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Take Christmas in stages with theater productions

’Tis the season to take in a show — mystery, musical or improv

By Scott Hewitt, Columbian staff writer
Published: December 8, 2017, 6:06am
5 Photos
Love Street Playhouse’s production of “The Game’s Afoot” is about a dinner party that goes sideways when one of the guests turns up murdered.
Love Street Playhouse’s production of “The Game’s Afoot” is about a dinner party that goes sideways when one of the guests turns up murdered. Love Street Playhouse Photo Gallery

What could be a comfier gig than not actually being Sherlock Holmes, but simply playing him on stage? You get to soak up hero worship for brains and bravery you don’t actually have. It’s an elementary way to sail through life.

Until, that is, somebody makes an attempt on the life of Broadway star William Gillette, world-famous for his long-running portrayal of the world’s greatest detective. When Gillette invites his co-stars to his Connecticut mansion in December 1936, it’s ostensibly to enjoy an elegant dinner and relaxing holiday weekend — but it’s really to sleuth out the bad guy.

You know the twist: a blizzard isolates Gillette’s truly weird home, a castle full of trap doors, secret passageways and other stageworthy oddities, so nobody can leave. Then, somebody turns up murdered. Now the real pressure is on Gillette to don that deerstalker hat and puff that curvy pipe with confidence, eliminating the impossibilities and catching the killer. It’s the challenge of his thespian lifetime.

That’s the setup of “The Game’s Afoot, or, Holmes for the Holidays,” a hilarious, gripping and seasonal update of the legend of Sherlock Holmes, on stage now though Dec. 17 at Woodland’s Love Street Playhouse. The cast, led by Kevin Taylor of Longview, also includes actors from Woodland and Portland — and, from Vancouver, Henry Lorch (as Gillette’s friend Felix) and Debra Blake (as an unwelcome theater critic). Sound designer David Roberts and property masters Marlowe Conde and Michele Glover are from Vancouver, too.

"The Game's Afoot, or, Holmes for the Holidays," by Ken Ludwig, directed by Melinda Pallotta. • When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16; 2 p.m. Dec. 9, 10, 16 and 17. • Where: Love Street Playhouse, 126 Loves Ave., Woodland. • Tickets: $20. • More information: lovestreetplayhouse.com "Elf The Musical, Jr.," by Matthew Sklar, Chad Beguelin, Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, directed by Jemme' Rinard. • When: 7 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9; 2 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10. • Where: Washburn Performing Arts Center at Washougal High School, 1201 39th St. • Tickets: $16, $14 for seniors and youth; $12 or $10 in advance • More information: journeytheater.org Magenta Improv Theater. • When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23. • Where: Magenta Theater, 1108 Main St., Vancouver. • Tickets: $10 in advance; $12 at the door • More information: magentatheater.com

The show is directed by Love Street founder Melinda Pallotta, who tells us that tickets have been selling fast and additional matinees have been added.

Naughty and nice

The world’s largest elf makes cheerful mayhem while dragging his estranged father off the naughty list and making a cynical New York City believe in Santa Claus again. The towering Will Ferrell starred in the 2003 film “Elf,” a contemporary classic; over in Washougal, today through Sunday, you can catch the final performances of the kids’ version, “Elf The Musical, Jr.,” presented by Journey Theater Arts Group.

Ad-libbed laughs

Finally, if you’re in need of some last-moment, seasonal stress relief, let Magenta Theater shoulder that burden for you. The trained goofballs with Magenta’s improv troupe will step into the stressful situation of creating spontaneous comedy with no script, no plans — no nothing, other than some comedic ingenuity and an audience with ridiculous suggestions.

If you’ve been going nuts with holiday responsibilities, put all that down and let Magenta Improv go nuts for you.

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