Stage Openings & Events Cafe Dante Not a cabaret in a cafe,

Stage

Openings & Events

Cafe Dante Not a cabaret in a cafe, but (as I understand it) a play about a cabaret in a cafe. Staged in a cafe. Presented by REBATEnsemble. Cafe on the Ave, 4201 University Way N.E., 800-838-3006, brownpaper tickets.com. $6–$10. 7 p.m. Fri., Jan. 17–Sun., Jan. 19.

Disney’s Little Mermaid Jr. Youth Theatre Northwest presents this stage adaptation. Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St., Mercer Island, 232-4145 x109, youththeatre.org. $13–$17. Opens Jan. 17. 7 p.m. Fri., 2 & 7 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Feb. 9.

The Doctor Seattle Experimental Theater’s improvised Doctor Who spoof. Theater Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave. S., seattleexperimentaltheater.com. $12–$15. Opens Jan. 17. 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., plus 2 p.m. Sun., Jan. 26. Ends Jan. 26.

Family Affair Jennifer Jasper’s “sick, hilarious, and ultimately relatable” cabaret on the theme of family. JewelBox/Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave., jennifer jasperperforms.com. $10. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 15.

A Great Wilderness The premiere of Samuel D. Hunter’s play about a pray-the-gay-away camp in Idaho. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $12–$65. Previews begin Jan. 17, opens Jan. 22. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sun. plus some Wed. & weekend matinees; see seattlerep.org for exact schedule. Ends Feb. 16.

David Koechner SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 18.

The Normal Heart Larry Kramer’s groundbreaking 1985 AIDS drama, presented by Strawberry Theatre Workshop. Erickson Theatre Off Broadway, 1524 Harvard Ave., 800-838-3006, strawshop.org. $18–$36. Opens Jan. 16. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. Ends Feb. 15.

Current Runs

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14/48 Festival Very much a case of cheap theater you may not remember later, but an experience you can recommend afterwards to friends who aren’t, you know, theater people. Given that 14 new scripts are written and rehearsed in just two days, the results are never going to be Shakespeare. Yet it can be a relief to escape the expectations of serious, important drama, especially during the post-holiday doldrums. And the program, running about two hours with intermission, can also be a preview of talent you’ll see during the coming year. The plays won’t likely be restaged, but most all the cast members will be back on every stage in town. Names you’ll recognize include Hannah Mootz (so excellent in the Rep’s Bo-Nita last fall), Scott Ward Abernethy (part of the WET ensemble behind last summer’s Tall Skinny Cruel Cruel Boys), and Allison Strickland (seen in New Century Theatre Company’s The Walworth Farce last October). BRIAN MILLER ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 1448fest.com. Shows $10–$20, passes $35–$60. 8 & 10:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Ends Jan. 18.

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Jerry Springer: The Opera SEE REVIEW,  PAGE 18.

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Les Miserables Director Steve Tomkins and company have created what has to be the best-ever pocket-size rendering of the 1985 smash musical. As in Victor Hugo’s 1862 class-struggle novel, French parolee Jean Valjean (Greg Stone) is pursued by inspector Javert (Eric Polani Jensen) while seeking to regain the good name he lost after stealing bread to feed a starving child. Also assisting Valjean’s salvation are Fantine (Beth DeVries), who tasks Valjean on her deathbed to care for her daughter, Cosette (Alexandra Zorn); would-be revolutionaries Enjolras (Steve Czarnecki) and Marius (Matthew Kacergis), who falls for the adult Cosette at first sight; and a riotous pair of comic foils who seek to undo Valjean at every turn, the treacherous Thenardiers (Kate Jaeger and Nick DeSantis). This Les Miz is a singular achievement in regional theater. Not a loose stitch has been left to chance in the three-hour staging (with intermission), which aspires to be as great as any production of the show ever mounted—and it’s better than any I’ve ever seen, ever. KEVIN PHINNEY Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett, 425-257-8600. $28–$63. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see villagetheatre.org for exact schedule. Extended through Feb. 9.

The Northwest Orca Cannery Presents: Dr. Thaddeus Q. Ballard’s Musical Follies & Comedy Revue Ghost Light Theatricals’ neo-vaudeville show. The Ballard Underground, 2220 N.W. Market St., 395-5458,  ghostlighttheatricals.org. $12–$20. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., plus 2 p.m. Sun., Jan. 19. Ends Jan. 25.

Peter Pan Broadway Bound’s production, full of energetic young talent. Shoreline Center, 18560 First Ave. N.E., 526-5437. $17.50. Runs Fri.–Sun.; see broadway bound.org for exact schedule. Ends Jan 25.

Richard II SEE REVIEW, PAGE 18.

Teatro ZinZanni: Hail Caesar: Forbidden Oasis Frank Ferrante returns as the flamboyant, omnisexual chef Caesar; slinky Dreya Weber, equally skilled as an aerialist and singer, plays a resurrected Cleopatra. You pay a lot more at TZZ than you might for a show at Re-Bar or the Pink Door, but the whole immersive experience still seems a bargain: You’re not just buying dinner and a show, but a lavish evening-length party. Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St., 802-0015. $108 and up. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see dreams.zinzanni.org for exact schedule. Ends Jan. 26.

Trust Me A new musical about two friends at different boarding schools, produced by Village Theatre’s Kidstage program. Village Theatre, 303 Front St. N., Issaquah, 425-392-2202, villagetheatre.org. $16–$18. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Jan. 26.

Upside Downton Jet City Improv’s sendup of a certain PBS costume drama. Wing-It Productions, 5510 University Way N.E., 781-3879, jetcityimprov.com. $12–$15. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Fri. Ends Feb. 14.

Dance

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Gender Tender SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 17.

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Whim W’Him: Instantly Bound SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 18.

Classical, Etc.

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Seattle Opera SEE REVIEW, PAGE 21.

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Garrick Ohlsson From this masterful pianist, music by Chopin, Schubert, and American impressionist Charles Griffes. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, uwworldseries.org. $41–$46. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 15.

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A Far Cry Gershwin, Ives, and much more from this conductorless chamber orchestra. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, uwworldseries.org. $34–$39. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 16.

Seattle Symphony “Tchaikfest!” includes four concertos plus a polonaise for dessert. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $19–$122. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 16, 8 p.m. Fri., Jan. 17.

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Trio Andromeda This UW student piano trio debuts with music by Mendelssohn, Part, and Shostakovich. Brechemin Auditorium, School of Music, UW campus, 685-8384, music.washington.edu. $5. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Jan. 18.

Cappella Romana Music from the Finnish orthodox church, including Rautavaara’s Vigilia. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 732 18th Ave. E., 800-494-8497,  cappellaromana.org. $18–$39. 8 p.m. Sat., Jan. 18.

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Seattle Baroque Orchestra Handel, Vivaldi, and more, with guest violinist Rachel Barton Pine. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 325-7066, earlymusicguild.org. $20–$42. 8 p.m. Sat., Jan. 18.

Auburn Symphony Chamber Music ASO members play Stravinsky’s Soldier’s Tale and Bartok’s Contrasts. St. Matthew Episcopal Church, 123 L St. N.E., Auburn, 253-887-7777, auburnsymphony.org. $10–$17. 4 p.m. Sun., Jan. 19.