Stage

Openings & Events

Epiphany Leslie Law and Richard Ziman curated this radio-theater/variety show. ACT, 700 Union St., 292-7676, acttheatre.org. $15–$20. 8 p.m. Mon., Dec. 29.

He Sees You When You’re Sleeping… Horror-improv troupe Blood Squad tells the truth about the fat guy who slips into your house on Xmas eve. Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., bloodsquad.org. $10. 8 p.m. Fri., Dec. 26.

CURRENT RUNS

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All the Way Seattle playwright Robert Schenkkan’s broad, bustling Tony winner reframes our view of the fairness-championing Lone Star magician/politician Lyndon B. Johnson (played by the excellent Jack Willis). Historians will tell you that LBJ plied all angles and snatched unlikely votes out of cantankerous retrograde cronies in order to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 during one scant year. But how did he do it, what did it mean to work the aisle, and why isn’t that kind of thing happening now? These are questions a demoralized 2014 electorate hankers to chew on. With a cast of 17 playing up to six roles each, it’s a wonder these performers can master not only their lines but their identities and complex blocking during so many short scenes. (Director Bill Rauch orginated the production in 2012 at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, then took it to Broadway.) Schenkkan packs scads of information and backstory into chorus-like powwows among various factions. Unless you remember the ’60s and these political battles, close listening is required to keep track of who’s who. It’s dizzying, but it conveys the scramble that Johnson had to navigate for civil rights—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 begins alternating with All the Way this week. 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.

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. 2 & 4 p.m. Sat.–Sun. plus Dec. 24. Ends Dec. 24.

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 stonesouptheatre.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 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 more performances Xmas week; see seattle
publictheater.org for exact schedule. Ends Dec. 24.

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 practically daily (incl. selected Sunday “Mimosa Matinees”); see brownpapertickets.com for exact schedule. Ends Dec. 31.

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The Great Society In the second of Robert Schenkkan’s two extraordinary history plays (alternating with All the Way), there’s nary a spare moment in its four-year span to notice the deep structure. The homework of who’s who and what’s what behind us, this second play is pure, breathtaking entertainment. The newly elected president LBJ (Jack Willis) mocks any potential indignation about political means and ends: “‘Oh my God, he’s lying!’ Like that’s never happened before in the history of the Republic.” While the audience chuckles, the subject of lying ricochets past the growing tally of Vietnam War dead—projected above the incrementally crumbling set—and lands in Martin Luther King’s strategy room, where LBJ’s procrastination on voting rights feels like a lie. Expertly directed by Bill Rauch, at least a dozen stories interweave then converge at the pernicious maw of the Vietnam War (most actors perform multiple roles). This is a huge-cast, huge-cost, huge-theme, huge-talent, and huge-pleasure play that will not come around often. The three hours pass speedily, fueled by myriad political and social parallels with today: police violence against blacks, the perfect as the enemy of the good, people voting against their interest (if at all), racial privilege, and the cost of a foreign war versus domestic spending. This is what theater was invented for. Don’t miss it. 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.

Homo for the Holidays This burlesque ex-drag-aganza stars BenDeLaCreme, Kitten LaRue, 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. Runs practically daily; see strangertickets.com for exact schedule. Ends Dec. 27.

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

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 5 p.m. Wed., Dec. 24. Ends Dec. 28.

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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. Runs practically daily; see 
thetripledoor.net for exact schedule. Ends Dec. 27.

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Mary Poppins In this local production of the Disney/Cameron Mackintosh Broadway musical, 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. Yet this 2004 adaptation makes the children inordinately impish and their parents surprisingly melancholic. The script by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes deepens the 1964 movie material with characters and scenes from her original books. Still, it’s a musical, meaning cheerful favorites like “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” by the Sherman brothers, plus new tunes (e.g., “Practically Perfect” and “Anything Can Happen”) by George Stiles and Anthony Drew. This ambitious musical commands a considerable cast, sizable sets, and genuine magical feats. Under the decent direction of Steve Tomkins and Kathryn Van Meter, a cast of 30 delivers undeniably determined performances. 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 adaptation of the beloved Jane Austen novel, must balance likability (so we root for him and heroine Elizabeth Bennet to fall for each other) and imperiousness (to give that inevitable attraction a plausible obstacle to overcome). Sloniker masters just that balance, and carries off some splendid scenes with the sharp, subtle Elizabeth of Jen Taylor. As their passions rise, their diction gets crisper, their consonants sparking like clashing swords. The casting is just as ideal all the way through, the 15 actors—nine of whom take more than one role—adept at weighting and coloring every laugh line to make it land and deftly avoiding caricature even where it’s most tempting. Especially marvelous are those actresses in smaller roles who in memorableness surpass even what Austen put on the page: Jesica Avellone and Kate Sumpter become the Charlotte Lucas and Miss Bingley to beat, casting themselves in my brain-movie each time I pick up the novel from now on. 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.

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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.

Wonderland The Can Can’s fantastical winter cabaret. The Can Can, 94 Pike St. $40–$100. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see thecancan.com for exact schedule. Ends Dec. 28.

Dance

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Pacific Northwest Ballet: Nutcracker While it’s not a going-out-of-business sale, there’s a certain last-chance feeling to this year’s run of Nutcracker. Pacific Northwest Ballet premiered this production, choreographed by Kent Stowell and designed by Maurice Sendak, in 1983. PNB was just 11 years old at the time, and the goal was to create a world-class production. Thirty-one years later, I think we can say they succeeded. This time next year we’ll see George Balanchine’s iconic choreography set to new designs by Ian Falconer (of Olivia the Pig fame). What will I miss about this annual holiday production? The careful storytelling, with key elements of the drama laid out multiple times, so even the smallest audience members can follow the E.T.A. Hoffmann tale. The antique-store density of Sendak’s set design—I’ve seen it many times, and still find new things to marvel at in the details. The vintage quality of the theatrical tricks, especially the stage-within-a-stage for the trip to the Pasha’s kingdom, with its unrolling panorama and old-fashioned waves (complete with leaping dolphins on the piccolo flourishes!). And the charming way that the Pasha’s court “applauds” using ASL, waving their hands above their heads. 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.

Classical, Etc.

Messiah You are the choir and orchestra in this sing- and play-along version. Or just listen. Karen P. Thomas conducts. University Unitarian Church, 6556 35th Ave. N.E., uuchurch.org/music/messiah, brown
papertickets.com. $13–$18. 7 p.m. Fri., Dec. 26.

Tudor Choir Getting an early start on next Christmas with an evening of Holst, Vaughan Williams, and traditional carols. Blessed Sacrament Church, 5041 Ninth Ave. N.E., 323-9415, tudorchoir.org. $20–$30. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 27.

Byron Schenkman and Friends Ignacio Prego joins Schenkman for Bach concertos for one or two harpsichords. Benaroya Recital Hall, Third Ave., and Union St., 215-4747, byronschenkman.com. $10–$42. 
7 p.m. Sun., Dec. 28.

Candlelight Concerts “Jazzin’ With the Classics” swings your Xmas favorites. University Unitarian Church, 4731 15th Ave. N.E., 522-0169, candlelightseattle.org. Freewill offering. 7:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 28.

Seattle Symphony The traditional Beethoven’s Ninth for the new year, with Mozart’s Symphony no. 31 as a rich hors-d’oeuvre. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. 9 p.m. Wed., Dec. 31 ($52 and up, with post-concert party); 8 p.m. Fri., Jan. 2 & Sat., Jan. 3; 2 p.m. Sun., Jan. 4 ($28 and up).