Stage

Openings & Events

The Long Road/Nine Two gripping one-act dramas, presented by Arouet. Eclectic Theater, 1214 10th Ave., 800-838-3006, arouet.us. $12–$40. Opens Feb. 27. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. plus Mon., March 2. Ends March 14.

Questionable Content Schmeater’s comic panel game show. The Schmee, 2125 Third Ave., schmeater.org. Pay what you can. 11 p.m. Fri., Feb. 27–Sat., Feb. 28.

Seven Ways to Get There The premiere of Bryan Wills and Dwayne Clark’s group-therapy comedy. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 292-7676. $20–$65. Preview Feb. 25, opens Feb. 26. Runs Thurs.–Sun.; see acttheatre.org for exact schedule. Ends March 15.

Tales From the Middle Ages The adventures of the knight Bisclavret, and more, told by the kids of Seattle Historical Arts. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 325-7066, 
earlymusicguild.org. 1 p.m. Sun., March 1.

CURRENT RUNS

Blood/Water/Paint Live Girls! premieres Joy McCullough-Carranza’s drama about baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi. Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave. S., 800-838-3006, lgtheater.org. $15–$22. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. plus Mon., March 9. Ends March 14.

Carousel With its tricky mix of realism, Americana, and fantasy, what Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 1945 musical needs is air, light, poetry, and a dash of sea spray; it needs to cast a spell. The 5th Avenue’s new staging does this in just one scene: a dance sequence by Spectrum Dance Theater. Overall the production is fairly unenchanting, despite a cast of local favorites that would be very hard to surpass. GAVIN BORCHERT 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., 625-1900. $29 and up. Runs Tues.–Sun; see 5thavenue.org for exact schedule. Ends March 1.

Cinderella This Cinderella “is a contemporary figure . . . with savvy and soul who doesn’t let her rags or her gowns trip her up in her quest for kindness, compassion, and forgiveness.” The Paramount, 911 Pine St., 877-­STG-­4TIX, stgpresents.com. $25 and up. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Feb. 25–Thurs., Feb. 26; 8 p.m. Fri., Feb. 27; 2 & 8 p.m. Sat., Feb. 28; 1 & 6:30 p.m. Sun., March 1.

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. 8 p.m. Tues.–Sat., 4:30 p.m. Sat. (& some Fri.), 1:30 & 5 p.m. Sun. Ends March 22.

Dear Elizabeth Sarah Ruhl’s portrait of Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell is built on their letters. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $17–$67. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sun. plus some Wed., Sat., & Sun. matinees; see seattlerep.org for exact schedule. Ends March 8.

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The Dog of the South Judd Parkin’s adaptation of Charles Portis’ 1979 novel makes for a classic road-trip story—self-discovery mixed with self-effacing comedy and laced with magical realism. Told in flashbacks as they’re enacted on stage, these picaresque vignettes are kept short and sweet under the direction of Jane Jones. IRFAN SHARIFF Center Theatre at the Armory, Seattle Center, 216-0833. $25. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see book-it.org for exact schedule. Ends March 8.

The Explorers Club This pleasing production of Nell Benjamin’s 2013 comedy is no stodgy period piece, though set in 1879 London. There the asshat male adventurers of the Explorers Club argue about adding the assertive and attractive anthropologist Phyllida Spotte-Hume (Hana Lass) as their first woman. Under the direction of Karen Lund, this ensemble expertly executes goofy gags, even if the blocking is often problematic. ALYSSA DYKSTERHOUSE Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St., 781-9707, taproottheatre.org. $15–$40. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Thurs., 
8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat. Ends March 7.

14/48 “The World’s Quickest Theater Festival” divides participants (tasked with writing and staging new plays from scratch within 48 hours) by age: artists under 35 the first weekend, over 35 the second. Cornish Playhouse, Seattle Center, the1448projects.org. $10–$20 (festival pass $60). 
8 & 10:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Ends Feb. 28.

The God of Hell Sam Shepard’s drama pits Wisconsin farmers against malevolent corporate interests. (Are there any other kind?) Stone Soup Theatre, 4029 Stone Way N., 633-1883, stonesouptheatre.org. $15–$25. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., 4 p.m. Sun. Ends March 14.

Godspell Or, the Passion According to Stephen Schwartz. Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way S.W., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 
3 p.m. Sun. Ends March 1.

I May Have Seen the Devil Alejandro Stepenberg’s take on Hamlet “transplants the action to a New England asylum circa 1946, and rewrites the lead role . . . to be played by a woman who is locked in a lesbian relationship with Ophelia.” Theatre4, fourth floor, Seattle Center Armory, 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. $10–$15. 
8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat. Ends Feb. 28.

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

Matt & Ben Mindy Kaling’s sendup of the Hollywood bromance that gave us Good Will Hunting launched her career. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave., seattle
stageright.org. $10–$22. 7:30 p.m. Fri–Sat. Ends Feb. 28.

Next to Normal A “typical” American family is anything but because of the mother’s 16-year battle with manic depression. SecondStory Rep, 16587 N.E. 74th St., Redmond, 425-881-6777, secondstoryrep.org. $27. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. plus 2 p.m. Sun., March 15. Ends March 15.

Savage/Love The vagaries of love, by Sam Shepard and Joseph Chaiken, with music by Michael Owcharuk. The Pocket Theater in Greenwood, 8312 Greenwood Ave. N., thepocket.org. $10–$14. 7 p.m. Fri., Feb. 27.

Sweet Charity A dance-hall girl looks for love. Seattle Musical Theatre at Magnuson Park, 7120 62nd Ave. N.E., Building 47, 800-838-3006, seattlemusicaltheatre.org. $20–­$35. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends March 1.

Voyage for Madmen Not Don Draper and company, but the voyage of Seattle’s ill-fated, real-life Ardeo Theatre Project. West of Lenin, 203 N. 36th St., the1448projects.org. $20. 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., plus 8 p.m. Mon., March 2 & 2 p.m. Sun., March 7. Ends March 7.

For many more Current Runs, see seattleweekly.com.

Dance

La Primavera Savannah Fuentes presents an evening of flamenco dance and music. Columbia City Theater, 4916 Rainier Ave. S. $22–$35. 8 p.m. Tues., March 3.

Classical, Etc.

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Seattle Opera Handel’s 1743 opera Semele, based on the myth of a mortal seduced by Jupiter, is proving catnip to SO’s creative team. There’ll be vocal fireworks, too, with Stephanie Blythe as Juno. Gary Thor Wedow conducts; sung in English with English supertitles. McCaw Hall, Seattle Center, 389-7676, seattleopera.org. $25 and up. 7:30 p.m. Wed. & Sat. plus Fri., March 6. Ends March 7.

Tom Varner & Friends An evening of “Meditations and Improvisations for Brass Ensemble, Percussion, and Field Recordings” promises sonic surprises. Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., wayward
music.org. $5–$15. 8 p.m. Wed., Feb. 25.

Seattle Symphony Jonathan Cohen conducts Beethoven and Mozart. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $20–$76. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 26, 8 p.m. Sat., Feb. 28.

Lake Union Civic Orchestra Mendelssohn, Sibelius, and Lydia Park’s A Serenade Fanfare. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., luco.org. $13–$18. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Feb. 27.

Puget Sound Symphony All-Tchaikovsky, including the “Pathetique” Symphony. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., psso.org. $5–$11. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Feb. 28.

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Seattle Symphony “Celebrate Asia” includes music from Slumdog Millionaire and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $20–$76. 4 p.m. Sun., March 1.

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Metropolis It’s not unusual for a film to be cheered by viewers; it is unusual for a film score to be cheered. One of the most memorable moments in any Degenerate Art Ensemble performance over the years (which is saying something) came during their live accompaniment to Fritz Lang’s 1927 expressionistic sci-fi film, a surreal transformation scene that had the thrilled audience roaring. Composers Haruko Nishimura, Joshua Kohl, Ian Rashkin, Tim Young, Troy Swanson, and Ambrose Nortness contributed to the score, and tonight the DAE is reviving it—with 40 new minutes of music and played by a 17-piece orchestra—15 years after its premiere for 10,000 viewers at Gas Works Park. The Paramount, 911 Pine St., 877-784-4849, stgpresents.org. $10. 7 p.m. Mon., March 2.

Robin McCabe From the UW pianist and her students, fireworks for two pianos. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $12–$20. 7:30 p.m. Mon., March 2.

Salish Sea Early Music Festival Flutist Jeffrey Cohan and friends play Bach trio sonatas. Christ Episcopal Church, 4548 Brooklyn Ave. N.E., 633-1611, 
salishseafestival.org. $15–$25. 7:30 p.m. Tues., March 3.

Simon Trpceski From this pianist, Liszt, Ravel, Schubert, and more. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $20–$112. 7:30 p.m. Tues., March 3.