I Am My Own Wife

The Pulitzer- and Tony-winning I Am My Own Wife had a long and complicated road to Seattle. Originally scheduled for a slot at the Empty Space, playwright Doug Wright’s critically acclaimed work was left in limbo by the Space’s closure back in 2006. Then after a brief tussle over rights between the Seattle Rep and Arts West, the smaller company won; hence the belated Seattle premiere on Wednesday (it continues through June 1). So is the script worth all of the tussle? It depends on how compelling you find the true story it’s based on, that of a German homosexual who murdered his father during World War II, renamed himself “Charlotte,” and lived under both the Nazis and the Communists wearing women’s clothing and collecting antique furniture. (OK, aren’t you the least bit compelled?) The one-man show stars local actor Nick DeSantis in the large, but no doubt stylish, shoes of Charlotte. Arts West, 4711 California Ave. S.W., 983-0339, www.artswest.org. $10–$29. Opens May 14. 7:30 p.m. Wed.-Sat., also 3 p.m. Sun., May 25 & June 1. Ends June 1. JOHN LONGENBAUGH

ArtsWest

$10-$29. Every week Sunday from Sun., May 25 until Sun., June 1, 3:00pmEvery week Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday from Wed., May 14 until Sun., June 1, 7:30pm

Living Dead in Denmark

Some people know wine and cheese. I know zombie movies. And now—zombie theater. Qui Nguyen’s Living Dead in Denmark features local sketch-comedy troupe the Pork Filled Players in a post-apocalyptic, zombie-filled future. (Zombies and the future, they go together.) The Danes here attempt to fend off human extinction by enlisting their own zombie army: Shakespeare and his fiercest female creations, which of course include the totally bad-ass zombified Lady Macbeth. A battle ensues between well-read and well-fed zombies to determine who will rule Denmark. Let’s hope it’ll be made into a movie. Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave. S., 340-1049, www.theatreoffjackson.org. $13–$15. 8 p.m. Thurs.-Sat. Ends May 24. ERIKA HOBART

Theater Off Jackson

$10-$15. Every week Thursday, Friday, Saturday from Thu., May 1 until Sat., May 24, 8:00pm

Cirque du Soleil

Extra Info

Marymoor Park $55-$210 Every week Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from Thu., April 24 until Sun., June 1, 8:00pmEvery week Friday, Saturday from Fri., April 25 until Sun., June 1, 4:00pmEvery week Friday, Saturday from Fri., April 25 until Sun., June 1, 8:00pmEvery week Sunday from Sun., April 27 until Sun., June 1, 1:00pmEvery week Sunday from Sun., April 27 until Sun., June 1, 5:00pm

Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil is bringing another big-top-on-LSD production to the Eastside (through May 25), this time telling the story of a clown in some kind of ethereal limbo watching his own theatrical funeral procession in Corteo. (Is a dead clown more or less terrifying for coulrophobiacs?) His buddies and ex-lovers pay their respects in acts both poignant and comedic acts—including a duo of “little people” who perform ballet on a vertical bar set on a pivoting platform’ a man with unnervingly good balance who climbs ladders that lean on nothing but air; and a clowness floating on six enormous helium balloons. As usual, Cirque du Soleil is the master of amassing acrobats who are really, really, ridiculously good at really, really ridiculously peculiar talents, such as whistling, teeterboarding, and rolling around in metal rings like revolving Vitruvian Men. It’s an incredible showcase of human discipline (and provocatively ornate costumes). I have never left a performance without feeling sensory overload. Marymoor Park, 6046 W. Lake Sammamish Parkway N.E., Redmond, 800-678-5440, www.cirquedusoleil.com. $55-$210. Opens April 24. 8 p.m. Tues.-Thurs, 4 & 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 1 & 5 p.m. Sun. Must end June 1. SARA NIEGOWSKI

Fathers and Sons

Unlike some of Michael Bradford’s contemporaries, whose attempts to address a variety of social issues leave the audience overwhelmed, Bradford’s Fathers and Sons is a tribute, albeit a depressing one, to the power of the theater. Though it’s billed as an exploration of what it means to be a man, the play also tackles love in a romantic but complex way and war in a straightforward yet gut-wrenching way. After Marcus Goodwater (Reginald Andre Jackson) inadvertently loses his son at the park, his wife Yvette (Tracey A. Leigh) rages off to her mother’s, insisting that Marcus kill everyone he sees until he finds her baby. His formerly non-communicative, drug-addicted father, Leon (William Hall Jr.), chooses this moment to fly in and reconcile their relationship, but he’s haunted in turn by the ghost of his own father, Bernard (Wilbur Penn). Leon is sure of his mistakes but unsure how to fix them, and Bernard seems sure he hasn’t made mistakes, though no one else would agree. While time shifts between the present, where Marcus deals with his father and searches for his son, and the past, where we see the budding romance of Marcus and Yvette, Fathers and Sons maintains nonstop, fluid motion. BRENT ARONOWITZ Mostly 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat., 2 & 7:30 p.m. Sun., 7:30 p.m. Tues.-Thurs.; double-check Web site for exact schedule. Ends May 25.

ACT Theatre

$10-$55. Every week Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from Tue., April 29 until Sun., May 25, 7:30pmEvery week Friday from Fri., April 25 until Sun., May 25, 8:00pmEvery week Saturday from Sat., April 26 until Sun., May 25, 8:00pmEvery week Sunday from Sun., April 27 until Sun., May 25, 7:30pm

Lease

Billing itself as "Seattle’s Own Rock Opera," Lease is the improv fusion of Rent’s themes with the Emerald City’s stereotypical "characters." After requesting audience input on a Seattle location and disease du jour (opening night’s production featured narcolepsy and the Pike Place Market), the cast adapts a plotline, and musical numbers to accompany it, while you watch. Using Thursday’s performance as a sample: When trust-fund-baby-turned-landlord Jeff Paige’s ex-girlfriend peddles his possessions on the Internet in revenge, he sells his building to the Market as a part of plans to demolish the apartments, making room for longer fish throws. Lust, rather than the legal issues attending short-notice evictions or the tragic narcolepsy-related death of one of his tenants, changes Jeff’s mind about the sale in the end. "I Get So Pissed Off" and "I Called Dibs on a Life Worth Living" were among the night’s memorable musical gems. The live score by Chris Lundgren is as unobtrusive as it is skillfully executed. Nick Edwards, Douglas Willott, and Christopher A. Dewar shone last Thursday, but every performance’s dynamic is different, and the ensemble promises enough talent to share the spotlight. (Younger patrons should be advised of the show’s R rating for language.) VIRGINIA ZECH 8 p.m. Thurs.-Fri., May 1-23 and June 5-20.

Historic University Theater

$8-$10. Every week Thursday, Friday from Thu., May 1 until Fri., May 23, 8:00pmEvery week Thursday, Friday from Thu., June 5 until Fri., June 20, 8:00pm

Aida

Scooping the Seattle Opera's August production with the Elton John/Tim Rice version. Opens May 14. 8 p.m. Wed.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., also some Sat. matinees and Tues. & Sun. evenings; see Web site for complete schedule. Ends July 6.

Francis J Gaudette Theatre

$20-$55. Every week Sunday from Sun., May 18 until Sun., July 6, 2:00pmEvery week Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday from Wed., May 14 until Sun., July 6, 8:00pm

Defending the Caveman

Ben Tedder brings the longest-runing solo show in Broadway history back to Kirkland. [Read Longenbaugh's take on the show here.].

Kirkland Performance Center

$34-$36. Wed., May 14, 8:00pmThu., May 15, 8:00pmFri., May 16, 8:00pmSat., May 17, 5:00pmSat., May 17, 8:00pm

Over the River and Through the Woods

Nick gets a great job offer in Seattle, but his family wants him to stay in Joisey, in Joe DiPietro’s comedy. Previews May 14-15, opens May 16. 7:30 p.m. Wed.-Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sat. Ends June 14.

Taproot Theater

$10-$33. Every week Friday from Fri., May 16 until Sat., June 14, 8:00pmEvery week Saturday from Sat., May 17 until Sat., June 14, 8:00pmEvery week Wednesday, Thursday from Wed., May 14 until Sat., June 14, 7:30pmEvery week Saturday from Sat., May 17 until Sat., June 14, 2:00pm

The American Pilot

In David Greig's play, the title character parachutes into, and causes conflict in, a village in an unnamed country. [See review here.] 8 p.m. Thurs.-Sat. Ends May 24.

Theater Schmeater

Pay-what-you-can Thurs., $15-$18 Fri.-Sat. Every week Thursday, Friday, Saturday from Thu., April 24 until Sat., May 24, 8:00pm

Big Love

Charles Mee's "explosive" updating of Aeschylus. [See review here.] 8 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends May 17.

Balagan Theatre

$12-$20. Every week Sunday from Sun., April 27 until Sat., May 17, 2:00pmEvery week Thursday, Friday, Saturday from Thu., April 24 until Sat., May 17, 8:00pm

Comedy Underground

The long-running humor hangout spotlights seasoned pros as well as up-and-comers. Tuesday at 8:30 is Non-Profit Comedy ($6-$12, www.nonprofitcomedy.com), benefiting a revolving list of causes and institutions. See Web site for times and shows.

Comedy Underground

$6-$15. Daily

The Diary of Anne Frank

A stage adaptation of the well-known Holocaust memoir. [See review here.] Generally 7:30 p.m. Tues.-Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat., 2 & 7:30 p.m. Sun.; check Website for exact schedule. Ends May 17.

Intiman Theater

$10-$50. Every week Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday from Fri., March 21 until Sat., May 17

Giggles Comedy Club

Stand-up comedians and other entertainers Friday and Saturday and open mike Thursday and Sunday. On May 9-10, Duane Goad and Andrew Sleighter; May 16-17, Robert Kelley and Lukas Seeley. See Web site for program details.

Giggles Seattle

Every week ThursdayEvery week Friday, SaturdayEvery week Sunday

The Hairy Baby

The premiere of Ki Gottberg’s fantastical fable. Opens May 8. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.-Fri., 2:30 & 7:30 p.m. Sat., 7:30 p.m. Sun., May 11, 2:30 p.m. Sun., May 18. Ends May 18.

Seattle University (Lee Center for the Arts)

$6-$10. Sun., May 11, 7:30pmEvery week Thursday, Friday from Thu., May 8 until Sun., May 18, 7:30pmEvery week Saturday from Sat., May 10 until Sun., May 18, 2:30pmEvery week Saturday from Sat., May 10 until Sun., May 18, 7:30pmSun., May 18, 2:30pm

Laughs

Open mike Tues. at 8:30 p.m. ($6), stand-up and other comedy Thurs.-Sat. (usually $15). On May 8-10, David Crowe; May 15, Turuly Impossible Magic; May 16-17, Alonzo Bodden. See Web site for complete schedule.

Laughs Comedy Spot

Every week Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Medea Knows Best

Workshopped in Seattle last year (SW's Irfan Shariff had nice things to say), and fresh from the SF premiere of the revision, is this fabulous-'50s take on Euripides. Opens May 8. 8 p.m. Thurs.-Sun. Ends May 25.

Walrus Theater

$10-$15. Every week Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday from Thu., May 8 until Sun., May 25, 8:00pm

Teatro ZinZanni

Their new dinner-theater show is called "A Suitcase Named Desire." 6:30 p.m. Wed.-Sat., 5:30 p.m. Sun. Open run.

Teatro ZinZanni

$104-$155. Every week Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 6:30pmEvery week Sunday, 5:30pm

To Do List

Monday, May 12

Dorothy Rissman
Much to the chagrin of her Wallingford neighbors, Dorothy Rissman began dum... More>>
Fetherston Gallery, Daily from Mon., April 21 until Sat., May 24, 11:00am

Correo Aereo
On Monday nights, when most restaurants declare a day of rest, there’s... More>>
Agua Verde Cafe and Paddle Club, Every week Monday, 6:30pm, free

The History of Fashion in Flight
“If the airline industry had a baby book, 1930 would surely be an impo... More>>
Museum of Flight, Daily from Sat., February 9 until Mon., June 2

57 more things to do today>>