TAHLEQUAH — Each season of Northeastern State University’s Stars in the Summer series brings new and returning performers, which perhaps is part of the appeal that attracts fans to the NSU Playhouse in Tahlequah each weekend.

Tahlequah native Anderson Daniel is in his fourth season with Stars in the Summer. He said the series continues to offer challenges, which help him hone his singing and dancing talents.

“Every year the shows are different — they start from scratch,” Daniel said in a media release. “Even though we spend a lot of time rehearsing, there are some things learned as you go along. There are also new performers each year and that always requires some adjustment.”

The Stars in the Summer series runs through Aug. 4 at the Northeastern State University Playhouse. Presented by the NSU College of Liberal Arts and the Sequoyah Institute, the Stars in the Summer series presents “Downtown Country Classics” at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and “River City Classics” at 2 p.m. Saturdays. The “Stars in the Summer Celebration,” a special show marking 30 seasons of the River City Players and Downtown Country, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays.

Being onstage for Stars in the Summer has proven irresistible to Daniel, whose area stage credits include Jesus in “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Gobe in “Next to Normal” and Robbie in “The Wedding Singer.”

“One of my favorite facets of the summer series is the variety of music — the genres you get to explore,” he said. “I also love the complete professionalism within the organization and the fact that everyone is there for each other.”

“Stars in the Summer Celebration” returns to the chart-topping hits of the past three decades of pop music. Audiences will revisit some of the most memorable numbers to hit the NSU summer stage, along with songs that define the ’80s, ’90s and 2000s.

The heart and soul of country music takes the stage in “Downtown Country Classics.” The tunes of classic country artists like Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash and Barbara Mandrell will remind fans of their country roots, while the sounds of the Dixie Chicks, the Oak Ridge Boys and Reba McEntire will prove that country music is alive and well.

“River City Classics” is a trip back in time to the golden age of rock. The sounds of the ’50s and ’60s come alive in tributes to artists like The Platters, Connie Francis, The Supremes and the Everly Brothers.

Daniel is a senior at Oklahoma City University majoring in musical theater. However, he is a Tahlequah High School graduate and he calls Tahlequah home. His father, Dr. Robert Daniel, is an associate professor of music at NSU.

“Because of my dad, I’ve always been into music,” Daniel said. “I played piano and I played horn in the high school band. I also started singing when I was pretty young. Dancing is more recent. I didn’t start dancing until my junior year when I performed in ‘Footloose’ with the THS Show Choir.”

Because he considers his time with Stars in the Summer a valuable experience, Daniel extended appreciation to those who organize the shows.

“I thank Amber Cowan (series director), Margie Green (vocal director), Robyn Pursley (artistic director) and Scott Pursley (production director) for giving me the opportunity to perform,” he said. “I am grateful to everyone who has been a part of these wonderful times I’ve had through the summers.”

Daniel also invited fans of musical theater to attend the Stars in the Summer series.

“We’re facing a new challenge,” he said. “In the past we only had to do two shows but this season we are doing a third. But so far the shows are going better than ever.”

Ticket prices are adults $12, NSU alumni and employees $10, seniors 60 and older and groups of 12 or more $8, students and children $6.

To reserve tickets to the Stars in the Summer series call (918) 458-2075 or visit the Sequoyah Institute at 529 Seminary Ave. in Tahlequah.