Romeo and Juliet

Since director John Langs dusted off King Lear and came up with vigorous, biting, and unexpectedly escapist entertainment for Seattle Shakespeare Company back in 2003, it’s exciting to imagine how he’ll amp up the ache behind the Bard’s most accessible tragedy. Langs seems meant to bring Will to the world, and he’s got the right ensemble to help him do it—the sterling cast of locals includes Hans Altweis as Mercutio, Garlyn Punao as Tybalt, Susanna Burney as Lady Capulet, and Washington Ensemble Theatre’s Lathrop Walker as the doomed Romeo (pictured, with Dana Acheson’s Juliet). Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland, 425-893-9900 or www.kpcenter.org. $10-$24. 7:30 p.m. Thurs. Oct. 20; 8 p.m. Fri. Oct. 21-Sat. Oct. 22. Also 2 p.m. matinee Sat. Oct. 22. Center House Theatre, Seattle Center, 206-733-8222 or www.seattleshakespeare.org. $18-$30. Previews begin Wed. Oct. 26. Opens Fri. Oct. 27. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.-Sat.; 2 p.m. matinees select Sat.-Sun. Ends Sun. Nov. 20. STEVE WIECKING

Seattle Baroque

It’s not often, obviously, that a period-instrument group plays new music—but why wouldn’t the distinctively silky, mellow timbres of baroque strings attract composers? To open its season, SB (whose director, Ingrid Matthews, is pictured here) is premiering a Sonata for String Orchestra by Peter Seibert, to join show-off string music by Geminiani, Locatelli, Telemann, and Bach’s flamboyant Brandenburg Concerto No. 3. Benaroya Recital Hall, Third and Union, 206-322-3118 or www.seattlebaroque.org. $10-$34 (kids 7-17 free on Sun.). 8 p.m. Sat. Oct. 22, 3 p.m. Sun. Oct. 23. GAVIN BORCHERT