How stage-struck do you have to be to attend an outdoor play in the middle of a Las Vegas summer? Isn’t that a little like volunteering for a tour of a blast furnace?

Actually, no, not if your tickets are for the Super Summer Theater program at Spring Mountain Ranch, a state park west of Las Vegas. Located off Blue Diamond Road in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, (see map), Spring Mountain Ranch is literally an oasis thriving on the edge of the Mojave Desert. With 52 natural artesian springs and a 3-acre lake on the eastern edge of the Sandstone Bluffs, the park serves up a cool breeze between the cottonwoods on even the hottest summer evenings.

Now in its 33rd season, the Super Summer Theater program is overseen by the State Parks Cultural Arts Board and directed by Park Ranger Rick Keller; together they work with several different local theater companies each season to put on a variety of shows. It took a few years for the audience to grow, but in recent seasons there have been sellout crowds for nearly every performance. This past June, all 12 performances of “Beauty and the Beast” sold out in the first week. The musical comedy “1776” was also very popular in July.

Sales are brisk this month, but tickets are still available for the Signature Productions presentation of “Aida,” a love story about a Nubian princess caught in slavery, which began its three-week run last week. The music sets the tone for the story line with pop-rock ballads and choral numbers written by Elton John and Tim Rice. An interesting feature of this show is that a live pianist, bassist and percussionist will be playing alongside OrchEXTRA, a computer software program controlled by the technical crew that serves as a digital orchestra.

After “Aida,” the Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Company will present shows at 7 p.m. on Sept. 5 and Sept 6. The performances will feature both classical and modern dance with music by Bach, Duke Ellington and Dave Brubeck. The following weekend, the Las Vegas Jazz Society will present two different shows. The Friday night show will feature a quartet of professional jazz musicians from Las Vegas playing alongside a new group calling themselves the Young Lions. I’ve been looking forward to this show all season after seeing the Young Lions perform last year at Lake Las Vegas — they’re a tight, enthusiastic combo with an ultra-cool stage presence that reminds me of jazz bistros in Manhattan. The Saturday night show promises to be great, too, as it will showcase the Las Vegas Jazz Collective, featuring the tunes of the late, great Russ Freeman. Tough decision for jazz fans, but tickets are only $10, so if time permits, there’s no real need to decide – go to both. Just get your tickets early as both shows are almost guaranteed to sell out long before the performance dates.

Tickets to Super Summer Theater productions are typically $10 to $15. Folding patio chairs are allowed on the lush, green lawn in front of the stage, but most people bring blankets and a picnic to enjoy the show in a cozy, friendly atmosphere. Gates open at 6 p.m. and most shows start at 8 p.m. Pets are not allowed, but a bottle of your favorite wine is perfectly acceptable. Remember to bring a light sweater or jacket, even in July or August, because temperatures are typically 10 to 15 degrees cooler than in Las Vegas.

Listening to music under the stars with the beautiful Red Rock Canyon framing your view makes a great date night, whether you’re married or looking to make a good impression on someone special. It’s hard to believe the glitz and glam of Vegas is less than 20 miles away. For a nice break from the summer heat and city crowds, check out the Spring Mountain Summer Theater. It’s a secret worth telling your friends about!