Mcmanus Stories Back On Stage
The Pat and Tim Show is back.
“Pat” is Pat McManus, the wildly successful humorist from Spokane, and “Tim” is Tim Behrens, the actor who plays Pat on stage.
They have returned with “Misery II: McManus in Love,” an all-new sequel to the original one-man show, “A Fine and Pleasant Misery: The Humor of Patrick F. McManus.”
It’s high time for a sequel, because, frankly, the original has already played everywhere on the planet.
At least it seems that way. The show has played more than 200 dates in 15 states over the past two years.
Now, McManus has worked up an entirely new batch of material, based on the characters that his fans have come to know and love, if “love” is the correct word to use for somebody like Rancid Crabtree.
Love, as a matter of fact, is the theme of this sequel. The young Pat and his best pal, Crazy Eddie Muldoon, discover girls, although they are probably no more successful in love than they are at riding a bike with a deer attached to the handlebars (a favorite tale from the first show).
Also making appearances are the other characters from McManus’ 11 books, the last five of which have made the New York Times best seller list. Behrens plays all of the characters.
The world premiere run of the show will be at The Met on Thursday and June 23 and 24 at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $11, $7 for children aged 16 and under and are available at G&B outlets.
McManus will be present at the shows to sign books.
“The King and I”
More than 70 talented folks from Sandpoint and vicinity will open the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic “The King and I” tonight at the Panida Theatre. The show will run for 10 performances through July 1.
It’s a massive undertaking for the community. More than 150 people auditioned. The Syringa Valley Chorus, an award-winning Sweet Adeline chorus, will be the king’s harem. The Studio One dance school will create the “Small House of Uncle Thomas” ballet. About 24 children will play the young princes and princesses.
The cast consists of Bob Huyck as the king, Andrea Lyman as Anna, and Bonnie Miller as Lady Thiang. Other major roles will be played by Kit Larson, Heather Freeland, David Rasmussen, Jim Kemmis, Sam Cornett, Larry Wolfe, Brian Davis and Amy Wolfe.
Tommy Cropper is the orchestra director, and Leroy Anderson is doing the set design. The show’s director is Merlyn Brown.
This 1951 musical has many memorable tunes, including “Getting to Know You” and “Hello, Young Lovers.”
“The King and I” plays tonight and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. It continues June 23, 24, 28, 30 and July 1 at 7:30 p.m. plus another 2 p.m. matinee on June 24.
Tickets are $10, $5 for children under 12, and are available in Sandpoint at Eve’s Leaves, Java Adagio and Yoke’s Pac ‘N’ Save. Tickets will also be available at the door prior to the performance.
“Pump Boys and Dinettes”
Washington State University’s Summer Palace opens the musical “Pump Boys and Dinettes” on Thursday at 8 p.m. at Daggy Hall in Pullman.
This country/western-flavored Broadway show features Prudie and Rhetta Cupp, who run the Double Cupp Diner, and the Pump Boys who run the gas station across the street.
The show continues June 23, 24, 28, 30 and July 1. All shows are at 8 p.m.
This is the first show in the threeshow season at the Summer Palace. A.R. Gurney’s “The Dining Room” runs July 6-8 and 12-15, and “The King and I” runs July 20-22 and 26-29.
Tickets for each show are $8, $6 seniors and $4 for youth under 18. Call (509) 335-7246 for reservations. Series “dramacard” tickets are also available by calling (509) 335-3239.
“Playwrights Forum Festival”
Don’t forget, the Playwrights Forum Festival continues this weekend and next weekend at the Spokane Civic Theatre’s Studio Theatre, 1020 N. Howard.
The festival consists of six new oneact plays, presented in rotation, three each evening. Tonight’s bill will feature “Area Code 212,” “Sacrifices Must Be Made” and “Breathing In Isis.” Saturday’s bill will feature “Going Home,” “Atlantic Crossing” and “The Last Touchy-Feely Drama on the American Stage.”
These plays were selected from 34 entries from around the country. A festival winner will be announced on closing night, June 24.
All shows are at 8 p.m. and tickets are $4. Call 325-2507 for tickets and information.
Interplayers’ Medieval Faire
The Interplayers Ensemble will have a Medieval Faire as a fundraiser at the theater, 174 S. Howard, Sunday from 7 to 10 p.m.
The theater will be full of knights, damsels, dancers, jousters ,jugglers, craftspeople and minstrels from the Society of Creative Anachronism. Guests can wander through the theater, mingling with the performers and sampling food and drink.
The food, provided with the cost of admission, will be from the Arizona Steak House, Europa, the Mustard Seed, Olive Garden, Cyrus O’Leary’s, the Coyote Cafe and Luigi’s. Alcoholic beverages will also be available at a cash bar.
Tickets are $20 in advance, by calling 455-PLAY. Tickets at the door will be $25. You are invited to wear a costume if you wish.
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