There is no better way to spend an evening out than to sit back, relax and take in a show, particularly with the array of live theaters in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Some make you laugh, some make you cry, but they all keep you entertained.

• Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre is a professional theater specializing in musical productions. The company, based at Shenandoah University and comprising Shenandoah students and alumni as well as professional actors, presents four musicals each summer. The 2008 season includes "Singin' in the Rain"; "Fiddler on the Roof"; "Jesus Christ Superstar," running July 9 to 20; and "The Producers," which will run July 23 to Aug. 3. All performances are held in the 634-seat Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre, which opened on the university campus in 1998. Ticket prices are $27 for adults and students on Friday and Saturday, $26 on all other nights, and $24 for seniors, children and matinees. Season subscriptions range from $89 to $92. 665-4569. www.celebratessmt.com
• The Winchester Little Theatre is a nonprofit, all-volunteer community organization. Formed more than 77 years ago, the theater has called the 97-seat old Pennsylvania Railroad Station at 315 W. Boscawen St. home for more than 30 years. The theater presents four main productions each year, and auditions are open to the public. For the 2008-2009 season, the theater will perform "Picnic," which will run Sept. 5 to 20; "Moon over Buffalo," which will run Nov. 7 to 22; "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play," which will run Dec. 12 to 14; "Grace and Glorie," which runs Jan. 9 to 18, 2009; "Something to Hide," which will run March 6 to 21, 2009; "Funny Money," which will run May 8 to 23, 2009; and "Alice in Wonderland," which will run in July 2009.

  Ticket prices are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, $14 for students and $58 for a season subscription. 662-3331. www.wltonline.org



• The Wayside Theatre in Middletown, now in its 47th season, is the second-oldest professional theater company in the state. Established in 1961 by local businessman Leo M. Bernstein, the Wayside Theatre has become a nonprofit, regional professional theater that operates under an Actors' Equity Association contract.

  The 2008-2009 season will feature "Always Patsy Cline," which will run July 12 to Aug. 30; "Moonlight and Magnolias," which will run from Aug. 8 to 24; "Unnecessary Farce," which will run Sept. 6 to 27; "The Mousetrap," which will run Oct. 11 to Nov. 8; "Virginia Ghost Stories," which will run from Oct. 24 to Nov. 1; "A Christmas Carol, the Musical," which will run from Nov. 29 to Dec. 28; "Life and Legends: The Musical Stories of Harry Chapin," which will run Jan. 31 to March 14, 2009; "Cotton Patch Gospel," which will run March 21 to April 25; and "The Comedy of Errors," which will run March 27 to April 4, 2009.

  Ticket prices range from $23 to $28. 869-1776. www.waysidetheatre.org



• The Shenandoah Conservatory offers vocal, instrumental, dance and theatrical performances during the academic year. Vocal performances include music theater, opera, jazz and traditional choral music. Nine large instrumental ensembles perform classical and jazz music. There are also many small chamber groups. Dance ensembles offer ballet and modern and jazz dance performances.
  
  Ticket prices vary by performance. All performances are held on the Shenandoah University campus. 665-4600. www.su.edu