‘CenterStageLive!’ planned

Thu., Feb. 23, 2006

By Jim Kershner jimkershner@comcast.net

CenterStage unveils a new direction in local dinner theater on Friday with “CenterStageLive!”

The half-comedy, half-music variety show will change with every performance. Connie Sagona of CenterStage said it’s inspired by “Saturday Night Live,” The Capitol Steps and Monty Python. The initial theme is “Love,” but that will change periodically.

The material is written by local writers including Reed McColm, Tim Behrens, Janean Jorgensen, Michael Donohue, Maria Caprile and Leslie Ann Grove.

Performers include Behrens, Grove, McColm, Jorgensen, Darin Jones and magician Matthew Van Zee. Most nights will also feature a guest artist, often a local singer.

Each performance will include a “McManus Moment,” written by Patrick F. McManus and performed by Behrens, as well as a “Spokane Report,” a satirical commentary on regional news.

Kim Roberts directs “our gifted and slightly deranged performers into marginally coherent order,” according to Sagona.

“CenterStageLive” runs every Friday and Saturday through April 1 (except March 17-18), with showtimes at 8 p.m. A dinner-and-show package is available at $39 per person, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.

Show-only tickets are $19. Those ticket holders can order (for an extra charge) from a menu of hors d’oeuvres, entrees and desserts.

Call 747-8243 for reservations.

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