Stage
Openings & Events
American Utopias/F***ing F***ing F***ing Ayn Rand Not sure if we can just go ahead and type “fucking,” or if the asterisks are formally part of the title of the second of 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, pardon the pun, “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.
The Edge Bainbridge Island’s own improv troupe.Bainbridge Performing Arts, 200 Madison Ave. N., Bainbridge Island, 842-8569, bainbridgeperformingarts.org. $12–$16. 7:30 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 Seattle Public Theater’s youth ensemble offers 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 Gay City Health Project’s mini-festival of workshops and a performance 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 affair: In this improvised crime thriller, a serial killer is on the loose at the Columbian Exposition of 1893. Wing-It Productions, 5510 University Way N.E., jetcityimprov.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 was both a radical departure from what had gone before and a signpost of what was to come. Combining homespun tall tales with a seething abolitionist tone, it unflinchingly depicted 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. Steamboats and slavery may be anachronisms, but racism is as contemporary as the morning news or right-wing websites. Huck (the puckish Christopher Morson) and runaway Jim (the sublime Geoffery Simmons ) are surrounded by Twain’s vivid gallery of townsfolk and river rapscallions, many played by Gin Hammond, Peter Jacobs, and Russell Hodgkinson. Solo moments make it clear that these actors love to shine, but their primary loyalty remains to the material. Huckleberry Finn is a Trojan Horse of a fable. It’s 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 use of the word nigger, that effect has been blunted or lost for decades. Once it’s restored, Twain’s timeless tale becomes more timely. KEVIN PHINNEY Center House Theatre, Seattle Center, 216-0833. $25–$45. Runs Wed.-Sun through May 12; see 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. plus Mon., April 29. Ends May 11.
Dina Martina: Spring in Seattle: The incomparable, indescribable diva in an all-new show with pianist Chris Jeffries. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends May 5., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St., Seattle, www.rebarseattle.com, $20-$25, Fridays-Sundays. Continues through 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 7:30 p.m. April 29 and 2 p.m. 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 Natascha Greenwalt Murphy, 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: a Pilgrimage Up next in Vanessa Skantze’s “Bonsoir Samedi” butoh series: “The offering and experience of the body in the arduous and liberating act of pilgrimage is explored in movement and sound.” 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. Like the best of chameleons, he seems at home everywhere. 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.
Belly Dance Spectacular Performers from all over the Northwest in this benefit for Refugee Women’s Alliance. Carco Theater, 1717 Maple Valley Hwy., Renton, 425-430-6743, amirabellydanceseattle.com. $14–$18. 6 p.m. Sat., May 4.
Crazy Little Thing Called Love Belly dance, burlesque, Bollywood, modern dance, and more. Columbia City Theater, 4918 Rainier Ave. S., 723-0088, columbiacitytheater.com. $15–$18. 8:30 p.m. Sat., May 4.
Classical, Etc.
Stuart Isacoff This pianist/author presents “The American Piano,” tracing 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.
Christian Pincock Group New music, including live composition, for large ensemble. Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., waywardmusic.blogspot.com. $5–$15. 8 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., composersalon.com. $5–$15. 8 p.m. Fri., May 3.
Illumni Men’s Chorale American music of all kinds: William Billings, Richard Rodgers, and more.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, baroquenorthwest.com. 7:30 p.m. Sat., May 4.
Russian Chamber Music Foundation of Seattle A gala concert (dinner, raffle, etc.), rep TBA. Columbia Tower Club, 701 Fifth Ave., 75th Floor, 622-2010, russianchambermusic.org. $50–$150. 8 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 An all-woman evening: 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 Brahms, Bernstein, and much more, including the premiere of 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, octavachamberorchestra.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 this American iconoclast. Mon., May 6 The UW Symphony performs Ives songs (and Sibelius’ Second). 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: Lully, Handel, and more. Christ Episcopal Church, 4548 Brooklyn Ave., salishseafestival.org. Donation. 7:30 p.m. Tues., May 7.
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Composer Spotlight Composer Peter Vukmirovic Stevens presents his new work August Ruins, played by cellist Paige Stockley. Jack Straw Studios, 4261 Roosevelt Way N.E., jackstraw.org. Free. 7:30 p.m. Wed., May 8.
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Jon Kimura Parker He’ll play his solo piano arrangement of The Rite of Spring to honor the ballet’s centennial—and as if that weren’t enough, Mussorgsky’s epic Pictures at an Exhibition. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, uwworldseries.org. $20–$44. 7:30 p.m. Wed., May 8.
