THE MONTH OF JULY WAS UNUSUALLY QUIET on the theater front this year. It’s always a light time, since many groups have seasons that follow the school year from September through June.

Still, with several recent changes that have forced local companies to either abandon their home venues or reduce their production output, this year’s summer play season has felt especially brief and spare. There are a few shows continuing through the end of this month, though, and things pick up considerably by around mid-September.

Here’s my go-to list:

AUGUST

Vallejo Symphony conductor emeritus David Ramadanoff will conduct the premiere performance of the California Sound Collective at a free concert at Benicia’s Community Congregational Church Sunday. Selections include Dan Becker-Fade’s “Gridlock” as well as Mozart’s Divertimento for Strings in D major and Jacques Ibert’s Divertissement, the last performed by harpist Anna Maria Mendieta. 1305 West Second St., Benicia. Free; donations accepted. For more information contact Kathleen Comalli Dillon at 707-636-4610 or find the Collective on Facebook.

Also this weekend, Bay Area Stage of Vallejo presents “The Best of Broadway,” an evening of dramatic vocal performance at the Naval and Historical Museum in Vallejo. A cast of area artists will take you on a musical journey through the history of Broadway. Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. 734 Marin St., Vallejo. $15 at the door, or purchase tickets online at www.bayareastage.org.

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley continues its annual free play in the park with “King Lear,” a co-production with Inferno Theatre, through Sept. 7 at the John Hinkel Park Amphitheater, 180 Milvia St., Berkeley. Free. 510-649-5999 or aeofberkeley.org.

“Let Me Hear You Smile,” a spirited comedy by Leonora Thuna and Harry Cauley, opened Aug. 22 and continues at the Campbell Theatre in Martinez through Saturday, Sept. 5. Onstage Repertory Theatre presents the play about the challenges of love and marriage as seen by Hannah, her husband and her brother through the years. At the Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St., Martinez. $15; $10 on Thursday, Sept. 3. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Onstage at 925-518-3277.

The Lower Bottom Playaz continue their quest to present the complete “Century Cycle” by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson, 10 full-length plays depicting African-American life in the inner city, with “King Hedly II,” at the Flight Deck, 1540 Broadway, Oakland through Sept. 6. $25; VIP package $50. 510-332-1319 or theflightdeck.org. (Begun in 2011 with Wilson’s “Gem of the Ocean,” the Playaz series will conclude with his final installment, “Radio Golf,” Dec. 18 to Jan. 3.)

Verismo Opera of Vallejo continues its production of “Faust,” Charles Gounod’s stage adaptation of the Goethe masterpiece, in which an aging scholar trades his immortal soul for worldly gain. Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 30 at the Bay Terrace Theatre, 51 Daniels Ave., Vallejo. $30. 707-864-5508 or verismoopera.org.

On Thursday, Aug. 27, Shotgun Players opens Sarah Ruhl’s “Eurydice.” On the day Eurydice is to marry her true love Orpheus, a misstep sends her to the surreal depths of the Underworld. Through Sept. 20 at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., Berkeley. $20 to $30. 510-841-6500 or shotgunplayers.org.

Friday, Aug. 28 is opening night for Tom Stoppard’s “The Real Thing” at the Masquers Playhouse in Point Richmond. A glib playwright is surrounded by women who expose and revel in his flaws as he seeks true love. Through Sept. 26 at the Masquers Playhouse, 105 Park Place, Point Richmond. $22. 510-232-4031 or masquers.org.

SEPTEMBER

Several area theaters will open new productions during the first few weeks of September, beginning with “A Streetcar Named Desire” at the Village Theater in Danville. The Role Players production opens Friday, Sept. 4 and continues with weekend performances through Sept. 19. $28. 233 Front St., Danville, 925-820-1278 or roleplayersensemble.com.

Thursday, Sept. 10 is opening night for Center Rep’s musical tribute, “Tenderly,” featuring songs from the musical career of Rosemary Clooney. The musical follows Clooney’s rise to stardom along with the challenges she has faced. Featuring Actors’ Equity Association member Linda DeVito as the celebrated vocalist and Mark Farrell as “The Doctor.” $37 to $42. Through Oct. 10 at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 101 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, 925-943-7469 or lesherartscenter.org.

On Saturday, Sept. 12, the Orinda Starlight Village Players will present “Pinocchio,” adapted for the stage by Starlight member Malcolm Cowler. Created as a wooden puppet, Pinocchio dreams of becoming a real boy. This adaptation follows the original “Adventures of Pinocchio” by Carlo Collodi. At the Orinda Community Center Park Amphitheater, 28 Orinda Way, Orinda through Oct. 3. $16. 925-528-9225 or orsvp.org.

Lucky Penny of Napa will open its 2015-16 season with “The Secret Garden” on Sept. 18. Orphaned in India, 11-year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire to live with her reclusive uncle and his invalid son Colin. Through Oct. 4. Tickets will be on sale beginning Thursday, Aug. 20. Lucky Penny Community Arts Center, 1758 Industrial Way, Napa, 707-266-6305 or luckypennynapa.com.

Then on Friday, Sept. 18, OMG I Love That Show! Productions opens “The Who’s ‘Tommy’” at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek. Based on the 1969 rock concept album, the five-time Tony Award-winning musical film was adapted for the stage by Des McAnuff and Pete Townshend, with additional lyrics by Keith Moon. $66. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. 925-943-7469 or lesherartscenter.com.

The Vallejo Symphony opens its 2015-16 season Sunday, Sept. 20 with the first of three “audition” concerts, in which candidates for the position of music director will each conduct one of the season’s three concerts. On the 20th, Thomas Heuser will conduct the orchestra in “Smetana, Vltava” (“The Moldau”) from Ma Vlast; Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2; and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, the “New World” Symphony. Hogan Auditorium, 850 Rosewood Ave., Vallejo. $35. 707-643-4441 or vallejosymphony.org.

Rounding out the calendar for September, Contra Costa Civic Theatre will open “39 Steps,” a comedy thriller by Patrick Barlow, on Sept. 25. Four actors, 150 roles, a Hitchcock classic and “a dash of Monty Python.” Through Oct. 18. $22 to $28. 951 Pomona Ave. at Moeser Lane, El Cerrito. 510-524-9012 or ccct.org.

Most theaters offer discounts for students and seniors. Preview shows are also sometimes available at reduced prices. Advertised prices do not include service fees.

Elizabeth Warnimont is a freelance writer specializing in the performing arts. She holds a bachelor’s degree in literature from UC-Santa Barbara.