STAGE
Our Carnal Hearts, an “interrogation of envy, success, and song” from the UK’s Rachel Mars, is a darkly comic theater piece for four singers about a very ugly but universal emotion. GAVIN BORCHERT On the Boards, ontheboards.org. $12–$70. 8 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 13–Sat., Sept. 15, plus 3 p.m. Sat. & 5 p.m. Sun.
CLASSICAL, ETC.
Ludovic Morlot’s final season as music director of the Seattle Symphony opens with a splash: Mussorgsky’s orchestral showpiece Pictures at an Exhibition and Khachaturian’s clangorous 1936 Piano Concerto with soloist Jean-Yves Thibaudet. Gala party to follow. GB Benaroya Hall, seattlesymphony.org. Concert only, $55 and up. 5 p.m. Sat., Sept. 15.
MUSIC
The current generation of up-and-coming fem-led rock/indie/alt bands straight-up rules and has been lapping their dude counterparts for at least half a decade (at this point I often hesitate to point out in writing when killer rock acts are led by women for fear that that automatically places them in an “other” category in far too many minds). And all the great emerging arts owe so much to Liz Phair. The trailblazer broke onto the scene 25 years ago with the seminal classic Exile in Guyville, flaunting a snarling confidence that allowed her to be both emotionally vulnerable and bluntly sexual while throwing barbs at the rock-and-roll boys club. She also put up with the (male-driven) backlash of trying for crossover pop success with her 2003 self-titled album. But she isn’t a legacy act—she can still musically scrap live with the best of ‘em. Phair has made her current tour a truly generational fem-rock affair by bringing along the shred-tastic Speedy Ortiz to open. SETH SOMMERFELD The Showbox, showboxpresents.com. $35–$38. 8 p.m. Tues., Sept. 18.
SPORTS
After two home wins, the Seattle Storm are at this writing one WNBA Finals win away from claiming the franchise’s third championship. With WNBA MVP Brenna Stewart leading the way (and Jewell Loyd playing Robin to her Batman), the team heads to Washington, D.C., for at least one more game against the Mystics on Wed., Sept. 12, with a possible Game 4 on Friday the 14th. If the Mystics hold home court, things will shift back to Seattle for a drama-packed winner-take-all Game 5 on Sunday the 16th at KeyArena. (All remaining games in the series will be televised on ESPN 2.) Whether the series ends in a sweep or goes the distance, when the Storm get rolling, they’re a blast to watch, so find a place to root on these hometown heroes. SS storm.wnba.com Game 5 (if necessary): KeyArena. 5 p.m. Sun., Sept. 16.
FILM
It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, the jumbo-sized all-star comic caper from 1963, plays as part of the Cinerama’s 70mm Film Festival. Did you know that actress Dorothy Provine retired to Bainbridge Island in 1990 and spent the last 20 years of her life there? Neither did I. GB Cinerama, cinerama.com. $19. Noon, Sun., Sept. 16.
