Laugh a minute
Magenta Theater, 1108 Main St., Vancouver, presents “Comedy Kaleidoscope” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, a colorful night of comedy featuring the Portland improv group, Score. The all-ages, family-friendly show includes Magenta Theater’s own improv troupe, MIT, with stand-up comedy and musical improvisation. The improv artists rely on audience suggestions to create spur-of-the-moment comedy sketches, songs and games. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $14.50 at magentatheater.com or call the box office at 360-949-3098.
Trees, art and ale
ilani will host a tree-lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday at 1 Cowlitz Way, Ridgefield. Meet Santa and enjoy free cookies, hot cocoa, coffee and carolers. See a 10-foot-tall gingerbread tree, constructed by Clark College culinary and STEM students, and take photos with a 1928 Peter Pirsch Fire Engine. Bring nonperishable food for the Clark County Food Bank. After the tree lighting, stay for ilani’s Holiday Crafts and Ale Festival, 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and noon to 8 p.m. Saturday. Sip ales, spirits, wines and cocktails while shopping for artisan products from 100 local vendors. Admission to the Crafts Festival is free and Ale Festival tasting packages ($25) can be purchased at ilaniresort.com.
Candy is dandy
Journey Theater presents Roald Dahl’s “Willy Wonka” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday as well as Nov. 17 and 18 at Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E. 18th St., Vancouver. Matinee shows are 2 p.m. Saturday and Nov. 18. The story follows enigmatic candy manufacturer, Willy Wonka, who hides golden tickets in five candy bars. Recipients win a free tour of the Wonka factory and a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats, but the fifth is likable Charlie Bucket. The children must learn to follow Wonka’s rules or suffer the consequences. Buy tickets at journeytheater.org or call 360-750-8550. Adult tickets are $18. Youth and senior tickets are $15. All tickets are $2 more at the door.
The dark side
Love Street Playhouse presents “Seeking Mister Hyde,” showing through Nov. 19 at 126 Loves Ave., Woodland. It’s 1885, and Robert Louis Stevenson’s health is failing and his finances are in shambles. He accepts an offer from his publisher to pen a ghost story in 11 days. As Stevenson writes about a Scottish criminal who led a double life, he becomes obsessed by the notion of evil under a veneer of respectability. The author gives himself over to his shadow self before emerging with “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” Shows are 7:30 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday as well as Nov. 15, 16 and 17. Matinee shows are 2 p.m. Sunday as well as Nov. 18 and 19. Tickets are $25 at lovestreetplayhouse.com.
