Stage

Openings & Events

Attack on Emerald City Six superhero-themed short plays. Ballard Underground, 2220 N.W. Market St., 800-838-3006, facebook.com/AttackonEC. $5. Opens Dec. 12. 10 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Ends Dec. 20.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever The 14th annual production by Seattle Public Theater. Bathhouse Theater on Green Lake, 7312 W. Green Lake Dr. N., 524-1300, seattlepublictheater.org. $5–$32. Opens Dec. 13. 2 & 4 p.m. Sat.–Sun. plus Dec. 22–24. Ends Dec. 24.

A Christmas Carol Jr. Mrs. Claus and the elves retell the Dickens tale. SecondStory Repertory, 16587 N.E. 74th St., 425-881-6777, secondstoryrep.org. $5–$10. Opens Dec. 13. 1 & 3 p.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends Dec. 21.

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Finnegans Wake Neal Kosaly-Meyer transforms the first chapter of Joyce’s densely layered novel into a solo theater piece—performed from memory, mostly in the dark, with sound design by Jake Thompson. “Enjoy the music,” Kosaly-Meyer says, and a “muddy kissmans” to all. Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N. Free. 8 p.m. Sat., Dec. 13.

Henrietta Evan Morrison and Albert Kirchner host his monthly comedy show, this month featuring Emmett Montgomery, Hari Kondabolu, and others. Eclectic Theater, 1214 10th Ave. $8–$10. 10:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 13.

Homo for the Holidays This burlesque ex-drag-aganza stars BenDeLaCreme, Lou Henry Hoover, and plenty more. (Idea for a nom de burlesque: Plenty Moore!) West Hall, OddFellows Building, 2nd floor, 915 E. Pine St. $25–$35. Opens Dec. 11. Runs practically daily; see strangertickets.com for exact schedule. Ends Dec. 27.

Land of the Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker Lily Verlaine and Jasper McCann return for the ninth annual staging of this festive and titillating tradition. The Triple Door, 216 Union St., 838-4333. $40–$65. Opens Dec. 11. Runs practically daily; see thetripledoor.net for exact schedule. Ends Dec. 27.

CURRENT RUNS

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All the Way Seattle playwright Robert Schenkkan’s broad, bustling Tony winner reframes our view of the Lone Star magician/politician Lyndon B. Johnson, played by the excellent Jack Willis. Schenkkan packs scads of information and backstory into chorus-like powwows among various factions. It’s dizzying, but it conveys the scramble that Johnson had to navigate to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964—all the while consolidating power for his passion project, the War on Poverty. That effort, and the Vietnam War, will fill LBJ’s tumultuous four-year term in Schenkkan’s The Great Society, which alternates with All the Way. MARGARET FRIEDMAN Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St. (Seattle Center), 443-2222. $17–$150. 7:30 p.m. Tues.–Sun., plus Wed. and weekend matinees; see seattlerep.org for exact schedule. Ends Jan. 4.

Appalachian Christmas Homecoming Tales of three generations, with lots of live roots music, for the holidays. Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St., 781-9707. $20–$40. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat., plus some weekday matinees; see taproottheatre.org for exact schedule. Ends Dec. 27.

A Child’s Christmas in Wales/The Long Christmas Dinner A Dylan Thomas/Thornton Wilder double feature. Stone Soup Theatre, 4029 Stone Way N., 633-1883. $20–$25. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., plus more performances Xmas week; see stonesoup
theatre.org for exact schedule. Ends Dec. 24.

A Christmas Carol He may be a miser onstage, but Scrooge’s been very generous to ACT over the years. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 292-7676. $27 and up. Runs Tues.–Sun.; see acttheatre.org for exact schedule. Ends Dec. 28.

A Christmas Carol A musical version. SecondStory Repertory, 16587 N.E. 74th St., 425-881-6777, second
storyrep.org. $5–$10. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. Ends Dec. 20.

A Christmas Story This year instead of catching it on TBS’ 24-hour broadcast, see the musical version onstage! 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., 625-1900, 5thavenue.org. $29 and up. 7:30 p.m. Tues.–Wed., 8 p.m. Thurs.–Fri., 
2 & 8 p.m. Sat., 1:30 & 7 p.m. Sun. Ends Dec. 31.

Christmastown A new “holiday noir, ” complete with a hard-boiled gumshoe and a sexy elf, by Wayne Rawley. Seattle Public Theater, 7312 W. Greenlake Dr., N., 524-1300. $5–$32. Runs Fri.–Sun. plus Xmas week; see seattle
publictheater.org for exact schedule. Ends Dec. 24.

Dick Whittington and His Cat An orphan finds himself in the big city of London, where he meets a remarkable cat. Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $20 and up. Runs Thurs.–Sat., see sct.org for exact schedule. Ends Dec. 21.

The Dina Martina Christmas Show An all-new show from the adored, tireless, must-be-seen-to-be-believed entertaineress, with Chris Jeffries on keyboard. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St., 800-838-3006. $22–$25. Runs weekends only at first (incl. selected Sunday “Mimosa Matinees”), then practically daily starting Dec. 17; see brownpapertickets.com for exact schedule. Ends Dec. 31.

Evan & Bobbi: A Twisted Christmas Carol Bobbi Cratchit and Evan Scrooge are co-workers/dysfunctional lovers in this Dickens subversion. Theater Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave. S., seattlestageright.org. $15–$20. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. Ends Dec. 13.

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The Great Society See All the Way, above.

Ham for the Holidays: Fear the Bacon The annual holiday sketch show from Lisa Koch and Peggy Platt (aka Dos Fallopia). Another visit from the Sequim Gay Men’s Chorus is promised. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 292-7676, acttheatre.org. $30–$35. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Thurs., 
8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends Dec. 21.

The Hours of Life Paul Lewis’ new musical fictionalizes Poe’s affair with a fellow poet. Cornish Playhouse Studio, Seattle Center, 800-838-3006, theatre22.org. $11–$22. 8 p.m. Tues.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends Dec. 14.

A(n Improvised) Christmas Carol Dickens, rewritten by you. Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 587-2414, unexpectedproductions.org. $5–$15. 8:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., 7 p.m. Sun. Ends Dec. 28.

It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Show Joe Landry’s Capra adaptation. Kenyon Hall, 7904 35th Ave. S.W., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. $18–$20. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. Ends Dec. 14.

Judy’s Scary Little Christmas In this musical fantasy, Judy invites her Hollywood friends—from Lillian Hellman to Liberace— for a holiday TV special. (If you have to ask which Judy, this show is so not for you.) ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave. S.W., 938-0339, artswest.org. $17–$36.50. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sat., 3 p.m. Sun., plus 7:30 p.m. Tues., Dec. 23 & 5 p.m. Wed., Dec. 24. Ends Dec. 28.

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Mary Poppins After little Jane and Michael Banks turn and burn a string of governesses, an Edwardian version of Super Nanny appears to transform the naughty kids and their unhappy elders with alchemy and adventure. In the title role, Cayman Ilika finds a Julie Andrews-esque balance of cool and compassion. ALYSSA DYKSTERHOUSE Village Theatre, 303 Front St. N., Issaquah, 425-392-2202. $40–$72. Runs Tues.–Sun.; see villagetheatre.org for exact schedule. Ends Jan 4. (Runs at the Everett PAC Jan. 9–Feb. 8.)

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Pride and Prejudice Richard Nguyen Sloniker, the Darcy in Book-It’s brisk and bubbling version of the beloved Jane Austen novel, carries off some splendid scenes with the sharp, subtle Elizabeth of Jen Taylor. The casting is just as ideal all the way through, the 15 actors adept at weighting and coloring every laugh line to make it land and deftly avoiding caricature even where it’s most tempting. Marcus Goodwin ably directs his Austen adaptation, previously staged in 2000 and 2004. GAVIN BORCHERT Center Theatre at the Armory (Seattle Center), 216-0833. $25–$60. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see book-it.org for exact schedule. Ends Dec. 28.

Reckless Craig Lucas’ comedy starts on Christmas Eve with a husband’s confession. Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., fantasticz.org. $10–$20. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. Ends Dec. 20.

SnowGlobed Five short new holiday-themed plays. Theater Schmeater, 2125 Third Ave., 324-5801, schmeater.org. $10–$12. 11 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Ends Dec. 20.

Spamalot A musical version of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. As you know. Bainbridge Performing Arts, 200 Madison Ave. N., Bainbridge Island, 842-8569, bainbridge
performingarts.org. $19–$27. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 3 p.m. Sun., plus 7:30 p.m. Mon., Dec. 15. Ends Dec. 21.

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Teatro ZinZanni: Hacienda Holiday In TZZ’s new show, Showbiz couple Vivian Beaumount and Clifton Caswell (Christine Deaver and Kevin Kent) return to a swanky hotel to renew their vows, in a romantic tale as spicy as the Southwest-inspired menu. GAVIN BORCHERT Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St., 802-0015. $99 and up. Runs Thurs.–Sun. plus some Wed.; see zinzanni.com/seattle for exact schedule. Ends Jan. 31.

Tiny Tim Is Dead In Barbara Lebow’s cheerily titled play, a group of homeless people stage A Christmas Carol. Presented by Play Factory Theatre. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave., 800-838-3006, playwrights-theatre.org. $20–$25. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. plus Tues., Dec. 16; 
6 p.m. Sun. Ends Dec. 20.

The Twilight Zone: Live! Three staged episodes from the TV series. Theater Schmeater, 2125 Third Ave., 324-5801, schmeater.org. $18–$25. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. Ends Dec. 20.

Uncle Mike Ruins Christmas Relive your worst family holiday traumas in this improv show. Jet City Improv Theater, 5510 University Way N.E., jetcityimprov.org. $12–$15. 10:30 p.m. Sat. Ends Dec. 20.

Upside Downton: The Christmas Special Everyone’s fave Brit period piece gets sent up, improv-style. Jet City Improv Theater, 5510 University Way N.E., jetcityimprov.org. $12–$15. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Fri. Ends Dec. 19.

For many more holiday shows, see seattleweekly.com.

Dance

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Pacific Northwest Ballet: Nutcracker PNB premiered this production, choreographed by Kent Stowell and designed by Maurice Sendak, in 1983. This time next year we’ll see George Balanchine’s iconic choreography set to new designs by Ian Falconer (of Olivia the Pig fame). If you don’t already have tickets, try to get some. SANDRA KURTZ McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St. (Seattle Center), 441-2424, $35–$136. See pnb.org for near-daily schedule. Ends Dec. 28.

International Ballet Theater: Nutcracker Meydenbauer Theater, 11100 N.E. Sixth St., Bellevue, 425-284-0444. $25–$50. Runs Fri.–Sun. plus Dec. 22 & 23; see IBTbellevue.org for exact schedule.

Next Fest NW If you’re not in the mood for a Nutcracker, here’s new work by Ariana Bird, Luke Gutgsell, and others. Velocity Founders Theater, 1621 12th Ave., velocitydance
center.org. $12–$18. 8 p.m. Fri., Dec. 12–Sun., Dec. 14.

Emerald Ballet Theater: Nutcracker With live music from the Rainier Symphony. Northshore Performing Arts Center, 18125 92nd Ave. N.E., Bothell, 425-984-2471, emeraldballet.org. $20–$35. 2 p.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends Dec. 14.

Next Dance Cinema Dance onscreen, part of Next Fest NW. Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave., velocitydance
center.org. $6–$11. 2:30 & 4 p.m. Sat., Dec. 13.

DASSdance: Mini-Nutcracker A family party, with breakfast. Washington Hall, 153 14th Ave., 800-838-3006, dassdance.org. $15–$20. 11 a.m. Dec. 13, 14, 20.

Classical, Etc.

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Music by Sean Osborn Premieres of new works by the clarinetist/composer. Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N. $5–$15. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 10.

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Seattle Symphony The premiere of Mason Bates’ Cello Concerto, written for Joshua Roman, plus Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $20–$120. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 11; noon Fri., Dec. 12; 8 p.m. Sat., Dec. 13.

Eleonora Karpukhova Music by Rachmaninoff, including several Etudes-tableaux. Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave., 425-829-1345, russianchambermusic.org. $10–$20. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Dec. 12.

Northwest Boychoir The traditional Festival of Lessons and Carols at venues all over Seattle, Dec. 12–14 and 19–23; see nwboychoir.org for complete info. $10–$25.

Seattle Men’s Chorus Their holiday extravaganza. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., 388-1400, flying
house.org. $28–$78. 8 p.m. Fri., Dec. 12; 2 & 7:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 14; 7:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 21–Mon., Dec. 22.

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Inverse Opera A reprise of their staged, theatrical Messiah, launched last year. Isaac Studio at Taproot Theatre, 208 N. 85th St., 800-838-3006. $25–$30. Runs 
8 p.m. Fri.–Sat. plus some matinees; see theinverseopera.com for exact schedule. Ends Dec. 20.

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The Met: Live in HD Wagner’s generously proportioned comedy Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg. See fathomevents.com for participating theaters. 9 a.m. Sat., Dec. 13; encored 6:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 17.

Seattle Pro Musica French Christmas music. Chapel at Bastyr University, 14500 Juanita Dr. N.E., Kenmore, seattlepromusica.org. $12–$38. 3 & 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 13.

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Unsilent Night Phil Kline’s participatory ambient music event/walkabout starts and ends at On the Boards, 100 W. Roy St. See ontheboards.org for full info, including the download. Free. 5:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 13.

Northwest Chamber Chorus “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” with David Pichette. Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, 7500 Greenwood Ave., N., 800-838-3006, northwest
chamberchorus.org. $12–$22. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 13.

Ancora From this women’s choir, “Walking in the Air.” Trinity Lutheran Church, 1200 10th Ave. E., 800-838-3006, ancorachoir.org. $12–$15. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 13.

Market Street Singers go “Down the Chimney.” Ballard First Lutheran Church, 2006 N.W. 65th St., market
streetsingers.com. Donation. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 13.

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Seattle Mandolin Orchestra

Messiah like you’ve never heard it (unless you went last year). Epiphany Parish Seattle, 1805 38th Ave., 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 13; Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, 
7 p.m. Sun., Dec. 14. $15–$20. seattlemandolin.org.

Seattle Choral Company “On Christmas Night.” 
St. Mark’s Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave. E., 363-1100, seattle
choralcompany.org. $25. 8 p.m. Sat., Dec. 13, & Fri., Dec. 19.

Candlelight Concerts Serene trios for the once-popular grouping of flute, viola, and guitar. University Christian Church, 4731 15th Ave. N.E., 522-0169, candle
lightseattle.org. Freewill offering. 7:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 14.

For many more holiday concerts, see seattleweekly.com.