Playing the role

Tom Stoppard's "The Real Inspector Hound" is a spoof on the mystery genre. This one act play within a play. The story centers on two feuding theater critics who are caught up in a mystery play they are reviewing. They wonder at who the real Inspector Hound is when he shows up at the scene of a murder after the radio announces that there is a madmen on the loose.

This satirical play is set for Pentacle Theatre's stage beginning April 16. Nine characters need an actor to fill their role, so director Heather Dunkin is holding an audition in Pentacle's lobby on February 20 at 1pm.

Moon and Birdfoot, the two critics, require male actors to play the characters around the ages of 30 to 45 and 45 to 60, respectively. Muldoon Manor's maid Mrs. Drudge is a character between 45 to 60 and has a cockney accent. Manor residents and neighbors Simon and Cynthia are 30 to 45, while Felicity is a bit younger at 20 to 30, and Magnus requires a man between 40 to 60 years old. The title character could be anywhere between 35 to 55 years-old. Auditions are based on readings from the script which is available for pick-up at the Pentacle Theatre Business Office, 145 Liberty Street NE and a refundable deposit of $10 is required at pick-up. For more information on auditions, e-mail director Dunkin at hbdunkin@hotmail.com

Not a typical missing person's case

For four days only Majestic Theatre presents a one woman show: Willy Russell's "Shirley Valentine." This Broadway character is a 42-year-old working-class housewife whose complacency in her domestic role leaves her wanting more.

Running Feb. 4-7, two evening and two matinee shows tell her tale.

Valentine, who is really Mrs. Joe Bradshaw, goes off to Greece when her best friend Jane presents her with the two tickets she bought for a holiday vacation.

Dorrie Board, who was in Majestic's summer series production of "Persuasion" and who recently starred in the Willamette Stage Company's "String of Pearls," brings this Valentine to life.

Tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for students, seniors, and groups. For more information, visit www.majestic.org or call 541.738.7469.

Musical galleria

Be ready to get up close and personal. Gallery Theater presents a musical "The Fantasticks" through Feb. 20 on their main stage in McMinnville.

Seating for this production is limited to 150 people so as to "maintain the intimacy and mystical quality of the play," according to Gallery Theater manager Tracy Ewing. "Eight of the seats are actually on the stage."

Director Ted Desel version of Tom Jones' play tells the story of a father and a mother who concoct a feud to fool their children to fall in love. This adaptation mixes elements of comedy, Chinese theater, fantasy, parable, myth, and truth. Familiar songs from the musical include "Soon It's Gonna Rain," and "Try to Remember."

Gallery Theatre offers Friday and Saturday night performances at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. General admission tickets are $15; seniors and student tickets are $13.