SOUNDS OF SUMMER.

Byline: Fred Crafts The Register-Guard

There'll be a hot time in the old town this summer, with all kinds of firecracker arts and entertainment events set to go off between now and September.

For starters, the grassy slope at Cuthbert Amphitheater will be jammed with picnickers soaking in the soft summer nights while listening to rocker John Fogerty, jazzman Harry Connick Jr., loungers Pink Martini, the Legends of Doo Wop and folkies Peter, Paul and Mary.

Downtown, the Hult Center will have the cast from Drew Carey's "Whose Line Is It Anyway" television show doing a night of improv,Americana folkies Misty River, rocker Cyndi Lauper, jazz hall of famer Dave Brubeck and political satirist Mort Sahl.

Over at the Lane County Fair, it's the rockers the Doobie Brothers, the Temptations and George Thorogood & The Destroyers, plus country singers Joe Nichols, Chris LeDoux and Jo Dee Messina.

Pretty good start, huh?

The Hult Center was built as a multipurpose hall, and it will be tested this summer.

Besides the pop fare, it will be home to the Oregon Bach Festival's classy outpouring of classical concerts, as well as the Oregon Festival of American Music's New York-centric festival concerts, plus OFAM's production of the 1950s Broadway musical "My Fair Lady."

Back in the classical music arena, expect concerts by avant garde cello whiz Erik Friedlander, the Eugene Chamber Singers and the choirs of the annual Pacific International Children's Choir Festival.

"My Fair Lady" isn't the only musical this summer.

Lane Summer Musical Theatre returns after a year off to do the ever-popular "Fiddler on the Roof." And Actors Cabaret of Eugene has the evergreen "Sweeney Todd" and the newbie "You're It."Channel Entertainment brings its national touring production of "Stomp," which may not precisely fit the notion of a Broadway musical but it certainly knocked them dead on the Great White Way.

The always-busy Actors Cabaret of Eugene will be running at a fever pitch with classic "Mister Roberts," the rock opera "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," the aptly named "The Off-Broadway Revue" and the "Second Annual New York Connection: A One-Act Festival."

Elsewhere, Cottage Theatre is currently doing the comedy-thriller "Cahoots," the Very Little Theatre will continue "Barefoot in the Park," Free Shakespeare in the Park will do "The Winter's Tale" and the Lord Leebrick Theatre is putting on "Wonder of the World," plus several projects they're not yet ready to announce.

For youngsters, the Mad Duckling Children's Theatre at the University of Oregon will give two new shows based on familiar titles - "Charlotte's Web" and "Alice in Wonderland" - outdoors on the lawn next to Robinson Theatre.

But perhaps the most appropriate play this summer will come in the broiling days of August, when the air-conditioned Very Little Theatre serves up what they promise will be a sizzling production of Tennessee Williams' ``Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.''

Gotta love the timing of that one.

Fred Crafts can be reached at 338-2575 or [e-mail].

CAPTION(S):

Actors Cabaret of Eugene is busy this summer, with ``Hedwig and the Angry Inch'' - with Adam Goldthwaite (right) and Connor Dudley - and later stagings of "The Off-Broadway Revue" and the "Second Annual New York Connection: A One-Act Festival." On the music front, summer in Eugene of course brings the Oregon Bach Festival, led by Helmuth Rilling (left). Latin jazz lounge ensemble Pink Martini (above) will stop in Eugene, as will jazz pianist Harry Connick Jr. (right). INSIDE Calendar: A list of performing arts events for June, July and August / B5