Stage

Openings & Events

Some shows may not offer performances on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 1; double-check websites for exact schedules.

Cirque du Soleil “KURIOS—Cabinet of Curiosities” asks “What if by engaging our imagination and opening our minds we could unlock the door to a world of wonders?” Marymoor Park, 6046 W. Lake Sammamish Pkwy. N.E., Redmond, 800-450-1480, cirquedusoleil.com/kurios. $35–$156. Opens Jan. 29. 8 p.m. Tues.–Sat., 4:30 p.m. Sat. (& some Fri.), 1:30 & 5 p.m. Sun. Ends March 22.

The Explorers Club In Nell Benjamin’s comedy, an intrepid woman shakes up Victorian society. Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St., 781-9707, taproottheatre.org. $15–$40. Previews Jan. 28–29, opens Jan. 30. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat. Ends Feb. 28.

God’s Country Steven Dietz explores the white-supremacist mindset in a play that draws on actual 
interviews and court transcripts. ACT, 700 Union St., 
292-7676, endangeredspeciesproject.org. $10–$15. 
7 p.m. Mon., Feb. 2.

Grab Bag 4: Grab Harder! Burlesque stars Bolt Action, Jovie Devoe, Cherry Tart, Scarlett O’Hairdye and The Shanghai Pearl promise (or threaten) to “push it to the limit!” JewelBox Theater at the Rendezvous 2322 Second Ave., 800-838-3006, scarlettohairdye.com. $15–$25. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Jan. 31.

Humble Boy Charlotte Jones’ play about shakeups in the life of an English astrophysicist. Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W. Greenlake Dr. N., 524-1300, seattlepublictheater.org. $5–$32. Preview Jan. 29, opens Jan. 30. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Feb. 15.

Locally Grown This festival promises “5 weekends. 9 productions. 32 performances” of new works by K. Brian Neel, Jose Amador, Jennifer Jasper, and others. New City Theater, 1404 18th Ave., 800-838-3006. $12–$15. Opens Jan. 30. Shows run Thurs.–Sat.; see radialtheater.org for full lineup. Ends Feb. 28.

Natural Marcus Gorman’s play examines shifting social relationships among six Seattleites. Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., annextheatre.org. $5–$10. Opens Feb. 3. 8 p.m. Tues.–Wed. Ends Feb. 18.

Twelfth Night Shakespeare’s romance is reset in 1920s New Orleans. Meany Studio Theatre, UW campus, 543-­4880, drama.uw.edu. $10–$20. Previews Jan. 28–29, opens Jan. 30. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Feb. 8.

Zapoi! Quinn Armstrong’s imaginative fantasia on Soviet life. Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., annextheatre.org. $5–$20. Preview Jan. 29, opens Jan. 30. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. plus Mon., Feb. 9. Ends Feb. 21.

CURRENT RUNS

Annie JR. As performed by Youth Theatre Northwest. Stroum Jewish Community Center, 3801 E. Mercer Way, Mercer Island, 232-4145, youththeatre.org. $13–$17. 7 p.m. Fri–Sat., 
2 p.m. Sat.–Sun. (N.B.: 1 p.m. Sun., Feb. 1.) Ends Feb. 8.

Around the World in 80 Days Five actors take on a total of 39 roles in this madcap adaptation of Jules Verne’s adventure novel. Village Theatre, 303 Front St., Issaquah, 425-392-2202. $35–$67. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see village
theatre.org for exact schedule. Ends March 1. (Runs at 
the Everett PAC March 6–29.)

The Black Lodge Design your own Twin Peaks episode at this improv show. Unexpected Productions Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 587-2414, unexpected
productions.org. $12–$15. 8:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Ends March 7.

A Delicate Balance Albee’s drama about troubled, brittle people in close quarters. Trinity Parish Church, 609 Eighth Ave., 332-7908. Pay what you can. Runs Thurs.–Sun.; see theatre912.com for exact schedule. Ends Feb. 14.

Dirty Dancing Nobody puts this 1987 movie classic in a corner. But they did put it onstage. The Paramount, 911 Pine St., 877-­STG-­4TIX. $25 and up. Runs Tues.–Sun.; see stgpresents.org for exact schedule. Ends Feb. 1.

4,000 Miles SEE REVIEW, PAGE 24.

The Love List In Norm Foster’s comedy, two guys think they’ve cracked the secret of finding the perfect woman. SecondStory Repertory, 16587 N.E. 74th St, Redmond, 881-6777, secondstoryrep.org. $22–$27. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. plus 2 p.m. Sat., Jan. 31. Ends Jan. 31.

The Lower Depths In Theatre Machine’s revival of Maxim Gorky’s 1902 drama, we’re thrust into a poor house, run by cruel, conniving Wassalissa (the formidable Alissa Cattabriga), where residents waste away their lives drinking and bickering. There we meet a fallen baron (Phillip Keiman), a bookish prostitute (Sharon Barto), a cirrhosis-stricken actor (Mark Waldstein), and the pragmatist of the group (Cole Hornaday). Then Natasha (Brittany Cox), Wassalissa’s daydreaming, wide-eyed sister, introduces the newest boarder: the firebrand Luka (Bill Badgley). His rhetoric is incendiary, giving these derelicts hope. At a time when Oxfam is predicting that one percent of Earth’s population will soon control 50 percent of global wealth, director Melissa Fenwick’s adaptation is surely topical, but with a twist: This show is a musical. Ryan Ricks and a band provide live melodic/melodramatic accompaniment: tunes by Tom Waits, Neil Young, etc. Call it a gimmick, but the soundtrack at least partially offsets our frustration with typical characters who never pull themselves up by their bootstraps and get out of their rut. The new songs lend romance, though they fail to update this pre-revolutionary stage relic to the age of Thomas Piketty. IRFAN SHARIFF theLAB@INScape, 815 Seattle Blvd. S., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. $12–$18. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. Ends Jan. 31.

• 

Measure for Measure In this legalistic dystopia, directed by Desdemona Chiang, marriage costs money; and by fornicating outside of marriage, you can lose your head—literally. While the legitimate Duke of Vienna (David Anthony Lewis) pretends to be out of town, petit-tyrant Angelo (a subdued Bradford Farwell) sentences Claudio (Moses Yim) to death for fornicating with his girlfriend without the proper license (marriage). Claudio’s novitiate sister Isabella (Cindy Im) intercedes on Claudio’s behalf, but refuses Angelo’s quid pro quo demand of her chastity. In fact, his attempted rape of Isabella is played almost for slapstick. Fonts of more conventional humor include lowlifes Lucio (Tim Gouran), concave and jangling with the DTs, who heckles from the audience; natty pimp Pompey (Scott Ward Abernethy), who moonlights as executioner; and pillow-bellied constable Elbow (Harry Todd Jamieson) with his whoopee megaphone. In general, Chiang and company get the balance right to this problematic “unfestive comedy,” which proves again how lust and justice are perilous companions. Just ask Eliot Spitzer. MARGARET FRIEDMAN Center Theatre at Seattle Center, 733-8222. $29–$43. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see seattle
shakespeare.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. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Fri. Ends Feb. 13.

Mwindo Cheryl L. West’s new play, based on a Central African tale, sounds roughly Lion King-y: the exiled son of a chief goes on a coming-of-age quest. Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $20–$36. Runs Fri.–Sun. plus some Thurs.; see sct.org for exact schedule. Ends Feb. 15.

Our Town Thornton Wilder’s iconic drama is opening one of the theaters at 12th Ave Arts. 1620 12th Ave., 800-838-3006, strawshop.org. $18–$36. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Feb. 21.

• 

The Piano Lesson SEE REVIEW, PAGE 24.

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.

The Secretaries A black-comic satire of gender stereotypes set in an Oregon lumber mill. Theater Schmeater, 2125 Third Ave., 324-­5801, schmeater.org. $22–$29. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. Ends Feb. 14.

Sprawl Pregnant Shawna (Samie Spring Detzer) and misanthropic Monique (Laura Hanson) are a pair of realtors who’ve organized a book-club meeting at one of their listings: a crappy new spec home in a middle-of-nowhere development. Guests converge in amusing vignettes: Elaine (Marc Kenison, aka “boy-lesque” dancer Waxie Moon), the mayor’s condescending wife, prone to preening her hair into a planetary nimbus; a gay couple, both halves of whom are named William (Justin Huertas and Ben McFadden); and friends Heather (Jessie Underhill) and Bibi (Leah Salcido Pfenning). Then the book-club members are stung by soul-infiltrating insectoids, then gradually become insectoids themselves—who are far less interesting than the people they started out as. Strobe lights, swampy gases, vomiting, alien voices, seizures . . . pretty much the full warehouse of horror-genre misfortunes gets trundled out. This 90-minute one-act apocalypse comedy by Joshua Conkel—whose Milk Milk Lemonade Washington Ensemble Theatre produced in 2011—draws more laughs skewering the burbs than churning dust storms of sci-fi camp. The WET peformers, and Ali el-Gasseir’s direction, are better than the script. MARGARET FRIEDMAN 12th Avenue Arts, 1620 12th Ave., washingtonensemble.org. $15–$25. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Mon. Ends Feb. 2.

• 

Teatro ZinZanni: Hacienda Holiday It’s your last weekend to catch TZZ’s tale of showbiz couple Vivian Beaumount and Clifton Caswell (Christine Deaver and Kevin Kent), returning 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.

• 

The Three Sisters SEE REVIEW, PAGE 24.

Dance

The Bridge Project Four new works (by Adriana Hernandez, Coleman Pester, Hannah Simmons, and Dylan Ward) created in four weeks and premiered here. Velocity Founders Theater, 1621 12th Ave., 325-8773, velocity
dancecenter.org. $12–$20. 8 p.m. Fri., Jan. 30–Sun., Feb. 1.

• 

Pacific Northwest Ballet: Don Quixote Alexei Ratmansky’s lavish and acclaimed production premiered here in 2012. McCaw Hall, Seattle Center, 441-2424. $30–$184. Opens Jan. 30. Runs Thurs.–Sun; see pnb.org for exact schedule. Ends Feb. 8.

Masquerade Waltz Social dancing to the Valse Cafe Orchestra. No mask, no entry. Century Ballroom, 915 E. Pine St., centuryballroom.com. $50–$60. Doors 8:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 30.

Dance Day Sample lessons in nine different styles—from kizomba to Lindy hop—and if you’re hooked, sign up for a full February class. Century Ballroom, 915 E. Pine St., centuryballroom.com. $10. 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Sat., Jan. 31.

Classical, Etc.

• 

Seattle Symphony SEE PREVIEW, PAGE 21.

• 

Seattle Chamber Music Society Benaroya Recital Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., seattlechamber
music.org. $16–$48. Recitals at 6:30 p.m., concerts at 7:30. 
• Jan. 29 Recital: Pianist Anton Nel plays Mozart’s Fantasia and Sonata in C minor. Concert: Brahms, Schubert, and Franck.
• Jan. 30 Recital: Schubert’s Fantasia in C for violin and piano. Concert: Turina, Beethoven, Mendelssohn.
• Jan. 31

Recital: William Wolfram plays Liszt’s Apres une lecture de Dante. Concert: Mozart, Debussy and a Brahms sextet to close the festival.

• 

Seattle Symphony: Sonic Evolution SEE THE WEEK AHEAD, PAGE 33.

The Nile Project Music from East Africa. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, uwworldseries.org. $35–$40. 8 p.m. Fri., Jan. 30.

The Met: Live in HD Opera from NYC at a moviehouse near you. This week, there are Seattle connections in Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffmann: It’s directed by Bartlett Sher and, as Nicklausse, stars frequent Seattle Opera soprano Kate Lindsey. See fathomevents.com for participating theaters. 10 a.m. Sat., Jan. 31, encored 6:30 p.m. Wed., Feb. 4.

• 

Byrd Ensemble Choral music by Peter Hallock, longtime director of St. Mark’s Compline Choir. St. Mark’s Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave. E., 397-3627, byrd
ensemble.com. $10–$20. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Jan. 31.

Metales M5 Classics and pops from this brass quintet. Northshore Performing Arts Center, 18125 92nd Ave. N.E., Bothell, 425-984-2471, npacf.org. $10–$25. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Jan. 31.

Octava Chamber Orchestra Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and a new work by Harold Owen. Maple Park Church, 17620 60th Ave. W., Lynnwood, octavachamber
orchestra.com. $15–$20. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Jan. 31.

Music Northwest Chamber music spotlighting the cello, including Villa-Lobos’ juicy Bachianas Brasileiras no. 5. First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, 4105 California Ave. S.W., 937-2899, musicnorthwest.org. $16–$18. 2 p.m. Sun., Feb. 1.

Joseph Adam Music of Hakim, Guilmant, and Messiaen on the Watjen Concert Organ. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $20–$31. 7:30 p.m. Mon., Feb. 2.

• 

Matt Haimovitz Known for his urgent advocacy for contemporary music and his pioneering exploration of non-traditional venues (he prefers playing in bars and clubs to churches), this cellist now makes another surprising turn: Beethoven on period instruments. Christopher Riley joins him on fortepiano for a selection (from their sizzling new CD) of Ludwig’s sonatas and variation sets. Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599, tractortavern.com. $20. 8 p.m. Mon., Feb. 2.

• 

Vadym Kholodenko From this pianist, an ambitious program: Beethoven’s “Diabelli” Variations and two Scriabin sonatas. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, uwworldseries.org. $36–$41. 7:30 p.m. Tues., Feb. 3.

Sam Boshnack Quintet Originals from this exploring trumpeter and four colleagues. Royal Room, 5000 Rainier Ave. S. Donation. 8:30 p.m. Tues., Feb. 3.