‘Endlessly Grousing’ Rides Again

The Pat McManus-Tim Behrens comedy show returns to The Met tonight through Saturday with the third in the McManus trilogy, “Pat McManus, Endlessly Grousing.”

To call this a long-running partnership is an understatement. Saturday’s show will be the 450th performance of the series, which has now played six years in 19 states before 150,000 people.

Only Tim Behrens actually appears on stage. McManus is the writer who has adapted many of his humor pieces for the stage. Behrens portrays McManus as well as many of McManus’ characters, including Rancid Crabtree and Retch Sweeney.

“Pat McManus, Endlessly Grousing” is partly a greatest-hits package — it contains some of the best-loved scenes from the first two shows, “A Fine and Pleasant Misery” and “McManus in Love.” It also contains new material from his latest book “Endlessly Grousing,” which includes McManus’ musings on aging.

The show runs tonight, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. at The Met. Tickets are $12.50 for adults and $5 for youth, available at G&B Select-a-Seat outlets or call (800) 325-SEAT.

McManus will be at the show at 7:15 p.m. each night to sign books.

One extra bonus: All ticketholders will receive a free ticket to one of two KSPS-7 tapings in January. The station will be taping “A Fine and Pleasant Misery” and “McManus in Love” for airing on KSPS and possibly other PBS stations.

‘North Pole Extravaganza’

The Spokane Civic Theatre’s youth performance troupe, the Box ‘n’ Hat Players, will present their annual holiday showcase on Sunday at 7 p.m. on the Civic’s Main Stage.

“The North Pole Extravaganza” is staged as if it were a talent show at the North Pole, featuring the elves and the reindeer. Dasher causes chaos and comedy ensues.

Traditional holiday songs will be featured.

The director is Jean Hardie. Kathie Doyle-Lipe makes a guest appearance as Dasher.

This event is free, on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of A Christmas Carol

The Amayan Acting Troupe of Chewelah, Wash., presents a comedy version of the Dickens classics, as if performed by a group of British townspeople - thus the lengthy title: “The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society Production of A Christmas Carol.”

Director Laura Thain said this is not Charles Dickens’ version, but a parody written by David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jr. It’s a play within a play, done strictly for comedy.

Performances are Wednesday at 8 p.m.; Dec. 17-19, 8 p.m.; Dec. 20, 2 p.m.; Dec. 27, 2 p.m and 7 p.m.; and Dec. 28-30, 8 p.m. Those performances are all at the Chewelah Civic Center, 301 E. Clay.

The play shifts to the Deer Park Middle School Stage, 347 Colville St., on Jan. 2 at 8 p.m. and Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. A performance at the Deer Park Winterfest will be on Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. at the Deer Park Civic Center.

Tickets are available at Go West Bookstore and Akers United Drug in Chewelah, Talk ‘n’ Coffee in Colville or by phone at (509) 935-6968.

Advance tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and students. Tickets at the door are $10. Children 3 and under are free.