Stage
Openings & Events
Boobs and the Bard This show’s subtitle, “A Shakespeare Burlesque,” is probably unnecessary. Performers include Jesus la Pinga, Scarlett O’Hairdye, and Tootsie Spangles. JewelBox/Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. $18–$30. 8 p.m. Fri., Nov. 1–Sat., Nov. 2.
The Edge Bainbridge Island’s own improv troupe.Bainbridge Performing Arts, 200 Madison Ave. N., Bainbridge Island, 842-4560, theedgeimprov.com. $12–$16. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Nov. 2.
Our Town And over here’s the Bathhouse Theatre, where Seattle Public Theater’s Youth Program is staging Thornton Wilder’s classic. Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W. Green Lake Ave. N., 524-1300, seattle publictheater.org. Opens Nov. 1. 7 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., plus 2 p.m. Sat., Nov. 9. Ends Nov. 9.
Peter and the Starcatcher A Peter Pan prequel. The Moore, 1932 Second Ave., 877-STG-4TIX, stgpresents.org. $22.50–$72.50. 8 p.m. Wed., Oct. 30, 2 & 8 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 31, 8 p.m. Fri., Nov. 1, 2 & 8 p.m. Sat., Nov. 2, 1 & 6:30 p.m Sun., Nov. 3.
The Purification Process Malika Lee’s play explores breast cancer from the viewpoint of African-American women. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. S., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. $7–$15. Preview Nov. 1, opens Nov. 2. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.– Fri., 2 & 7:30 p.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends Nov. 16.
Rope Patrick Hamilton’s mystery, loosely based on the Leopold & Loeb thrill-kill case. The Ballard Underground, 2220 N.W. Market St., ghostlighttheatricals.org. $12–$15. Opens Nov. 1. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., plus 7:30 p.m. Mon., Nov. 4 and 2 p.m. Sun., Nov. 10. Ends Nov. 23.
Sex Drugs Death Disco Vincent Kovar’s play about ‘90s club promoter Michael Alig. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. $15. Opens Nov. 1. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Ends Nov. 23.
Short Stories Live Readers’ theater featuring works by Arthur Conan Doyle. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 652-4255, townhallseattle.org. $10–$15. 2 p.m. Sun., Nov. 3.
Spin the Bottle Annex Theatre’s late-night variety show, every first Friday. November’s show is the annual 60 SECONDS MAX! edition, with minute-long acts from dozens of performers. Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., 728-0933, annextheatre.org. $5–$10. 11 p.m. Fri., Nov. 1.
Current Runs
And Then There Were None Agatha Christie’s thriller about gradually, mysteriously dying houseguests. Renton Civic Theater, 507 S. Third St., Renton, 425-226-5529, rentoncivictheater.org. $17–$22. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Nov. 9.
Animal Cruelty Scot Augustson’s “shadow puppet noir” tells of Chicken Jenny’s brush with the law. Theater Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave. S., 800-838-3006, printers devil.org. $15–$18. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. Ends Nov. 9.
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Anything Goes Nothing could kill this Cole Porter classic like trying too hard; and, well, you know how touring musical companies can be: frenetic, plastic, mechanical. But from the start, practically the first lines, of this Roundabout Theatre Company production, it was a relief to see that the cast has the art-deco-era insouciance down pat. If you can bring material like this true adult sophistication, and not just make it a sort of self-consciously mannerist period exercise, you have a winner. They can, and they do. Rachel York, in particular, is magnificent as sassy lounge chanteuse Reno Sweeney, owning the stage and making it look easy. (In Porterland, visible effort just leaves you less energy for the important things, like stowing away on luxury liners, knocking back cocktails, and looking good in white tie.) The songs, not that you need reminding, include “You’re the Top,” ‘It’s De-lovely,” and “I Get a Kick Out of You.” Like the performances themselves, Kathleen Marshall’s direction and choreography is smart but never strenuous; her Act 1 tap-dance finale, to the title song, is everything you could possibly want a production number to be. GAVIN BORCHERT 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., 625-1900. $29 and up. Runs Tues.–Sun.; see 5thavenue.org for exact schedule. Ends Nov. 3.
The Bacchae GreenStage’s “Hard Bard” series (classics with the gore turned up to 11) presents Euripides’ tragedy. Stage One Theater, 9600 College Way N., 800-838-3006, greenstage.org. Free. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sun. Ends Nov. 2.
Blak Cloud
The Crucible meets improv. Wing-It Productions, 5510 University Way N.E., jetcityimprov.com. $12–$15. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Fri. Ends Nov. 22.
Blood Pudding T.M. Sell’s satire mashes up corporate politics and vampires. Des Moines Beach Park, 22030 Cliff Dr. S., Des Moines, 870-6527, brownpapertickets.com. $20. 7 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Nov. 3.
Bo-Nita SEE REVIEW, PAGE 30.
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Cafe Nordo Restaging its first Seattle production from 2009, Cafe Nordo’s show pays homage to all things henhouse with a fanciful dining experience that does for the art of fine food and conversation what Shortbus did for sex. Equal parts meet-and-greet, nightclub, and gustatory exploration, Chicken is also a winking nod to—and lampoon of—the dinner theaters of yesteryear. There’s an Old World feel as the evening unfolds, with an accordion player gliding across the ballroom floor while the waiters seat their patrons, not all of whom know each other beforehand. What follows is a didactic-gastronomic tour through the life of a chicken named Henrietta, regularly punctuated with high-flung prose to illuminate each course, offset by generous pours of some of the best wines grown around the state. The intent, successfully achieved, is that you become closer to both the food and the guests at your table. It only makes sense, then, that the meal is the main event, and in both presentation and flavor, it does not disappoint. Designed by director Erin Brindley, the menu proceeds from eggs—nestled in a nest made from Parmesan cheese and phyllo—to a mild and savory chicken soup to a roast chicken stuffed with homemade sausage and habanero cherries. With its delights and surprises (though few plot points other than the courses served), this is one very self-aware Chicken. Its performers all acknowledge the hoary dinner-theater cliches with tongues planted firmly in cheek. KEVIN PHINNEY Washington Hall, 153 14th Ave., cafenordo.com. $65–$90. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sun. Ends Nov. 24.
Campfire Spooky stories, improvised. Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 800-838-3006, unexpectedproductions.org. $10. 8:30 p.m. Thurs. Ends Halloween.
Cannibal! The Musical! The tale of Alferd Packer, written by those South Park guys. Unexpected Productions Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 800-838-3006, unexpectedproductions.org. $12–$15. 8:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Ends Nov. 2.
An Evening of Christopher Durang Four short plays. JewelBox/Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave., 800-838-3006, fantasticz.org. $15–$20. 7 p.m. Wed. Ends Oct. 30.
Flame in the Mirror John Ruoff’s exploration of the Irish experience in America. Eclectic Theater, 1214 10th Ave., S., 800-838-3006, eclectictheatercompany.org. $12–$25. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Nov. 3.
The Hobbit Studio East and StoryBook Theater present Tolkien. Studio East, 11730 118th Ave. N.E. #100, Kirkland, 425-820-1800, studio-east.org. $12–$14. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2:30 p.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends Nov. 3.
The Luxuria Cycle Jimmie Galaites’ exploration of modern romance “satirizes not only our society’s obsession with finding the perfect partner, but also the way personal information is used as currency by corporate interests.” Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., 728-0933, annextheatre.org. $5–$10. 8 p.m. Tues.–Wed. Ends Nov. 13.
Much Ado About Nothing SEE REVIEW, PAGE 30.
Night of the Living Dead One of the creepiest zombie movies of all time becomes children’s theater. Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St., Mercer Island, 232-4145 x109, youththeatre.org. $15. 7, 8, & 9:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Ends Nov. 2.
Red Light Winter & 25 Saints Tim Gouran and Richard Nguyen Sloniker star in both these dramas, alternating in repertory. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 292-7676, azotheatre.org. $25–$30. Runs Thurs.–Sun.; see acttheatre.org for exact schedule for both. Ends Nov. 24. SEE REVIEW OF RED LIGHT WINTER, PAGE 30.
Rewired The Phoenix and The Frog present an “immersive performance project” on the theme of “mental health and life on the periphery.” Teatro de la Psychomachia, 1534 First Ave. S., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. $18. 8 p.m Fri.–Sat. plus Thurs., Oct. 31. Ends Nov. 2.
Sugar Daddies Sir Alan Ayckbourn came to Seattle to direct this production of his 2003 dark comedy. Sugar Daddies takes a familiar premise—a Faustian bargain between a worldly, wealthy older man with a shady past and a provincial, susceptible young woman—and rides it, well, nowhere terribly interesting. Emily Chisholm plays innocent, dowdy Sasha, who brings home hit-and-run victim Val (Sean G. Griffin, in Santa suit). In an interesting departure from the expected quid pro quo, he desires nothing in return but her joy—no sex, no strings. But Ayckbourn systemically saps potential menaces as soon as they appear. Sasha thinks her rent is going up (which might bind her to Val’s largesse), but then it’s not. When neighbor Ashley (John Patrick Lowrie) tries to warn Sasha about the possibly dangerous Val, with whom there is implied history, she implausibly refuses to let him tell. Such unswallowable details spring from Ayckbourn’s comic craftsmanship, not from believable characters. Yet Sugar Daddies scores its laughs, even while paddling in place. MARGARET FRIEDMAN ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 292-7676. $41 and up. Runs Tues.–Sun.; see acttheatre.org for schedule. Ends Nov. 3.
Teatro ZinZanni: Hail Caesar: Forbidden Oasis Frank Ferrante returns as the flamboyant, omnisexual chef Caesar. Slinky Dreya Weber, equally skilled as an aerialist and singer, plays a resurrected Cleopatra. You pay a lot more at TZZ than you might for a show at Re-Bar or the Pink Door—though you’re not just buying dinner and a show, but a lavish evening-length party. Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St., 802-0015. $108 and up. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see dreams.zinzanni.org for exact schedule. Ends Jan. 26.
Teatro ZinZanni: Tambourine Submarine Recess Monkey stars in TZ’s nautical-themed family show. Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St., 802-0015. $19–$25. Runs 11 a.m. selected Sat. & Sun.; see dreams.zinzanni.org for exact schedule. Ends Dec. 15.
This Is Halloween A cabaret/burlesque spectacular based on The Nightmare Before Christmas, starring Armitage Shanks, Jed Dunkerley, Orkestar Zirconium, and many more. The Triple Door, 216 Union St., 838-4333. $20–$40. See thetripledoor.net for showtimes Oct. 30–31.
The Underneath Kelleen Conway Blanchard’s horror-movie sendup is set in a seaside town. Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., annextheatre.org. $5–$20. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. plus Mon., Nov. 4. Ends Nov. 16.
Dance
Cornish Dance Theater Site-specific choreography by Salthorse in these performances. See cornish.edu for venues. 1 & 3 p.m. Sun., Nov. 3 & Sat., Nov. 9.
MOMIX
Botanica is this dance-illusionist troupe’s paean to the wonders of nature. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, uwworldseries.org. $51–$56. 8 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 31–Sat., Nov. 2.
Ghost Game VII: The Wild Hunt The Cabiri’s dessert-theater cabaret brings creepy folk tales to life through acrobatics, aerial arts, and dance. Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way S.W., 800-838-3006, cabiri.org. $40–$70. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sun. Ends Nov. 3.
Classical, Etc.
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The Met: Live in HD Shostakovich’s surreally irreverent The Nose, in William Kentridge’s imaginative and acclaimed production. See metopera.org for participating theaters. 6:30 p.m. Wed., Oct. 30.
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Seattle Opera Seattle Opera brings a light touch to Donizetti’s 1840 opera, harmlessly updating the setting to France at the end of WWII. Sarah Coburn plays the title role, Marie, who as a foundling was raised by an army platoon but who discovers she’s an heiress, jeopardizing her romance with Tonio (Lawrence Brownlee). SO veteran Joyce Castle is adorable as Marie’s aunt the Marquise. Baritone Alexander Hajek is lively and nimble as officer Sulpice; I’d love to see him back in any number of comic baritone roles. This airy beignet is flavored with one splendid touch of camp: The Duchess of Krackenthorp gets a drag turn from tenor Peter Kazaras, swathed in violet. Imagine Harvey Fierstein as the Dowager Countess of Grantham. GAVIN BORCHERT McCaw Hall, Seattle Center, 389-7676, seattleopera.org. $25 and up. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Oct. 30, Fri., Nov. 1, Sat., Nov. 2.
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Seattle Symphony: Psycho Hitchcock’s thriller with the Bernard Herrmann score played live. Everybody sing along: REET! REET!! REET!!! Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $19 and up. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Oct. 30–Thurs., Oct. 31.
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Gallery Concerts Meg Brennand, Page Smith, and Nathan Whittaker tag-team on all six Bach cello suites, plus some Boccherini. Queen Anne Christian Church, 1316 Third Ave. W., 726-6088, galleryconcerts.org. $15–$30. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Nov. 1, 3 p.m. Sat., Nov. 2.
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Seattle Composers Salon Seattle’s new-music open-mike night includes music by Simon Henneman, Hope Wechkin, Kevin Williams, and Kam Morrill. Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., composer salon.com. $5–$15. 8 p.m. Fri., Nov. 1.
Seattle Symphony Aside from “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” when does a piccolo player ever get the spotlight? This weekend, the SSO’s Zartouhi Dombourian-Eby plays a Vivaldi concerto. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $19–$112. 8 p.m. Fri., Nov. 1–Sat., Nov. 2.
Music Northwest Pianists Natalya Ageyeva, Ivona Kaminska, and Jane Harty play Bach. Olympic Recital Hall, S. Seattle Community College, 6000 16th Ave. S.W., 937-2899, musicnorthwest.org. $16–$18. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Nov. 2.
Seattle Symphony Chamber Music An eclectic program with a cast of thousands (of SSO players), including Beethoven, Boulez, Piazzolla, and Villa-Lobos’ popular Bachianas brasileiras #5 for soprano and cello choir. Benaroya Recital Hall, Third Ave. and Union St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $39. 2 p.m. Sun., Nov. 3.
Bainbridge Symphony Chamber Music
Appalachian Spring, Barber’s String Quartet, and other Americana. Bainbridge Performing Arts, 200 Madison Ave. N., Bainbridge Island, 842-8569, bainbridge performingarts.org. $12–$16. 3 p.m. Sun., Nov. 3.
Seattle Wind Symphony Holst, Shostakovich, and more. Meany Hall, UW campus, 800-838-3006, seattlewindsymphony.org. $5–$20. 3 p.m. Sun., Nov. 3.
Vienna Boys Choir Inarguably the finest vocal ensemble of male children in the capital of Austria. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $31 and up. 7 p.m. Sun., Nov. 3.
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Craig Sheppard SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 29.
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Enso String Quartet Verdi tossed off his tasty but neglected string quartet as a lark during rehearsals for Aida; the ESQ plays it alongside quartets by Puccini and Strauss. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 652-4255, townhall seattle.org. $10–$25. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Nov. 6.
