Full program for local theaters: Shows range from charming to philosophical

After a relatively quiet summer on most area stages, theater season is about to start up in full force again. Here’s a rundown of some of the local and touring productions hitting Spokane theaters in the coming months.

Sept. 2 – The upcoming season of the Modern Theater Spokane opens with the self-referential “[title of show].” It’s a one-act musical about the creation of a one-act musical, documenting a team of creatives composing an original piece for a big city theater competition. Written by Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell, who are characters within the play, the show will play at Ella’s Cabaret Club, 1017 W. First Ave., through Sept. 17. Tickets are available at www.themoderntheater.org.

Sept. 9 – Spokane Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard St., kicks off its 70th season with “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” a stage adaptation of the animated classic. It runs through Oct. 9, and tickets are available through TicketsWest. On the stage at the Modern Coeur d’Alene, 1320 E. Garden Ave., is “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” the irreverent, Tony-winning musical comedy that employs improv and audience participation. It closes on Oct. 2. “Freud’s Last Session,” a historical drama that envisions a session between the famed psychoanalyst and writer C.S. Lewis, will be staged at Gonzaga University on Sept. 9 and 10. Tickets can be purchased at www.gonzaga.edu.

Sept. 16 – The original drama “On Shaky Ground,” in which a natural disaster interrupts the lives of the residents in a San Francisco apartment complex, makes its premiere at Ignite Community Theatre, 10814 E. Broadway Ave. Written by longtime Spokane radio personality Molly Allen, the show runs through Oct. 2. Tickets are available at www.igniteonbroadway.org.

Sept. 23 – John Kander and Fred Ebb’s “Chicago,” which was originally choreographed by co-writer Bob Fosse, is set to glitz up the Modern Spokane, 174 S. Howard St. The story of spurned women, vaudevillians, prison matrons, slicksters and hucksters inspired an Oscar-winning 2002 film adaptation, and it runs through Oct. 23.

Oct. 14 – An underground cult curiosity turned mainstream favorite, “The Rocky Horror Show” opens in the Civic’s studio theater just in time for Halloween. In keeping with midnight movie tradition, the show will offer late night showtimes. Its run ends on Nov. 5. Opening at Stage Left, 108 W. Third Ave., is “A Piece of My Heart,” which examines the Vietnam War from the perspective of six women. It runs through Oct. 30; tickets are available at www.spokanestageleft.org.

Oct. 21 – The intense, Pulitzer Prize-winning drama “ ’night, Mother” opens at the Modern Coeur d’Alene, running through Nov. 6. The two-person show focuses on a recently divorced woman who tells her widowed mother that she plans to commit suicide.

Oct. 28 – The Civic’s season continues with Tennessee Williams’ iconic “A Streetcar Named Desire,” generally considered one of the all-time great dramas. The Southern gothic concerns the emotional deterioration of Blanche DuBois, whose well-being is challenged by her brutish brother-in-law Stanley Kowalski. “Streetcar” runs through Nov. 13. Renowned character actor Julian Sands appears in “A Celebration of Harold Pinter,” which makes its way to Washington State University’s Jones Theatre for a special, one-night-only performance. Directed by John Malkovich, the show features Sands’ readings of the Nobel Prize-winning playwright’s poetry. Tickets are available through TicketsWest.

Nov. 4 – The “Hit and Run” series, now in its 10th year, is a showcase for one-act comic plays hosted by local writer Sandra Hosking. This year’s production will be a retrospective of the series’ highlights. Performances are at Stage Left through Nov. 6. The Modern Spokane opens the drama “Stop Kiss,” the story of two women who are assaulted by a man on their first date. The Modern Spokane will produce it at a venue to be determined; it runs through Nov. 13.

Nov. 9 – The Best of Broadway series continues to bring an exceptional mix of touring productions to the INB Performing Arts Center, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. The season opens with “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” which chronicles the early life and career of the influential singer-songwriter. The show runs through Nov. 13, and season tickets are now available through TicketsWest.

Nov. 11 – Set in the Ozarks and revolving around a family-run fishing lodge, “Farce of Nature” runs through Nov. 27 at Ignite. It was written by the trio of Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, who are best known for penning “The Dixie Swim Club.”

Nov. 25 – The latest entry in the ongoing “Forever Plaid” musical series, the holiday-themed “Plaid Tidings” is designed to get you into the Christmas spirit a month early. The show runs through Dec. 18 at the Civic Theatre. The Modern Spokane brings back “All is Calm” for its annual Christmas show. The musical tells the story of the 1914 Christmas truce.