There’s no better time to take in a theater experience than during the summer season. And central Maine is blessed with an array of award winning troupes that fit everyone’s style and taste.

Maine State Music Theatre, Brunswick

Located in the Pickard Theater on the campus of Bowdoin College, the Maine State Music Theatre continues to be the foundation of great musical theater fun.

The 2012 season explodes with four blockbusters. The season begins with the Tony Award-winning favorite, “A Chorus Line,” being directed at MSMT by Donna Drake, a member of the original Broadway company.

The Theatre then presents the hit-movie-turned-hit-musical, “Legally Blonde.” MSMT’s production stars Broadway’s Alex Ellis as the lead, Elle Woods, and MSMT-favorite Charis Leos as Elle’s newly found friend, Paulette.

In mid-July, the Theatre rolls out Andrew Lloyd Webber’s stunning musical, “Sunset Boulevard,” about the rise and fall of the fictional silent-film diva, Norma Desmond. (“I’m ready for my close up, Mr. DeMille!”) A grand set and grand performances dominate this monumental production.

The season closes with the classic, big-Broadway, tap-dancing extravaganza, “42nd Street,” fulfilling everyone’s dream of an understudy becoming an overnight star.

MSTM offers two kids’ shows this summer. Based on the popular book by Judy Schachner, on June 11 “Skippy Jon Jones” will sing and dance his way into your heart. On August 20, MSMT’s Intern Company produces a unique retelling of the Brothers Grimm tale of “Sleeping Beauty.”

For more information about show times and ticket prices, please visit www.msmt.org or call the box office at 207-725-8769.

Theater at Monmouth, Monmouth

Sometimes referred to as the Shakespearean Theater of Maine, this gem of a theater is Shakespeare and a whole lot more. The Theater opens its 43rd season with a new producing artistic director, Dawn McAndrews, taking the reigns from long-time director, David Greenham.

“The plays of our 2012 season focus on family, community, and a sense of coming into one’s own. For some, this journey of discovery works out well; for others it is disastrous,” said McAndrews. “There is (also) a theme of boys behaving badly that runs through the shows. In ‘The Glass Menagerie’ this has a devastating affect, but in the others everything is resolved happily.”

Beginning July 5, Theater at Monmouth will open a new show every Friday for the month of July. Since its founding, the Theatre has rehearsed and performed in rotating repertory: You can see the actors in different roles in four different shows in one weekend.

The season’s four Mainstage plays include Richard Wilbur’s translation of Molière’s masterpiece,Tartuffe; Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen of Verona and Henry IV, Part 1; and Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie.

The summer Children’s Show is the heartwarming adventure, The Little Prince.

To reserve single tickets, subscriptions, or arrange group sales, visit www.theateratmonmouth.org or call the box office at 207-933-9999.

Lewiston Auburn Community Little Theater, Auburn

Always known for the best in local community theater, the Community Little Theater rocks the summer season with a performance of Elton John and Tim Rice’s, “Aida.”

“Aida” follows a classic love triangle: Aida, a Nubian princess, is captured by an Egyptian captain, Radames. He soon falls in love with her and saves her from a life of hard labor and instead gives her as a handmaiden to the Egyptian princess Amneris, his future bride.

Auditions for the show take place on May 22 and 23. The production will be directed by Vincent S. Ratsavong, a Maine-based performer with extensive theater credits.

Performance dates are August 10-19. For ticket information, go to www.laclt.com or phone 207-783-0958. Online ticketing will be available.

Deertrees Theatre and Cultural Center, Harrison

One of Maine’s theater icons, Deertrees Theater opened in 1936 and remains on the National Registry of Historic Places. No other area stage can boast appearances by such theater legends as Ethel Barrymore, Tallulah Bankhead, Edward Everett Horton, Rudy Vallee, and many more.

In a pared down season from previous years, Deertrees will host the Lake Region Community Theater production of “Oliver” on June 22-24 and June 29-July 1 as directed by Mary Bastoni-Rebmann. You can find info on Lake Region Community Theater at its Facebook page or at www.lrctme.org. For info on Deertrees, go to www.deertreestheatre.org

Oxford Hills Music and Performing Arts Association, Norway

This lively troupe rolls out a production of “The Senator Wore Pantyhose” at the Norway Grange Hall from June 14 to 24 as directed by Kenn Sawyer.

Anything can happen when political campaigns rise and fall in Sluckup, Pennsylvania! There are babies to be kissed, chili to be tasted, and it all gets mixed in with romance, sex and felons. That’s right, it is politics as usual in this outrageous comedy.

For ticket info go to www.ohmpaa.com or Books-N-Things at 430 Main Street in Norway.

Out of the Box Theater, Lewiston

The brainchild of Linda Britt and Stan Spilecki, Out of the Box Theater has quickly made its impact on the L-A theater scene. Their productions of “Medea,” “Death of a Salesman,” and “Hamlet,” have each garnered the Moss Hart Award recognition from the New England Theater Conference for three consecutive years. For information, call 207-784-0903.