Maybe it's the dawn of a new age. Maybe it's a desperate move in difficult times. Maybe it's just natural evolution. Whatever the reason -- and in fairness, the reasons are different in each case -- the fact is that a majority of area summer theaters are under new, or at least revised, leadership this season.

It's not news that theaters are struggling to survive in this era of rising costs, aging audiences and diminished public and private underwriting. The recent demise of StageWest in Springfield has sent a palpable chill through the region's arts community. Mount Holyoke College's tent theater, the doyenne of summer stock in the Valley, very nearly didn't go up this season. In an effort to draw new audiences, some companies are shifting their artistic emphasis (or at least their PR) to court a younger crowd.

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Previewing the season, the area's new and returning summer theater directors acknowledged their challenges and worries, but spoke mainly of promise and opportunity. Despite the perennial uncertainties, summer theater in this region retains a strong following and attracts a high caliber of professional and community performers. And here's another fact: At an average ticket price of less than $15 (plus student, senior and season-ticket discounts), theater is still the best live-entertainment value in the Valley.

Distinctive Visions

Hampshire Shakespeare Company is nothing if not ambitious. It's essentially a community theater, but with much grander aspirations than many. Their mission is to produce the Master, not The Mousetrap. Well, except they did produce The Mousetrap last winter, a choice that proved highly controversial within the company and a box-office disaster.

That show, one person's pet project, was a departure from the group's usual approach to production. This is a troupe that operates by committee and makes decisions collectively. That's unusual in a business often dominated by a single strong vision, but Sarah Wilson insists that "it's a good way to work if you're trying to do something as ambitious as Shakespeare. It gives everybody a voice in what we do and a feeling of being part of an ensemble." Wilson is co-producer, with Steve Morgan, of the summer performance part of the company's program (they also do residencies in schools and children's theater workshops). Still recovering from the winter's losses, they've settled on two audience-pleasers, Much Ado About Nothing and Romeo and Juliet. Wilson is optimistic -- even enthusiastic -- about the coming season. "We're back on our feet, and we've gone back to the core of our philosophy."

Summer Stages

Ten theater companies perform in Western Massachusetts during the summer, from the Valley to the Berkshires. Here's a rundown of who and where they are, when they perform and how to contact them. Ticket prices are for single tickets, full/discount (student and senior) prices given if applicable; season tickets and group discounts are also available from most theaters.

The Valley

Hampshire Shakespeare Company: Two productions, three weeks each, June 23-Aug. 1. Tues., Thurs., and Sun. at Lord Jeffery Inn, Amherst, Fri.-Sat. at Pines Theater, Look Park, Northampton. $12/$6. (413) 323-0981.