SUMMER IS NIGH! School will be out soon, and summer theater is already under way with some promising shows, including a few on stage this weekend.

Let’s start with outdoor performances. Some take place in the afternoon and some begin after dark. Most venues offer activities before the show, so you may want to arrive early to get the most out of your visit. Call or check each theater’s website for details.

Mountain Play at Mount Tamalpais State Park opened “South Pacific” last weekend and continues the show through June 15. Set in an island paradise during World War II, this Rodgers and Hammerstein musical follows Nellie, a spunky nurse from Arkansas who falls in love with mature French planter Emile. When Nellie learns that the mother of his children was an island native, she is unable to turn her back on the prejudices with which she was raised and refuses Emile’s proposal of marriage. When Emile is recruited to a dangerous mission, though, Nellie realizes that life is too short not to seize her own chance for happiness, thus confronting and conquering her prejudices.

Before the play: Mountain Play offers face painting for kids beginning at 12:30 p.m., puppet shows in Playland at 11 a.m. and 12:30, picnicking and on-site concessions. Box office opens at 9 a.m. Performances begin at 2 p.m.

“South Pacific” continues at the Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre near the top of Mount Tamalpais through June 15. For information about ticketing and transportation options, including the Mountain Play Express shuttle, call 415-383-1100 or visit mountainplay.org.

On June 11, Woodminster Summer Musicals will open its season with “Les Misérables.” In 19th-century France, Jean Valjean is released after 19 years of unjust imprisonment. He breaks his parole, eager to start a new life, but is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways.

“Les Misérables” runs July 11-20 at the Woodminster Amphitheater, located along Joaquin Miller Park at 3300 Joaquin Miller Road in Oakland. All shows begin at 8 p.m. For more information, including directions and parking tips, call 510-531-9597 or visit woodminster.com.

Butterfield 8 Theatre Company, in conjunction with Orinda Starlight Village Players, will present excerpts from Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island” on Thursday, June 12. The show was chosen to coincide with the Northern California Pirate Festival in Vallejo, which is June 14-15 along the Vallejo waterfront.

The “Treasure Island” show is one night only at 8 p.m. at the Orinda Community Center Amphitheater, 28 Orinda Way, Orinda. Admission is pay-what-you-can. For more information visit the theater websites at orsvp.org and b8company.com.

Orinda Starlight Village Players will open their summer season on June 20 with Agatha Christie’s “Go Back for Murder.” Imprisoned for poisoning her husband 15 years ago, Caroline Crale finds herself at death’s door and writes a letter expressing her innocence to her daughter Carla. Carla, aided by Justin Fogg — a former admirer of Caroline’s — persuades those present on the day of her father’s death to return to the scene of the crime. When the witnesses reassemble, Fogg discovers the true identity of the murderer, and Carla discovers her true feelings for Fogg.

“Go Back for Murder” runs June 20 to July 12 at the Orinda Community Center Amphitheater, 28 Orinda Way, Orinda. Start times vary, so check the website for details. For tickets and information email info@orsvp.org or visit orsvp.org.

On July 5, Actors Ensemble opens “Pride and Prejudice,” an adaptation of the Jane Austen novel by Constance Cox. Mrs. Bennet has five daughters and a big problem: none of them is married, there isn’t much fortune to go around, and — thanks to a quirk of English property law — they’ll all be kicked out of their house when Mr. Bennet dies. Enter Mr. Bingley, a rich, single man who moves into their neighborhood and takes a liking to Jane.

“Pride and Prejudice” runs July 5-20 at the John Hinkel Park Amphitheatre, 41 Somerset Avenue between Southampton Avenue and San Diego Road in Berkeley. Actors Ensemble will also present “Penthesilea — Queen of the Amazons” at the amphitheater beginning Aug. 23. All shows begin at 4 p.m. For more information call 510-649-5999 or visit aeofberkeley.org.

On July 12, Marin Shakespeare Company will open its silver anniversary season with “As You Like It” at the Forest Meadows Amphitheater in San Rafael. Marin Shakes celebrates its 25th season with this exuberant Shakespeare comedy. All performances are pay-what-you-can. Also available: “Shakespeare Dinner” with pre-show talk Saturdays at 6:30. Cost for the dinner is $35.

“As You Like It” runs July 12 to Aug. 10 at the Forest Meadows Amphitheater at Dominican University, 890 Belle Avenue (near Grand and Acacia), San Rafael. Saturday shows begin at 8 p.m., Sundays at 4 p.m. Previews begin July 5. For more information call 415-499-4488 or visit marinshakespeare.org.

Vallejo Shakespeare in the Park will present “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Hanns Park the weekend of July 26-27. This is a free community event, open to the public, with picnic-style seating. Patrons are encouraged to bring a blanket to sit on during the performance, as chairs are not provided.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” runs one weekend only at Hanns Park, Skyline Drive at Redwood Parkway, Vallejo. Shows begin at 2 p.m. For more information, email VallejoShakespeare@gmail.com or find Vallejo Shakespeare on Facebook.

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Several plays are also currently on stage at their regular, indoor venues.

• “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” continues at the Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek through June 21; 925-943-7469 or centerrep.org.

• Contra Costa Civic Theatre of El Cerrito continues “Spamalot” through July 13; 510-524-9132 or ccct.org.

• “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” will be at Masquers Playhouse in Point Richmond through June 28; 510-232-3888 or masquers.org.

In other entertainment:

• Peppino D’Agostino will perform selections from his new album, “Penumbra,” June 6 at the Benicia Historical Museum at the Camel Barns, 2024 Camel Road, Benicia. Tickets are $20 and are available by calling 707-745-5435 or online at beniciahistoricalmuseum.org. Tickets may also be purchased at ABC Music, Bookshop Benicia or the museum office.

• Beginning June 7, Verismo Opera will stage Giacomo Puccini’s “Suor Angelica” together with Pietro Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana.” Uncontrollable passion, tragedy, murder, suicide, and the anguish of an illegitimate child fuel the stories of these two one-act operas. The double bill opens at the Bay Terrace Theater in Vallejo and runs through June 29, then moves to the Hillside Club in Berkeley for two more performances, July 6 and July 12. Tickets are $12 to $25 and are available by calling 707-864-5508 or online at verismoopera.org.

• On June 14 and 15, Benicia Ballet will present “Classical to Contemporary Ballet,” featuring Act One from “Don Quixote” and the world premiere of “Prisms,” a dance in 12 movements highlighting life’s greatest challenges. “As we grow, each of us meets challenges — fear of pain, fear of being pulled in too many directions, fear of loneliness,” explains artistic director Margaret Kenrick.

“Prisms” is written by Kenrick and composer Durwynne Hsieh (“She”) and features four lead dancers and a supporting cast of students, aged preschool to college. Musical accompaniment, including a 40-piece orchestra, is provided by members of the Solano Community College Music Department, under the direction of Dr. Steven Thompson.

Performances take place at Solano College Theatre, 4000 Suisun Valley Road, Suisun, Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 to $22 and are available by calling 707-746-6757 or online at benicia-ballet.org.

Elizabeth Warnimont is a freelance writer specializing in the performing arts. She is also a substitute teacher for the Benicia Unified School District.