Visitors to Bend, Oregon might be surprised by the dazzling quality of the music and entertainment in our “little” city. When the call of autumn is in the air, I head to the theater (or the thea-tah, as my college buddies in drama school use to say). And I don’t mean the cinema multiplex. I mean:

Real. Live. Theater.

The historic Tower Theatre – renovated in the art deco tradition – sits in the heart of downtown Bend and is one of our dearest treasures. My favorite lineup at the Tower right now: Little Shop of Horrors, Love Letters, the Capitol Steps and Body Vox-2. Upcoming musical concerts at the Tower, where I’ll be found for sure, include the Cowboy Junkies, JIGU! Thunder Drums of China, and Jo Dee Messina. See the complete Tower Theatre events schedule here.

Bend, Oregon may be Off, Off, Way Off Broadway, but don’t tell that to the good folks at Innovation Theater Works. This non-profit organization brings professional actors to Bend, elevating the quality of performances to those you see in New York City. Currently playing at the Bend Performing Arts Center: Bonnie & Clyde, The Musical, starring Jessica Nash and Jeremy Bernard. The play closes August 29, so get your tickets now. Tickets and info here.

Launched 32 years ago, the first live theater in Bend was seen at the Community Theater of the Cascades in downtown Bend. Now called Cascades Theatrical Company, the curtain still rises regularly at their intimate venue, the Greenwood Playhouse. Coming October 15-31: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher from the novella, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Other fantastic production companies and venues in Bend include:
2nd Street Theater
Bend Experimental Art Theater
Triage, Bend’s Premier Improv Troupe