2022
The Tempest
June 3 - 19, 2022
A crew of men are shipwrecked on a magical island and tormented by an old man and his minions.
The Foreigner
April 8 - 24, 2022
The Foreigner, by Larry Shue, is a great American comedy, a funny and engaging piece of theatre. This play has everything: great comic dialogue and situation, suspense, romance, surprise turns of plot, all driven by the interplay of seven wonderfully drawn characters, characters that unfold into something different from what we first think they are.
Jack and Jill (Martin) - A Staged Reading
March 19, 2022
While most romances focus on the search for Mr. or Ms. Right, Jack and Jill explores what happens after two people find the right fit. From an awkward courtship to marital bliss and beyond, the author playfully portrays the hard work of love that requires balancing intimacy with commitment, self discovery, and personal change.
Tiny Beautiful Things
February 18 - March 5, 2022
Tiny Beautiful Things is a collection of essays compiled from Cheryl Strayed's "e;Dear Sugar"e; advice column.
Looking for Normal - A Staged Reading
January 15, 2022
Looking for Normal: A bittersweet transgender domestic comedy-drama.
2021
A Christmas Carol
December 3 - 19, 2021
Dickens' holiday classic tells a story of second chances, transformation, forgiveness, and compassion.
She Kills Monsters - A Staged Reading
October 30th, 2021
A comedic romp into the world of fantasy role-playing games! She Kills Monsters tells the story of Agnes Evans as she leaves her childhood home in Ohio following the death of her teenage sister, Tilly. When Agnes finds Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook, however, she finds herself catapulted into a journey of discovery and action-packed adventure in the imaginary world that was her sister’s refuge. In this high-octane dramatic comedy laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres, and ’90s pop culture, acclaimed playwright Qui Nguyen offers a heart-pounding homage to the geek and warrior within us all.
The Mousetrap
October 1 - 17, 2021
Agatha Christie returns to Valley Center Stage with the world's longest running play. After a local woman is murdered, the guests and staff at Monkswell Manor find themselves stranded during a snowstorm. It soon becomes clear that the killer is among them, and the seven strangers grow increasingly suspicious of one another.
Toil and Trouble
February 27th, 2021
This adaptation of Shakespeare's Scottish play tells the story of three friends, desperate to beat the recession, who combine forces to take over a South American island. Gunderson’s macabre comedy pits friend against friend, ambition against fate, and pet-sitting against mini mogul-dom. Plotting for power with vicuñas (closely related to llamas), fortune cookies, and daggers… what could possibly go wrong?
2020
A Christmas Carol
December 5th, 2020 (livestream)
Scrooge endeavors through his personal journey with spiritual guidance from the Ghost of Marley, Ghost of Christmas Past, Ghost of Christmas Present, and Ghost of Yet to Come. What better reminder, that in trying times and unknown situations, there is always light at the end of the tunnel!
Murder on the Orient Express
February 14 - March 1, 2020
All aboard the Orient Express! Book your passage and enjoy the thrilling and suspenseful ride aboard the legendary locomotive, complete with a cast of interesting and quirky characters, including the dapper, Hercule Poirot, a world-renowned and highly respected detective. As the train is stopped dead in its tracks by an avalanche, a passenger is discovered murdered and Poirot must work quickly to solve the crime before the murderer strikes again. With a train full of suspects and an alibi for each one, it is the perfect mystery for Poirot to solve, n’est-ce pas? Murder on the Orient Express is a plot-twist masterpiece that has thrilled mystery lovers through television, radio, film and stage.
2019
A Christmas Carol
November 29 - December 21, 2019
A Christmas Carol, is returning for its twelfth run, with The Elwood’s adaptation coming to life on our stage for the third year. A Christmas Carol is a heartwarming and timeless story of joyful redemption. Ebenezer Scrooge, who we meet at the height of his wealth and success, has turned into a bitter, lonely, old miser. His only companion, apart from his tired and meek servant, Bob Cratchit, is his cold dark spirit; that is, until the spirit world, led by his former business partner, Marley, forces him to see who he was before his success, who he has since become and who he could be.
The Goat or, Who is Sylvia? (Staged Reading)
November 9th, 2019
Three-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Edward Albee’s most provocative, daring, and controversial play since Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, The Goat won all the major awards for best new play of the year in 2002 (Tony, New York Drama Critics Circle, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle). Edward Albee describes the play this way: "Every civilization sets quite arbitrary limits to its tolerances. The play is about a family that is deeply rocked by an unimaginable event and how they solve that problem. It is my hope that people will think afresh about whether or not all the values they hold are valid."
Of Mice and Men
October 17 - 27, 2019
Adapted from Steinbeck’s novella of the same title, this beautiful and tragic story centers on the unlikely friendship between two migrant workers weathering together the loneliness and hardships of the Great Depression. Lenny, a childlike man in a powerful body, and George, a man smaller in stature who protects and soothes his larger companion, travel from town to town hoping for work while dreaming and planning for the day they can buy their own land. A terrible accident leads to unintended consequences veering Lenny and George off their intended course despite “the best laid schemes of mice and men.”
Woodstock Chrysalis
September 21st, 2019
The time is 1969. The place is the iconic Woodstock Music & Art Fair where 400,000 Hippies and Freaks show up for 3 Days of Peace & Music & Lord knows what else. What could possibly go wrong? Our young hero, Maxine, is trying her best to navigate the turbulent waters of the late 1960’s. Her 3 day journey at Woodstock is a personal odyssey of conflict, self-discovery, moral crisis and, oh yeah, music plus fun. Can she overcome the 3 deadly sins of lust, wrath and envy?
North Bend Blues Walk
September 14th, 2019
The 2019 North Bend Blues Walk on Sept 14th is a one day blues festival with 14 venues in historic Downtown North Bend, WA!
The Gingerbread Man
July 20 - 28, 2019
Narrated by a wise-cracking crow, The Gingerbread Man is a tale of unlikely friendships and the wonder that happens when love, kindness and the power of imagination come together. Gretchen, a young orphan with a heart of gold, hopes to bring life back to Tin Town by helping the kindly baker and his wife make a “delectable,” “whimsical” and “respectable” dessert in the form of a gingerbread man. With an added touch of love and imagination, the gingerbread man comes to life and must run-run-run as fast as he can to save the town and his friends!
A Midsummer Night's Dream
June 14 - 30, 2019
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a raucous tale of midsummer madness set in Athens. Shakespeare’s charming and most popular comedy is replete with plot twists of mistaken identity, mismatched lovers and mischief-making fairies, who meddle with magical love potions causing two couples to become ensnared in a chaotic swirl of love lost and found, transformed and restored. A lively band of characters including a rustic troupe of would-be actors also help hinder the couples on their way to a happily ever after. It is a hilarious story that has withstood the test of time entertaining audiences throughout the ages!
The Seafarer
June 14 - 30, 2019
The Seafarer is a chilling play about the sea, Ireland, and the power of myth. It is Christmas Eve in Dublin at the squalid home of the aging, cantankerous Richard. Richard’s brother, Sharky, recently sober, has returned to Dublin after losing yet another job to care for Richard, who was blinded in a drunken accident. At Richard’s insistence, his old drinking buddies and a mysterious stranger gather for a night of drinking and cards to celebrate the holiday. The stranger, bringing an ominous presence to the game, has come to collect on old debt with one of the players. The innocent card game becomes not so innocent, with the hands of fate played out in the cards!
Nunsense
February 16 - March 9, 2019
Nunsense is a hilarious over-the-top musical comedy featuring five valiant nuns belting, twirling and tap dancing their way to fundraising enough money to properly bury 52 recently departed sisters. Sister Julia, the convent cook, inadvertently poisoned the Little Sisters of Hoboken after serving them vichyssoise. Thus, the surviving nuns – ballet-loving Sister Leo, street-wise Sister Robert Anne, befuddled Sister Mary Amnesia, the Mother Superior Sister Regina, and mistress of the novices Sister Mary Hubert – must stage a talent show in the school gymnasium to raise the money!
Proof (Staged Reading)
January 12th, 2019
Proof is a compassionate and brilliant exploration of a family gifted with genius and fraught with mental illness. The enigmatic Catherine has spent years taking care of her father who slipped from mathematical genius to insanity, after years of notoriety for his work. Upon his death, Catherine and her sister must sort out how to move forward. Her sister offers a pragmatic solution, believing Catherine incapable of taking care of herself and feeding Catherine’s fear that she may have inherited her father’s propensity toward mental degeneration. A discovery of a mysterious proof in the notebooks scattered about the house by an unlikely suitor complicates their lives even further and challenges everyone’s perception of Catherine, including her own.
2018
A Christmas Carol
November 20 - December 16, 2018
Valley Center Stage is excited to announce the return of A Christmas Carol, a timeless story of joyful redemption written by Charles Dickens and adapted for the stage by Brenden and Wynter Elwood. This heartwarming holiday tale for all ages follows the life of Ebenezer Scrooge, who we meet at the height of his wealth and success. Years of miserliness has turned him into a bitter and greedy old man. The only companion Scrooge has, apart from his tired meek servant, Bob Cratchit, is his cold dark spirit. That is, however, until the spirit world, led by his former business partner, makes him reconcile who he is with where he came from and where he is destined to go.
Durst Case Scenario: Midterm Madness
November 1 - 3, 2018
Fresh from the national tour of his award- winning, hilarious chronicle of the changes in America during the Time of Trump, comedian, columnist, actor, author, former margarine smuggler, Will Durst is proud to announce he’s updated his hysterical historical Durst Case Scenario, with a colon and a subtitle - Midterm Madness. The Durst Case Scenario: Midterm Madness is a lightening paced, 85 minute playful & ludicrous & whimsical & droll & silly & serious & sarcastic, mischievous, incisive, trenchant, profound, & chock full of jokes, comedic tour-de-force. Durst, described by the New York Times as “possibly the best political comic working today,” analyzes the first year and a half of Donald Trump’s Reign of Error by detailing where we are, how we got here and the myriad of destinations that may lie ahead. And what the chances are, we’ll be fighting with dogs for food once we get there. Chronicling the latest results of the game of musical chairs in the Oval Office, Durst also describes the wacky zany antics, palace intrigues and potholes and pitfalls of polarization that threaten our country, hemisphere, planet, solar system and universe, in this, The New Abnormal.
Sherlock Holmes: The Baker Street Irregulars
October 12 - October 27, 2018
Sherlock Holmes is missing after his epic battle with arch-nemesis, Moriarty, and the streets of London are infested with crime. The Baker Street Irregulars, a group of talented street kids – a pickpocket, an inventor, a budding detective, an artist, and a skilled maneuverer – rush in to save the day despite Inspector Lestrade’s doubts in their abilities and Watson’s initial annoyance at their presence. This motely group of would-be heroes, hired by Sherlock before his disappearance to help solve crimes, face villains, mistaken identities, subterfuge, and dangerous confrontations in their quest to solve the crimes gripping the city.
The Bremen Town Black Cat Band
July 29 - August 5, 2018
Join us for the exciting, comedic musical adventures of The Bremen Town Black Cat Band! A big-hearted donkey, a loyal dog, a resourceful cat and a comedic rooster travel together far and wide on their quest to reunite with the long lost family of the donkey. Meanwhile, a couple of comical crooks from America are hiding out in the spooky Black Forest and swindle Donkey’s human parents out of their home. Will the intrepid band of animal musicians manage to raucously scare the crooks out of the house? If you know the Brothers Grimm tale, you’ll know the answer is yes.
Danny O'Hare: I Feel Fuzzy
July 13 - 14, 2018
Required Field Productions is proud to present Danny O’Hare: I Feel Fuzzy, a new cabaret show starring Danny O’Hare, an energetic singer with a deep love of the lounge classics. Danny is also a puppet in heavy denial of his puppet-ness (puppet-ude? puppet-osity?) When Danny is forced to face his true nature in the middle of the show, he handles it poorly—and hilariously. Luckily, he’s helped by his two long-suffering human backup singers: a fed-up soprano, and an alto with a secret. They use tough-ish love to guide him through a musical intervention featuring favorites and deep dives from lounge, pop, Broadway, and beyond.
Curious Comedy Tour
June 16th, 2018
The Curious Comedy Tour is a traveling variety show from Seattle Washington. The show features two of the premier comedy/variety acts on the West Coast. Steve Hamilton and Matt Baker are two separate, but equally funny professional entertainers who have combined forces for a hilarious show that is fun for of all ages. A show chalked full of magic, juggling, music, odd skills, audience participation and a whole lot of comedy, the Curious Comedy Tour is a show you don’t want to miss. Between the two of these accomplished performers they have performed over 4,000 shows, have appeared on America’s Got Talent, Last Comic Standing and have made people laugh in over 16 different countries. One of them even has three Guinness World Record. Coming to a town near you the Curious Comedy Tour is the total package.
Death Trap
May 11 - 26, 2018
Sidney Bruhl, a successful writer of Broadway thrillers, is struggling to overcome a dry spell which has resulted in a string of failures and a shortage of funds. He needs to solve this shortage of funds quickly so he devises a clever plan with his wife’s help, inviting an eager former student to his home after reading the student’s well-crafted play. The student accepts readily. And, thus, the suspense begins mounting steadily with devilish cleverness, twisting and churning to the bitter end. Described as a comedy-thriller and a play within a play, it will bring you bouncing along to the startling and shocking conclusion.
Open House
March 16 - March 31, 2018
Sisters, Leonie and Louise, grudgingly and yet graciously invite you as guests to their open house selling their beloved childhood home to pay off past due taxes. The elderly and very familiar sisters, the oldest a sweet widow, the youngest a curmudgeonly spinster, have spent the last 20 years living together, quizzing each other about movies and movie stars and faithfully watching The Young and the Restless. This cleverly written script, will have you laughing as they face challenges that occur because neither of them want to deal with the drudgery of day to day life, like opening the mail, or confronting a dead beat son/nephew. A cast of unique characters fill out the play with fun twists and turns. The ending will surely surprise you!
Jake's Women
February 2 - 17, 2018
Jake is a novelist, who is much more comfortable passively observing his life as opposed to living it, taking refuge in his study and imagining conversations with the important women in his life: a snarky therapist; an abrasive sister; an adored, and dead, first wife; a daughter recalled as a child but now a young woman. Jake is desperately seeking help from these women hoping to save his marriage and ultimately himself from himself through these sometimes hilarious and sometimes tender “exchanges.” As things go, he is often interrupted by real life with actual visits from these tenacious women who have some things to say to him about himself and how he shows up in his life and his relationships.
2017
A Christmas Carol
December 1 - December 17, 2017
Valley Center Stage is excited to announce the return of A Christmas Carol, a timeless story of joyful redemption written by Charles Dickens and adapted for the stage by Brenden and Wynter Elwood. This heartwarming holiday tale for all ages follows the life of Ebenezer Scrooge, who we meet at the height of his wealth and success. Years of miserliness has turned him into a bitter and greedy old man. The only companion Scrooge has, apart from his tired meek servant, Bob Cratchit, is his cold dark spirit. That is, however, until the spirit world, led by his former business partner, makes him reconcile who he is with where he came from and where he is destined to go.
The Mystery of Irma Vep — A Penny Dreadful
October 13 - October 28, 2017
Irma Vep is a fast paced comedic ride, an over the top horror story, taking place at the sinister estate of an aristocrat and his new wife, a nervous stage actress of some distinction, and their employees, an awkward gardener and a no nonsense maid. All who reside at the manor find themselves bedeviled by a werewolf, a ghost, a vampire, a sarcophagus and an unsolved murder. This play is a joyful embrace of melodramatic theater, borrowing from a smorgasbord of works such as Wuthering Heights, the Hitchcock film, Rebecca, Shakespeare, Victorian penny dreadfuls and the entire selection of American vampire, mummy and werewolf movies. For good reason, Irma Vep has the distinction of being Ludlam’s most popular work, inspiring hundreds of productions around the world.
North Bend Blues Walk
September 23rd, 2017
The North Bend Blues Walk is a one-day blues festival in historic Downtown North Bend, Washington, organized and sponsored by JazzClubsNW, a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and other sponsors.
Caps for Sale!
July 23 - July 30, 2018
Slobodkina’s Caps for Sale! is a timeless classic about a gregarious hat peddler and a band of mischievous monkeys. The peddler stacks his hats high on his head so that he is free to shake hands with any new person willing to shake his. When monkeys steal his hats, the peddler finds some very funny ways to outwit the monkeys and gently provides ways children can work through almost any roadblock in their life.
Five Women Wearing the Same Dress
May 5 - May 20, 2017
In this exquisitely written comedy, five reluctant, identically clad bridesmaids take refuge in an upstairs bedroom during the reception of an extravagant wedding, each with her own reason to avoid the proceedings below. They are Frances, cousin of the bride and a painfully sweet, sheltered fundamentalist; Mindy, the cheerful, wise-cracking lesbian sister of the groom; Georgeanne, whose heartbreak over her own failed marriage triggers outrageous behavior; Meredith, the bride's younger sister whose precocious rebelliousness masks a dark secret; and Trisha, a jaded beauty whose die-hard cynicism about men is called into question when she meets Tripp, a charming bad-boy usher to whom there is more than meets the eye. As the afternoon wears on these five very different women reveal themselves in that wonderful way women do and joyously discover a common bond in this wickedly funny, irreverent and touching celebration of the women's spirit.
Superior Donuts
March 24 - April 8, 2017
Superior Donuts takes place in the historic Uptown neighborhood of Chicago, one of Chicago’s most racially diverse communities. Arthur Przybyszewski, a despondent, aging 1960s radical owns a run-down, dated donut shop that has been in his family for sixty years. New employee Franco Wicks, a young, enthusiastic black man, inspires to infuse new energy into the shop while Arthur remains detached from investing in his business and life. Arthur grapples with his past while Franco, trying to find footing in his own life, has his own serious challenges. This provocative comedy drama explores the challenges of embracing the past while celebrating the redemptive power of friendship.
An Evening of One Acts
February 10 - February 25, 2017
An Evening of One Acts presents a line-up of short plays: Mr Nep?, Not Enough Rope, OMD, and Who Am I This Time?.
2016
A Christmas Carol
December 2 - December 17, 2016
Valley Center Stage is excited to announce the return of A Christmas Carol, a timeless story of joyful redemption written by Charles Dickens and adapted for the stage by Paul Sills. This heartwarming holiday tale for all ages follows the life of Scrooge, a miserly elderly man rigid with resentment, who finds his loving heart by way of the Christmas spirit.
Night Must Fall
October 14 - October 29, 2016
Directed by Wynter and Brenden Elwood, this atmospheric, psychological thriller takes place in the parlor of Mrs. Bramson's isolated manor. Mrs. Bramson, a wealthy, demanding hypochondriac widow, has a staff of quirky characters catering to her every whim, often with humorous displeasure. Tension builds when a young woman from the nearby sleepy village mysteriously disappears without a trace. The mystery surrounding the disappearance brings police and newspaper attention, the likes of which the town has never before experienced. Titillated by the attention, Mrs. Bramson and staff don’t see the danger that lurks in their midst!
North Bend Blues Walk
September 24th, 2016
The North Bend Blues Walk is a one-day blues festival in historic Downtown North Bend, Washington, organized and sponsored by JazzClubsNW, a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and other sponsors.
Off the Cuff: An Evening with Gary Schwartz
September 16 - 17, 2016
Gary Schwartz, an award-winning, television and film actor, director, master improvisational acting coach and now author, has a story to tell. In fact, he has so many stories it will take two nights to tell them. The shows will include songs, videos, monologues, pantomimes, and even poetry that represent Gary Schwartz’s career starting out as a class clown, to his start as a 13 year old professional mime to his transition to Hollywood as a comedian, TV, film and voice actor and renowned improvisational teacher. He will even lead the audience in some theatre Games and includes a talk with local playwright Jamie Gower and take questions about his storied career.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland / Who Stole the Queen of Hearts' Tarts?
July 17- 24, 2016
This two part production begins with Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland bringing our favorite classic scenes to life as Alice tries to make sense of this wonderful and strange world. We then adventure along with Alice to the Queen of Hearts’ garden party. With audience participation, the lovable Wonderland characters asks us to help solve the mystery of Who Stole the Queen of Hearts’ Tarts? This show for all ages is sure to bring smiles and laughter to all!
Tits & Asphalt: Why I Walk For Breast Cancer
July 15 - 16, 2016
A paranormal investigation team is called to a remote mansion-turned-resort to pursue a local legendary dog-like creature. When a murder occurs, the team must discover if human hands did the deed, or are there more sinister forces at work?
Case 906: By Cleaver or Claw
June 2 - 4, 2016
Valley Center Stage is excited to announce the return of A Christmas Carol, a timeless story of joyful redemption written by Charles Dickens and adapted for the stage by Brenden and Wynter Elwood. This heartwarming holiday tale for all ages follows the life of Ebenezer Scrooge, who we meet at the height of his wealth and success. Years of miserliness has turned him into a bitter and greedy old man. The only companion Scrooge has, apart from his tired meek servant, Bob Cratchit, is his cold dark spirit. That is, however, until the spirit world, led by his former business partner, makes him reconcile who he is with where he came from and where he is destined to go.
The Lion In Winter
May 6 - 21, 2016
Betrayal, treachery, and a knife fight: it’s just another normal get together for the royal Plantagenet family of Britain. In The Lion in Winter, King Henry II throws a celebration for the newly crowned King of France. Also in attendance are Henry’s mistress, his three plotting sons each eager to take the throne, and Henry’s manipulative wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, who has been kept in prison since raising an army against him. While the three sons back stab and squabble to take their place in history, Eleanor and Henry use their offspring as pawns against each other in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Told in marvelously articulate language, The Lion in Winter is a play that transcends the historical genre to become a bitingly hilarious family drama.
Matt Baker's Comedy + Stunt Show and Louie Foxx's One-Man Side Show
April 22, 2016
Please join us for a delightful evening, designed for all ages, with Matt Baker and Louie Foxx and their clever one-man shows of comedy, stunts, juggling and magic! On a stop between engagements, we are excited to host these two busy, highly entertaining performers! You may recognize them from their many individual television appearances, including America's Got Talent! Superbly talented and hysterically funny, these two deliver performances that will light up your evening!
Becky's New Car
March 4 - 19, 2016
Becky’s New Car dares to answer – is the grass really greener? Meet Becky, an unfulfilled married woman struggling to stay afloat in her scattered life. She feels invisible and longs for something new. Then, one late night at work, a wealthy man appears and offers her something…new. From there a self-fueled wild ride of twists and turns unravel as Becky propels further down the road frantically pondering – which way should I go?
Greater Tuna
February 4 - 20, 2016
Greater Tuna is the hilarious comedy about Texas’ third smallest town, where the Lion’s Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies. The eclectic band of citizens that make up this town are portrayed by only two performers, making this satire on life in rural America even more delightful as they depict all of the inhabitants of Tuna — men, women, children and animals.
2015
‘Tis the Season
December 3 - December 19, 2015
Valley Center Stage presents ‘Tis the Season, a family show to delight young and old. Join us in celebrating the holiday season with songs and stories designed to warm your heart, make you laugh and feel the joy of the holiday season! Our ensemble of talented performers of all ages join together to present an evening celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah traditions. Singers will perform a collection of your favorite songs of the season as well as some new favorites. Performers, through short vignettes and monologues, will share humorous and touching holiday and family memories we can all recognize. In honor of our younger audience members, we have included in our offerings children’s stories that we hope will bring a smile to the faces of all our audience members!
Leisure Time with Leisure Time Radio Show
November 19 - November 21, 2015
Let us take you back to the ’40s, when TV was just a rumor and radio was king! Valley Center Stage presents it’s annual fundraiser; a 1940’s radio show featuring the Valley Center Stage performers accompanied by John Chmaj and The Cascade Jazz Ensemble.
The Twilight Zone
October 8 - October 24, 2015
So imagine, if you will, that you are sitting in a darkened theatre. And at this point in time you have chosen to step into a realm of sound, sight, and mind. An exploration into the dark and wondrous realm of unreality. That signpost up ahead? THE TWILIGHT ZONE at Valley Center Stage!