Wisconsin’s art, music and theater scene often spills into the great outdoors. The state has several top-notch venues that mix in a little Mother Nature and an, ahem, breath of fresh air with your cultural experience.
Spring Green’s internationally known Shakespearean company, the American Players Theatre (608/588-7401; www.playinthewoods.org) is one of the most popular outdoor classical theaters in the country. The troupe produces five plays –- playing alternately throughout the summer -- covering everything from Shakespeare to Greek and British comedies and fitting tastes from classical to more, shall we say, egalitarian.
Visitors to Door County have their choice of outdoor theater: the Peninsula Players (920/868-3287; www.peninsulaplayers.com) and American Folklore Theatre (920/854-6117; www.folkloretheatre.com). The Peninsula Players offer everything from Greek tragedy to British farce, while visitors to the American Folklore Theatre will split a gut laughing their way through the season’s hysterical original productions.
In Northern Wisconsin, Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua (1-888-244-8368; www.bigtop.org) presents a 70+ night summer season of concerts, plays, lectures and Chautauqua Original Musicals in its intimate 900-seat, state-of-the-art tent/theater.
How about some country music? The Hodag Country Music Festival (1-800-762-3803; www.hodag.com) in Rhinelander and Country Jam USA (1-800-780-0526; www.countryjam.com) in Eau Claire are two of the Midwest’s top outdoor country festivals. You’re likely to see at least one of your favorite stars. On-site camping and non-stop entertainment round out the bill.
Enjoy top jazz musicians at the Great River Jazz Fest in LaCrosse, the Historic Third Ward Jazz Festival (414/273-1173; www.historicthirdward.org) in Milwaukee and at the Ziegler Kettle Moraine Jazz Festival (1-877-271-6903; www.kmjazz.com) in West Bend.