly popular play about a man and his dog – and the dog is played by an actress. Jan. 29 to Feb. 21, 2010.

•“The Spitfire Grill,” a musical set in a diner in rural Wisconsin. March 17 to April 11, 2010.

•“Lips Together, Teeth Apart,” a biting comedy-drama by Terrence McNally. April 30 to May 23, 2010.

Subscriptions will be available in March.

‘Wired’ turns ‘Coyote’

The former Wired 96.9, aka KEZE-FM, switched last weekend to a new format that … well, here’s a hint: The Web site advises listeners to “set those pre-sets in your truck.”

Yes, it’s the New Coyote Country 96.9.

The station used to be heavy on the hip-hop. The station’s Top 10 list now includes Trace Adkins, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, George Strait and James Otto.

Roger Nelson, market manager for the KXLY Radio Group, which owns the station, called it a “strategic move.” He said Coyote Country will introduce a stable of local radio personalities within a few months, and also will do lots of promotion.

The station ranked 12th in the most recent Arbitron ratings, under its old “rhythmic hits” format.

This will be the third country station in Spokane – fourth if you count KICR-FM out of Sandpoint.

A ‘Stars on Ice’ preview

“Smucker’s Stars on Ice” is coming to the Spokane Arena on Jan. 23. Meanwhile, today at 1 p.m., you can get a sneak preview on NBC.

This will be the network unveiling of the new tour, titled “On the Edge,” before it hits the road for Spokane, which is the first stop. The tour will feature Sasha Cohen, Ilia Kulik and Todd Eldredge.

Baez in Sandpoint

Joan Baez, a true folk icon, is coming to Sandpoint’s Panida Theater on March 22 at 7:30 p.m.

She has been creating beautiful music for 50 years and is riding high with an acclaimed album, “Day After Tomorrow,” produced by Steve Earle.

Tickets are $45 and have already vanished in the Sandpoint ticket locations, but some still are available at 4000 Holes in Spokane and The Long Ear in Coeur d’Alene.

Gospel in the Cathedral

Here’s a rousing event: Gospel in the Cathedral, a benefit for the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center, next Sunday at 6 p.m. at St. John’s Cathedral, 12th Avenue and Grand Boulevard.

It will feature the Spokane Community Gospel Mass Choir, featuring Sharon Cowan, the Montana Trombone Chorale and the Bethel B.A.S.I.C. Gospel Singers, featuring Elisha Mitchell.

Tickets are $10, available at the cathedral bookstore, the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center or through TicketsWest outlets (509-325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com). Tickets will also be available at the door.

No ‘Fences’

Interplayers has postponed its reading stage production of “Fences,” the August Wilson Pulitzer-winning play, scheduled for Jan. 15 to 19.

Interplayers gave weather as the reason for the delay. It has been pushed back to unspecified dates in the spring.

That means their next production will be “Cowgirls,” Jan. 29 to Feb. 14.

Trower time

Robin Trower, the former guitarist for Procol Harum and the man known for the song “Bridge of Sighs,” has been booked into the Knitting Factory on May 11.

Tickets are $24, through TicketsWest.

Allegro at the Bing

Here’s an important addition to the winter arts calendar: Allegro’s “A Tale of Two Dynasties,” Friday, 8 p.m. at the Bing Crosby Theater.

Early music specialists Anthony Martin, baroque violin, and John Dornenburg, viola da gamba, will join Allegro’s Beverly Biggs and David Dutton.

The two dynasties of the title are the Bach family and Couperin family.

Tickets range from $10 to $25, available online at www.allegrobaroque.org or by calling (509) 455-6865.