Stage Openings & Events American Utopias/F***ing F***ing F***ing Ayn Rand Mike

By By Gavin Borchert • April 30, 2013 4:17 pm

Stage

Openings & Events

American Utopias/F***ing F***ing F***ing Ayn Rand Mike Daisey’s two new culture-dissecting monologues. Utopias: 7:30 p.m. Wed., May 1–Sat., May 4. Rand: 7:30 p.m. Wed., May 8–Sat., May 11. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222, seattlerep.org. $12–$25.

The Atomic Bombshells A one-night-only performance from the queens of Seattle burlesque. Seattle Musical Theatre, 7400 Sand Point Way N.E. #101N, 363-2809, seattlemusicaltheatre.org. $20. 8 p.m. Wed., May 1.

Bill & Peggy Hunt Playwrights Festival Four weekends of new shows (one-acts and full-lengths) by Washington playwrights. Burien Little Theater, S.W. 146th St. and Fourth Ave. S.W., Des Moines, 242-5180. $10. Opens May 3. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends May 26. See burienlittletheatre.org for lineup.

Cafe Nordo: SMOKED! Their new culinary/theater experience bites off a lot, “channel[ing] the spaghetti Westerns of Sergio Leone and the oppression of Monsanto-style agribusiness with lawyers and lobbyists portrayed as gun-toting sociopathic thugs.” The Kitchen by Delicatus, 309 First Ave. S., cafenordo.com. Opens May 2. 7:30 p.m. Thurs. & Sat. ($70), 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat. ($80). Ends June 16.

Cinco de May-yai-yai-o Christine Deaver hosts Teatro ZinZanni’s late-night cabaret celebrating the culture and arts of Finland. (Just kidding! It’s Mexico!) Light bites and cocktails available. Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St., 802-0015, zinzanni.org. $45–$55. 11:15 p.m. Sat., May 4.

Frank Oliver’s Twisted Cabaret Magic, juggling, knife-throwing, and more in this one-man vaudeville evening. Hale’s Palladium, 4301 Leary Way N.W., twistedcabaret.com. $14–$35. Opens May 2. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., 7:30 & 10:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. Ends May 26.

Gun Control Theatre Action theater simple presents readings from the new anthology 24 Gun Control Plays, which includes work by Neil LaBute, Jennifer Maisel, and many others. West of Lenin, 203 N. 36th St., theatersimple.org. Donation. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., May 2.

The Harrowing Haunting of Apparition Falls Blood Squad and Balagan co-produce this improvised trilogy of ghost stories. Balagan Theatre, 1117 E. Pike St., 800-838-3006, balagantheatre.org. $10. Opens May 4. 11 p.m. Sat. Ends May 18.

The Hats We Wear A night of one-acts, including Lucille Fletcher’s classic suspense tale Sorry, Wrong Number.Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W. Green Lake Ave. N., 524-1300, seattlepublictheater.org. Free. 
2 p.m. Sat., May 4, 7 p.m. Sun., May 5.

Indiana Bones and the Lips of Destiny Sara Dipity and Lila Dread present their George Lucas sendup, subtitled “A Burlesque Adventure.” Julia’s on Broadway, 300 Broadway Ave. E., 800-838-3006, lipsofdestiny.com. $15–$18. 7:30 p.m. Wed., May 1–Thurs., May 2.

Spin the Bottle Annex Theatre’s late-night variety show, every first Friday. May’s show includes “songs of love and neurosis,” “delightfully dour musings,” and much more. Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., 728-0933, annextheatre.org. $5–$10. 11 p.m. Fri., May 3.

The Tablecloth: A Thanksgiving Play The Seattle Playwrights Collective offers a reading of John C. Davenport’s drama. Elliott Bay Book Co., 1521 10th Ave., seattleplaywrightscollective.org. 6 p.m. Sun., May 5.

33 Variations Moises Kaufman’s play time-leaps between two ailing individuals: Beethoven and a modern-day musicologist studying him. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave. S.W., 938-0339, artswest.org. $10–$34.50. Opens May 1. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. Ends May 25.

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Nick Thune SEE THE WIRE, PAGE 17.

Word Play A mini-festival of performances and workshops explores “recovery from a queer perspective.” See gaycity.org for schedule. Gay City Health Project, 511 E. Pike St., 860-6969. 10 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Sat., May 4.

World’s Fair No, not our 1962 bash: In this improv thriller, a serial killer menaces the Columbian Exposition of 1893. Wing-It Productions, 5510 University Way N.E., jetcity
improv.com. Opens May 2. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Fri. Ends June 21.

Current Runs

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Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Published only 20 years after Lincoln freed the slaves, Mark Twain’s 1885 novel combines homespun tall tales with a seething abolitionist tone in its unflinchingly depiction of the life of a runaway slave, as seen through the eyes of pubescent scamp. Now comes Book-It’s “uncensored” new adaptation by Judd Parkin (Jane Jones directs), which means that the word “nigger” is restored to its poisonous place at the nucleus of the story. Does that make you uncomfortable? It should. Racism is as contemporary as the morning news or right-wing websites. Huckleberry Finn is a kiddie yarn and coming-of-age story, sure; but though Twain clearly loves the Southern folk he writes about, his novel is unmasked as a fire-breathing antiracism manifesto. Without the word “nigger,” that effect has been blunted for decades. KEVIN PHINNEY Center House Theatre, Seattle Center, 216-0833. $25–$45. Runs Wed.–Sun through May 12; see book-it.org for exact schedule.

Assisted Living SEE REVIEW, PAGE 18.

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Black Watch SEE REVIEW, PAGE 18.

Boeing Boeing SEE REVIEW, PAGE 18.

The Boys Next Door Tom Griffin’s play about four special-needs housemates. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave., 800-838-3006, seattlestageright.org. $15. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. Ends May 11.

Dina Martina: Spring in Seattle The indescribable diva in an all-new show with pianist Chris Jeffries. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. $20–$25. 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends May 5.

The Final Tribunal Into the Mysterious Death of Senor Dali For Pony World Theatre’s new ensemble-generated show, the title is all the synopsis you need. Theater Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave. S., ponyworld.org. $10–$15. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. Ends May 4.

42nd Street The quintessential backstage musical. Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St., Mercer Island, 232-4145 x109, youththeatre.org. $15–$17. 7 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 
2 p.m. Sun. Ends May 5.

Grey Gardens Based on the 1975 documentary about Jackie O’s relatives who lived in a decrepit Long Island mansion. Doug Wright’s book for this 2006 musical does what the Maysles brothers could not: We get to see the lofty roost from which the Beale/Bouviers fell to earth. The music—score by Scott Frankel, lyrics by Michael Korie—is full of haunting contrasts between the frivolous then and the fallen now. KEVIN PHINNEY ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 292-7676. $55–$77. Runs Tues.–Sun.; see acttheatre.org for exact schedule. Ends June 2.

Gypsy The Styne/Sondheim/Laurents classic about the stage mom to end all stage moms—called by some the greatest musical ever. Seattle Musical Theatre, 7400 Sand Point Way N.E. #101N, 363-2809, seattlemusicaltheatre.org. $35–$40. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat. plus Thurs., May 16; 2 p.m. Sun. Ends May 19.

The Hairy Ape O’Neill’s examination of the class divide aboardship: the privileged above, workers below. Ballard Underground, 2220 N.W. Market St., 395-5458, ghostlight
theatricals.org. $12–$15. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. plus 2 p.m. Sun., May 5. Ends May 5.

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Jersey Boys Based on actual interviews with the Four Seasons’ founders, Jersey Boys is the story of runaway egos, Catholic upbringings undone by the sexual revolution, and the singular falsetto of Frankie Valli. The book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice is a taut, well-told tale, and the songs and score, by original band member Bob Gaudio, are surprisingly resilient and as crisp as a new tuxedo. KEVIN PHINNEY 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., 625-1900, 5thavenue.org. $29–$123. Runs Tues.–Sun.; see 5thavenue.org for exact schedule. Ends May 4.

Salesgirls of Nowhere In Wayne Rawley’s play, a Chicago comedian gets stranded in a very odd small town. Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W. Green Lake Ave. N., 524-1300, seattlepublictheater.org. Donation. 7 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends May 4.

The Taming of the Shrew Seattle Shakes resets it in a trailer park. No problem, as long as they cast men who look good in sleeveless T-shirts. Center House Theatre, Seattle Center, 733-8222. $22–$45. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see seattleshakespeare.org for exact schedule. Ends May 12.

Team of Heroes: No More Heroes The finale of Alexander Harris’ superhero satire. Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., 728-0933, annextheatre.org. $5–$20. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. plus Mon., May 13. Ends May 25.

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Teatro ZinZanni: Dinner at Wotan’s It’s Ragnarok eve, aka the final battle of good vs. evil, and Wotan and the rest of the Wagnerian pantheon are ready to par-tay! Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St., 802-0015. $106 and up. Runs Thurs.–Sun.; see dreams.zinzanni.org for exact schedule. Ends May 12.

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The Trial In Kenneth Albers’ new adaptation of the Kafka novel, bank clerk K. (Darragh Kennan), awakens to discover he’s “under arrest” by thugs who may or may not be “official.” Despite anchoring every scene, Kennan keeps his everyman modest, letting the supporting cast outsize him with adamant oddness. Paraphrasing Kafka’s notion about God, NCTC’s mood-rich production delivers the nuts, but leaves them for you to crack. MARGARET FRIEDMAN Inscape, 815 Seattle Blvd. S., wearenctc.org. $15–$30. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., 7 p.m. Sun. Ends May 5.

Dance

Ciudades Flamenco Traditional music and dance from Savannah Fuentes and her troupe. Columbia City Theater, 4918 Rainier Ave. S., 800-838-3006, savannahfuentes.com. $20–$25. 8 p.m. Thurs., May 2.

Co-LAB 5 Coriolis Dance presents works by Christin Call, Zoe Scofield, and others. Erickson Theatre Off Broadway, 1524 Harvard Ave., 587-5400, coriolisdance.com. $10–$20. Opens May 3. 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Ends May 11.

Petals of the Labyrinth Part of Vanessa Skantze’s “Bonsoir Samedi” butoh series. Teatro de la Psychomachia, 1534 First Ave. S. $5-$15. 8:30 p.m., Sat., May 4.

Ezra Dickinson There are some dancers you want to watch no matter what they’re doing, and Dickinson is one. He’s performed in an incredible variety of modes, from cabaret to ballet, with stops at experimental theater and performance art. In Mother for you I made this, he looks back on his own changeable past caring for a schizophrenic parent, showing us a collection of vignettes originally made as gifts for his mother. SANDRA KURTZ $12–$18. 7 p.m. daily Mon., May 6–Sun., May 19; see velocitydancecenter.org for venue info.

Crazy Little Thing Called Love Belly dance, burlesque, Bollywood, modern dance, and more. Columbia City Theater, 4918 Rainier Ave. S., 723-0088, columbiacity
theater.com. $15–$18. 8:30 p.m. Sat., May 4.

Classical, Etc.

Stuart Isacoff “The American Piano,” traces the art from C.P.E. Bach to Jerry Lee Lewis. Brechemin Auditorium, School of Music, UW campus, 685-8384, music.washington.edu. $15. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., May 2.

Seattle Symphony A Mass and a symphony by Haydn flank a horn concerto by Mozart. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $19–$76. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., May 2, 8 p.m. Sat., May 4.

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Oregon Symphony Carlos Kalmar conducts Weill’s Seven Deadly Sins (with vocalist Storm Large) plus Schubert, Ravel, and a new work by Narong Prangcharoen. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $19–$112. 7:30 p.m. Fri., May 3.

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Seattle Composers Salon Tom Baker curates and emcees this new-music open-mike night. Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., composer
salon.com. $5–$15. 8 p.m. Fri., May 3.

Illumni Men’s Chorale American music of all kinds.Christ Episcopal Church, 4548 Brooklyn Ave., 659-5894, illumni.net. $10. 3 p.m. Sat., May 4.

Baroque Northwest Chamber music from the court of Louis XIV and the salons of the grand siecle. Trinity Episcopal Church, 609 Eighth Ave., 920-3822, baroque
northwest.com. 7:30 p.m. Sat., May 4.

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Keith Eisenbrey From this pianist/composer, his own music and John Cage’s. Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N. $5–$15. 8 p.m. Sat., May 4.

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Seattle Opera Poulenc and Puccini’s one-acts La voix humaine (a woman confronts her lover over the phone) and Suor Angelica (a nun confronts, or is confronted by, her past). McCaw Hall, Seattle Center, 389-7676, seattleopera.org. $25 and up. Opens May 4. 7:30 p.m. Wed. & Sat., plus 2 p.m. Sun., May 12. Ends May 18.

Seattle Symphony A “Beyond the Score” multimedia performance of Beethoven’s Fifth. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $19–$84. 
2 p.m. Sun., May 5.

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Seattle Wind Symphony Gerard Schwarz’s Above and Beyond. Meany Hall, UW campus, 425-442-9334, 
seattlewindsymphony.org. $5–$20. 3 p.m. Sun., May 5.

Octava Chamber Orchestra Closing their season with Beethoven, Rossini, and more. Maple Park Church, 17620 60th Ave. W., Lynnwood, 425-743-2288, octava
chamberorchestra.org. $5–$15. 6 p.m. Sun., May 5.

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Gamelan Pacifica Music from this Indonesian percussion orchestra. Cornish College/PONCHO Concert Hall, 710 E. Roy St. $10–$20. 7 p.m. Sun., May 5.

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Medieval Women’s Choir A celebration of the music of St. Hildegard of Bingen. On May 5 at 7 p.m., an open sing ($10); on May 11 at 8 p.m., the full choir ($22–$25). St. James Cathedral, 804 Ninth Ave., 264-4822, medievalwomenschoir.org.

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UW Ives Festival Concerts and more explore the work of the American iconoclast. Mon., May 6 The UW Symphony performs Ives songs. Tues., May 7 Cristina Valdes plays the massive “Concord” Sonata. Wed., May 8 Songs and chamber music. See music.washington.edu for full schedule of additional events.

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Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center SEE THE WIRE, PAGE 17.

Salish Sea Early Music Festival Trio sonatas by Lully, Handel, and others. Christ Episcopal Church, 4548 Brooklyn Ave., salishseafestival.org. Donation. 7:30 p.m. Tues., May 7.