PREVIEW: A winter of comedy, dance, theater: Tom Segura, Broad Comedy, ‘An American in Paris,’ ‘Jay and Silent Bob’

Spokane is kicking off 2020 on a high note with plenty of theater, comedy and dance shows happening in the coming months.

Jan. 3-4: A month before comedian Ari Shaffir records his next special, “Ari Shaffir: Jew,” in New York in February, Spokane audiences get a sneak peek at the special as Shaffir headlines the Spokane Comedy Club. $20-$33 through spokanecomedyclub.com.

Jan. 4: The Pin hosts “The Wizard of Oz” drag show. $5-$10 through Eventbrite.

Jan. 5: Husband, father, veteran – comedian Josh Firestine has a lot to draw on for his standup material. The Tacoma native brings that material to the Spokane Comedy Club for one night only. $10-$16 through spokanecomedyclub.com.

Jan. 7: The International Fly Fishing Film Festival at the Bing Crosby Theater features shorts and feature-length films about the “passion, lifestyle and culture of fly fishing.” $17 through bingcrosbytheater.com.

Jan. 9-11: Actress/comedian/writer Nicole Byer can currently be seen on Netflix’s “Nailed It” and Facebook Watch’s “Loosely Exactly Nicole.” She also can be heard on her podcast “Why Won’t You Date Me.” Byer headlines four shows at the Spokane Comedy Club. $15-$30 through spokanecomedyclub.com.

Jan. 10-26: Osip Mandelstam was a Russian poet who, after writing a poem about Stalin’s mustache, was persecuted and sent to Siberia. Don Nigro’s “Mandelstam” at Stage Left Theater takes audiences on the poet’s journey into his exile. The play is directed by Doug Dawson. $20-$25 through spokanestageleft.org.

Jan. 10-Feb. 2: In Noël Coward’s “Present Laughter,” Garry Essendine (Patrick McHenry-Kroetch), a suave matinee idol, is told by his wife Liz (Elisabet Edwards) that he’s too old to be having multiple affairs. Just before he leaves on tour, things go downhill as the “full extent of his misdemeanors are discovered.” The show is directed by Melody Deatherage. $25 or $15 all ages rush 30 minutes before curtains through spokanecivictheatre.com.

Jan. 11: Spokane Youth Ballet performs “Peter and the Wolf” and showcases student choreography at the Bing. $7-$15 from bingcrosbytheater.com.

Jan. 14: Author Kiersten White reads from her young adult novel “Chosen,” set in the world of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” during this free event at Auntie’s Bookstore. Stephanie Oakes, author of “The Arsonist” and “The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly,” will introduce White.

Jan: 14-15: The touring production of “An American in Paris,” which features Gershwin classics like “I Got Rhythm,” “Liza,” “ ‘S Wonderful,” “But Not For Me” and “Stairway to Paradise,” comes to the First Interstate Center for the Arts for two shows. $49.50-$89.50 through TicketsWest.

Jan. 15: Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith, better known as Jay and Silent Bob, stop by the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, and they’re bringing their new film “Jay and Silent Bob Reboot” with them. After the screening, Mewes and Smith will answer questions from the audience. $50 through foxtheaterspokane.org.

Jan. 16: Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live: the Great Cheesy Movie Circus Tour brings the beloved TV show, its host Joel Hodgson, in his final tour, and movie-riffing robots Tom Servo, Crow and Gypsy to the FICA. Hodgson and his crew will walk the audience through some of the cheesiest films ever made. $45.25-$68.50 through TicketsWest.

Jan. 16-18: Comedian Jessimae Peluso, who has appeared on shows including “Girl Code,” “Safe Word,” “Deal With It,” “Last Call With Carson Daly,” “Chelsea Lately” and “@Midnight,” brings her act to the Spokane Comedy Club. $12-$26 through spokanecomedyclub.com. Women get in free on Jan. 16.

Jan. 17-19: Ignite! Community Theatre kicks off the year with a Booklight Readers Theatre production of Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest.” Tickets through Brown Paper Tickets.

Jan. 19: Comedian Haha Davis’s career began via videos he posted on Vine and Instagram. He eventually worked with Snoop Dogg, who he calls a mentor, and Chance the Rapper, appearing on his album “Coloring Book” and the “Magnificent Coloring” world tour. At the Spokane Comedy Club. $25-$40 through spokanecomedyclub.com.

Jan. 19: As part of the Stage to Screen Film Series, the Bing will screen a performance of Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons” starring Sally Fields and Bill Pullman. $10-$15 through bingcrosbytheater.com.

Jan. 21-26: “Escape to Margaritaville” brings original songs and Jimmy Buffet classics including “Fins,” “Volcano” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise” to the FICA stage in the musical comedy, which features a book by Emmy winner Greg Garcia (“My Name Is Earl,” “Raising Hope”) and Emmy nominee Mike O’Malley (“Survivor’s Remorse,” “Shameless”). $59.75-$115.50 through TicketsWest.

Jan. 22: The Valleyfolk – Joe Bereta, Elliott Morgan and Steve Zaragoza – recently won the first season of NBC’s “Bring the Funny.” The trio, who were original members of SourceFed on YouTube, combine stories, songs and standup into their live shows, including this one at the Spokane Comedy Club. $25 through spokanecomedyclub.com.

Jan. 23-25: Comedian J.P. Sears can be seen on YouTube, including his “Ultra Spiritual” series, as well as bookshelves via his guide “How to Be Ultra Spiritual.” He brings all his tips and encouragement to the Spokane Comedy Club. $16-$30 through spokanecomedyclub.com.

Jan. 24: Comedian Jubal Fresh, who also hosts the 103.1 KCDA “Brooke and Jubal” show, headlines the Bing. $27-$47 through bingcrosbytheater.com.

Jan. 24-26: In a dinner theater production of “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre is taking audiences to the 1958 Springfield High School prom where Springfield songleaders Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy are tasked with performing at the dance. At the Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center in Post Falls. $60 through cdasummertheatre.com. Tickets include dinner, show, tax and gratuity.

Jan. 24-Feb. 23: In “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” low-born Monty Navarro (Joseph Hall) uses any means necessary (read: murder) to become the ninth Earl of Highhurst. The musical, at Spokane Civic Theatre, is directed by Troy Nickerson and music directed by Henry McNulty. $35 adults; $30 seniors and military; $25 students; $15 all ages rush 30 minutes before curtain; $10 teens with student ID every Saturday from spokanecivictheatre.com.

Jan. 25: The all-female comedy troupe Broad Comedy comes to the Bing as part of “Laugh. No Matter What,” a fundraiser for Planned Parenthood. $30 through bingcrosbytheater.com.

Jan. 26: The Pin presents “Panic at the Drag Show,” a 2000s pop punk-themed drag show. $5-$10 through Eventbrite.

Jan. 28: The 14th Annual Fly Fishing Film Tour is bringing films about all aspects of fly fishing – saltwater to fresh – to the Bing. $18 through bingcrosbytheater.com.

Jan. 30-Feb. 1: When not on tour, comedian Michelle Wolf can be seen on Netflix’s “The Break With Michelle Wolf” and her HBO comedy special “Michelle Wolf: Nice Lady.” She also headlined the 2018 White House Correspondents Dinner and appeared on “The Daily Show With Trevor Noah” and “Late Night With Seth Meyers.” At the Spokane Comedy Club. $28-$35 through spokanecomedyclub.com.

Jan. 31: “Esperanza,” at the Bing, features flamenco dance presented by Spokane’s Quiero Flamenco and music from Celtic group An Dochas. $27 through bingcrosbytheater.com.

Feb. 4: Just three years after beginning his standup career, Kurtis Conner released his debut album “Cuppla Jokes” in 2016. The album reached No. 1 on the iTunes comedy charts and No. 6 on the Billboard comedy chart. Conner also hosts the podcast “Very Really Good” and posts videos on YouTube. He brings his act to the Spokane Comedy Club for one night only. $25-$75 through spokanecomedyclub.com.

Feb. 6-8: You may have seen Taylor Tomlinson on “Conan,” MTV’s “Safe Word,” Comedy Central’s “Adam Devine’s House Party,” on season nine of “Last Comic Standing” or Netflix’s “The Comedy Lineup.” Soon enough, you’ll be able to see even more of Tomlinson on Netflix, as she taped another special in November. At the Spokane Comedy Club. $10-$26 through spokanecomedyclub.com. Women get in free on Feb. 6.

Feb. 7-16: Aspire Community Theatre brings “9 to 5,” which features music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and a book by Patricia Resnick, to the Salvation Army Kroc Center. During the musical, three unlikely friends take over their office and learn just how much they can do. $19 for standard seats and $23-$25 for premium seats. Seniors and military receive 10% off single-ticket prices through aspirecda.com.

Feb. 8: Landon Cider, winner of the third season of “The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula,” stops by the Pin. $15-$70 through Eventbrite.

 Feb. 9: Seattle native Dustin Nickerson, who now calls California home, has been featured on Comedy Central’s “Hart of the City,” “Laughs on Fox,” PBS’ “Comedy Hour” and Hulu. He also can be heard on Sirius XM, Rooftop Comedy, “The Darren Streblow Show” and his podcast “Don’t Make Me Come Back There.” At the Spokane Comedy Club. $10-$16 through spokanecomedyclub.com. This show is family-friendly for ages 13 and older.

Feb. 13: During “Nat Geo Live!: When Women Ruled the World” at the FICA, Kara Cooney, professor of Egyptology, takes the audience back in time to when women like Cleopatra, Neferusobek and Nefertiti ruled the world. $34.50 or $21.50 for students through TicketsWest.

Feb. 13-15: Sam Morril has the unusual claim to fame of being just the third standup comedian to perform on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.” He’s also appeared on “Conan” four times and has released a Comedy Central Half Hour, an hourlong special and his first album “Class Act,” which reached No. 1 on iTunes. At Spokane Comedy Club. $8-$28 through spokanecomedyclub.com. Women get in free on Feb. 13.

Feb. 14: Along with appearances on Sirius XM, Hulu’s “Comedy Time,” MTV’s “Acting Out” and WGN’s “Bob and Tom Show,” Nick Hoff was selected by Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy to open their “We’ve Been Thinking” tour. He also headlined the “Pink Ribbon Comedy” tour, which raised money for breast cancer research. Hoff is headlining the Spokane Comedy Club for one night only. $10-$16 through spokanecomedyclub.com.

Feb. 14-March 1: “Lonely Planet,” written by Steven Dietz, explores friendship and fear in the AIDS crisis. Jody keeps to himself in the map store he runs. His friend Carl, who has been bringing the chairs of dead friends into Jody’s store, works to convince Jody, when he needs to take an HIV test, that it’s OK to leave the store and take responsibility for his life. The play is directed by Thomas Heppler at Stage Left Theater. Tickets go on sale Jan. 14 through spokanestageleft.org.

Feb. 14-March 1: Two feisty retirees find love in Matthew Barber’s “Fireflies,” at Ignite! Community Theatre. Tickets through Brown Paper Tickets.

Feb. 16: Spokane’s Michael Glatzmeier brings his improvised music and comedy to the Spokane Comedy Club. $10-$16 through spokanecomedyclub.com.

Feb. 21-22: Comedian Tom Segura’s four shows at the Spokane Comedy Club are sold out. Segura, who released “Completely Normal” and “Mostly Stories” on Netflix in 2014 and 2016, respectively, will work on new material during these shows.

Feb. 21-23: Monster Jam Triple Threat Series brings Monster Jam trucks, speedsters and ATVs to the Spokane Arena for racing and freestyle events, doughnuts and wheelies. $22-$27 through TicketsWest. Children ages 2 and younger are free.

Feb. 22: Patrick Roach, aka Randy from the acclaimed mockumenatary series “Trailer Park Boys,” stops by the Lucky You Lounge as part of the “Randy’s Cheeseburger Picnic” tour. $25 through Eventbrite.

Feb. 26: “The Simon and Garfunkel Story,” a concert-style theater show featuring art video projection and a live band, tells of the lives and careers of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. Expect to hear hits, including “Mrs. Robinson,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “The Boxer” and “The Sound of Silence.” At the FICA. $56.75-$91.50 through TicketsWest.

Feb. 27-29: When she’s not touring, comedienne Margaret Cho keeps busy. This year, she appeared on several episodes of “The Masked Singer” and started her own podcast, “The Margaret Cho,” during which she interviews people who work in show business. At the Spokane Comedy Club. $25-$35 through spokanecomedyclub.com.

Feb. 28-March 22: “Cabaret,” at Spokane Civic Theatre, follows American writer Cliff, English singer Sally Bowles, boarding house proprietor Fräulein Schneider and Herr Schultz, a Jewish fruit seller, as Germany yields to the Third Reich. “Cabaret” is directed by Heather McHenry-Kroetch and music directed by Henry McNulty. $25; $15 all ages rush 30 minutes before curtain; $10 teens with student ID on Saturdays through spokanecivictheatre.com.

Feb. 29-March 1: “Chicago,” the longest-running musical in Broadway history, is coming to the FICA for three performances. Fans of the musical and film will enjoy the tale of “fame, fortune and all that jazz,” plus showstopping tunes and choreography. $44.50-$87 through TicketsWest.

March 1: Comedian Charlie Berens has a credit to his name not every comedian shares: an Emmy. Berens, a journalist, won a Lone Star Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Environment – News Single Story/Series/Feature for “The Cost of Water.” He also has appeared on Fox, CBS, Funny or Die, TBS Digital, Variety and MTV News. At the Spokane Comedy Club. $25-$40 through spokanecomedyclub.com.

March 5-7: Dave Landau has appeared on Comedy Central multiple times and AXS TV’s “Live at Gotham.” He also has competed on “Last Comic Standing.” After becoming a regular on “The Artie Lange and Anthony Cumia Show,” Landau was brought on full time after Lange’s departure, and the show is now titled “The Anthony Cumia Show With Dave Landau.” At the Spokane Comedy Club. $10-$22 through spokanecomedyclub.com.

March 8: Stop by the FICA during “The Bachelor Live” to see which lucky local lady gets the final rose from an eligible hometown bachelor. The show will be hosted by “Bachelor” fan favorites Ben Higgins and Becca Kufrin. $40.50-$152 through TicketsWest.

March 11: Chad Daniels released the special “Dad Chaniels” in 2019, which comes after the 2017 album “Footprints on the Moon.” In 2017, Daniels also appeared in the documentary “I Need You to Kill” with Tom Segura and Pete Lee. At the Spokane Comedy Club. $20 through spokanecomedyclub.com.

March 12-14: “Saturday Night Live” alum Tim Meadows has had a lengthy career on the small and big screens and onstage. He has appeared in “The Office,” “The Cookout,” “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story,” “Mean Girls” and “Wayne’s World 2.” At the Spokane Comedy Club. $15-$25 through spokanecomedyclub.com.

March 15: Comedian/actor Todd Barry has released three specials, including 2017’s “Spicy Honey” for Netflix. He’s also appeared on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “Conan” and “Late Night With Seth Meyers.” His résumé also includes “Flight of the Conchords,” “The Wrestler” and “Road Trip.” At Spokane Comedy Club. $20-$30 through spokanecomedyclub.com.

March 17-18: “Once On This Island,” at the FICA, tells the story of Ti Moune, a fearless peasant girl who, guided by island gods, sets out to reunite with the man she loves. The musical won the 2018 Tony for Best Revival of a Musical. $56.75-$115.50 through TicketsWest.

March 19: Comedian Akeem Woods has a stellar résumé. He opened for Tiffany Haddish, was featured in the 208 and Big Pine Fest and won Clash of the Comics in 2016. He brings his act, which touches on topics including the KKK and the hardships of growing up poor, to the Spokane Comedy Club for one night. $10-$16 through spokanecomedyclub.com. Women get in for free.

March 20: Following the release of his Netflix special “Comin’ in Hot,” comedian Jo Koy headlines the FICA. Koy was named standup comedian of the year at the 2018 Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. $39.50-$79.50 through TicketsWest.

March 20-21: Mary Lynn Rajskub is a comedienne and actor whose credits include “24,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Night School,” “Safety Not Guaranteed,” “Wilson,” “Little Miss Sunshine,” “Legally Blonde 2,” “Julie and Julia,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Gilmore Girls.” $15-$23 through spokanecomedyclub.com.

March 20-22: During its final Booklight Readers Theatre production of the season, Ignite! Community Theatre lets audiences play sleuth during Agatha Christie’s “The Unexpected Guest.” Tickets through Brown Paper Tickets.

March 25: Shen Yun delighted audiences in April, and is returning to the FICA with a brand new production, which will take audiences through five millennia of traditional Chinese culture. $80-$150 through TicketsWest.

March 25: Author, columnist and comedian Steve Hofstetter has been seen and read just about everywhere, from ESPN’s “Quite Frankly” to Showtime’s “White Boyz in the Hood” and Sundance’s “On the Road in America.” His writing has appeared in the New York Times, sportsillustrated.com and NHL.com. He also wrote the young adult nonfiction book “Ginger Kid: Mostly True Tales From a Former Nerd.” At the Spokane Comedy Club. $20 through spokanecomedyclub.com.

March 26: “Baby Shark Live” brings the song little ones love and parents don’t love to the FICA. During the show, Baby Shark teams up with his friend Pinkfong to take an adventure in the sea, which includes singing along to songs like “Five Little Monkeys,” “Wheels on the Bus,” “Jungle Boogie,” “Monkey Banana Dance” and, of course, “Baby Shark.” $29.50-$58.50 through TicketsWest.

March 26-28: Comedian/actor/writer Josh Wolf has written for “Yes, Dear,” “All of Us” and “Cuts” and appeared on “Last Comic Standing, “My Name Is Earl” and “Raising Hope.” Wolf also became a New York Times bestselling author in 2013 with the release of “It Takes Balls: Dating Single Moms and Other Confessions From an Unprepared Single Dad” in 2013. $15-$30 through spokanecomedyclub.com.

March 27-April 11: In “A Voice of My Own,” directed by Sara Edlin-Marlowe, writer Elinor Jones gives a voice to women who, throughout literary history, were derided, subjugated or erased, forced to write using male pseudonyms and under the threat of violence. Tickets go on sale Feb. 27 through spokanestageleft.com.

March 27-April 19: In Stephen Karam’s “The Humans,” the Blake family is gathering for Thanksgiving dinner. Over the course of the meal, each person’s love for one another is revealed, as are “basic human fears” like old age, abandonment, poverty and death. “The Humans” is directed by Dawn Taylor Reinhardt at Spokane Civic Theatre. $35; $30 seniors and military; $25 students; $15 all-ages rush 30 minutes before curtain; $10 teens with student ID on Saturdays through spokanecivictheatre.com.
Article by Azaria Podplesky of the Spokesman-Review
2020-01-13T20:29:49+00:00