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
$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
$10-$15. Every week Thursday, Friday, Saturday from Thu., May 1 until Sat., May 24, 8:00pm
Busytown
What year is it is in Busytown? Its population of cats, dogs, lions, bears, and worms dress like peasants and live in Victorian houses, but also fly around in airplanes and perform X-rays on each other. This world premiere (don’t mock the term, Longenbaugh!) radiates with simple, silly joy while bringing to life the impossible physics and interspecies harmony of Richard Scarry’s world. The breezy, confident cast dances and sings their way through a catchy mishmash of Tin Pan Alley and doo-wop numbers (by Michael Koerner, with lyrics by NPR regular Kevin Kling, who also wrote the script), and mug it up with inspired bits of physical comedy. Highlights of the latter include a squad of pig firefighters demonstrating, in rapid-fire succession, a half-dozen terrible ways to carry a ladder. The pace never lags, though there could probably be a bit more audience participation, especially given an audience that keeps up a continuous low murmur of commentary anyway. The perfect age to see this show probably ranges from 3 1/2 to 6, but older siblings are also likely to have a good time, even if they won’t admit it. Scandalized by perceived "babyishness," my own 8-year-old roommate had to be dragged to this show ("I’m not going to clap," she warned), but was observed laughing, smiling, and exhibiting other clinical signs of pleasure. Apparently even prolonged exposure to Zac Efron doesn’t make you immune to the guileless, low-key charms of Busytown. DAVID STOESZ Mostly 7 p.m. Fri., 2 & 5:30 p.m. Sat.-Sun., but double-check the Web site for the exact schedule. Ends June 15.
$17-$33. Every week Friday from Fri., April 25 until Sun., June 15, 7:00pmEvery week Saturday, Sunday from Sat., April 26 until Sun., June 15, 2:00pmEvery week Saturday, Sunday from Sat., April 26 until Sun., June 15, 5:30pm
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
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.
$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.
$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
Quickies, Volume 9
The latest in Live Girls!’ raucous theater series dishes up six short new plays by up-and-coming women writers. Bounding gleefully from ethereal suburban creepiness to sweet and goofy love, from unsettling memories to hilarious parody, these riveting and imaginative tales pack a full-course meal into a flavor-packed sampler of strong contemporary work. An expecting couple settles into the perfect neighborhood, only to discover the terrible dark price they must pay the local Elder God in Lisa Romero’s Yog Sothoth. In Your Roaring Blood, Catherine Trieschmann tells a tender story of a precocious backwoods girl, shipped off to an arranged marriage, who teases a boy at the train station with kisses and her sweet tales. Two sisters share a brief moment from their busy schedules, but a half-revealed memory spins their comfortable lives into breathless uncertainty, in Allison Moore’s A Little Test. Finally, Kristina Sutherland’s Hardy Boys “solve” the “mystery” of a stolen Egyptian statue, escaping danger with wits, dumb luck and their fat friend. Host Shermona Mitchell reanimates the stage between each piece with quizzes, contests, and the “alternate talents” of the cast and crew. NEIL CORCORAN 8 p.m. Fri., 4 & 8 p.m. Sat. (Industry night, pay-what-you-can, is Mon., May 19.) Ends May 24.
$5-$15. Every week Friday from Fri., May 2 until Sat., May 24, 8:00pmMon., May 19, 8:00pmEvery week Saturday from Sat., May 3 until Sat., May 24, 4:00pmEvery week Saturday from Sat., May 3 until Sat., May 24, 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.
$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
Circus Contraption's The Show to End All Shows
An all-new show full of slightly twisted eschatological whimsy from Seattle's preeminent circus/variety troupe. Previews May 16-18, opens May 22. 8 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., 7 p.m. Sun. Ends June 22.
$20-$25. Every week Thursday, Friday, Saturday from Fri., May 16 until Sun., June 22, 8:00pmEvery week Sunday from Sun., May 18 until Sun., June 22, 7:00pm
The CREATION Project Showcase
The Central District Forum presents two nights of new spoken-word, theater, and dance works.
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.].
$34-$36. Wed., May 14, 8:00pmThu., May 15, 8:00pmFri., May 16, 8:00pmSat., May 17, 5:00pmSat., May 17, 8:00pm
A Little Night Music
The BCC drama department presents Sondheim's operetta about mismatched, but eventually enlightened, lovers. 8 p.m. Fri., May 16-Sat., May 17 and Wed., May 21-Sat., May 24; also 2 p.m. Sat., May 24.
$10-$12. Fri., May 16, 8:00pmSat., May 17, 8:00pmWed., May 21, 8:00pmThu., May 22, 8:00pmFri., May 23, 8:00pmSat., May 24, 2:00pmSat., May 24, 8:00pm
Naked Ladies
Annex Theatre premieres a screwball-flavored play by the comedy duo of Paul Gude and Ben Laurance. Opens May 16. 11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Ends May 31.
$5-$9. Every week Friday, Saturday from Fri., May 16 until Sat., May 31, 11:00pm
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.
$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
Aladdin
Sprouts Children’s Theatre presents Stan Gill and Cathy Domeck's original musical. 7 p.m. Fri., 1 & 3 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Ends May 17.
$8.75. Every week Friday from Fri., May 2 until Sat., May 17, 7:00pmEvery week Saturday, Sunday from Sat., May 3 until Sat., May 17, 1:00pmEvery week Saturday, Sunday from Sat., May 3 until Sat., May 17, 3:00pm
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.
Pay-what-you-can Thurs., $15-$18 Fri.-Sat. Every week Thursday, Friday, Saturday from Thu., April 24 until Sat., May 24, 8:00pm
Annie Get Your Gun
Seattle Musical Theatre presents Irving Berlin's musical. Opens May 9. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun.; also 7:30 p.m. Thurs., May 23. (No show May 24.) Ends May 25.
$25-$35. Thu., May 22, 7:30pmEvery week Friday, Saturday from Fri., May 9 until Sun., May 25, 8:00pmEvery week Sunday from Sun., May 11 until Sun., May 25, 2:00pm
Big Love
Charles Mee's "explosive" updating of Aeschylus. [See review here.] 8 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends May 17.
$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.
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.
$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.
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.
$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
Late Nite Catechism
Maripat Donovan’s one-woman show explains everything you wanted to know about the Catholic faith, but were too scared you’d get rapped across the knuckles to ask. Open run. In February the show celebrated its 10th anniversary in Seattle; see Longenbaugh's article here.
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.
Mainstage Comedy Club
On May 8-10, Dwight Slade; May 14-17, Dat Phan. 8 & 10:30 p.m. See Web site for complete show details.
$20. Every week Friday, 8:00pmEvery week Friday, 10:00pmEvery week Saturday, 8:00pm
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.
$10-$15. Every week Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday from Thu., May 8 until Sun., May 25, 8:00pm
Phaedra
Not Racine's, but Matthew Maguire's, presented by Outsider's Inn Collective. Opens May 8. 8 p.m. Thurs., May 8 and Fri.-Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. Ends May 17.
$15. Thu., May 8, 8:00pmSun., May 11, 3:00pmEvery week Friday, Saturday from Fri., May 9 until Sat., May 17, 8:00pm
Revival!
Poets Against the War founder Andrew Himes recounts his journey from fundamentalist upbringing to revolutionary adulthood. 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m. Ends May 24.
$20-$25. Every week Friday, Saturday from Sat., May 3 until Sat., May 24, 7:30pm
S2
Annex Theatre presents Edward Mast's futuristic satirical thriller. Opens May 9. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Ends June 7.
$5-$12. Every week Friday, Saturday from Fri., May 9 until Sat., June 7, 8:00pm
The Shaft
Jonathan Shock's play asks "How much civilization can there be in an elevator after two hours?" Presented by Eclectic Theater Company. Opens May 9. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Ends May 24.
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.
$104-$155. Every week Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 6:30pmEvery week Sunday, 5:30pm
Unexpected Stories
SecondStory Repertory and Unexpected Productions team up for a night of improv. 8:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Ends May 17.
Well
Lisa Kron's semi-autobiographical meta-play, presented by ReAct Theatre. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 & 7 p.m. Sun. Ends June 1.
$6-$15. Every week Friday, Saturday from Fri., May 2 until Sun., June 1, 8:00pmEvery week Sunday from Sun., May 4 until Sun., June 1, 2:00pmEvery week Sunday from Sun., May 4 until Sun., June 1, 7:00pm
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
Find a Restaurant
...
A work of love from charismatic man-about-town Waid Sainvil, Waid's is the only Haitian restaurant o...
Off the Delridge Way exit from the West Seattle Bridge, Skylark Cafe & Club is a genuine blue-collar...
The Northlake Tavern is proud to tell you that its small pie weighs more than two-and-a-half pounds ...
Entering Can Can is like walking into Moulin Rouge—not the Parisian tourist trap, the Baz Luhrmann m...
Find a Concert
Monday, May 12
Our Top Picks
Our Top Picks
Addictol, Better Half Now
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Mon., May 12, 12:00am, $5
Charlie Z & the Low Ballerz, Glass Elevator, Barry Bob Vail
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Mon., May 12, 12:00am, $6
Cineoke!
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Mon., May 12, 12:00am, $5
Find a Movie
Find a Theater
The groan-inducingly named Thai One On in Lake City dims its lights and switches on the speakers at ...
Seattle resident Gabe Morgan was once in a constant mental, physical, and psychological battle with ...
I haven't eaten much steak this summer because I'm usually broke. When I discovered Ozzie's Wednesda...
Pure, unadulterated joy is the look permanently affixed to the face of a man doing the mambo to the ...
It's Saturday night between 10th and 11th on Pike Street, Capitol Hill's bustling new epicenter. The...
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