Stage
Openings & Events
Balconies Gamers and politicos trying to party in adjoining apartments clash in Scotto Moore’s screwball comedy. Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., 728-0933, annextheatre.org. $5–$20. Opens Aug. 1. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. plus Mon., Aug. 11. Ends Aug. 30.
Celestial Bodies II: Out of this World! Space-themed burlesque, star-ring (see what I did there?) Bolt Action, Alexa Perplexa, and many others. JewelBox Theater at the Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com, scarlett ohairdye.com. $12–$25. 8 p.m. Sat., Aug. 2.
The Edge Bainbridge Island’s own improv troupe. Bainbridge Performing Arts, 200 Madison Ave. N., Bainbridge Island, 842-8569, bainbridgeperforming arts.org. $12–$16. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Aug. 2.
Hold These Truths SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 17.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Armitage Shanks hosts an evening of folk tales and performance art in the form of dance, music, belly dance, burlesque, and aerial. Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave. S., 340-1049. $15–$25. 9 p.m. Sat., Aug. 2.
Spin the Bottle The August edition of Annex Theatre’s late-night variety show (N.B.: not on Friday this month) includes “orgasmic storytelling,” “nuntastic smut,” “whirling hoops on gyrating hips,” and much more. Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., 728-0933, annextheatre.org. $5–$10. 11 p.m. Sat., Aug. 2.
The Wedding Singer A musical version of the 1985-set Adam Sandler vehicle. Renton Civic Theatre, 507 S. Third St., Renton, 425-226-5529, rentoncivictheatre.org. $15. Opens Aug. 1. 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Aug. 10.
CURRENT RUNS
ACT One-Acts SEE REVIEW, LEFT.
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, taproottheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat. Ends Aug. 9.
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.
Barn Show Creepy farm tales, invented by Blood Ensemble and staged in an actual Marysville barn. (They’ll bus you there; see bloodensemble.org for details.) $30–$35. 8 p.m. Sat., Aug. 2–Sun., Aug. 3.
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.
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, taproot theatre.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.
Wise Guys Jet City Improv salutes mob movies. Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way N.E., jetcity improv.com. $12–$15. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Fri. Ends Aug. 22.
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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.
Seattle Festival of Dance Improvisation brings an incredible slice of the alt-dance world to town as faculty members. But even if you’re not going to show up at class, you can still see them perform. velocitydancecenter.org. Thurs., July 31 “Dance Innovators in Performance.” Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway. $12–$18. 8 p.m. Fri., Aug. 1 Michael Schumacher performs in the opening event of “All Rise,” a site-specific series at 1250 Denny Way. Free. 7 p.m. Sat., Aug. 2 “The Gathering.” Velocity Dance Center, 1621 12th Ave. $12–$18. 7 p.m.
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 30 At 7 p.m., a free outdoor concert (Mozart and Beethoven quintets) in Volunteer Park.
Fri., Aug. 1 Recital: Adam Neiman plays Rachmaninoff preludes. Concert: Beethoven, Taneyev, and Brahms.
Sat., Aug. 2 Recital: a Brahms viola sonata. Concert: The festival closes with Mozart, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky’s sweeping piano trio.
Mark Hilliard Wilson Spanish music from several centuries for classical guitar. St. John United Lutheran Church, 5515 Phinney Ave. N., stjohnunited.org. Donation. 7 p.m. Thurs., July 31.
The Mikado The recently controversial Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, restyled in the flavor of contemporary Tokyo, presented by Seattle Public Theater’s Youth Program. Bathhouse Theater on Green Lake, 7312 W. Green Lake Dr. N., 524-1300, seattlepublic theater.org. Free. 7 p.m. Fri., Aug. 1–Sat., Aug. 2, 2 p.m. Sun., Aug. 3.
Olympic Music Festival Chamber-music favorites in a repurposed barn, 2 p.m. each Sat. & Sun. through Sept. 7. Next up, music by Bach and by one of his most devoted musical mentor-ees, Mendelssohn. Quilcene, Wash., 360-732-4800, olympicmusicfestival.org. $18–$33.
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Trio Pardalote Their continuing Shostakovich quartet series goes a bit farther afield this time. The 11th, from 1966, is joined with Beethoven and Mendelssohn. Vashon Allied Arts Blue Heron Center, 19704 Vashon Hwy. S.W., Vashon, 463-5131, vashon alliedarts.org, triopardalote.com. $5–$20. 7:30 p.m. Sun., Aug. 3.
