Okay, only two of the 2010 shows are markedly green (in color, I mean). But it's a great excuse to examine Dallas Summer Musicals' upcoming roster of shows. Skipping all sense of chronology, we'll go straight to the color-coding.

The not-so-Wicked Witch of the West (known to fans and friends simply as Elphaba) flies back into town for a return engagement of Wicked this summer (May 26 – June 27). Not to be out-greened, everyone's favorite ogre hits town for the first time in Shrek this fall (September 28 – October 17). If you missed this family-friendly musical adaptation on Broadway,  you'll want to catch it here.

As I blogged before, The Phantom of the Opera brings the beloved half-mask and chandelier to the Music Hall this month (February 17 – March 14). Do yourself a favor: Whether you love or have issues with the movie, you need to see Phantom on stage at least once. The costuming and set design alone will entrance you before the Phantom sings a note.

One week later, plunge into the 1960s with the Beatles in Rain, an exploration of their career from the Ed Sullivan Show through that psychedelic decade (March 16 – 21).

Then it's back to the '80s with Xanadu, the musical packed with ELO hits, roller skates, disco and Greek muses (April 6 – 18). And if the mention of roller skates made you flashback to Starlight Express, you might very well find a train refrain in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, which explores the renowned composer's oeuvre, from Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Jesus Christ Superstar through The Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Boulevard and Aspects of Love (April 20 – 25). No word yet on whether the concert includes numbers from The Woman in White, The Beautiful Game, Whistle Down the Wind or the soon-to-open Phantom sequel, Love Never Dies. (I last saw this concert in the '90s, once with Sarah Brightman and once with Michael Crawford, so I'm sure the program is very different now.)

Late spring brings us a lesser-known show based on beloved source material: Little House on the Prairie (May 11 – 23). While Melissa Gilbert — who appeared in the TV series as little Laura — currently stars as Caroline "Ma" Ingalls, the musical is reportedly adapted from the original children's book series, not the small-screen version. Isn't it time you rediscovered the Ingalls family and shared anew the hardships and rewards of their life in the Dakota Territory?

Once Elphaba flies out of town in late June, Dreamgirls replaces the Yellow Brick Road with the dreams and dramas of a 1960s girl group from Chicago; you probably know the plot well from the Beyoncé/Jennifer Hudson movie, but the best way to experience this musical is live on stage (June 30 – July 18). Come see why it was made into a film in the first place.

All  shows will be staged at the Music Hall at Fair Park. For tickets or more information, visit www.dallassummermusicals.org.