Despite its small size, Carmel has nearly a dozen live theater groups. In a town that defines itself by its love of art, theater arts don’t get left out. Don’t hesitate to ask the locals what’s playing where when you’re in town.

The Pacific Repertory Theater (831/622-0100, www.pacrep.org, adults $16–38, students $10–20, children $7) is the only professional theater company on the Monterey-Carmel Peninsula. Its shows go up all over the region, most often in the Golden Bough Playhouse (Monte Verde St. and Eighth Ave.) the company’s home theater.

Other regular venues include the The Forest Theater (Mountain View St. and Santa Rita St.), and the Circle Theater (Casanova St. btwn. Eighth and Ninth Aves.) within the Golden Bough complex. Also look for their plays in the Monterey State Historic Park and in Pebble Beach.

The company puts up dramas, comedies, and musicals both new and classic. You might see a work of Shakespeare or John Patrick Shanley’s Doubt, enjoy your favorite songs from The Fantasticks, or sing along to the newer tunes of High School Musical. Check the website for upcoming shows, and buy tickets online or over the phone to guarantee you’ll get seats while you’re in town.

Each fall, PacRep puts up the Carmel Shakespeare Festival (www.pacrep.org), a short showing of Shakespeare that’s good enough to draw the notice of Bay Area theater snobs. Check the website for information on this year’s shows and the venues.