Several theater adventures are available in the area in addition to Minot's university and community groups.

Consider trips to New Rockford, historic Fort Totten near Devils Lake, Frost Fire Theater at Walhalla or to Estevan, Sask.

Director Deb Belquist at New Rockford's Dakota Prairie Regional Center for the Arts expects 2009 to be the biggest season yet for the troupe, winner of this year's Governor's award for the Arts.

The troupe opens with "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do," a musical featuring the music of Neil Sedaka, July 1 at their theater in New Rockford, with the "Don't Hug Me County Fair" running Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 25 to Oct.25.

"'Breaking Up' is a wonderful show, set in a Catskills resort in 1960," Belquist said. "Lois and Marge, friends from Brooklyn, search for romance on a Labor Day weekend."

The score showcases 19 Sedaka classic songs including "Where the Boys Are," "Sweet Sixteen" and "Calendar Girl" in addition to the chart-topping title song. Performances are at 8 p.m. July 1-3 and July 8-10 and at 2:30 p.m. July 4 and 5. The run continues with shows at 8 p.m. most Tuesdays through Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sunday matinees through the finale Aug. 16. There are no performances July 11 or July 25.

Tickets, $19 each, can be booked by calling 947-2174 or online at (www.dprca.com).

The troupe, which raised funds for building repairs with a talent show in May and a gospel celebration May 17, will take part in the North Dakota Humanities Council's "Big Read" in September. Jackie Bakken's Norwegian hardanger embroidery will be on display Sept. 25 to Oct. 4 at the theater.

Souris Valley Theatre

Estevan's professional live theater, the Souris Valley Theatre, also plans a big summer in celebration of its 20th season. They will reprise "Volstead Blues," a Prohibition-era vaudeville show July 2 through July 19. The show, which depicts Estevan's "rum-running days," is directed by Jeff Pufahl. It was written by Billy Morton and Randy Apostle, with songs by Billy Morton.

Souris Valley Theatre's second show of the season, July 23-Aug. 2, celebrates another Canadian treasure, singer Anne Murray, a musical tribute by Scott Burke. The show, which premiered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in February, also is directed by Pufahl.

Performances are at Frehlick Hall on the west side of Estevan at Woodlawn Regional Park. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Central Standard Time.

Tickets, which cost $19 to $21 for adults or $14 to $16 for children, are available at Hender's Drugs in Estevan (306) 634-3666 or at the gate when available.

Other events

"My Fair Lady" is the 2009 offering for the Fort Totten Little Theater. The show opens July 1 and runs through July 26, with performances at 7 p.m. each Wednesday through Saturday at 7 p.m. Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. There will be no July 4 performance.

Tickets, $18 each, are available by calling the theater at 662-8888.

Frost Fire Theater at Walhalla, will open its 25th season this week, is producing "Fiddler on the Roof,"

The actors will perform each weekend through Aug. 2, with shows at 2 and 6 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sunday. There also will be one Wednesday matinee at 2 p.m. July 29.

Tickets at Frost Fire are $25 for adults or $12 for children.

Frost Fire Theater in the unique and beautiful Pembina Gorge area can be contacted for reservations or information at (www.frostfiretheatre.com) or by calling 549-3600.