Wild Hair: an Evening of Improvisation

I first saw Christian Swenson perform about 20 years ago, and I’d like to say that he’s as good now as he was then—but I actually think he’s gotten better. Swenson is a true Seattle original, a tall guy with a long face and a lanky smile, who, it turns out, has a body made out of rubber. To say “mime” doesn’t begin to describe the stories and weird scenarios he makes out of his body. “Singing” doesn’t to justice to the odd noises that burble out of him. But he sure can dance, with lyrical motions that can whipsaw you between laughing and sighing. He’s headlining an omnibus show called “Wild Hair: an Evening of Improvisation,” that also features his humorous duet with Elizabeth Erber, plus other guests offering music and theater. And if that weren’t enough, it’s in an intimate, probably-soon-to-vanish performance space. See some great Capitol Hill theater now—while we still have it. Chamber Theater, 915 E. Pine St., 324-8788, www.seattlemime.org. $15. 8 p.m. JOHN LONGENBAUGH
Sat., May 3, 8 p.m., 2008