Stager Openings & Events August Wilson Monologue Competition Ten high-school students

By By Gavin Borchert • February 18, 2014 4:08 pm

Stager

Openings & Events

August Wilson Monologue Competition Ten high-school students vie for cash prizes and a trip to NYC. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, seattlerep.org. Free. 7:30 p.m. Tues., Feb. 25.

Family Affair Jennifer Jasper’s “sick, hilarious, and ultimately relatable” monthly cabaret on the theme of family. JewelBox/Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave., jenniferjasper
performs.com. $10. 7:30 p.m. Wed. Feb. 19.

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A Little Night Music SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 20.

Noises Off In Michael Frayn’s comedy, we see a touring theater troupe from two points of view—first at rehearsal, then from backstage during a performance. Burien Little Theater, 242-5180, burienlittletheatre.org. N.B.: performed at 14907 Fourth Ave. S.W. in Burien. $7–$20. Opens Feb. 21. 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends March 23.

Odysseo The dancing horse show from traveling circus troupe Cavalia performs under a giant tent. Marymoor Park, 6046 W. Lake Sammamish Parkway N.E., Redmond. $34.50–$149.50 ($154.50–$229.50 w/dinner). Opens Feb. 19. Runs Tues.–Sun.; see cavalia.net for exact schedule. Ends March 9.

Seattle Festival of Improv Theater 22 troupes from across North America perform. See seattleimprov.com for full schedule and venue info. $15–$18 (festival pass $50). 8 & 10:30 p.m. Wed., Feb. 19–Sun., Feb. 23.

Ten Days to Happiness Donna Rae Davidson’s solo show about her experiences at a Buddhist meditation retreat. Amazing Grace Spiritual Center, 2007 N.W. 61st St., 10daystohappiness.com. $15–$20. Opens 8 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 20. 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., plus 2 p.m. Sat., March 8 & 15. Ends March 15.

Current Runs

Black Like Us Local playwright Rachel Atkins’ new drama posits that for blacks who could “pass” for white, embracing one’s black heritage once hinged on whether you might get a better offer elsewhere. In 1958 Seattle, we meet sisters Florence (Chelsea Binta), a budding civil-rights activist, and Maxine (Dior Davenport), who can pass. Several decades later, Florence’s grandkids range from the hesitant Amy (McKenna Turner) to the more contemplative Michelle (Lindsay Evans) and the bull-in-a-china-shop Sandra (Alyson Scadron Branner), who sets up a meeting with Maxine’s descendants: Tanya (Marquicia Dominguez) and Denise (Kia Pierce). Their encounter is explosive, awkward, and funnily, scarily credible. Director Jose Amador has his hands full keeping Atkins’ often unwieldy go-cart of a play in steady forward motion. She favors raw emotion over finesse (the phrase “keeping it real” comes to mind), when a more practiced playwright might accomplish both. KEVIN PHINNEY Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., 728-0933, annextheatre.org. $5–$20. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. Ends March 1.

Boeing, Boeing Marc Camoletti’s jet-age farce about a playboy and his three stewardess girlfriends. Renton Civic Theater, 507 S. Third St., Renton, 425-226-5529, renton
civictheater.org. $17–$21. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends March 1.

Cornish Winter New Works Festival Staged readings of brand-new plays by Cornish senior Xochitl Portillo-Moody. Cornish Playhouse at Seattle Center, 269-1901, cornish.edu. Free. 8 p.m. Fri., Feb. 21–Sat. Feb. 22.

Doubt SEE REVIEW, PAGE 21.

Ed, Downloaded More a sketch than a fully realized play, with some Bertha-sized credibility gaps. Terminally ill geologist Ed (Noah Benezra) will have his mind stored in a box, and after his death it’ll relive a loop of 10 favorite memories—courtesy of his controlling girlfriend Selene (Gin Hammond), who works for a biotech company. Problem is, Ed’s been falling for the pixie-like Ruby (Adria LaMorticella). So which of his memories should be preserved—those of Ruby or Selene? Playwright Michael Mitnick sets up a clash of heroines, then shrinks from its resolution. KEVIN PHINNEY Washington Ensemble Theatre, 608 19th Ave. E., 325-5105, washingtonensemble.org. $15–$20. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Mon. Ends Feb. 24.

The Foreigner A waste of a reliably risible text and a capable cast. In Larry Shue’s 1984 comedy, meek Britisher Charlie pretends not to speak English while vacationing in Georgia, then wacky complications ensue among the red-staters. Brian Yorkey’s half-dozen players are directed at less-than-farcical speed; the prolonged, stagy silences are more suited to Pinter. ALYSSA DYKSTERHOUSE Village Theatre, 303 Front St. N., Issaquah, 425-392-2202, villagetheatre.org. $34–$65. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Thurs. (plus some Tues.); 8 p.m. Fri.; 2 & 8 p.m. Sat.; 2 & 7 p.m. Sun. Ends March 2. (Plays in Everett March 7–30.)

Frankenstein; Or, the Modern Prometheus David Quicksall’s new stage version of Mary Shelley’s classic. Center House Theatre, Seattle Center, 216-0833. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see book–it.org for exact schedule. Ends March 9.

I Hate Children Paul Nathan’s ironically titled family magic show. Hale’s Palladium, 4301 Leary Way N.W., strangertickets.com. $15–$35. 1:30 & 3 p.m. Sat., 1 p.m. Sun. Ends Feb. 23.

The Icelandic Illumination Rangers To find the missing Aurora Borealis, the Rangers must “navigate the Reykjavik synth-pop scene, and learn what it really means to be friends.” (An adults-only performance is 10:30 p.m. Feb. 21.) WET, 608 19th Ave. E., 325-5105, washington
ensemble.org. $5–$10. 10 a.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends Feb. 23.

Little Red Riding Hood Stan Gill and Cindy Bright’s musical adaptation. Second Story Repertory Theatre, 16587 N.E. 74th St., Redmond, 425-881-6777, secondstory
rep.org. $10. Runs 1 & 3 p.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends March 2.

Marisol SEE REVIEW, PAGE 21.

Mr. Pim Passes By In this 1919 drawing-room comedy by A.A. Milne, Dinah (Allie Pratt) wants to marry Brian (Daniel Stoltenberg) but cannot without the approval of her uncle and guardian, George (Ryan Childers), though they have the approval of her aunt Olivia (April Poland). This is complicated further when befuddled Mr. Pim (Chris Ensweiler) enters, creating confusion and mayhem with his questions about true love. All this happens under the critical eye of Lady Marden (Kim Morris). These stock characters do teeter on the brink of absurd typicality; fortunately, the cast finds the balance to make them completely believable. As the ingenue, Pratt brings just enough flair for annoying teenage self-expression to avoid caricature. While Olivia could descend into conniving and emasculation (a perforated line is all that separates her from shrewishness), Poland adds love and playfulness to the part. Director Karen Lund’s awkward single-plane blocking forces much unmotivated movement; it’s like watching my cat and dog play—a mishmash of motion with no reason behind it. ALYSSA DYKSTERHOUSE Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St., 781-9707, taproottheatre.org. $20–$40. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat. Ends March 1.

Frank Olivier His Valentine-themed “Twisted Cabaret” includes “a ballet performed entirely on a unicycle” and more. Hale’s Palladium, 4301 Leary Way N.W., twisted
cabaret.com. $17–$60. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. plus 10:30 p.m. Fri. & 3 p.m. Sun. Ends Feb. 23.

Private Eyes Twelfth Night Productions’ thriller about tangled relationships. Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way S.W., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. $15–$18. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Ends Feb. 22.

Spamalot The 2005 musical’s verbatim lifts from the Monty Python source film are hilarious; the heaps of surrounding material are tirelessly razzmatazzy but scattershot. (The “Knights of the Round Table” number, for example, loses more than it gains from being expanded from the perfect, immortal 90 seconds of the film into a full-dress Vegas sendup.) The show’s problems, minor but nagging, are the usual screen-to-stage conversion issues (cf. Young Frankenstein): Jokes that work when underplayed onscreen don’t necessarily when overplayed onstage, and one-liners can’t always sustain entire production numbers. Most remarkable among a cast that is just about the best local musical theater has to offer are Laura Griffith as the Lady of the Lake, who gets to show off an immense range, both vocally and comedically, and Dane Stokinger, an absolutely protean performer who disappears into each of a sizable list of character parts. GAVIN BORCHERT 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., 625-1900. $39 and up. Runs Tues.–Sun.; see 5thavenue.org for exact schedule. Ends March 2.

Story & Song Bret Fetzer’s fairy tales get choral backing. Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., 728-0933, annex
theatre.org. $5–$10. 8 p.m. Tues.–Wed. Ends Feb. 26.

Teatro ZinZanni: On the Air Their new radio-themed show features the return of emcee Kevin Kent. Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St., 802-0015. $108 and up. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see dreams.zinzanni.org for exact schedule. Ends June 1.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee The little musical that could, about an unlikely subject. Seattle Musical Theatre, 7400 Sand Point Way N.E. # 101N, 800-838-3006, seattlemusicaltheatre.org. $24–$40. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., plus 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 20. Ends Feb. 23.

Venus in Fur SEE REVIEW, PAGE 21.

Wicked Wiz of Oz A 45-minute mashup of Oz musicals, part of the “Mimosas With Mama” drag brunch. Narwhal, 1118 E. Pike St., strangertickets.com, mimosaswithmama.com. $15–$20. 1:30 p.m. Sun.

Dance

Royal Opera Ballet at the Movies From London, Swan Lake. See fathomevents.com for participating 
theaters. 7 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 20.

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Spectrum Dance Theater Donald Byrd’s provocative The Minstrel Show. Cornish Playhouse at Seattle Center, 325-4161, spectrumdance.org. $20–$40. 8 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 20–Sat., Feb. 22.

Khambatta Dance Company If you’re into dance, cello, and moral or ethical dilemmas, KDC’s Vice and Virtue might be just the show for you. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland, 425-893-9900, kpcenter.org, phffft.org. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Feb. 21.

Dante’s Inferno: The Ballet Ronald Tice and Jennifer Porter’s new dance based on the medieval tale. Meydenbauer Center, 11100 N.E. Sixth St., Bellevue, 800-838-3006, dantesinfernoballet.com. $20–$30. 8 p.m. Fri., Feb. 21, 2 & 8 p.m. Sat., Feb. 22, 2 p.m. Sun., Feb. 23.

Carmona Flamenco Traditional music and dance.Cafe Solstice, 4116 University Way N.E., 932-4067, carmona2@comcast.net. $15–$20. 8 & 9:30 p.m. Sat., Feb. 22.

Classical, Etc.

Joyce Yang The pianist makes her Seattle debut with Bartok, Schumann, and Rachmaninoff. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, uwworldseries.org. $39–$44. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Feb. 19.

UW Jazz Innovations Progressive jazz from student ensembles. Brechemin Auditorium, School of Music, UW campus, 685-8384, music.washington.edu. $5. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Feb. 19–Thurs., Feb. 20.

Royal Opera House at the Movies From London, Puccini’s La boheme. See screenvision.com for participating theaters and exact times, Thurs., Feb. 20 and Sun., Feb. 23.

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Seattle Modern Orchestra Two nights (and two separate programs) with guest cellist Severine Ballon. At PONCHO Concert Hall, Cornish College of the Arts, 710 E. Roy St., 8 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 20; and Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., 8 p.m. Fri., Feb. 21. $10–$20. seattlemodernorchestra.com.

Lake Union Civic Orchestra An all-Russian program, including Scriabin’s Second Symphony. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., luco.org. $13–$18. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Feb. 21.

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Seattle Symphony SEE EAR SUPPLY, BELOW.

Bainbridge Symphony Respighi, Schubert, Schumann, and a new work by Erich Stern. Bainbridge Performing Arts, 200 Madison Ave. N., Bainbridge Island, 842-8569, bainbridgeperformingarts.org. $16–$19. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Feb. 22, 3 p.m. Sun., Feb. 23.

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Ann Cummings In another of her “Inside the Music” piano recitals, Cummings plays her own works plus Liszt, Sibelius, and more. Stage7 Pianos, 511 Sixth St. S., Kirkland, insidethemusic.com. $5–$15. 7 p.m. Sat., Feb. 22.

Gallery Concerts Chamber music by C.P.E. Bach, including works written for the flute-playing Frederick the Great. Queen Anne Christian Church, 1316 Third Ave. W., 726-6088, galleryconcerts.org. $20–$35. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Feb. 22, 3 p.m. Sun., Feb. 23.

Octava Chamber Orchestra Mozart, Rossini, and more. First United Methodist Church of Bellevue, 1934 108th Ave. N.E., Bellevue, 425-743-2288, octavachamber
orchestra.com. $5–$15. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Feb. 22.

Berta Rojas Spanish and Spanish-flavored music from this classical guitarist. Benaroya Recital Hall, Third Ave. and Union St., 297-8788. $28–$38. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Feb. 22.

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Seattle Opera

The Consul, Gian-Carlo Menotti’s timely 1950 drama about life in an Orwellian totalitarian state. McCaw Hall, Seattle Center, 389-7676, seattleopera.org. $25 and up. Opens Feb. 22. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Fri., & Sat., plus 2 p.m. Sun., Feb. 23. Ends March 7.

Seattle Wind Symphony Respighi’s Pines of Rome and more. First Free Methodist Church, 3200 Third Ave. W., 800-838-3006, seattlewindsymphony.org. $5–$20. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Feb. 22.

Concordia Choir 79 voices, from Minnesota, where they know about choirs. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, benaroyahall.org. 3 p.m. Sun., Feb. 23.

Mostly Nordic Chamber Music Series Music from the five Scandinavian nations, opening with violin and piano music from Denmark. Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 N.W. 67th St., 789-5707, nordicmuseum.org, $22–$27 ($47–$55 w/smorgasbord). 4 p.m. Sun., Feb. 23.

St. Petersburg String Quartet Music by Borodin, Glazunov, and Glinka. Benaroya Recital Hall, Third Ave. and Union St., 425-829-1345, russianchambermusic.org. 
5 p.m. Sun., Feb. 23.

Eric Zuber A Beethoven sonata and shorter works by Schumann and Leon Kirchner from this pianist. Brechemin Auditorium, School of Music, UW campus, 685-8384, music.washington.edu. $15. 2 p.m. Sun., Feb. 23.

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Andre Richard This Swiss composer, in residence at UW, presents a concert of his works and those of his teacher Luigi Nono. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $12–$20. 7:30 p.m. Tues., Feb. 25.

UW Baroque Ensemble Buxtehude, Telemann, and more. Brechemin Auditorium, School of Music, UW campus, 685-8384, music.washington.edu. $5. 7:30 p.m. Tues., Feb. 25.

UW Percussion Ensemble Cage, Stockhausen, and much more. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $10–$15. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Feb. 26.