From left, Jessica Trainer, Fiona Clark, Maddisyn Mastrud, Desi Thrower rehearse a scene from "The Merry Wives of Windsor." 

Time was that the Central Oregon theater scene went more or less dark in the summertime, but anymore there’s plenty to keep theatergoers, well, going to the theater, which we remind you is dark, air-conditioned and a lovely place to go when the weather is hot.

This week is particularly busy, with the three following shows opening in Central Oregon: an American tragedy, a classic comedy and a whimsical childhood fantasy.

‘Death of a Salesman’ in Bend

Sunriver Stars has been treading the boards south of Bend for over a decade, often opting for lighthearted comedies and seasonal fare. They’re getting serious this week with their performance of the uniquely American tragedy “Death of a Salesman.” Besides the fact that they’re tackling the Pulitzer Prize-winning Arthur Miller classic in which 60-something salesman Willy Loman, past his career peek, experiences the hard way the collision of age and capitalism, the Stars are putting on their first-ever show in Bend.

“I think this show is important because it tackles the subject matter of the American Dream,” director Joshua Billeter said in a press release announcing the production. “On the surface this family has it all, a house, a car and is able to make ends meet; but there is more than meets the eye once we dig into this family.”

“Death of a Salesman” will be staged at Unity Spiritual Community, 63645 Scenic Drive, Bend. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through July 26, with an additional closing matinee at 2 p.m. July 27. Tickets are $20 and are available at sunriverstars.org.

‘Merry Wives of Windsor’ hits the road

Guerrilla Shakespeare Company is back with its eighth summer Shakespeare production, in which it presents one of The Bard’s plays in various locations around Central Oregon.

This time out, it’s the comedy “The Merry Wives of Windsor.”

“This story is the comedic romantic misadventures of Shakespeare’s Falstaff. Falstaff tries to woo two wives to gain their husbands’ money, yet they are aware of his advances and play multiple pranks on him,” said director Raechel Gilland. Of course, being Shakespeare, there’s a lot more going on beyond the surface plot in this abridged version, which has been streamlined for actors and audiences and clocks in at about one hour.

Guerrilla Shakespeare has long partnered with the Deschutes Historical Museum, where it begins its seven-performance run at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Saturday’s performance is at 7:30 p.m. in Pioneer Park in Bend. Sunday finds the troupe at General Duffy’s Waterhole in Redmond for a 3 p.m. matinee. The July 25 show is at 7:30 p.m. Bendistillery, and July 27, it wraps up at Alpenglow Park in Bend, also at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20 in advance at 3common.com, $25 the day of performance.

“Bring a chair, blanket, snacks and come laugh with us as we have a little fun and play a few pranks,” Gilland said.

‘The Wizard of Oz’ sans monkeys

As a little kid, this future reporter found the flying monkeys in the famed Judy Garland version of “The Wizard of Oz” terrifying. And don’t judge by jaded weirdo sensibilities: Those winged primates from hell were supposed to be frightening if you hadn’t had your sensitivities pummeled by repeated exposure to depictions of horrible stuff.

“Me too,” said Bree Beal of B.E.A.T. Children’s Theater. “I specifically chose a monkey-free version of the story,” performances of which start Friday at Cascades Theatre (148 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend). Over the next two weekends, the production will be staged at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, concluding July 28.

“While most every theatergoer is familiar with the musical version of ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ and many of us grew up with the various Hollywood versions, BEAT chose a lesser-known, non-musical script. Our hope is that by selecting a different version, and one that is closer to the original book, our actors would be free to explore their own take on the beloved characters,” Beal added. “And they have done an amazing job.”

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students, seniors and veterans, and are available at beatchildrenstheatre.org.

But wait there’s more

Keep your eyes open for Theater in the Park’s “Mamma Mia!” on Aug. 16 and 17, and Thoroughly Modern Productions’ ”Seussical the Musical” Aug. 15 through 18.