Those looking to escape the darkness and rain of November can find some reprieve on a trio of high school stages in Bellingham Public Schools this weekend. Whether interested in a comedic thriller, a Shakespeare adapted to the 1980s, or expert stage fighting in a literary classic, one will find a full range.

Squalicum High School is in its second weekend of The 39 Steps, a comedic thriller based on a film of the same name by Alfred Hitchcock. The Squalicum performances continue at 7 p.m.  Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 14 to 16 with a final show at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17. Tickets are available at the door or online.

Squalicum drama teacher Breeann Dunivent directed the show and invites us to “come and have a laugh with Squalicum Drama while we take you on a wild spy-mystery ride!”

Aryn Goode, who plays both the Sheriff and a policeman in the show, says everyone should see The 39 steps because the cast and crew have “worked on it so hard.” “The play is a good mystery/comedy with lots of action!” she shared.

Squalicum senior Mel King, who plays Anabella Schmidt, a radio announcer and Mrs. McGarrigle in the show, says spectators can expect a great time if they attend. “There are serious moments but mostly laughs,” she said, “and you get taken on a wild journey following a man trying to beat the odds and escape from spies who are after him.”

After catching Squalicum’s show before it closes, one can also take in two additional productions at Bellingham and Sehome high schools.

Bellingham High Drama invites you to attend a production of Much Ado About Nothing, a Shakespearean comedy adapted by BHS English teacher Laura Baker and directed by drama teacher Kelsey Glasgow. Set in a 1980s beach town, the numerous plots unfold to synth-pop beats, mix tapes and neon lights.

Much Ado runs Thursday through Saturday evenings at 7 p.m.  Nov. 14 to 16 and Nov. 21 to 23; Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. take place on Nov. 17 and 23. Tickets are available at the door or online.

Across town, an adaptation of The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas opens Friday, Nov. 15 and runs at 7 p.m. on Nov. 15, 16, 21 and 22 with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Nov. 23. Tickets are available online or at the door.

The production is directed by Sehome drama teacher Kandace McGowan with tech headed up by theatre program technician Lauralise McGowan.  On Saturday, Nov. 16, there will be a silent auction held at 6 p.m. before the show and during intermission. The fundraiser is organized by the Sehome Drama Booster Club.

The show is replete with fencing and sword fighting scenes choreographed by Sehome alumnus Carly Fear (’15). It truly is the battle cry of “one for all and all for one” as the siblings d’Artagnan and Sabine save themselves and France from treachery and ruin. In the tradition of classic adventure tales, honor and heroism save the day.

If you cannot decide which production to attend, make it a hat trick, and see all three this month!