Springtime is theater time! While Sunday's burst of summer weather has probably got you hankering to pull out the canoe, the likelihood of rain this weekend is the perfect excuse to head to the theater.

It's a light week in Washtenaw County, so I'll include one show that is worth traveling for. This is a show outside the regular coverage area for this column, but one that should be good enough to justify the extra mileage. (And gas!)

Theater listings for the week of April 11 - 17 Show: Kickoff Party for Shakespeare West, One-time event - April 16 Company: Blackbird Theatre Type of Company: Professional Non-Equity* Recommended ages: All Description: This gathering of the Blackbird Theatre's staff, patrons, and community will introduce Shakespeare West, a new summer-long outdoor theater festival. Cocktails on the Aut Bar patio start at 6 p.m., and then patrons will walk down to West Park for a preview of this summer's events. Fun fact: The newly renovated West Park will reopen soon and features new outdoor amphitheater style seating across from the refurbished bandshell. The Shakespeare West series is as ambitious as they come, especially for an inaugural effort. As planned, it's shaping up to be Michigan's largest outdoor theater festival, with five productions running from June to September. For tickets and information: www.blackbirdtheatre.org

Holland Mariah Grossman as Fiona MacLaren and Joe Carroll as Tommy Albright in "Brigadoon."

photo by Peter Smith Photography

Show: "Brigadoon," book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, music by Frederick Loewe, April 14-April 17 Company: UM School of Music, Theatre & Dance, Department of Musical Theatre Type of company: Higher education Recommended ages: All Description: Premiering in 1947, "Brigadoon" established the team of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe as one of the most successful songwriting duos in the Golden Age of musical theater. Filled with memorable songs such as "The Heather on the Hill," "Come to Me, Bend to Me" and "Almost Like Being in Love"; Lerner and Loewe's whimsical musical fantasy weaves music, dance, and story into an enchanting tribute to romantic love. Fun fact: Did you know the typical kilt weighs about 1.5 pounds? The tartans in the show represent six clans — come see if you can identify them all. Best seats available are for the added matinee performance on Saturday, April 16. For tickets and information: 734-764-2538, www.music.umich.edu/performances

Show: "Some Couples May," by Carey Crim, through May 28 Company: Purple Rose Theatre Type of company: Equity SPT Recommended ages: Contains strong language and sexual situations Description: This bittersweet comedy charts one woman's journey with her family through the challenges and heartbreak of infertility to the promise of motherhood. The story will be a familiar one to many: a couple struggling with the possibility of infertility, finding a way to bring a child into their lives. This is PRTC Resident Artist Crim's third World Premiere with the Purple Rose; audiences may remember her plays Wake in 2009 and Growing Pretty in 2008. AnnArbor.com preview article Fun fact: Did you know that April is infertility awareness month? Infertility affects about 12% of couples of childbearing age. Infertility is not just a woman's concern. A problem with the male is the sole cause, or a contributing cause, of infertility in about 50 percent of infertile couples. About one-third of infertile couples have more than one cause or factor related to their inability to conceive. About 20 percent of couples have no identifiable cause for their infertility after medical investigation. (University of Chicago Medical Center.) For tickets and information: 734.433.7673, www.purplerosetheatre.org/

Show: The Dreamland Sunday Matinee Puppet Show, Every Sunday Company: Dreamland Theater Puppet Troupe Type of Company: Children's/Educational program Recommended ages: All ages Description: Dreamland Theater presents puppet shows for children every Sunday afternoon at 3:30pm. These original shows utilize a variety of types of puppetry including marionettes and shadow puppets. Easy to remember, with performances every Sunday, and tickets at just $5 (3 and under free) these shows could easily fit into your child's weekly activities rotation. Fun fact: Since 2002 Dreamland has offered a variety of original entertainment including puppetry, live music, experimental theater, comedy, and local independent film. As a puppet theater, Dreamland offers performances for both children and adults which incorporate new techniques and traditional puppetry practices from around the world. For tickets and information: www.dreamlandtheater.com/index.html

*Did you know that...?: A Professional Non-Equity company is one that pays their actors but does not operate under contract with Actors Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers. Some Non-Equity companies occasionally hire Equity actors through Special Appearance Contracts, but all have different policies regarding the use of Equity actors.

Worth Traveling for

Show: "While We Were Bowling," by Carter Lewis Company: Williamston Theatre Company Type of Company: Equity SPT Recommended ages: 10 and over Description: A "typical" 1950s Irish Catholic family struggles to hold itself together through teenage marriage, paternal death, the integration of a young black boy into their family and the pressure-filled legacy of bowling. These trials force them to redefine what family means as they love and laugh their way through this coming-of-age story. Fun fact: Williamston Theatre, located in Williamston, which is outside of Lansing, is just 5 years old. While a relative newcomer to the Michigan theater scene, it is home to some of the finest productions you'll see in the state. For their relatively short lifespan they have an impressive track record and regularly feature top actors like this production's Suzi Regan (from PNT's hit "The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead") and Joseph Albright (from PNT's "The Home Team" and "Take Me Out"). For tickets and information: 1-517-655-SHOW, www.williamstontheatre.org/default.htm If you go: The staff at Williamston recommends Gracie's Place or the Red Cedar Grill for dinner, both located within a stone's throw of the theater.