“West Fargo is really embracing this opportunity. We’re doing something uniquely West Fargo.”

He’s not alone in liking the shows. “Murder on the Menu” slayed in such a good way that Stage West added 40 seats per show for this fall’s dinner theater production of “Murd-Arr!!! Pirates of the Salty Dog.”

“It’s all about expanding our events and and making West Fargo a great place and Stage West is a great part of that,” Amundson says. “Adding Stage West to what we do for our community gives everyone the opportunity to experience things West Fargo has not had much of.

“We build a lot of streets, roads and buildings here, but not a quality of life infrastructure,” says Pankow, a West Fargo native who has also taught in its high schools. “This is art for the community. It makes for rich, vibrant and diverse offerings.”

He says in addition to the two summer musicals at Essentia Health Plaza at The Lights next year, Stage West will also produce two shows each in spring and fall as well as another holiday performance, spread among a number of West Fargo venues, like Double Tree and Speedway Steakhouse & Event Center. He’s also looking to add some children’s theater, using the POW/MIA Plaza as a base but bringing productions to parks around town.

“West Fargo is really embracing this opportunity,” Pankow says. “We’re doing something uniquely West Fargo.”