Stage Openings & Events Dear Ruth A reading of Norman Krasna’s 1944

By By Gavin Borchert • December 23, 2014 1:33 pm
Greer Grimsley returns as Scarpia, one of the repertory’s most loathsome villains, in Seattle Opera’s production of Puccini’s Tosca, Jan. 10–24.
Greer Grimsley returns as Scarpia, one of the repertory’s most loathsome villains, in Seattle Opera’s production of Puccini’s Tosca, Jan. 10–24.

Stage

Openings & Events

Dear Ruth A reading of Norman Krasna’s 1944 comedy, in which an idealistic teen poses as her older sister to correspond with, and inadvertently spark romance with, 
an overseas G.I. ACT, 700 Union St., 292-7676, endangered
speciesproject.org. $10–$15. 7 p.m. Mon., Jan. 12.

The 4th Graders Present an Unnamed Love-Suicide A child’s final testament becomes a drama-within-a-drama as his classmates re-enact it. Ballard Underground, 2200 N.W. Market St., 395-5458, ghostlighttheatricals.org. $12–$15. Opens Jan. 9. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. plus 7:30 p.m. Mon., Jan. 12 and 2 p.m. Sun., Jan. 18. Ends Jan. 24.

The Holler Sessions Frank Boyd’s solo faux radio show about his passion for jazz. On the Boards, 100 W. Roy St., 217-9888, ontheboards.org. $12–$25. Opens Jan. 8. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., 5 p.m. Sun. Ends Jan. 18.

In Acting Shakespeare James DeVita’s solo show about his journey to a stage career. ACT, 700 Union St., 292-7676, acttheatre.org. $20–$30. 7:30 p.m. Thurs,. Jan. 8–Sat., Jan. 10, 2 p.m. Sun., Jan. 11.

Measure for Measure Give me your virginity and I’ll spare your brother’s life is the Sophie’s choice Shakespeare poses—this is a comedy? Center Theatre at Seattle Center, 733-8222. $29–$43. Previews Jan. 7–8, opens Jan 9. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see seattleshakespeare.org for exact schedule. Ends Feb. 1.

The Modern Adventures of Sherlock Holmes The audience takes the place of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in this improv mystery. Jet City Improv, 5510 University Way N.E., 352-8291, jetcityimprov.org. $12–$15. Opens Jan. 8. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Fri. Ends Feb. 13.

Where No Man Has Gone Before An improv spoof of—you can probably guess which sci-fi TV cult classic. Theater Off Jackson 409 Seventh Ave. S., seattleexperimentaltheater.com. $15–$18. 8 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 8–Sat., Jan. 10, 2 p.m. Sun., Jan. 11.

CURRENT RUNS

Four Story House Four commissioned plays staged in four rooms of an actual house at 1428 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. (Attendance limited to 20.) Suggested donation $6. erbednarz@gmail.com for more info. 7:30 & 8:45 p.m. Fri., Jan. 9.

Piggyback Improv inspired by a preceding stand-up routine. Unexpected Productions’ Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 587-2414, unexpectedproductions.org. $10. 8:30 p.m. Sun. Ends Feb. 8.

A Streetcar Named Desire SEE REVIEW, 
PAGE 19.

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Teatro ZinZanni: Hacienda Holiday TZZ’s new show keeps its dinner-cabaret formula fresh with acts that mash up entertainment skills in pairs: aerial plus dance en pointe by PNB alumna Ariana Lallone; trapeze plus contortion with Duo Rose; juggling plus the speed and aesthetic of thrash metal by Gamal David Garcia; and ballroom dance plus pole work by the astounding Vertical Tango. All this is organized by just the lightest spritz of storyline: Vivian Beaumount and Clifton Caswell (Christine Deaver and Kevin Kent) return to a swanky hotel to renew their vows. By the end, the gender-melding is complete—Beaumount and Caswell reconcile, each adopting at least two sexes, maybe more. It’s a romantic finale 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.

Classical, Etc.

Seattle Symphony Two evenings of Mozart concertos: clarinet, piano #20, and violin #4 on Thurs.; piano #21, flute #1, violin #5 on Sat. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $20–$76. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 8, 8 p.m. Sat., Jan. 10.

The Art of the Piano Latin and Latin-inspired music (plus Chopin and Schubert) from three pianists. Seattle Art Museum, 1300 First Ave., lmc.org. Free. Noon, Thurs., Jan. 8.

• Seattle Composers Salon A new-music open-mike night, curated by John Teske, with music by Neil Welch, Cole Bratcher, Ivan Arteaga, and Matthew James Briggs. Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., composersalon.com. $5–$15.Performance at 8 p.m. preceded by the Salon’s “New Music Holiday Office Party” at 6:30. Fri., Jan. 9.

Salish Sea Early Music Festival Baroque songs and arias with soprano Lydia Brotherton. Christ Episcopal Church, 4548 Brooklyn Ave. N.E., 633-1611, salishseafestival.org. $15–$25. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 9.

• Universal Language This new new-music project presents premieres of works by Sean Osborn and Wayne Horvitz. Velocity Dance Center, 1621 12th Ave., universallanguageproject.com. $15–$25. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 9.

Philharmonia Northwest Chamber music from PNW players, from baroque to modern. (The music, 
not the players.) Kenyon Hall, 7904 35th Ave. S.W. 
philharmonianw.org. Donation. 2:30 p.m. Sat., Jan. 10.

Seattle Opera

Tosca is probably Puccini’s luridest opera, which is saying something. McCaw Hall, Seattle Center, 389-7676. $25 and up. Opens Sat., Jan. 10. Seven performances through Jan. 24; see seattleopera.org for exact schedule.

Seattle Baroque Orchestra One final holiday concert: English theater music (Locke, Purcell, etc.) to mark Twelfth Night. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 325-7066, earlymusicguild.org. $20–$45. 8 p.m. Sat., Jan. 10.

• Melia Watras Music old and new, written and improvised, from this UW faculty violist. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $12–$20. 7:30 p.m. Sun., Jan. 11.

Takacs Quartet Haydn, Schubert, and Beethoven. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, uwworldseries.org. $10–$45. 7:30 p.m. Tues., Jan. 13.