Stage

Openings & Events

Boom Boom L’Roux’s Late-Night Revue Boasting “Seattle’s hottest performers—a true spectacle de variete.” Can Can, 94 Pike St. 652-0832, thecancan.com. $12–$20. 10 p.m. Wed., March 6.

Cliffhouse Macha Monkey presents Allison Gregory’s rather Hitchcockian-sounding play. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. Opens March 8. 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Ends March 30.

Culturebot On the Boards puts critics onstage, along with the subject of their consideration, in an interactive performance/exploration of the difference between “having an opinion and having a conversation.” If the Internet gives everyone the chance to be a critic, including dogs, what is the new role of commentary? Andy Horwitz and Jeremy Barker of the commentary website Culturebot will describe their new Citizen Critic Project and their efforts to launch “public critical conversations” on a variety of subjects. SANDRA KURTZ On the Boards, 100 W. Roy St., 217-9886, ontheboards.org. $12. 
8 p.m. Thurs., March 7.

Distracted Lisa Loomer’s dramedy looks at a 9-year-old who may or may not have ADD. Bainbridge Performing Arts, 200 Madison Ave. N., Bainbridge Island, 842-8569, bainbridgeperformingarts.org. $19–$27. Opens March 8. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. Ends March 24.

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Good People SEE THE WIRE, PAGE 17.

Impenetrable In Mia McCullough’s play, a beauty ad sparks controversy and self-examination. Presented by Mirror Stage. Ethnic Cultural Center/Theatre, 3931 Brooklyn Ave. N.E., mirrorstage.org. $8–$10. 8 p.m. Sat., March 9, 2 p.m. Sun., March 10.

Next Fall Adam and Luke fall in love in Geoffrey Nauffts’ play, but there’s just one problem: Adam’s an atheist, Luke is a believer. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave. S.W., 938-0339, artswest.org. $10–$34.50. Preview March 12, opens March 13. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. Ends April 6.

Once in a Lifetime Theater Anonymous (in which the actors never rehearse together, or even meet until the single performance) presents Kaufman and Hart’s comedy about the dawn of Hollywood. Erickson Theatre Off Broadway, 1524 Harvard Ave., 1448fest.com. $30. 8 p.m. Sat., March 9.

Paper Bullets John E. Ellis reworks Much Ado About Nothing for the world of tabloid journalism. The Ballard Underground, 2220 N.W. Market St., 395-5458, ghost
lighttheatricals.org. $12–$15. Opens March 8. 7:30 p.m,. Thurs.–Sat. plus 7:30 p.m. Mon., March 18 and 2 p.m. Sun., March 24. Ends March 24.

You Never Can Tell The Endangered Species Project presents a staged reading of Shaw’s comedy of manners. Stage One Theater, 9600 College Way N., endangered
speciesproject.org. Donation. 7 p.m. Mon., March 11.

Young Playwrights Festival Eight premieres by fledgling authors. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 292-7676, acttheatre.org. $5–$10. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., March 7–Fri., March 8; 1 & 4 p.m. Sat., March 9.

Current Runs

The Adventures of Gilbert & Sullivan Improv operetta: The librettist and composer themselves become characters in a Victorian fantasy (or wherever the audience decides to send them). Wing-It Productions, 5510 University Way N.E., 781-3879, jetcityimprov.com. $12–$15. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Fri. Ends April 19.

Altar Boyz “Christian boy band”—this popular musical’s about as high-concept as it gets. Seattle Musical Theatre, 7400 Sand Point Way N.E. # 101N, 363-2809, seattle
musicaltheatre.org. $35–$40. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., plus 7:30 p.m. Thurs., March 7. Ends March 10.

Annie The King’s Players take on the popular uplift-fest. Shorecrest Performing Arts Center, 15343 25th Ave. N.E., kingsplayerstheater.org. $17–$22. 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends March 10.

Cirque du Soleil Inspired by The Tempest, this touring show isn’t heavy on plot. Kids will appreciate the acrobats, juggling, and costumes, and the traveling Grand Chapiteau—a climate-controlled, 2,600-seat tent—adds to the spectacle. GWENDOLYN ELLIOTT Marymoor Park, 6046 W. Lake Sammamish Pkwy. N.E., Redmond, 800-450-1480. $43.50 and up. See cirquedusoleil.com for exact schedule. Ends March 24.

Crossing Delancey Seattle Jewish Theater Company presents staged readings of Susan Sandler’s play of Manhattan romance. Eight performances through March 30; see seattlejewishtheater.com for full info.

5 x Tenn A quintet of one-acts by Tennessee Williams. Stone Soup Downstage, 4029 Stone Way, 633-1883, stone
souptheatre.org. $14–$25. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. Ends March 9.

Five Women Wearing the Same Dress Rogue Theatrics stages Alan (Six Feet Under) Ball’s comedy set at a Tennessee wedding reception. Theatre Puget Sound, Armory, Seattle Center, roguetheatrics.com. $15–$20. 
7 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends March 17.

I Won’t Be Ignored Blood Squad, Seattle’s horror-improv troupe, takes on the crazy-stalker film genre. Balagan Theatre, 1117 E. Pike St., 800-838-3006, balagan
theatre.org. $10. 11 p.m. Fri. Ends March 8.

Jesus Christ Superstar An all-female production seems a little out-there for Burien, but good for them. Burien Little Theater, S.W. 146th St. and Fourth Ave. S.W., Des Moines, 242-5180, burienlittletheatre.org. $7–$20. 
8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends March 24.

March is Cabaret Month Saturdays in March, the cream of local cabaret performers. Egan’s Ballard Jam House, 1707 N.W. Market St., 789-1621, ballardjamhouse.com. $15 + 2 drink min. 7 & 9 p.m. Sat., March 9, 23, 30.

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The Music Man Director Bill Berry left not a stitch out of place: The orchestra (under Joel Fram’s direction) is as crisp as a Disneyland parade; Bob Richard’s choreography innovates while also nodding to tradition; and Gregory Poplyk’s costumes continually surprise and delight. None of that would matter without a cast that can sell this canned corn, the tale of traveling salesman Harold Hill (a nimble and winning Noah Racey), who overstays his welcome after winning the heart of the town librarian (nightingale Laura Griffith. Not only are the leads spot-on, but the chorus and all the supporting roles pile on the pleasures. KEVIN PHINNEY 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., 625-1900. $31 and up. Runs Tues.–Sun.; see 5thavenue.org for exact schedule. Ends March 10.

North Star Vaud K. Brian Neel curated this neo-vaudeville show. Stage One Theater, 9600 College Way N., 527-3600, northseattle.edu. Pay what you can. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun.; also noon Wed., March 6. Ends March 10.

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Photograph 51 In chauvinistic early–’50s London, scientist Rosalind Franklin works in the shadows of James Watson and Francis Crick, who claimed all the credit for describing our DNA. The cocky young Dr. Watson begrudgingly validates her work in that shiftiest of ways—by stealing it. Braden Abraham directs the excellent production. MARGARET FRIEDMAN Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $12–$70. Runs Tues.–Sun. plus some matinees; see seattlerep.org for exact schedule. Ends March 10.

Puss in Boots The classic French tale. Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St., Mercer Island, 232-4145 x109, youththeatre.org. $10. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Fri., 2:30 p.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends March 17.

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reWilding SEE REVIEW, PAGE 18.

SPF VII It stands for Solo Performance Festival. Solo performers include Jennifer Jasper, Peggy Platt, Lisa Koch, and others; see theatreoffjackson.org for complete lineup and schedule. Theater Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave. S. $15, Ends March 23.

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Teatro ZinZanni: Dinner at Wotan’s The Norse mythos may at first seem an odd fit for Teatro ZinZanni’s voluptuous red-velvet atmosphere (one thing Viking culture was not was sybaritic), but here’s how they make it work as the theme of their new dinner circus/cabaret: It’s Ragnarok eve, aka the final battle of good vs. evil, and Wotan and the rest of the Wagnerian pantheon are ready to par-tay! Geoff Hoyle plays “Dinner at Wotan’s” host—and his mother, and borscht-belt comic “Red Bottoms.” Soprano Kristin Clayton plays Brunnhilde, PNB alumna Ariana Lallone adds statuesque beauty with her dance routines, and the “Vertical Tango” team of Sam Payne and Sandra Feusi return from TZ’s previous show to earn the evening’s wildest applause. Wall-to-wall music seasons the five-course dinner spread out leisurely among the impressive acrobatic acts and nudge-nudge shtick. Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St., 802-0015. $106 and up. Runs Thurs.–Sun.; see dreams.zinzanni.org for exact schedule. Ends May 12.

These Streets Revisiting Seattle’s grunge era through the eyes of four fictional characters, These Streets aspires to be to the ’90s what The Big Chill was to the ’60s—a vehicle that evokes the giddy rush of bygone times, revisits its pivotal players 20 years later, and finally puts the entire zeitgeist into a proper historical perspective. These Streets boasts a solid local pedigree, with its script—based on interviews with women of the grunge years—credited to Sarah Rudinoff, Elizabeth Kenny, and musician Gretta Harley. (The latter leads the stage band; Rudinoff and Kenny act in the show.) These Streets arrives with a mission: to explore how and why women were integral to the grunge scene, even while Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam relegated them to commercial obscurity. The play’s now-and-then structure has two actresses portraying each lead character (Dez, Ingrid, Christine, and Kyla), and all of them invest their roles with varying degrees of passion and believability. But at issue here is whether this is a concert interrupted by dialogue or a play with music, because both vie for time and audience attention. Clearly the music is the star of These Streets, and whenever the house band is in the spotlight, the show roars to life. There’s a mosh-pit chaos to the proceedings, and director Amy Poisson seems divided about how to focus the maelstrom of energy. She simply lets the narrative slug it out with the music, and the result is a caterwauling melange that does neither idiom justice. KEVIN PHINNEY ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 292-7676, acttheatre.org. $15–$30. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sun. Through March 10.

Dance

Fleurs d’Egypte “The Dark Side of the Veil” is their 
latest dance cabaret., Can Can, 94 Pike St. 652-0832, 
arabicbeat.com. $10–$15. 7:30 p.m. Sun., March 10.

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Lingo Dance Theatre They present a new dance film project, Dream Brain, part of KT Niehoff’s Collision Theory project. Oddfellows Building, 915 E. Pine St. lingo
dance.com. $10–$12. 7:15 & 8:45 p.m. Thurs., March 7.

Classical, Etc.

Metropolitan Opera at the Movies The Met’s new ring-a-ding-ding Rigoletto is reset in ’60s Las Vegas. See metopera.org for participating theaters. $24. 6:30 p.m. Wed., March 6.

Khatia Buniatishvili Ravel and Stravinsky finger-
busters. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, uwworld
series.org. $35–$39. 7:30 p.m. Wed., March 6.

La boh

E

me From the first garbled bar, conductor Carlo Montanaro makes Seattle Opera’s production of Puccini’s classic the speediest Boheme I’ve ever heard. His haste wrought some real havoc in, unfortunately, everyone’s favorite scene— Rodolfo and Mimi’s meet-cute, over before you know it, no magic. The production’s one undeniably effective element is Erhard Rom’s set—vintage sepia-toned photographs of Paris—but a Boheme that looks better than it sounds has to be counted a misfire. McCaw Hall, Seattle Center, 389-7676, seattleopera.org. $25 and up. 7:30 p.m. Wed., March 6, Fri., March 8, Sat., March 9; 2 p.m. Sun., March 10.

Music of North India Performances by Hindustani singer Srivani Jade and her students. Brechemin Auditorium, School of Music, UW campus, 685-8384, music.washington.edu. $5. 7:30 p.m. Wed., March 6.

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Tafelmusik SEE THE WIRE, PAGE 17.

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UW Opera Theater Mozart’s farcical one-act The Impresario, plus scenes from Carmen, Cosi, and other favorites. Meany Studio Theater, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $10–$15. 7:30 p.m. Fri., March 8, 
2 p.m. Sun., March 10.

Seattle Symphony You love “The Four Seasons.” Your grandma loves “The Four Seasons.” Your kids love “The Four Seasons.” Here’s “The Four Seasons.” Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $19–$81. 8 p.m. Fri., March 8–Sat., March 9.

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Seattle Choral Company Italian religious music by Verdi (his wonderfully weird “Ave maria”), Palestrina, and others. At Bastyr University Chapel, 14500 Juanita Drive N.E., 2 p.m. Sat., March 9, and Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, 1245 Tenth Ave. E., 8 p.m. Sat., March 16. $10–$27. 800-838-3006, seattlechoralcompany.org.

Choir of the Sound Britten, Barber, Gabrieli, and more. Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, 1245 Tenth Ave. E., choirofthesound.org. $11–$22. 7 p.m. Sat., March 9.

Tudor Choir Music by Tallis and other English renaissance composers, by candlelight. Blessed Sacrament Church, 5050 Eighth Ave. N.E., 323-9415, tudorchoir.org. $20–$30. 7:30 p.m. Sat., March 9.

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Seattle Pro Musica Music of the season: Britten, Mendelssohn, and more. At Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 7:30 p.m. Sat., March 9, and Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, 7500 Greenwood Ave. N., 3 p.m. Sun., March 10. $12–$35. 800-838-3006, seattlepromusica.org.

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Hope Wechkin SEE EAR SUPPLY, PAGE 19.

UW Symphonic Band Chamber music for winds, including a premiere by Kim Rivera. Brechemin Auditorium, School of Music, UW campus, 685-8384, music.washington.edu. $5. 1:30 p.m. Sun., March 10.

Northwest Girlchoir Their spring show. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., northwestgirlchoir.org. $8–$13. 2 & 7 p.m. Sun., March 10.

Philharmonia Northwest Britten’s Double Concerto for violin and viola, plus a little Haydn. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 4805 N.E. 45th St., 675-9727, 
philharmonianw.org. 2:30 p.m. Sun., March 10.

Master Chorus Eastside Bach meets music from Mongolia and Australia. First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, 1717 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue, 425-392-8446, masterchoruseastside.org. $15–$20. 3 p.m. Sun., March 10.

Onyx This all-Beethoven concert includes a recently published fragment for piano trio. Church of Christ-Scientist, 3500 N.E. 125th St., 800-838-3006, onyxchamberplayers.com. $10–$25. 4 p.m. Sun., March 10.

UW Wind Ensemble A preview of music from their upcoming China tour. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $10–$15. 7:30 p.m. Tues., March 12.

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Quasar Saxophone Quartet Music by Seattle composer Donald Stewart and much more from this Montreal-based group. Part of the Washington Composers Forum’s “Transport” series. Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., washington
composers.org. $5–$15. 8 p.m. Wed., March 13.