Stage Openings & Events Black Like Us The premiere of Rachel

By By Gavin Borchert • January 28, 2014 2:41 pm

Stage

Openings & Events

Black Like Us The premiere of Rachel Atkins’ play about an African-American woman’s decision to pass for white in 1958. Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., 728-0933, annex
theatre.org. $5–$20. Opens Jan. 31. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. plus Mon., Feb. 10. Ends March 1.

Ed, Downloaded Michael Mitnick’s play is set “in a future where one can purchase immortality and spend an afterlife in a digital heaven of one’s favorite memories.” Washington Ensemble Theatre, 608 19th Ave. E., 325-5105, washingtonensemble.org. $15–$20. Preview Jan. 30, opens Jan. 31. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Mon. Ends Feb. 24.

Ernest Shackleton Loves Me A workshop production (Balagan plans to stage the final version in April) of a new musical about a single mom who meets the explorer via time travel. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 292-7676, act
theatre.org. $20–$35. 7:30 p.m. Sun., Feb. 2–Tues. Feb. 4.

I Might Be Edgar Allan Poe & Virtual Solitaire Two solo shows written and performed by Dawson Nichols. Poe: 7:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 31. Solitaire: 7:30 p.m. Fri., Feb. 7. Stage One Theater, 9600 College Way N., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. $10.

The Icelandic Illumination Rangers To find the missing Aurora Borealis, “the Rangers will have to dance around magnetic poles, navigate the Reykjavik synth-pop scene, and learn what it really means to be friends.” It sounds like a kids’ show—but there are also adults-only “blue” performances (10:30 p.m. Feb. 7 & 21). WET, 608 19th Ave. E., 325-5105, washingtonensemble.org. $5–$10. Opens Feb. 1. 10 a.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends Feb. 23.

Legally Blonde Broadway Bound presents the musical version of the Reese Witherspoon vehicle. Shoreline Center, 18560 First Ave. N.E., 547-4555, broadwaybound.org. $17.50. Opens Jan. 31. 7 p.m. Fri., 2 & 7 p.m. Sat., plus 2 p.m. Sun., Feb. 9. Ends Feb. 9.

The Madwoman of Chaillot A reading of Jean Giraudoux’s comic fable. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 292-7676, endangeredspeciesproject.org. $10–$15. 7 p.m. Mon., Feb. 3.

Mr. Pim Passes By A.A. Milne’s Edwardian comedy. Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St., 781-9707, taproottheatre.org. $20–$40. Previews Jan. 29–30, opens Jan. 31. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat. Ends March 1.

Puppet School Seattle Launch Party Based in L.A., it’s branching north. Find out all about it and its class offerings at this open house. Inscape, 815 Seattle Blvd. S., puppetschool.com. Free. 6 p.m. Fri., Jan. 31.

Reading to Vegetables The premiere of E.M. Lewis’ thriller about a pre-med intern who participates in a chilling experiment. Penthouse Theatre, UW campus, 543-4880, drama.uw.edu. $10–$20. Previews Jan. 29–30, opens Jan. 31. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Feb. 9.

Red Tiger Tales UMO applies their brand of physical theater (clowning at its highest level) to ancient Buddhist, Zen, and Sufi stories. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 292-7676, umo.org, acttheatre.org. $5–$20. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 31–Sat., Feb. 1, 2 p.m. Sun., Feb. 2.

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Spamalot SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 24.

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.

13: A Musical Our hero navigates a move from New York to small-town Indiana, on top of all else puberty throws at him. Studio East, 11730 118th Ave. N.E. 100, Kirkland, 425-820-1800, studio-east.org. $12–$18. Opens 6:30 p.m. Jan. 31. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2:30 p.m. Sun. Ends Feb. 9.

Current Runs

American Wee-Pie Lisa Dillman’s comedy, set in a cupcake boutique. Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W. Green Lake Ave. N., 524-1300, seattlepublic
theater.org. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Feb. 16.

The Equation Theatre9/12 presents Charles S. Waxberg’s Depression-set “examination of a capitalistic economy and what it does to humanity.” Trinity Episcopal Church, 609 Eighth Ave., 332-7908. Pay what you can. 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., plus some weekend matinees; see theatre912.com for exact schedule. Ends Feb. 15.

The Foreigner SEE REVIEW, PAGE 26.

A Great Wilderness SEE REVIEW, PAGE 26.

The Little Dog Laughed Douglas Carter Beane’s inside-Hollywood tale of a closeted actor, his agent, a rent boy, and the rent boy’s girlfriend. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave. S.W., 938-0339, artswest.org. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sat. Extended through Feb. 16.

The Normal Heart Larry Kramer’s groundbreaking 1985 AIDS drama. Erickson Theatre Off Broadway, 1524 Harvard Ave., 800-838-3006, strawshop.org. $18–$36. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. Ends Feb. 15.

Richard II George Mount’s embattled King Richard II dwindles from a coddled jackass prince to a naked nobody controlling nothing. Forget pathos; director Rosa Joshi goes for cynical laughs—and the approach works. MARGARET FRIEDMAN Center House Theatre, Seattle Center, 733-8222. $25–$48. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sat., plus some weekend matinees; see seattleshakespeare.org for exact schedule. Ends Feb. 2.

Dance

The Bridge Project New work, made in a month, by Babette McGeady, Anna Conner, Shannon Stewart, and Colleen McNeary. Velocity Dance Center, 1621 12th Ave., 325-8773, velocitydancecenter.org. $12–$20. 8 p.m. Fri., Jan. 31–Sun., Feb. 2.

Greta Matassa & Jovon Miller Jazz, both vocal and tap. Century Ballroom & Cafe, 915 E. Pine St., 324-7263, centuryballroom.com. Show only, 7:30 p.m., $20–$25. With dinner, $55; seatings at 6 p.m., 6:15, & 6:30 p.m. Sat., Feb. 1.

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Pacific Northwest Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 24.

Classical, Etc.

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Seattle Chamber Music Winter Festival

Recitals at 6:30 p.m., concerts at 7:30, except as noted.

Thurs., Jan. 30 Recital: a Brahms violin sonata. Concert: Mozart, Schumann, Bruch, and Bartok’s String Quartet no. 1. Fri., Jan. 31 Recital: Romances by Dvorak, Beach, and Laura Netzel. Concert: Beethoven, Kodaly, Mendelssohn. Sat., Feb. 1 11 a.m.: the tale of “The Snow Queen.” Recital: Schnittke’s Cello Sonata. Concert: Dvorak dances and a Brahms sextet. Sun., Feb. 2 1 p.m. concert: The Ehnes Quartet plays Beethoven, Bartok’s Third, Suk, and Ravel. Benaroya Recital Hall, Third Ave. and Union St., 283-8808, seattlechambermusic.org. $16–$48.

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Seattle Symphony A John Adams/Shostakovich sandwich, with the latter’s wry Symphony no. 9. (Friday is a one-hour “Untuxed” concert with Shostakovich only.) Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattle
symphony.org. $19–$112. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 30, 7 p.m. Fri., Jan. 31, 8 p.m. Sat., Feb. 1.

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UW Chamber Orchestra Corelli, Gabrieli, and symphonies by C.P.E. Bach and Haydn. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $10–$15. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 30.

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Elizabeth A. Baker From this Florida pianist/composer, her own works plus music by Glass, Part, and more. Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., nseq.blogspot.com. $5–$15. 8 p.m. Fri., Jan. 31.

Byrd Ensemble Renaissance-flavored choral music by Part, Hallock, and others. At Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church, 308 Fourth Ave. S., Kirkland, 7:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 31, and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 732 18th Ave. E., 8 p.m. Sat., Feb. 1. $10–$20. byrdensemble.com.

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[untitled] SEE EAR SUPPLY, PAGE 27.

UW Guitar Ensemble Scarlatti, Vivaldi, and more.Brechemin Auditorium, School of Music, UW campus, 685-8384, music.washington.edu. $5. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 31.

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UW Modern Music Ensemble Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time, plus works inspired by it by Saariaho and Takemitsu. Meany Studio Theater, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $10–$15. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 31.

SPU Orchestra Plus the SPU String Quartet and Brass Choir. First Free Methodist Church, 3200 Third Ave. W., spu.edu. Free. 2 p.m. Sat., Feb. 1.

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Byron Schenkman & Ingrid Matthews This keyboardist and violinist team up for music by Frescobaldi, Scarlatti, and others. Cornish College/PONCHO Concert Hall, 710 E. Roy St., cornish.edu. $10–$20. 7 p.m. Sun., Feb. 2.

Joseph Adam Organ works by Bach, Liszt, and others. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattle
symphony.org. $19. 7:30 p.m. Mon., Feb. 3.

Canonici: Consort of Voices Secular vocal works from renaissance Europe and colonial America. Trinity Episcopal Church, 609 Eighth Ave., 325-7066, earlymusic
guild.org. $10–$25. 7:30 p.m. Tues., Feb. 4.

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Bela Fleck & Brooklyn Rider SEE SEVEN NIGHTS, PAGE 36.

Joshua Bell The popular violinist plays Bach, Stravinsky, and more. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $41 and up. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Feb. 5.