The return of live theater is something to look forward to after its long hiatus due to the pandemic. 

A new theater season is kicking off this Fall as three local venues have an exciting new lineup of shows:

Centerstage

Centerstage is a professional theater company producing 4-5 shows yearly at Knutzen Family Theater near Dash Point in Federal Way. It’s a small, well done theater without a bad seat in the house. At last night’s showing of “Ghost Train,” the director mentioned how lucky they were to receive numerous grants during the pandemic, but also pointed out that “we aren’t out of the woods yet.” 

This year’s shows include:

•The Ghost Train

•Cinderella 

•Hatmaker’s Wife 

•El Coqui Espectacular 

•Tartuffe

For a spookier version of theater, check out Centerstage’s “Ghost Train,” the first show of the season. This 100-year-old play is described by Centerstage as being a suspenseful and creepy thriller with “a sublime sense of humor.”

It runs through October 30 and there are still seats available.

Advanced tickets are $38 and only $18 for students under 22 years old.

https://centerstagetheathre.com

The Renton Civic Theater

The Renton Civic Theater is a local treasure in the heart of downtown. What originally began as a boarded-up 1920s movie palace, was turned into a live theater with funding from individuals and local businesses. 

This season’s lineup of shows is:

• Humbug 
• A day in Hollywood a night in Ukraine 
• Thumbs 
• Rent 

“Humbug,” by John Wooten, is what you get when you throw a power-hungry Wall Street executive into a modern-day twist of Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella “A Christmas Carol.” “Humbug” will be starting on December 2.

Tickets are $20-30 per show with discounted student tickets available. https://rentoncivictheatre.org/index.html

Auburn Community Players

It’s no secret that the pandemic dealt a severe blow to live theater, which is only now starting to recover. 

Unfortunately, the local theater company Auburn Community Players suffered another setback when the Auburn Theater was “red tagged” in December 2021 as a result of structural damage inflicted by a neighboring fire earlier that summer.

However, the good news is that this all-volunteer troupe of actors can now be found at Green River College’s Cascade Hall.

Their production of “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” just wrapped up, so the musical “Nunsense” will be your next chance to catch a show when it opens in March. 

Pre-sale tickets are $20 and $17 for students. https://www.auburnwa.gov/city_hall/parks_arts_recreation/arts_and_entertainment/theater_and_performing_arts

Live theater was hit hard by the pandemic and the resiliency of the actors and crews over the last few years is commendable. 

There’s never been a better time to support the arts and go see a play!