Clark County, WA

Ekklesia Theatre launches its “Love Your Neighbor” season with Will Eno’s funny, haunting “Middletown,” Oct. 23-Nov. 1 at Magenta Theater, in partnership with NAMI Southwest Washington. The play follows an unlikely friendship between longtime Middletown resident John Dodge and newcomer Mary Swanson. Around them, a librarian, a mechanic, a police officer, tourists and other townspeople try to make sense of their lives — and one another. Their paths cross in surprising ways, taking audiences everywhere from a library to outer space. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays from Oct. 23-31 and 2 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 1 at 1108 Main St., Vancouver. NAMI Southwest Washington will be at the theater after performances on Oct. 25 and 30 to discuss loneliness and mental health. Plays are recommended for viewers age 13 and older. Tickets are $15 at ekklesiatheatre.com/tickets.

A concise program of staged readings explores what it means to be lost. The lineup includes Words, Words, Words, which turns the classic idea of monkeys at typewriters into a lively exchange among the primates themselves. Sure Thing follows two people in a café as an offstage bell resets their missteps, clearing the path toward a genuine connection. The Items Forgotten centers on spouses Kira and Travis, locked out yet again on a freezing night, whose search for a spare key prompts doubts about memory and marriage. Alfred and Lily and Their Marvelous Tank in the Forest follows two pond dwellers moved to a strange tank by unseen caretakers. Lily embraces the change, while Alfred notices the water receding and neighbors vanishing, raising unsettling questions. Written by David Ives and Tara Meddaugh and directed by Dylan Sladky, this PG-13 program runs about 30 minutes. The venue is open to the public, and donations are welcome but optional. Presented as part of a First Friday performance series.

Beacock Music will celebrate its 50th year in the music business with “76, Trombones: The Beginning,” a musical show with a live band in the recital hall at 1420 S.E. 163rd Ave., Vancouver. Walk down memory lane with songs and stories from Beacock Music’s founding year, 1976. Ticket sales will benefit the Daryle Rustvold MusicForLife Scholarship, which provides music lessons and instruments to those in need. Performances are 7 p.m. Nov. 6, 7, 13 and 14. Matinee shows are 2 p.m. Nov. 8 and 15. Tickets are $25, available at beacockmusic.com.

Puppet show presented by Venezuelan Americans, Melissa and Carlos Bertran. A bilingual (Spanish/English) story from Venezuela. In this story, the tiny heroine thinks herself much too fine to accept the proposal of a common mouse. Instead, she sets her sights on 'worthier' matches, such as the sun, the wind, and the mountain. Yet, her search for the perfect suitor brings her right back to the romantic little mouse who first proposed. This show was developed with the guidance of Venezuelan Americans and features Venezuelan music. A truly bilingual experience!

Espectáculo de títeres presentado por los venezolano-estadounidenses Melissa y Carlos Bertran. Una historia bilingüe (español/inglés) de Venezuela. En esta historia, la pequeña heroína se cree demasiado fina para aceptar la propuesta de matrimonio de un ratón común. En cambio, fija su atención en pretendientes "más dignos", como el sol, el viento y la montaña. Sin embargo, su búsqueda del pretendiente ideal termina llevándola de vuelta al pequeño ratón romántico que fue el primero en pedirle que se casara con él. Este espectáculo fue desarrollado con la guía de venezolano-estadounidenses y tiene música venezolana. ¡Una verdadera experiencia bilingüe!

Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right!

Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots). Featuring the now classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe.”

Fri, Nov 6 from 7-9:30pm

Sat, Nov 7 from 1-3:30pm & 6-8:30pm

Fri, Nov 13 from 7-9:30pm

Sat, Nov 14 from 1-3:30pm & 6-8:30pm

Adult (ages 19 and up) – $22
Youth (ages 2-18) – $20
Senior (ages 62+) – $20
Groups of 15+ –

At Fort Vancouver High School

Polynesian dance and narration from Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, and New Zealand with authentic costuming and music. Troupe of 10 to 18 dances for 50 minutes. Interactive dance with the audience—the show is exciting and colorful for all ages.

Puppet show presented by Venezuelan Americans, Melissa and Carlos Bertran. A bilingual (Spanish/English) story from Venezuela. In this story, the tiny heroine thinks herself much too fine to accept the proposal of a common mouse. Instead, she sets her sights on 'worthier' matches, such as the sun, the wind, and the mountain. Yet, her search for the perfect suitor brings her right back to the romantic little mouse who first proposed. This show was developed with the guidance of Venezuelan Americans and features Venezuelan music. A truly bilingual experience!

Espectáculo de títeres presentado por los venezolano-estadounidenses Melissa y Carlos Bertran. Una historia bilingüe (español/inglés) de Venezuela. En esta historia, la pequeña heroína se cree demasiado fina para aceptar la propuesta de matrimonio de un ratón común. En cambio, fija su atención en pretendientes "más dignos", como el sol, el viento y la montaña. Sin embargo, su búsqueda del pretendiente ideal termina llevándola de vuelta al pequeño ratón romántico que fue el primero en pedirle que se casara con él. Este espectáculo fue desarrollado con la guía de venezolano-estadounidenses y tiene música venezolana. ¡Una verdadera experiencia bilingüe!

Union High School will present “Elf, Jr., the Musical,” showing Nov. 12-14 at 6201 N.W. Friberg-Strunk St., Camas. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Nov. 12 and 13, noon and 4 p.m. Nov. 14. The musical, based on the 2003 film, follows Buddy, a human who was raised as one of Santa’s elves. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for students age 2-18 and free for children age 2 and under. Learn more at uniontheatreplayers.com.

Prairie High School drama students present “Singin’ in the Rain,” showing Nov. 13-21 at Prairie High School, 11311 N.E. 119th St., Vancouver. Tap your toes and sing along to the songs you know and love while enjoying dance performances drawn from the silver screen. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Nov. 13, 14, 20 and 21. Matinee shows are 1 p.m. Nov. 14 and 21. Tickets range from $7 to $15, available online at gofan.co/event/6962419 or at the door.

Loowit Brewing, 507 Columbia St., Vancouver, hosts Laughs on Loowit, a stand-up comedy show hosted by Kevin Hossom at 7:30 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month. Enjoy beer, food and comedy from regional talent. Shows are intended for adults.

Magenta Theater presents Shelley Tate’s 90-minute play “Gumbo,” showing at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays from Nov. 6-15, with 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays. From bayou kitchens to front porches, this play celebrates the heart, humor and resilience of Louisiana’s women. Tickets are $15. Buy tickets at magentatheater.com/gumbo.

Welcome to Metropolitan Performing Arts, Southwest Washington’s home for theatre education and community theatre. We offer expert training for kids, teens, and adults in acting, dancing, music, and theatre tech. Our professional theatre productions feature top talent from the Vancouver-Portland metro area. Join us for a class, audition for a show, or come experience the thrill of live theatre!

Staged readings from:

Words Words Words

Sure Thing

The Items Forgotten

Alfred & Lily and Their Marvelous Tank in the Forest

Magenta Theater presents “The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon,” playing Nov. 27-Dec. 13 at 1108 Main St., Vancouver. This family-friendly parody of made-for-TV seasonal romantic comedies is set in Hopewood Falls, Vermont, where singles converge to look for love. Can disguises help royalty and movie stars find the down-to-earth connections they crave? Will evil city slickers destroy charming inns and Christmas tree farms? Isn’t it creepy for a meet-cute to depend on one person being in a coma? Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with matinee shows at 2 p.m. Sundays. Opening night includes a festive costume and holiday sweater contest at 7 p.m. Tickets are $28 ($30.20 with fees). Get tickets at magentatheater.com.

Puppet show presented by Venezuelan Americans, Melissa and Carlos Bertran. A bilingual (Spanish/English) story from Venezuela. In this story, the tiny heroine thinks herself much too fine to accept the proposal of a common mouse. Instead, she sets her sights on 'worthier' matches, such as the sun, the wind, and the mountain. Yet, her search for the perfect suitor brings her right back to the romantic little mouse who first proposed. This show was developed with the guidance of Venezuelan Americans and features Venezuelan music. A truly bilingual experience!

Espectáculo de títeres presentado por los venezolano-estadounidenses Melissa y Carlos Bertran. Una historia bilingüe (español/inglés) de Venezuela. En esta historia, la pequeña heroína se cree demasiado fina para aceptar la propuesta de matrimonio de un ratón común. En cambio, fija su atención en pretendientes "más dignos", como el sol, el viento y la montaña. Sin embargo, su búsqueda del pretendiente ideal termina llevándola de vuelta al pequeño ratón romántico que fue el primero en pedirle que se casara con él. Este espectáculo fue desarrollado con la guía de venezolano-estadounidenses y tiene música venezolana. ¡Una verdadera experiencia bilingüe!

The Clark College Theatre Department presents the American classic, “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams. Shows are in Clark College’s Decker Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21. General admission is $12. Senior citizens age 60 and older are $10. Admission is free for students, faculty and staff of Clark College with ID. Get tickets at clarkbookstore.com/site_theatre.asp