Theater

Openings & Events

The Buckaroos A “Thanksgiving Eve Special” from this Chippendales send-up. The Triple Door, 216 Union St., 838-4333, thetripledoor.net. $25–$30. 7 & 10 p.m. Wed., Nov. 27.

A Christmas Carol SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 39.

Coney Island Christmas Donald Margulies’ comedy about the Jewish holiday culture clash. Burien Little Theater, S.W. 146th St. and Fourth Ave. S.W., Des Moines, 242-5180, burienactorstheatre.org. $7–$20. Opens Nov. 29. 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Dec. 22.

The Dina Martina Christmas Show “The Best of the Best!” includes the incomparable, indescribable entertaineress’s greatest hits from her 14 holiday shows. With stalwart accompanist Chris Jeffries. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St., 800-838-3006. $20–$25. Opens Nov. 29. Runs Fri.–Sun., then daily starting Dec. 18; see brownpaper
tickets.com for exact schedule. Ends Dec. 31.

Ham for the Holidays Peggy Platt and Lisa Koch bring back the Spudds, the Sequim Gay Men’s Chorus, and more in their annual musical sketch show. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 292-7676. $15–$33. Preview Dec. 4, opens Dec. 5. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see acttheatre.org for exact schedule. Ends Dec. 22.

The Holiday Spectacular! Jennifer Jasper hosts this comedy/music revue. Shorecrest Performing Arts Center, 15343 25th Ave. N.E., 800-838-3006, brownpaper
tickets.com. $15–$20. 6 p.m. Sun., Dec. 1.

A(n Improvised) Christmas Carol SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 40.

Le Club Noel Candace and Sam Vance’s new holiday play is set in a 1930s cabaret in Paris. Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St., 781-9707, taproottheatre.org. $20–$40. Opens Nov. 29. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat. Ends Dec. 28.

Little Women Jason Howland’s musical version of the classic story. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave. S.W., 938-0339, artswest.org. Opens Nov. 29. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sat., 
3 p.m. Sun., plus 3 p.m. Sat., Dec. 14 & 21. Ends Dec. 29.

Oliver! SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 40.

ThanksKilling Jeff Thomson and Jordan Mann turn the 2009 horror-camp movie about a vengeful turkey into a musical. Presented by Balagan Theatre. Cornish Playhouse at Seattle Center, balagantheatre.org. Opens Nov. 29. 8 p.m. Thurs. (plus Mon., Dec. 2), 8 & 10 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Ends Dec. 14.

Uncle Mike Ruins Christmas Your family holiday nightmares become improv theater. Wing-It Productions, 5510 University Way N.E., jetcityimprov.com. $10. Opens Nov. 30. Midnight:30 on Saturday nights. Ends Dec. 21.

Wells & Woodhead: Foolz Music, circus arts, and comedy for the whole family. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland, 425-893-9900, 
kpcenter.org. $15. 2 p.m. Sun., Dec. 1.

Current Runs

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The Habit 13 What do TV cop shows, zombies, the League of Justice, jumpsuits, and the Founding Fathers have in common? Nothing—that’s the challenge for this fun sketch-comedy show. Its six writer/performers create a rough through-line that brings disparate skits not into harmonic convergence, but a kind of parallel burning of the fuse. The Habit was formed at the UW in the mid-’90s, though the members (Ryan Dobosh, John Osebold, Jeff Schell, Mark Siano, David Swidler, and Luke Thayer) are now scattered around the U.S. What they preserve is a kind of collective muscle memory, the desire to push a gag further than the vaudeville laugh. The topical bits can feel like a concession to headlines and audience sympathies; drafting the Second Amendment, Jefferson scoffs at the notion of “automated muskets.” Yet what The Habit really nails is the everyday slapstick of social misunderstandings and faux pas—how we constantly say and do the wrong things, then desperately try to dig ourselves out. The show never underestimates the power of silliness, but it’s also grounded in hurt feelings and a bit of heart. BRIAN MILLER Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W. Green Lake Ave. N., 800-838-3006, thehabitcomedy.com. $19. 8 p.m. Fri.–Sun. Ends Dec. 1.

The Hound of the Baskervilles SEE REVIEW, PAGE 40.

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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; you’re not likely to see it done this well—or so intimately—ever again. As in Victor Hugo’s 1862 class-struggle novel of revenge, retribution, and redemption, French parolee Jean Valjean (onetime Seattleite Greg Stone, now a Broadway mainstay) 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); and would-be revolutionaries Enjolras (Steve Czarnecki) and Marius (Matthew Kacergis), who falls for the adult Cosette at first sight. Not a loose stitch has been left to chance in the three-hour staging (with intermission); this chamber-sized Les Miz 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 Village Theatre, 303 Front St. N., Issaquah, 425-392-2202. $33–$68. Runs in Issaquah through Jan. 5, then at the Everett Performing Arts Center Jan. 10–Feb. 2; see 
villagetheatre.org for exact schedule.

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. Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St., 802-0015. $108 and up. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see dreams.zinzanni.org for exact schedule. Ends Jan. 26.

‘Twas the Night… Clement C. Moore’s poem gets sent up. Studio East, 11730 118th Ave. N.E. #100, Kirkland, 425-820-1800, studio-east.org. $14. 7 p.m. Fri.; 11 a.m., 2 p.m., & 5 p.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends Dec. 15.

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Weird and Awesome With Emmett Montgomery “A monthly parade [every first Sunday] of wonder and awkward sharing hosted and curated by mustache wizard Emmett Montgomery.” Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., 728-0933, annextheatre.org, facebook.com/weirdandawesome. $5–$10. 7:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 1.

Dance

Carmona Flamenco Traditional music and dance. Cafe Solstice, 4116 University Way N.E., 932-4067. $15–$20. 8 & 9:30 p.m. Sat., Nov. 30.

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Pacific Northwest Ballet: Nutcracker 
SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 40.

Classical, Etc.

Dieter Hennings Spanish music for this guitarist. Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave., fryemuseum.org. Free. 2 p.m. Sat., Nov. 30.


Byrd Ensemble This choir’s holiday concert welcomes chamber ensemble Parnassus Project. At Trinity Episcopal Church, 609 Eighth Ave., 7:30 p.m. Sat., Nov. 30, and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 4805 N.E. 45th St., 
3 p.m. Sun., Dec. 1. $10–$20. byrdensemble.com.

Gallery Concerts Celebrate Christmas on Thanksgiving weekend with soprano Ellen Hargis and baroque vocal chamber music. Queen Anne Christian Church, 1316 Third Ave. W., 726-6088, galleryconcerts.org. $15–$30. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Nov. 30, 3 p.m. Sun., Dec. 1.

Seattle Men’s Chorus For many, the holidays would be bleak and sere without this annual sparklefest. Pianist/vocalist Levi Kreis is the special guest the opening weekend only. All shows at Benaroya Hall except Dec. 12 in Tacoma and Dec. 14 in Everett; see flyinghouse.org for full info. $28–$78. 388-1400. 8 p.m. Sat., Nov. 30, 2 p.m. Sun., Dec. 1, and seven more performances through Dec. 22.

UW Chamber Music Music by Mendelssohn and Brahms, with a look at their lives and work. Brechemin Auditorium, School of Music, UW campus, 685-8384, music.washington.edu. $5. 4:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 1.

UW Jazz The Studio Jazz Ensemble and Modern Band perform. Meany Studio Theater, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $10–$15. 7:30 p.m. Mon., Dec. 2.

Kevin Burke Irish fiddle music from this visiting artist. Brechemin Auditorium, School of Music, UW campus, 685-8384, music.washington.edu. $5. 7:30 p.m. Tues., Dec. 3.

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UW Percussion Ensemble

Sizzle, Omphalo Centric Lecture, and other works. Meany Studio Theater, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $10–$15. 7:30 p.m. Tues., Dec. 3.

Seattle Jewish Chorale Music for Hanukkah. Temple B’nai Torah, 15727 N.E. Fourth St., Bellevue, 800-838-3006, seattlejewishchorale.org. $5–$12. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 4.

UW Carolfest Holiday music from many choirs. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $10–$15. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 4.