Stage Openings & Events Family Affair Jennifer Jasper’s “hilarious, twisted, and ultimately

By By Gavin Borchert • May 12, 2015 3:46 pm

Stage

Openings & Events

Family Affair Jennifer Jasper’s “hilarious, twisted, and ultimately relatable” cabaret on the theme of family. JewelBox Theater at the Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave., jenniferjasperperforms.com. $10. 7:30 p.m. Wed., May 20.

14/48: MixTape Favorite short plays from the instant-theater festival’s 17 years, in four batches of seven each. 12th Avenue Arts, 1620 12th Ave., the1448projects.org. $20–$25. Opens May 22. 8 & 10:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Ends May 30.

The Great Soul of Russia A look at Chekhov and his long-term influence. ACT, 700 Union St., 292–7676, acttheatre.org. $10–$15. 7 p.m. Wed., May 20.

Mud Maria Irene Fornes’ play is “a delicate jewel of a play about passion and yearning; a distillation of lives mired in poverty; a balance of domestic and erotic conflict, cruelty and wit; imbued with a feminism of the most subtle order.” New City Theater, 1406 18th Ave., 271-­4430, newcitytheater.org. $15–$20. Preview May 20, opens May 21. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. plus Mon., June 8. Ends June 13.

CURRENT RUNS

and, and, and, Isabella Bootlegs In Samantha Cooper’s play, 17-year-old Brooklyn has to deal with a paranoid, isolated mother. Cornish Playhouse, Seattle Center, machamonkey.org. $18–$20. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. Ends May 22.

Angry Housewives Watching this revival of the long-running ’80s musical, created by A.M. Collins and Chad Henry, I experienced an intense wave of Reagan-era nostalgia. Whatever the show’s original punk-feminist spirit, today it provides simple and almost wholesome entertainment, like riding the Duck. Widowed Carol (Ann Cornelius), divorced music teacher Bev (Heather Hawkins), unhappily married Jetta (Chelsea LeValley), and single bridge operator Wendi (Janet McWilliams) decide that forming a band will be more profitable than hawking pyramid-scheme cosmetics. From there we witness how adapting punk personas creates both empowerment (for them) and disapproval (from their men). Ably directed by Shawn Belyea, the entire cast provides potent performances—including the signature tune “Eat Your Fucking Cornflakes.” Though billed as a punk-rock musical, Angry Housewives features a mostly traditional score, plus some choreography (by Troy Wageman) that wouldn’t look out of place on Broadway during the ’30s. Dennis Culpepper’s set is strewn with handbills that evoke the pre-Internet era of band promotion. Also lending to the nostalgia is the heroines’ determination to “make vinyl.” Somehow mp3s and Instagram just aren’t as punk. ALYSSA DYKSTERHOUSE ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave. S.W., 938-0339, artswest.org. $17–$36.50. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. EXTENDED through May 31.

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Cabaret SEE REVIEW, PAGE 26.

The Children’s Hour Lillian Hellman’s period drama from the bad old days when a rumor of lesbianism, especially for teachers, could end careers and lives. The Ballard Underground, 4240 N.W. Market St., 425-298­‐3852. $12–$40. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat. plus some Tues., Thurs., & Sun; see arouet.us for exact schedule. Ends May 31.

Claim of Thrones Add you own flourishes to every geek’s favorite TV saga. Jet City Improv, Jet City Improv, 5510 University Way N.E., jetcityimprov.org. $12–$15. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Fri. Ends May 22.

Don Nordo del Midwest Food is the focus of Cafe Nordo’s absurdist, comedic storylines. Actors and musicians interact and play among the audience. During the show, dinner itself becomes a kind of character. Then there’s the play: After getting fired from an “agreeably dull” steakhouse because he tried to invigorate the menu, Don Nordo sets out to hire his own sous chef, posting an ad at the local Red Lobster. (Nordo names the applicant Sancho, of course.) Wearing upside-down colanders on their heads like helmets, the two set out on a series of food-inspired adventures that in the show’s first half seem designed mostly to set up jokes about our rabid foodie culture—territory that Portlandia has already thoroughly mined, and that feels somewhat trite. During these adventures, the witty, stylistic integration of the food into the performance takes it out of straightforward dinner-theater territory. Yet almost all of the nine courses of “Midwestern Tapas” are, in fact, bland. Even as Sancho and the Don’s relationship gains heft, lifting it out of mere allusions to Don Quixote, the food disappoints. “The proof is in the pudding,” says the narrator at the end of the show. Given the state of the meal, that line becomes truly double-edged. NICOLE SPRINKLE Nordo’s Culinarium, 109 S. Main St., cafenordo.com. $75 ($100 w/wine flight). 7:30 p.m. Thurs. & Sun., 
8 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Ends May 31.

The Drowsy Chaperone A sendup/homage to high-stepping ’20s musicals. Bainbridge Performing Arts, 200 Madison Ave. N., Bainbridge Island, 842-8569, bainbridgeperformingarts.org. $19–$27. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. Ends May 24.

Flamingo The Can Can’s all-new tropical themed cabaret. Can Can, Pike Place Market, 877-280-7831. $30–$85. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see thecancan.com for exact schedule. Ends Oct. 11.

Hot Tin Streetcar Unexpected Productions’ improvised Tennessee Williams sendup. Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 587-2414, unexpected
productions.org. $10. 8:30 p.m. Sun. Ends June 14.

Jasper in Deadland The title musician embarks on underworld adventures to seek his true love in this brand-new rock musical. The 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 May 24.

Jeeves Intervenes That paragon of butlers, creation of P.G. Wodehouse, lives again. Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St., 781-9707, taproottheatre.org. $20–$40. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat. Ends June 13.

The Phantom of the Opera Andrew Lloyd Webber’s touring musical features all the hit songs, plus revamped stagecraft. The Paramount, 911 Pine St., 877-­STG-­4TIX, stgpresents.org. $30 and up. 7:30 p.m. Tues.–Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat., 1 & 6:30 p.m. Sun. Ends May 24.

Pinkalicious the Musical Eating too many cupcakes can have unforessen consequences SecondStory Repertory, 16587 N.E. 74th St., Redmond, 425-881-6777, secondstoryrep.org. $16. 
1 & 3 p.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends May 24.

Playwrights Festival Premieres of one-acts and full-lengths; see burienactorstheatre.org for lineup and schedule. Burien Actors Theatre, 14501 Fourth Ave. S.W., Burien, 242-­5180.­ $10. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 
2 p.m. Sun. Ends May 24.

The Princess and the Frog Princess Minerva learns how the other half lives (in a swamp, for one thing) in this fable. Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 4400 86th Ave. S.E., Mercer Island, 232-4145 x109, youththeatre.org. $13–$15. 7 p.m. Fri., 2 p.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends May 31.

R.A.F.T. That stands for Rabbits Afloat From Thuringia in Jonah Von Spreecken and Ali el-Gasseir’s all-ages live-action cartoon series about two bunnies’ seagoing adventures (with a special adult performance 10:30 p.m. Fri., May 22). 12th Avenue Arts, 1620 12th Ave., washingtonensemble.org. $5–$10. 11 a.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends May 24.

Talley’s Folly SEE REVIEW, PAGE 26.

Tape Gilmore Acting Studio gives Stephen Belber’s 1999 play perhaps the least informative but nevertheless intriguing plot description ever: “It follows classical unities of action, time, and space, featuring three characters in a single plot narrative regarding their differing perspectives of past events, in one unbroken period of real time, in a single motel-room set.” 2220 N.W. Market St., gilmoreactingstudio.org. $24. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Ends May 23.

Teatro ZinZanni: The Hot Spot Only a few weeks left for TZ’s current show, starring Frank Ferrante and Dreya Weber, in which “love and magic in the digital age collide.” Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St., 802-0015. $99 and up. Runs Thurs.–Sun. plus some Wed.; see zinzanni.com/seattle for exact schedule. Ends June 7.

Dance

reSET WET’s first dance program offers theatrical sets (in this case, from The Tall Girls) to choreographers to see how they reinterpret the space. 12th Avenue Arts, 1620 12th Ave., washingtonensemble.org. $10. 
8 p.m. Wed., May 20, 10 p.m. Thurs., May 21.

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Manifesto SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 24.

Classical, Etc.

UW Jazz Innovations Two nights of originals and standards. Brechemin Auditorium, School of Music, UW campus, 685-8384, music.washington.edu. $5. 7:30 p.m. Wed., May 20–Thurs., May 21.

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Music From Zimbabwe Performed by UW 
ethnomusicology faculty and students. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $12–$20. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., May 21.

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Chamber Music at Richmond Beach Composer/clarinetist Sean Osborn plays his music and pieces by Karen P. Thomas and others to benefit Hopelink. Richmond Beach Congregational Church, 1512 N.W. 195th St., Shoreline, osbornmusic.com. Donation. 7:30 p.m. Fri., May 22.

UW Mallethead Series Celebrating the 50-year partnership of jazz duo Collier & Dean. Meany Studio Theater, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $12–$20. 7:30 p.m. Fri., May 22.

The Magi Ensemble This women’s vocal nonet performs music from the Baltic region. St. Mark’s Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave. E., magiensemble.com. 
$10. 7 p.m. Sat., May 23.

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Kevin Baldwin Pushing the sax in new directions via music by Berio, Scelsi, and a few locals. Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., kevinbaldwinmusic.com. $5–$15. 8 p.m. Sat., May 23.

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The Music of Harry Partch Performed on the original instruments built by the American maverick composer (1901–74). Meany Studio Theater, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $10–$15. 7:30 p.m. Tues., May 26.

Pinchas Zukerman With pianist Angela Cheng, the acclaimed violinist plays sonatas by Elgar, Franck, and more. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $31–$112. 7:30 p.m. Tues., May 26.

UW Percussion Ensemble With the UW Steel Drum Ensemble too! Meany Studio Theater, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $10–$15. 7:30 p.m. Wed., May 27.

UW Choirs The Chamber Singers and University Chorale perform. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $10–$15. 7:30 p.m. Wed., May 27.