SUMMER SPLASH II: Orange County : Our Hottest picks for a Jam-Packed Summer : THEATER

Orange County wades into its second hundred years facing a summer that’s filled with a wider range of arts and entertainment activities than ever.

The Calendar staff of the Times Orange County Edition selects highlights among the hundreds of choices offered at the county’s theaters, art museums, outdoor amphitheaters, concert halls, comedy clubs, movie theaters and elsewhere to stave off any summer doldrums that might dare to take roost.

Garden Grove, much maligned for its lack of cultural sophistication, turns out to be the summer theater capital of Orange County thanks to the professional Grove Shakespeare Festival. This season, its 11th, features:

* “Much Ado About Nothing” (June 21-July 14), “As You Like It” (July 26-Aug. 18) and “Othello” (Aug. 30-Sept. 22), all at the outdoor Festival Amphitheatre. Tickets: $16 to $23. Information: (714) 636-7213.

* At South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, David Mamet’s “Speed-the-Plow” continues on the Mainstage through July 14. Tickets: $21 to $28. Information: (714) 957-4033.

Also at SCR, the Hispanic Playwrights Project will stage two public readings of works-in-progress on Aug. 10 and 11. The titles are still to be determined. Tickets: $2 to $6. Information: (714) 957-4033.

* The Orange County Performing Arts Center, also in Costa Mesa, is importing the Grand Kabuki Theatre from Tokyo, Japan. The Grand Kabuki sweeps into Costa Mesa June 30 and July 1 for its first local appearances as part of its largest American tour in history. Two works will be staged at each performance: “Narukami” (“The Thunder God”), an exotic fable of magic, vengeance and seduction dating from 1742; “Migawari Zazen” (“The Substitute Meditator”), a comedy pitting a scheming, philandering husband against his wily, suspicious wife. Performances are at 8 p.m. on June 30 and at 2 p.m. on July 1. Tickets: $15 to $35. English translations will be available on optional headsets ($5 rental). Tickets: $15-$35. Information: (714) 556-2787.

The Center is also co-producing “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” to run from Aug. 17-26. Tickets: Prices not set. Information: (714) 556-2787.

* Further south in Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is mounting its 13th season of summer musicals with several Equity actors in the major roles. The productions are: “Side by Side by Sondheim” (June 30-Aug. 12) at the Cabaret Theater. “A Chorus Line” (July 13-28) at the McKinney Theatre. “The 1940s Radio Hour” (Aug. 3-19), also at the McKinney. Season subscriptions to all three shows: $25 to $27; single tickets: $10 and $11; groups $8. Information: (714) 582-4656.

A list of summer arts and entertainment activities for children will appear in Wednesday’s Calendar.