While You’re In: Pick a play, explore state parks and escape the racket

Tons of theater

There’s a treat in store for South Sound arts fans who’ve been nostalgic for the days when they got to pick which play to see on any given night. For the first time in quite a while, this weekend offers options. Harlequin Productions’ radio theater series continues with “For Peter Pan on Her 70th Birthday” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, and Saturday, Oct. 3 and the premiere of “A Bright Room Called Day” at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4. “Pan,” about a 70-year-old woman who once played the boy who never grew up and her siblings — two of whom are named Wendy and Michael — is directed by Kathryn Dorgan with a cast including such familiar voices as Keith Eisner, Russ Holm and Jana Tyrrell. It’s free, with donations appreciated, and reservations are a must. Meanwhile, the University of Puget Sound brings you “Stupid … Bird” (The Olympian has taken out the foul middle word of the title), a quirky modern take on Anton Chekhov’s “The Seagull” at 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday. “Bird,” on Zoom, has costumes by Olympia’s Mishka Navarre — “in a weird sort of way,” Navarre told The Olympian. “We used a lot of the actors’ own pieces.” “Bird” is free, but you’ll need to register to get the link.

Parks aplenty

Yes, state parks are open — in fact, you can visit with no Discover Pass on Oct. 10 — but in the time of coronavirus, the parks staff is also producing lots of virtual programming that’s perfect for rainy or chilly or smoky days. On “RangerTube,” you can marvel at a “Mystery Mammal” at Cama Beach State Park or hear how Cape Disappointment and Deception Pass got their names. There’s even a video called “Blood and Butts” filled with stories about Lewis and Clark’s mistakes. Want more? The parks staff has been making Facebook videos, too.

The next best thing to silence

With so many people working from home and so many kids attending school there, quiet has become as rare as handshakes and hugs. These past six months, have you ever gotten in the car and gone on a drive with no purpose other than spending time in a space where no one else is talking, singing or even breathing? It works like a charm, but there is a more productive — and environmentally friendly — solution to this pandemic predicament: white noise. At least one writer who sometimes needs help focusing has had good success doing so with the combination of noise-canceling headphones and multi-hour videos featuring rivers, rain and — best of all — the mysteriously hypnotic “Celestial White Noise.” Your results may vary.

Freelance writer Molly Gilmore also recommends the sound of birdsong when the weather allows her to write outside. She discusses local arts, entertainment and more with 95.3 KGY-FM’s Michael Stein from 3 to 4 p.m. Fridays.

This story was originally published October 2, 2020 at 5:45 AM.