Do your health a favor this next month—attend one of the four stage productions being offered by the local high schools and Lakewood Theatre Company. According to Norwegian scientists who studied the cultural habits of over 50,000 adults, participating in the arts can make you feel better. Don’t worry–you don’t have to be on stage for the benefits to kick in. Just take a seat at one of these upcoming performances and cash in on this deceptively simple but highly entertaining way to take care of your health.

GREASE put on by Lake Oswego High School shines the spotlight on young love as it faces the test of peer pressure. Almost 100 students are involved in bringing this musical to the stage with such favorites as “Greased Lightnin,” and “You’re the One that I Want.”

Performances:   7 p.m. on Thursdays, November 10 and 17; and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturdays, November  12 and 19 at the Lake Oswego High School Auditorium at 2501 SW Country Club Road.

Ticket prices: $12 general admission, $8 for seniors and students, and $5 for children 5 and under. Available online or at the door.

WILLIE WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY at Lakeridge High School takes you on a fanciful musical tour as Willie Wonka searches for the heir to his candy enterprise. Enjoy such popular hits as “The Candy Man,” and “Pure Imagination.”

Performances :  7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, November 11, 12, 18, 19 and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 13 and Saturday, November 19 at the Lakeridge Auditorium at 1235 Overlook Drive.

Ticket prices: $12 general admission, $10 for seniors and students, $8 for children 12 and under. Available online  or at the door.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND performed by Westside Christian High School at the Alpenrose Dairy Opera House recounts Carroll’s story in a unique way featuring live, original music composed by Michael Allen Harrison and aerial acrobatics choreographed by local dance troupe, Do Jump! Theater.

Performances:  7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, November 11 and 12 and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 13 at the  Alpenrose Opera House located at 6149 SW Shattuck Road, Portland.

Ticket prices: $11.50 general admission, $8.50 for seniors, $6.50 for students and special group pricing of $5 each for 20 or more by calling (503) 307-7474 . Available  online or at the door.

WHITE CHRISTMAS presented by the Lakewood Theatre Company kicks off the holiday season with this classic tale featuring Irving Berlin hits  such as “I Love a Piano,” and the title tune, “White Christmas.”

Performances: The show runs from November 10-December 18 with Thursday – Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m. (no performance on Thanksgiving); Sundays at 7 p.m. (November 13, 20, 27 and December 11); Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. (November 13, 27, December 4, 11, 18) and one Wednesday performance on November 30 at 7:30 p.m. Held at the Lakewood Center for the Arts at 368 S. State Street in Lake Oswego.

Ticket prices: $32 for adults, $29 for seniors with other discounts available for students, groups and season ticket holders.  Order online, call (503) 635-3901 or stop by the Lakewood Center for the Arts.

Photo credit: stock .xchng Image ID 566218

Check back in after you’ve seen a show and let me know how you liked it and if it made you feel better!

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