Grab a D-I-C-T-I-O-N-A-R-Y and welcome to the spelling bee. This heartfelt musical comedy follows an eclectic group of tweens who compete for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Eight spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box.
Stage
Performing arts of all kinds! Plays, musicals, staged readings, opera, and more. Local theater houses include the Spokane Civic Theater, Stage Left Theatre, Spokane Children’s Theatre, and many others. The First Interstate Center for the Arts hosts Spokane’s Best of Broadway series, which brings touring productions of acclaimed Broadway shows like Hamilton. Find out more below!
Treasure Island | Spokane Civic Theatre
Sixteen-year-old Jim Hawkins’ adventure begins when Billy Bones, the old sea-dog captain, appears one morning in the Admiral Benbow Inn. Billy Bones admits to Jim he was Flint the pirate’s first mate and that he holds Flint’s map that shows where his treasure is hidden. Bill’s got the shakes because the rest of Flint’s crew is coming for him. Jim takes the map, eludes the pirates, and sets his course for adventure. Together with Doctor Livesay and Squire Trelawney, they quickly decide to outfit a ship—the Hispaniola—and travel the sea to hunt that treasure. Aboard the ship, Jim meets Long John Silver, who befriends him. But Jim quickly learns who Long John really is and what his plans are. Once the Hispaniola anchors off the coast of Treasure Island the pirates turn on Jim and his companions. Aided by Ben Gunn, the wild and half-insane maroon, Jim takes on the responsibility to save the ship and his shipmates and to secure that treasure.
Alice by Heart | Spokane Civic Theatre
In the rubble of the London Blitz of World War II, Alice Spencer’s budding teen life is turned upside down, and she and her dear friend Alfred are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station. When the ailing Alfred is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape with her into their cherished book and journey down the rabbit hole to Wonderland.
Spokane Ensemble Theatre Presents According to Coyote
A vibrant and entertaining family-friendly anthology of tales featuring the legendary hero of Native American mythology. According to Coyote is an encounter with the richness and vitality of Native American culture using age-old traditions of music, dance, and theater. This performance will warm the hearts of young and old alike. Family-friendly drinks and snacks available starting at 7 pm or bring your own and enjoy a picnic at the MAC before the performance. *Produced by Spokane Ensemble Theatre.
Million Dollar Quartet Christmas | Best of Broadway
Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley come together again to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Sun Records, now donned with a Christmas tree, garland and mistletoe, rings with the sounds of the season and the chart toppers that made these four famous. Follow along with the gang’s usual antics as we journey through a story of Christmas past, present and future. It’s a jam-packed evening of holidays hits and classic characters you won’t want to miss.
Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird | Best of Broadway
All rise for Academy Award® winner Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork.The New York Times Critic’s Pick TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is “the most successful American play in Broadway history” (60 Minutes). Rolling Stone gives it 5 stars, calling it “an emotionally shattering landmark production of an American classic,” and New York Magazine calls it “a real phenomenon. Majestic and incandescent, it’s filled with breath and nuance and soul.” With direction by Tony Award® winner Bartlett Sher, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD—“the greatest novel of all time” (Chicago Tribune)—has quickly become “one of the greatest plays in history” (NPR).
LES MISÉRABLES | Best of Broadway
Cameron Mackintosh presents the acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony® Award-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISÉRABLES. This brilliant staging has taken the world by storm and has been hailed as “Les Mis for the 21st Century” (Huffington Post), “a reborn dream of a production” (Daily Telegraph) and “one of the greatest musicals ever created” (Chicago Tribune).
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical | Best of Broadway
THE GRINCH broke box office records for two consecutive years on Broadway during its holiday engagements at the St. James and Hilton theatres in New York. Since then, more than 2.1 million theatre-goers across America have been delighted by this heart-warming holiday musical, which The New York Times praised as “100 times better than any bedtime story” and the Gannett papers hailed as “A genius of a show! A total delight for both kids and adults.”
TINA – The Tina Turner Musical | Best of Broadway
An uplifting comeback story like no other, TINA—The Tina Turner Musical is the inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock n’ Roll. Set to the pulse-pounding soundtrack of her most beloved hits, this electrifying sensation will send you soaring to the rafters. One of the world’s best-selling artists of all time, Tina Turner has won 12 Grammy Awards and her live shows have been seen by millions, with more concert tickets sold than any other solo performer in music history. Featuring her much loved songs, TINA—The Tina Turner Musical is written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall and directed by the internationally acclaimed Phyllida Lloyd.
Disney’s Aladdin | Best of Broadway
Discover a whole new world at Disney’s ALADDIN, the hit Broadway musical. From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of ALADDIN, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite.
Spokane Valley Summer Theatre Rising Stars
SVST RISING STARS is back by popular demand! The region’s best emerging talent come together for a special, two-performances only showcase production. This third annual event will feature our talented teens and young adults pursuing musical theatre and studying in coveted training programs across the nation. Come see our region’s next Broadway bound stars!
Escape to Margaritaville | Spokane Valley Summer Theatre
Set your mind on island time and plan your escape to the Regional Premiere of ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE, the new musical comedy about choices we make- and the people we become – once we’ve had a change in ‘latitude’.