The List: Theater With A Smile

1. Lakewood Playhouse is staging a joint production with Broadway Center for the Performing Arts and of My Name is Asher Lev. The show is directed by Lakewood’s Marcus Walker, who is currently battling cancer and staging this show during his battle. The story tells the tale of a young gifted artist torn between his Orthodox Jewish faith and his passion to paint the truth. The show plays weekends through March 20.

 2. Tacoma Musical Playhouse continues its fifth season of the Tacoma Children’s Musical Theater program with Seussical the Musical for a two-weekend run starting Saturday afternoon. In this fantastical extravaganza, Tony Award-winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty bring all the best Dr. Seuss characters to the stage, including Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and Jojo, a little boy with a big imagination. The story centers around Horton the Elephant, who finds himself faced with a double challenge. Not only must he protect his tiny friend Jojo from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird.

3. Steve Dunkelberger will teach camera carriers that great photography doesn't demand expensive camera equipment. The class will be about half in the classroom and half around town, followed by a discussion about the photos taken during the walkabout between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Class fees for this class are being donated to Tacoma Art Place.

4. For some elbow action, Dockyard Derby Dames will open their fifth season with a double-derby roller derby bout Saturday night at the Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom Campus. The bout will pit the Marauding Mollys against the Femme Fianna and the Hellbound Homewreckers against the Trampires in a family-friendly event. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Lakewood-based Emergency Food Network. The Dames will have an after-bout party at Steilacoom Pub & Grill. 

5. Tacoma Symphony Orchestra presents Debussy, Youtz & Schubert Sunday afternoon at Tacoma's Rialto Theater. Songs include: Debussy's Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun, Schubert's Symphony No. 9 and Youtz's Duo Concerto for Percussion & Orchestra, a world premiere commissioned by TSO.