Stage
Openings & Events
ACT One-Acts Shorts by Woody Allen, Steve Martin, and Sam Shepard; R. Hamilton Wright directs. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 292-7676. $44 and up ($20 every Tues.) Previews July 23–24, opens July 25. Runs Tues.–Sun.; see acttheatre.org for exact schedule. Ends Aug. 17.
The Amish Project Jessica Dickey’s stage retelling of the 2006 Nickel Mines Amish schoolhouse shooting. Isaac Studio Theatre, 208 N. 85th St., 781-9707, taproot theatre.org. Opens July 24. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat. Ends Aug. 9.
CURRENT RUNS
The Arabian Nights Seattle Public Theater’s Youth Program presents Mary Zimmerman’s modern take on the epic myths. Bathhouse Theater on Green Lake, 7312 W. Green Lake Dr. N., 524-1300, seattlepublic theater.org. Donation. 7 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., plus 2 p.m. Sat., July 26. Ends July 26.
Attack of the Killer Murder of . . . Death “Agatha Christie meets Roger Corman” in this mystery sendup, set on a movie set in 1958. Theater Schmeater, 2125 Third Ave., 800-838-3006, schmeater.org. $18–$25. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. Ends Aug. 16.
The Book of Mormon The touring production of the Broadway smash, from the creators of South Park, is back for a second visit, sure to sell out. The Paramount, 911 Pine St., 877-STG-4TIX. $45–$160. Runs Tues.–Sun.; see stgpresents.org for exact schedule. Ends Aug. 10.
Disney’s The Jungle Book Kids A stage version of the Kipling-based animated musical. Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave. S.E., Mercer Island. $13–$15. 7 p.m. Fri–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., plus some weekday morning matinees; see youththeatre.org for exact schedule. Ends July 27.
Greenstage
Othello, Love’s Labours Lost, All’s Well That Ends Well, and The Comedy of Errors in various area parks through Aug. 16, all free. See greenstage.org for full schedule.
Jane Eyre—The Musical Musical theater has had some success with neglected orphans (Annie, Oliver!), so an adaptation of Jane Eyre was probably inevitable. Charlotte Bronte’s 1847 novel is, after all, one of the earliest female coming-of-age tales ever told. This show, created by Paul Gordon and John Caird, premiered on Broadway 14 years ago, and it might sound like a slog. Quite the opposite. Directed by Karen Lund, Taproot’s production moves quickly and seamlessly through Jane’s early tale of woe. The show focuses on our heroine’s middle period, after Jane is hired to work as a governess at the pleasure of apparent bachelor Edward Fairfax Rochester. Art Anderson’s Rochester is a manifold pleasure to behold. He sings well, commands the stage, and mugs with assurance. Unfortunately the same can’t be said for Jessica Spencer’s uneven performance as the grown Jane. (Abi Brittle plays defiant 10-year-old Jane.) Too often her Jane seems bewildered and lost in her moral and spiritual upheaval; it’s difficult to see the spark that draws Rochester. Even so, in the song “Painting Her Portrait,” Spencer gives a jaw-dropping performance, the seeds sown during Jane’s abusive childhood coming to fruition in a moving and frightening episode of self-doubt. MARK BAUMGARTEN Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St., 781-9707, taproottheatre.org. $15–$40. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat. Ends Aug. 16.
Teatro ZinZanni: When Sparks Fly Maestro Voronin headlines this mad-scientist-themed show. Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St., 802-0015. $99 and up. Runs Thurs.–Sun. plus some Wed.; see zinzanni.com/seattle for exact schedule. Ends Sept. 21.
Twelfe Night, or What You Will Cross-dressed love tangles in Illyria, via Bainbridge Performing Arts. Bloedel Reserve, 7571 N.E. Dolphin Dr., Bainbridge Island, 842-8569, bainbridgeperformingarts.org. 7 p.m. Thurs–Sun. Ends July 26.
Wise Guys Jet City Improv’s salute to mob movies. Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way N.E., jetcityimprov.com. $12–$15. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Fri. Ends Aug. 22.
Wooden O Again Seattle Shakespeare Company is committed to free outdoor productions of the Bard, and this summer’s offerings are The Two Gentlemen of Verona and Julius Caesar. For the former, director David Quicksall creates a milieu defined by greaser youths in denim and leather, jukeboxes, Coca-Cola, bowling, and anything that fits the tastes of mid-century America. Proteus (Jason Marr) and Valentine (Conner Neddersen) are best buds who spend their days joyriding through Verona. Proteus is in love with hula hoop-skirted Julia (Angelica Duncan). Fate splits the two friends as Valentine goes to serve in the court of the Duke of Milan (Jim Gall) and falls for his daughter Silvia. What ensues is a comedy of plotting, conniving, scheming, and cross-dressing, plus a clownish servant and his stoic dog. It’s a quirky, retro take on what some consider to be Shakespeare’s first play—and perhaps his weakest. Call it an experiment or rough draft; regardless, it’s still enjoyable. IRFAN SHARIFF As for Julius Caesar, directed by Vanessa Miller, this will be an all-female production, with Therese Diekhans as the doomed overreaching tyrant, Suzanne Bouchard as Brutus, and Amy Thone as Cassius. BRIAN MILLER Performance locations through Aug. 10 include Volunteer Park, Seattle Center, Lynnwood, Sammamish, Edmonds, and Des Moines; see seattleshakespeare.org for full schedule.
Dance
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YELLOW FISH A performance that lasts at least an hour, but not longer than two days—these are the only real criteria for this collection of time-based artworks. The rest is up to a rotating cast (including Gender Tender, Mark Haim, Babette Pendleton McGeady, and Molly Sides), who will come and go for almost a month. Alice Gosti directs. SANDRA KURTZ See facebook.com/yellowfishfestival for full schedule through Aug. 2.
Strictly Seattle SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 22.
Malam Budaya SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 22.
Circadia: A Celebration of Life, Death, and Re-Birth From the chill of decay that begins in the fall and peaks in the winter to the new life brought on by spring that thrives in summer’s heat, each season furthers the cycle of life. Presented by Rebel Belly Production, Circadia features dancers performing in celebration of that never-ending cycle. Columbia City Theater, 4918 Rainier Ave. S., 723-0088, columbiacity theater.com. $14–$18. 9 p.m. Fri., July 25. AZARIA C. PODPLESKY
Classical, Etc.
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Seattle Chamber Music Society Recitals at 7 p.m., concerts at 8. Benaroya Recital Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., 283-8808, seattlechambermusic.org. Single tickets $48.
Wed., July 23 Recital: Pianist Max Levinson plays Bartok’s Out of Doors suite. Concert: Schubert, Mendelssohn, and lots more songs.
Fri., July 25 Recital: Pianist Inon Barnatan plays Schubert’s spacious Sonata in A major. Concert: More Schubert for piano (the Fantasy for four-hands), and trios by Dohnanyi and Beethoven.
Mon., July 28 Recital: Violinist Andrew Wan plays Bach’s G-minor solo sonata. Concert: Schumann, Beethoven, Dvorak.
Wed., July 30 At 7 p.m., a free outdoor concert (Mozart and Beethoven quintets) in Volunteer Park.
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Auburn Symphony Summer Concerts Percussion music from Pacific Rims. Mary Olson Farm, 28728 Green River Rd., Auburn, auburnsymphony.org. $10–$17. 7 p.m. Thurs., July 24.
Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society Celebrating its 60th anniversary with a new look at The Mikado, the show that inaugurated the company’s not-so-brief career in 1954 (back when it was less controversial). Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 800-838-3006, pattersong.org. $16–$40. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends July 26.
Olympic Music Festival Chamber-music favorites in a repurposed barn, 2 p.m. each Sat. & Sun. through Sept. 7. Next up, all-Mozart, including two of his generously proportioned string quintets. Quilcene, Wash., 360-732-4800, olympicmusicfestival.org. $18–$33.
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Octava Chamber Orchestra New chamber music from OCO players. Maple Park Church. 17620 60th Ave. W., Lynnwood, octavachamberorchestra.com. $5–$15. 7:30 p.m. Sat., July 26.
ARCO-PDX Ever think that classical concerts could be pretty awesome, if only you could talk during the music? Your prayers are answered. The Amplified Repertory Chamber Orchestra of Portland (of course!) plays music by C.P.E. Bach and Mike Hsu. LOUD. Nectar Lounge, 412 N. 36th St., arcopdx.com. $12–$15. 7 p.m. Sun., July 27.
Tudor Choir Renaissance and baroque works for double choir. Blessed Sacrament Church, 5041 Ninth Ave. N.E., 323-9415, tudorchoir.org. $20–$30. 7:30 p.m. Sun., July 27.
