Stage Openings & Events Both Your Houses SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE

By By Gavin Borchert • February 25, 2014 3:23 pm

Stage

Openings & Events

Both Your Houses SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 20.

The Dancers/Blind Date Two one-acts by Horton Foote, set in Harrison, Texas. Raisbeck Performance Hall, 2015 Boren Ave., 800-838-3006, cornish.edu. $5–$15. 8 p.m. Wed., Feb. 26–Sat., March 1, 2 p.m. Sun., March 2.

The Edge The 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., March 1.

Jim Jefferies The FXX’s Legit star and creator is on a 31-city comedy tour, “Day Streaming.” The Moore, 1932 Second Ave., 877-784-4849, stgpresents.org. $35. 8 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 27.

Lisa Lampanelli Comedy’s “Queen of Mean” has received praise from both Jim Carrey and Howard Stern—which is good, right? The Moore, 1932 Second Ave., 877-784-4849, stgpresents.org. $40.25. 7 p.m. Fri., Feb. 28.

March Is Cabaret Month All kinds of performers, each Saturday this month. See ballardjamhouse.com for full details. Egan’s Ballard Jam House, 1707 N.W. Market St., 789-1621. $15 + two-drink min. 7 & 9 p.m. Sat. Ends March 29.

Mardi Gras Madness Burlesque and music, New Orleans style, starring Diva le Deviant, Violet Tendencies, Karmen Sutra, and many others. Columbia City Theatre, 4916 Rainier Ave. S., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. $12–$15. 8 p.m. Tues., March 4.

Mark Russell The political humorist finds plenty to mock back in Washington, D.C. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland, 425-893-9900, 
kpcenter.org. $40. 2 p.m. Sun., March 2.

A Salute to the ’60s & Motown A revue showcasing some of that decade’s greatest pop. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. S., 684-4757, 
langstoninstitute.org. $20–$25. 7 p.m. Fri., Feb. 28.

Sinner Saint Burlesque “Down to Brass Tacks” is their salute to the women in Seattle history. Brass Tacks, 6031 Airport Way S., 397-3821, georgetownbrass.com. Opens Feb. 27. 9 p.m. every fourth Thurs. Ends April 24.

The Slam Up Tour Cali Bulmash and Emily Lowinger’s comedy/music/spoken-word show about love in all flavors. West of Lenin, 203 N. 36th St., theslamuptour.tumblr.com. $10–$14. 10 p.m. Fri., Feb. 28.

UpClosePersonal Fantastic.Z’s new-works festival of LGBT-themed short plays includes seven premieres. Gay City Health Project, Calamus Auditorium, 517 E. Pike St., fantasticz.org. $15–$20. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 27–Sat., March 1, 2 p.m. Sun., March 2.

War Horse Onscreen, the acclaimed production from Handspring Puppet Company and London’s National Theatre of this WWI tale. See fathomevents.com for 
participating theaters and showtimes, Thurs., Feb. 27.

Youth Theatre Northwest’s Red Carpet Gala YTN alumnus Joel McHale—who has done pretty well for himself, we hear—returns to host this fundraiser. Mercer Island Community and Events Center, 8236 S.E. 24th St., Mercer Island, youththeatre.org. $85. 7 p.m. Sat., March 1.

Current Runs

The Arabian Nights The UW School of Drama mounts Mary Zimmerman’s adaptation of the traditional fantasy tales. Jones Playhouse Theatre, 4045 University Way N.E., 543-4880, depts.washington.edu/uwdrama. $10–$20. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends March 9.

Black Like Us Local playwright Rachel Atkins’ new drama posits that for blacks who could “pass” for white, embracing one’s black heritage hinged on whether you might get a better offer. In 1958 Seattle, we meet sisters Florence (Chelsea Binta), a budding civil-rights activist, and Maxine (Dior Davenport), who can pass. Several decades later, Florence’s grandkids range from the hesitant Amy (McKenna Turner) to the more contemplative Michelle (Lindsay Evans) and the bull-in-a-china-shop Sandra (Alyson Scadron Branner). Their encounter is explosive, awkward, and funnily, scarily credible. Director Jose Amador has his hands full keeping Atkins’ often unwieldy go-cart of a play in steady forward motion. She favors raw emotion over finesse, when a more practiced playwright might accomplish both. KEVIN PHINNEY Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., 728-0933, annextheatre.org. $5–$20. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. Ends March 1.

Boeing, Boeing Marc Camoletti’s jet-age farce about a playboy and his three stewardess girlfriends. Renton Civic Theater, 507 S. Third St., Renton, 425-226-5529, renton
civictheater.org. $17–$21. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends March 1.

• 

Doubt John Patrick Shanley’s 2004 masterpiece looks back to 1964, when pedophilia allegations were simply swept under the rug by the Catholic church and football programs. Sister Aloysius (Maureen Miko) becomes convinced that Father Flynn (Jaryl Draper) “interfered with” an altar boy. She encourages conflicted Sister James (Reagan Dickey) to align with her fight for his removal, a battle that culminates in a tearful meeting with the student’s mom (Eva Abram). Stone Soup’s show serves some stupendous performances, that said, director Maureen Hawkins might’ve turned down the volume a bit. Yet every time I see this play, thoughts fire at a rapid pace. In this thrifty production, Shanley’s script is the star. ALYSSA DYKSTERHOUSE Stone Soup Theatre, 4035 Stone Way N.E., 633-1883, stonesouptheatre.com. $14–$25. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., 4 p.m. Sun. Ends March 1.

The Foreigner A waste of a reliably risible text and a capable cast. In Larry Shue’s 1984 comedy, meek Britisher Charlie pretends not to speak English while vacationing in Georgia, then wacky complications ensue among the red-staters. Brian Yorkey’s half-dozen players are directed at less-than-farcical speed; the prolonged, stagy silences are more suited to Pinter. ALYSSA DYKSTERHOUSE Village Theatre, 303 Front St. N., Issaquah, 425-392-2202, villagetheatre.org. $34–$65. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Thurs. (plus some Tues.); 8 p.m. Fri.; 2 & 8 p.m. Sat.; 2 & 7 p.m. Sun. Ends March 2. (Plays in Everett March 7–30.)

• 

Frankenstein; Or, The Modern Prometheus SEE REVIEW, PAGE 21.

• 

A Little Night Music SEE REVIEW, PAGE 21.

Little Red Riding Hood Stan Gill and Cindy Bright’s musical adaptation. Second Story Repertory Theatre, 16587 N.E. 74th St., Redmond, 425-881-6777, secondstory
rep.org. $10. 1 & 3 p.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends March 2.

Mr. Pim Passes By In this 1919 drawing-room comedy by A.A. Milne, Dinah (Allie Pratt) wants to marry Brian (Daniel Stoltenberg) but cannot without the approval of her uncle and guardian, George (Ryan Childers), though they have the approval of her aunt Olivia (April Poland). This is complicated further when befuddled Mr. Pim (Chris Ensweiler) enters, creating confusion and mayhem with his questions about true love. All this happens under the critical eye of Lady Marden (Kim Morris). These stock characters do teeter on the brink of absurd typicality; fortunately, the cast finds the balance to make them completely believable. As the ingenue, Pratt brings just enough flair for annoying teenage self-expression to avoid caricature. While Olivia could descend into conniving and emasculation (a perforated line is all that separates her from shrewishness), Poland adds love and playfulness to the part. Director Karen Lund’s awkward single-plane blocking forces much unmotivated movement; it’s like watching my cat and dog play—a mishmash of motion with no reason behind it. ALYSSA DYKSTERHOUSE Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St., 781-9707, taproottheatre.org. $20–$40. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat. Ends March 1.

Noises Off In Michael Frayn’s comedy, we see a touring theater troupe from two points of view—first at rehearsal, then from backstage during a performance. Burien Little Theater, 242-5180, burienlittletheatre.org. N.B.: performed at 14907 Fourth Ave. S.W. in Burien. $7–$20. 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends March 23.

Odysseo The dancing horse show from traveling circus troupe Cavalia performs under a giant tent. Marymoor Park, 6046 W. Lake Sammamish Parkway N.E., Redmond. $34.50–$149.50 ($154.50–$229.50 w/dinner). Runs Tues.–Sun.; see cavalia.net for exact schedule. Ends March 9.

Spamalot The 2005 musical’s verbatim lifts from the Monty Python source film are hilarious; the heaps of surrounding material are tirelessly razzmatazzy but scattershot. (The “Knights of the Round Table” number, for example, loses more than it gains from being expanded from the perfect, immortal 90 seconds of the film into a full-dress Vegas sendup.) The show’s problems, minor but nagging, are the usual screen-to-stage conversion issues (cf. Young Frankenstein): Jokes that work when underplayed onscreen don’t necessarily when overplayed onstage, and one-liners can’t always sustain entire production numbers. Most remarkable among a cast that is just about the best local musical theater has to offer are Laura Griffith as the Lady of the Lake, who gets to show off an immense range, both vocally and comedically, and Dane Stokinger, an absolutely protean performer who disappears into each of a sizable list of character parts. GAVIN BORCHERT 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., 625-1900. $39 and up. Runs Tues.–Sun.; see 5thavenue.org for exact schedule. Ends March 2.

Story & Song Bret Fetzer’s fairy tales get choral backing. Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., 728-0933, annex
theatre.org. $5–$10. 8 p.m. Tues.–Wed. Ends Feb. 26.

Teatro ZinZanni: On the Air Their new radio-themed show features the return of emcee Kevin Kent. Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St., 802-0015. $108 and up. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see dreams.zinzanni.org for exact schedule. Ends June 1.

Ten Days to Happiness Donna Rae Davidson’s solo show about her experiences at a Buddhist meditation retreat. Amazing Grace Spiritual Center, 2007 N.W. 61st St., 10daystohappiness.com. $15–$20. 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 
plus 2 p.m. Sat., March 8 & 15. Ends March 15.

• 

Venus in Fur Playwright Thomas, one of two characters in David Ives’ ingeniously twisty 2011 comedy, has adapted Leopold von Sacher-Masoch’s 1870 novel Venus in Fur about the dominance/submission dynamic in relationships. But Thomas can find no actress woman-y enough to play the reluctant dominatrix Vanda. Enter the scampish bimbo caricature Vanda (yes, the same name as the role she is reading for), wearing a leather S&M suit. In the spellbinding 100 minutes that follow, Thomas (Michael Tisdale) and his unexpectedly promising leading lady (Gillian Williams) tread through the minefields of Thomas’ earnest adaptation, exploding cultural gender bombs left and right. Who’s really in control here: the dominator or the subjugated? Chaser or chased? Hammer or anvil? Visiting director Shana Cooper seems to favor a high quotient of ambiguity here—a reasonable choice, given the play’s suspenseful withholding and subsequent revelations. This worthy production, replete with smart performances, sadistic lighting by Geoff Korf, and sexy costuming by Harmony Arnold, compels us to kiss its stiletto heel. MARGARET FRIEDMAN Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $12–$80. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sun. plus 2 p.m. some Wed., Sat., & Sun.; see 
seattlerep.org for exact schedule. Ends March 9.

Dance

Trilogy Dance Company An omnibus of new and repertory work. Meydenbauer Center, 11100 N.E. Sixth St., Bellevue, 360-668-8732, turningpointedancecentre.com. 2:30 p.m. Sun., March 2.

Seattle Early Dance Renaissance and baroque dance and music, directed by Anna Mansbridge. Trinity Episcopal Church, 609 Eighth Ave., 325-7066, earlymusic
guild.org. $10–$25. 7:30 p.m. Tues., March 4.

Classical, Etc.

Seattle Opera SEE REVIEW, PAGE 21.

UW Percussion Ensemble Cage, Stockhausen, and much more. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $10–$15. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Feb. 26.

• 

Seattle Symphony SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 19.

UW Bands Music by Ralph Vaughan Williams, William Grant Still, and some composers with only two names.Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $10–$15. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 27.

Hesperion XXI Spanish and South American music from the renaissance. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 325-7066, earlymusicguild.org. $20–$42. 8 p.m. Fri., Feb. 28.

• 

Great Music for Great Cathedrals Music by Britten and others in St. James’ multimedia spectacle. St. James Cathedral, 804 Ninth Ave., 382-4874, stjames-cathedral.org. $30. 8 p.m. Fri., Feb. 28–Sat., March 1.

• 

Metropolitan Opera at the Movies You know the fragrant “Polovtsian Dances”; now hear the rest of Borodin’s rarely staged Prince Igor. See metopera.org for participating theaters. 9 a.m. Sat., March 1.

Puget Sound Symphony Alan Shen conducts music by Copland, Elgar, and Kevin Tao. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., psso.org. $5–$11. 7:30 p.m. Sat., March 1.

UW Men’s Glee Club The University of Oregon’s On the Rocks are the guests. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $10–$15. 7:30 p.m. Sat., March 1.

• 

Tom Baker Three chamber-music premieres by this Seattle composer. Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., waywardmusic.blogspot.com, tom
bakercomposer.blogspot.com. $5–$15. 8 p.m. Sat., March 1.

Pacific MusicWorks Bach’s vividly dramatic St. John Passion. Benaroya Recital Hall, Third Ave. and Union St., 215-4747, pacificmusicworks.org. $20–$40. 8 p.m. Sat., March 1, 2 p.m. Sun., March 2.

Auburn Symphony Telling the tale of “The Bremen Town Musicians” in this family concert. St. Matthew Episcopal Church, 123 L St. N.E., Auburn, 253-887-7777, auburnsymphony.org. $10–$17. 2 p.m. Sun., March 2.

Seattle Symphony On their “Beyond the Score” series, an in-depth look at Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $19 and up. 2 p.m. Sun., March 2.