Richard III

The cast of Intiman’s Richard III is large—25 people—and seems even larger due to a looming scaffold-like set piece that crowds everyone downstage. But part of the fun of this rousing if uneven production is picking out faces new and familiar, and marveling at the depth of acting talent the Northwest has had, continues to have, and presumably will have so long as theaters like Intiman survive to nurture them. Old hands like John Pribyl (Lord Stanley), Megan Cole (Duchess of York), and Michael Winters (Duke of Buckingham) lend gravitas to the story of Shakespeare’s most villainous usurper, while pros a bit earlier in their careers like Hans Altwies (pictured, right, as the Earl of Richmond) and Timothy McCuen Piggee (Lord Hastings) bring vigor and flash. And in the Hope for the Future Dept., there’s Luc James Rosenthal as a sharp-tongued Edward, Prince of Wales, the doomed child-heir to England’s throne. The title role is taken by an outlander, Stephen Pelinski (pictured, left), a regular at Minneapolis’ Guthrie Theatre; I didn’t find every one of his character’s notorious about-faces believable, but he was convincing enough to make me want to cheer when Richard got it in the end. Intiman Playhouse, Seattle Center, 201 Mercer St., 206-269-1900, www.intiman.org. $10-$46. 7:30 p.m. Tues.-Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun.; also 2 p.m. matinee Wed. June 28. Ends Sat. July 15. LYNN JACOBSON

The Art of the Ballets Russes

Jump-starting 20th-century ballet with his controversial productions, impresario Serge Diaghilev commissioned scenery, music, and costume designs from some of the most ground-breaking artists of his time, including this work by Picasso for the 1917 Parade. Richard V. West, director emeritus of the Frye Art Museum and a specialist on Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, presents a slideshow/lecture about those volatile times as a benefit for Olympic Ballet Theatre. Shell Creek Restaurant, 526 Main St., Edmonds, 425-774-7570. Donations accepted. 4 p.m. Sun. June 25. SANDRA KURTZ