Stage Openings & Events Bach at Leipzig Itamar Moses’ play, structured

By By Gavin Borchert • May 7, 2013 4:10 pm

Stage

Openings & Events

Bach at Leipzig Itamar Moses’ play, structured like a fugue, examines the intrigue surrounding an open Kapellmeister post. Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St., 781-9707, taproottheatre.org. $20–$40. Previews May 15–16, opens May 17. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat. Ends June 15.

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Chicago SEE THE WIRE, PAGE 19.

A Chorus Line Marvin Hamlisch’s record-setting musical about the lives of Broadway gypsies. Bainbridge Performing Arts, 200 Madison Ave. N., Bainbridge Island, 842-8569, bainbridgeperformingarts.org. $19–$27. Preview 7:30 p.m. Thurs., May 9, opens May 10. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. Ends May 26.

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Fucking FUCKing FUCKing Ayn Rand 
SEE PREVIEW, PAGE 20.

Judgment Staged stories of Judgment Day from an all-ages cast. King’s Chapel Seattle, 504 S. Third St., Renton, 255-4510, kingschapelseattle.org. Free. 7 p.m. Sun., May 12–Wed., May 15.

Mother’s Day Improv “Remember when your mom embarrassed you in front of your friends in high school? Here’s your chance to get sweet, comical revenge!” Unexpected Productions Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 800-838-3006, unexpectedproductions.org. $5–$10. 7 p.m. Sun., May 12.

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Russell Peters SEE THE WIRE, PAGE 19.

Seattle Confidential Ian Bell and the Central Heating Lab make theater out of your confessions. Tonight’s a best-of with excerpts from the first two seasons. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 292-7676, acttheatre.org. $20. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., May 9–Fri., May 10.

Singin’ in the Rain Showtunes Theatre Company bravely, or foolishly, competes with our memories of the greatest screen musical ever. Benaroya Recital Hall, Third Ave. and Union St., 215-4747, showtunestheatre.org. $21–$46. 8 p.m. Sat., May 11, 2 p.m. Sun., May 12.

The Temperamentals Jon Marans’ docudrama about Harry Hay, Rudi Gernreich, and the birth of the gay-rights movement. The Ballard Underground, 2220 N.W. Market St., 800-838-3006, arouet.us. $12–$20. Opens May 10. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., plus 7:30 p.m. Mon., May 13 and 2 p.m. Sun., May 19. Ends May 25.

Through the Looking Glass: The Burlesque Alice in Wonderland Lily Verlaine and Jasper McCann bring Lewis Carroll’s tale to life, bawdily. The Triple Door, 216 Union St., 838-4333, tripledoor.net. $30–$38. 6:30 & 9:30 p.m. Wed., May 15–Thurs., May 16, 
7 & 10:30 p.m. Fri., May 17–Sat., May 18.

The Traveling Lady The Endangered Species Project reads Horton Foote’s 1954 play, set on the back porch of a house in Harrison, Texas. Stage One Theater, 9600 College Way N., endangeredspeciesproject.org. Donation. 7 p.m. Mon., May 13.

Ultimate Grand Supreme! This “Night of Burlesque Royalty” stars “Australia’s first lady of striptease” Imogen Kelly and the “Reigning King of Burlesque” Russell Bruner, among many others. Oddfellows Hall, 915 E. Pike St., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. $26–$30. 7 & 10 p.m. Thurs., May 9.

Undressed to Kill Stripped Screw Burlesque’s 
new show. Columbia City Theater, 4918 Rainier Ave. S., 
columbiacitytheater.com. $22 adv./$28 DOS. 8 p.m. Fri., May 10–Sat., May 11, 8 p.m.

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 as it unflinchingly depicts 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. 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 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.

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. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends May 26. See burienlittle
theatre.org for lineup.

Boeing Boeing Everything good about this lollipop of a period piece—a tribute to the jet-age spirit of our World’s Fair—comes from the Rep. Playboy Bernard (Richard Nguyen Sloniker, radiant with charm) has a scheme to juggle three stewardess girlfriends, which is threatened when Boeing’s improved engines shorten their flight times and muddle his precision scheduling. As those girls, Bhama Roget, Angela DiMarco, and Cheyenne Casebier pile loads of zip and personality upon playwright Marc Camoletti’s stale ethnic stereotypes. Mark Bedard stirs the pot as Bernard’s Wally Coxian friend Robert; Anne Allgood makes the very most of the testy maid Berthe. It’s a bubbly exercise in sheer theatrical style, as sharp and slick as Don Draper’s haircut, in the service of one of the weakest scripts I’ve ever seen on a stage—two hours of flat lines, pointless incidents, and endless expository dialogue. Allison Narver directs. GAVIN BORCHERT Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $12–$80. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sun. plus some matinees; see seattlerep.org for exact schedule. Ends May 19..

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.

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. 7:30 p.m. Thurs. & Sat. ($70), 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat. ($80). Ends June 16.

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., twisted
cabaret.com. $14–$35. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., 7:30 & 10:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. Ends May 26.

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. 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 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. 11 p.m. Sat. Ends May 18.

Secret Life of Bugs Kind of like an Animal Planet doc, with puppeteering by Spyglass Theater. Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave. N.E., 523-2579, nwpuppet.org. $8.50–$10.50. 1 & 3 p.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends May 12.

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.

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. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. Ends May 25.

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. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Fri. Ends June 21.

Dance

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Full Tilt 2013 SEE THE WIRE, PAGE 19.

Kaleidoscope Dance Company New works by Mary Kay Bisignano-Vadino, Anna Mansbridge, and many others. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, 
363-7281, creativedance.org. $8–$16. 7:30 p.m. Fri., May 10, 2 & 7:30 p.m. Sat., May 11, 3:30 p.m. Sun., May 12.

Seattle Youth Dance Collective New collaborative work from 14 aspiring dance artists, ages 15–­18, mentored by choreographers Amy O’Neal and Maya Soto. Velocity Dance Center, 1621 12th Ave., 325-8773, velocitydancecenter.org. $12–$18. 8 p.m. Sat., May 11.

Co-LAB 5 SEE REVIEW, AGE 22.

Ezra Dickinson 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; 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 through Sun., May 19; see velocitydancecenter.org for venue info.

Classical, Etc.

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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 SEE THE WIRE, PAGE 19.

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Seattle Opera SEE REVIEW, PAGE 22.

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UW Ives Festival Songs and chamber music by the American iconoclast. Brechemin Auditorium, School of Music, UW campus, 685-8384, music.washington.edu. $15. 7:30 p.m. Wed., May 8.

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Music of Today From UW’s Center for Digital Arts and Experimental Media, an evening of improvisation.Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $10–$15. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., May 9.

Seattle Symphony Each night, a Tchaikovsky symphony is paired with a Mozart piano concerto; Gerard Schwarz conducts. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $19–$112. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., May 9, 8 p.m. Sat., May 11.

Diverse Harmony Seattle’s LGBTQ youth chorus. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. S., diverseharmony.org. $20. 7:30 p.m. Fri., May 10, 2 p.m. Sun., May 12.

Andre Feriante The popular classical/crossover guitarist performs. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland, 425-893-9900, kpcenter.org. $25. 7:30 p.m. Fri., May 10.

Northwest Sinfonietta Christophe Chagnard conducts Kodaly, Mendelssohn, and Bruch (the Violin Concerto no. 1 with soloist Mayuko Kamio). Benaroya Recital Hall, Third Ave. and Union St., 866-833-4747, nwsinfonietta.org. $27–$55. 7:30 p.m. Fri., May 10.

Matt Ingalls This Oakland clarinetist improvises alone and with an array of local musicians. Gallery 1412, 1412 18th Ave. E., gallery1412.org. 8 p.m. Fri., May 10.

Jeffrey McFadden Bach and Berio for guitar. Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave., fryemuseum.org. Free. 2 p.m. Sat., May 11.

Ten Grands A trans-genre celebration of the piano. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattle
symphony.org. $42 and up. 7 p.m. Sat., May 11.

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Oceana Quartet This UW ensemble premieres a quartet by jazz composer Greg Sinibaldi, flanked by Haydn and Beethoven. Brechemin Auditorium, School of Music, UW campus, 685-8384, music.washington.edu. $5. 7:30 p.m. Sat., May 11.

Royal Room Collective Music Ensemble Wayne Horvitz and JA Deane lead a tribute to composer/trumpeter Butch Morris. Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., 789-1839, waywardmusic.blogspot.com. $5–$15. 8 p.m. Sat., May 11.

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Medieval Women’s Choir A celebration of the music of St. Hildegard of Bingen. St. James Cathedral, 804 Ninth Ave., 264-4822, medievalwomenschoir.org. $22–$25. 8 p.m. Sat., May 11.

Carole Terry Organ works by Bach, Franck, and others. Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, 1245 Tenth Ave. E., 685-8384, music.washington.edu. $15. 2 p.m. Sun., May 12.

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Music of Remembrance Music by Jake Heggie, including the premiere of his song cycle Farewell, Auschwitz! Benaroya Recital Hall, Third Ave. and Union St., musicofremembrance.org. $36. 7:30 p.m. Tues., May 14.

Metropolitan Opera at the Movies Handel’s Giulio Cesare, with David Daniels and Natalie Dessay. (Summer encores begin June 19.) See metopera.org for participating theaters. 6:30 p.m. Wed., May 15.