This summer theaters and parks throughout Maine will host a wide variety of productions, from old-fashioned Shakespeare, take-offs on Shakespeare and mad-cap musical comedy, plus a fringe-theater festival that defies any categorization.

Some of Maine’s theaters are particularly unique. Hackmatack Playhouse, for example, was founded in 1972 on a bison farm, land that has been in the Guptill family since the 17th century, by producer Michael Guptill’s father. The theater employs actors who are members of the Actors Equity union in its productions.

Fenix’s Shakespeare in the Park will feature “Hamlet” – and the addition of a sound system this year means that audiences won’t miss a word of the show no matter how vigorously the summer breezes blow. To see one of the few works by a local playwright outside of PortFringe, check out University of Maine-Orono professor Travis Baker’s “One Blue Tarp,” which reveals the drama of that old Maine standby, the town meeting, as neighbors seek truth and justice.

Finally, there’s no better way to take a break from kayaking and lobster rolls on a Maine summer day than to bear witness to the masterful physical theater of virtuoso Avner the Eccentric, at Stonington’s Opera House Arts July 22.

Of course, that’s hardly all. Here are listings from many area production companies, but check throughout the summer for details on times and any additions or other changes to schedules.

PortFringe, portfringe.com, various locations, Portland

Maine’s week-long “fringe” theater event, featuring often experimental, multi-disciplinary and edgy performances compared to much theater fare, runs June 20-28. This year there are 58 acts, some of which aren’t easily categorized, from Maine, Massachusetts, Louisiana, New York, Ohio, Georgia, Canada and elsewhere. Venues include Geno’s Rock Club, the Empire restaurant upstairs, and Portland Stage Co.’s studio and storefront theaters.

Portland Stage will also serve as a landing spot, which they’re calling “The Hub,” for Fringe audiences to gather for beer and light concessions. The theater lobby will open one hour before any scheduled PortFringe show, no matter the venue.

Penobscot Theatre Company, penobscottheatre.org, Bangor Opera House, 131 Main St.

“A Piece of Her Heart: a Tribute to Janis Joplin,” June 4-7

The theater’s Dramatic Academy students will perform the following family-friendly shows this summer:

“The Wedding Singer,” Robbie and Julie are engaged – but not to each other! July 17-19

“William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing,” giddy, lighthearted screwball comedy from the Bard, Aug. 14-16

“A Great Big Deal Over Nothing,” modern retelling, fresh on the heels of “Much Ado,” also Aug. 14-16

Deertrees Theatre, deertrees-theatre.org, 156 Deertrees Road, Harrison

“The Reluctant Dragon,” review July 3, performances July 11, 15 and 23

“Lettice & Lovage,” performances July 9, 17 and 25, Aug. 7

“A Night at the Bar,” with Dylan Thomas readings, pay what you can, $5 suggested, Aug. 14

“Opera House Arts,” operahousearts.org, 1 Opera House Lane, Stonington

Jackson Gillman, aka “The Stand-Up Chameleon,” zany storytelling through comedy, dance, mime and more, July 8

Avner the Eccentric, physical comedy from the virtuoso clown, July 22

Bob Berky, award-winning clown and physical theater performer, July 29

Norman Ng Magic, comedy and magic, with audience participation, Aug. 5

Traspediante, dance, theater and live drawings from Spain, inspired by whales, Aug. 26

Children’s Theatre of Maine, kitetails.org/theatre/theatre-info, Summer Shakespeare Project, July 22-26, July 29-Aug. 2, inspired by Ken Ludwig’s book “How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare,” Children’s Theatre of Maine’s artistic director Reba Short has fashioned “Shakespeare’s Stories” about a group of children that discover magic in acting out tales by the Bard.

Fenix Shakespeare in the Park, Deering Oaks, Portland, July-Aug. 8, July 25 performance in Congress Square Park, all performances at 6:30 p.m., and the show will go on if it’s cloudy or there’s just a chance of rain. For the first time ever, Fenix will employ live sound and microphones for its actors. Abbie Killeen will direct this production of “Hamlet” at a “swift, harrowing pace that will leave audiences breathless at the final curtain.” Fenix passes the hat, but with no obligation – performances are free.

Ogunquit Playhouse, ogunquitplayhouse.org, 10 Main St.

“Sister Act,” Broadway musical comedy hit featuring nuns and a criminal caper, May 20-June 20

“Victor/Victoria,” musical comedy hit based on the Blake Edwards film, June 24-July 18

“Nice Work If You Can Get It,” Sally Struthers returns to Ogunquit in new madcap musical comedy set in the Roaring Twenties and featuring some of George and Ira Gershwin’s best-loved songs, July 22-Aug. 15

“Million Dollar Quartet,” Tony award-winning Broadway musical inspired by the real-life one-of-a-kind recording session of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, in a production that is the first for a regional theater in the country. Features iconic songs like “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “I Walk the Line,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Fever,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Hound Dog” and more, Aug. 19-Sept. 19

“Saturday Night Fever,” dazzling choreography and a soundtrack that will bring the 1970s to life, Sept. 23-Oct. 25

Arundel Barn Playhouse, arundelbarnplayhouse.com, 53 Old Post Road

“Nunsense A-MEN,” tainted vichyssoise launches this madcap tale of the The Little Sisters of Hoboken, including “male actors who get in the habit,” June 16-27

“The Addams Family,” bizarre and macabre, but not very scary! June 30 to July 11

“Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” the poignant tale beneath the sea, featuring some of Disney’s best songs, July 14-Aug. 1

“La Cage aux Folles,” story of gay parents sometimes hilariously trying to impress their son’s conservative soon-to-be in-laws remains timely entertainment, Aug.4-15

“Beehive: The ’60s Musical,” celebration of girl groups of the 1960s, featuring hit songs from The Supremes, The Chiffons, Connie Franccis, Brenda Lee, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and Janis Joplin, Aug. 18-29

Maine State Music Theatre, msmt.org, Pickard Theater, Bowdoin College campus, 1 Bath Road, Brunswick

“The Full Monty,” group of unemployed steelworkers resorts to getting attention and money at a local strip club, to the delight of the ladies in their small town, June 3-20

“Sister Act,” Broadway musical comedy hit featuring nuns and a criminal caper, June 24-July 11

“The Music Man,” this award-winner has been entertaining audiences with its 76 trombones and more since 1957, July 15-Aug. 1

“Young Frankenstein,” Mel Brooks classic is “monstrously good” fun, Aug. 5-22

MaineStage Shakespeare, mainestageshakespeare.com, Lafayette Park, Kennebunk

“Twelfth Night” and “Julius Caesar,” July 10-Aug. 22

Hackmatack Playhouse, hackmatack.org/hackmatack, 538 School St. (Route 9), Berwick

“Unnecessary Farce,” cops, crooks and embezzling politicians collide in goofball comedy. June 19-July 4

“West Side Story,” the retelling of the story of Romeo and Juliet by Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, July 8-25

“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” jazzy musical take on the ’80s movie was nominated for several Tony awards, July 29-Aug. 15

“Ruthless,” quirky musical within a musical about a little girl determined to play Pippi Longstocking in her school play, Aug. 19-Sept. 5

City Theater, citytheater.org, 205 Main St., Biddeford

“Rent,” Broadway favorite and pop culture phenomenon about young artists and musicians trying to make in it New York,” July 17-Aug. 2

Lakewood Theater, lakewoodtheater.org, 76 Theatre Road, Madison

“The Witch in 204,” bewitching tale of ageless romance, June 4-6

“Inherit the Wind,” fictionalized account of the 1925 Scopes “monkey trial,” June 11-14 and 17-20

“The Bikinis,” enjoy love, flower-power and disco in this musical beach party with songs from the heart of the ’60s, June 25-28, July 1-4

“One Blue Tarp,” play by local playwright Travis Baker reveals the drama of that old Maine standby, the town meeting, as neighbors seek truth and justice, July 9-12 and 15-18

“Damn Yankees,” Broadway musical hit is “Faust meets professional baseball” in this send-up of love and the great American pasttime, July 23-26 and July 29-Aug. 1

“Laughing Stock,” hilarious behind-the-scenes peek into what can go awry during an ambitious summer-stock theater production, Aug. 6-9 and 12-15

“Nice Work If You Can Get It,” musical comedy set in the Roaring Twenties and featuring some of George and Ira Gershwin’s best-loved songs, Aug. 20-23 and 26-29

“Dearly Departed,” delightful and often hilarious tale of a beleaguered Southern family dealing with death and other solemnities, Sept. 3-6 and 9-12

“The Ladies Man,” charming farce unravels hilariously from a groom’s innocuous lie to his young wife, Sept. 17-20 and 23-26

Theater at Monmouth, theateratmonmouth.org, Cumston Hall, Monmouth

“Turn of the Screw,” Henry James’ tale of a young governess left to care for two orphaned children in a haunted English manor, June 26-Aug. 21

“The Winter’s Tale,” Shakespeare’s tragic yet hilarious and romantic story of jealousy and forgiveness, July 9-Aug. 22

“Fallen Angels,” Noel Coward’s witty comedy about friendship and temptation, July 16-Aug. 22

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Shakespeare’s magical wackiness played out in the woods, July 23-Aug. 23

“The Real Inspector Hound,” Tom Stoppard’s story of two rival theater critics caught up in the madness of the thriller they’re reviewing, July 30-Aug. 21

“Fool of the World and the Flying Ship,” despite the odds, a fool sets off to fulfill his dreams, June 27-Aug. 20

“Ruddigore,” Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera of the supernatural, in two acts,” Sept. 17-27

Daphne Howland is a freelance writer.