Stage

Openings & Events

The Best of Enemies A KKK member and a civil-rights activist are forced to integrate a school in 1971 North Carolina. Based on the book by Osha Gray Davidson. Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St., 781-9707, taproot
theatre.org. $20–$40. Previews March 25–26, opens March 27. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat. Ends April 25.

Brutalesque Elle de la Night, Jaxin Yoff, and many others perform in this heavy-metal-themed burlesque show. JewelBox Theater at the Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. $15–$18. 7 p.m. Sat., March 28.

Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat The bringer of havoc is back, terrorizing two innocent children. SecondStory Repertory, 16587 N.E. 74th St., Redmond, 425-881-6777, secondstoryrep.org. $5–$10. Opens March 28. 1 & 3 p.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends April 19.

Live! From the Last Night of My Life In Wayne Rawley’s black comedy, a gas-station attendant vows to off himself at the end of his shift. 12th Ave Arts, 1620 12th Ave., 800-838-3006, theatre22.org. $14–$25. Preview March 26, opens March 27. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. plus 2 p.m. Sun., April 12 & 8 p.m. Tues., April 14. Ends April 18.

Lizard Boy A monster with strange powers emerges from the ashes of Mt. St. Helens. Is he a superhero or a freak? Find out in Justin Huertas’ rock musical. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-­2222. $17–$67. Previews begin March 27, opens April 1. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sun. plus some Wed. & weekend matinees; see seattlerep.org for exact schedule. Ends May 2.

The Mark of Immediacy Nathan Jeffrey’s theatrical take on the Gospel of Mark. Isaac Studio Theatre, 208 N. 85th St., 781-9707, taproottheatre.org. $12–$15. Opens March 27. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Ends April 4.

Nine Showtunes Theatre Company stages a concert version of Maury Yeston’s musical about a film director in 1960s Venice and the women in his life. Benaroya Recital Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., 215-4747, showtunestheatre.org. $21–$46. 8 p.m. Sat., March 28, 2 p.m. Sun., March 29.

Questionable Content Schmeater’s comic panel game show. The Schmee, 2125 Third Ave., schmeater.org. Pay what you can. 11 p.m. Fri., March 27–Sat., March 28.

Sister’s Easter Catechism This chapter in the “Late Nite Catechism” series’ Mad-style take on Catholicism is subtitled “Will My Bunny Go to Heaven?” Northshore Performing Arts Center, 18125 92nd Ave. N.E., Bothell, 425-984-2471, npacf.org. $10–$35. 7:30 p.m. Sat., March 28.

Slowgirl The always arresting Hannah Mootz stars as a wastrel visiting her even more messed-up uncle in Costa Rica. Greg Pierce directs the drama by Kelly Kitchens. Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W. Greenlake Dr. N., 524-1300, seattlepublictheater.org. $5–$32. Preview March 26, opens March 27. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends April 12.

CURRENT RUNS

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Chinglish In the fast-growing China of David Henry Hwang’s 2011 comedy, Daniel (Evan Whitfield) has fled recession-afflicted Cleveland to try his luck. Trying to sell bilingual signage, he’s pegged as an honest, innocent rube by Xi Yan (Kathy Hsieh), vice minister of a small inland city. Daniel hires English tutor-cum-consultant Peter (Guy Nelson) to broker a deal between his firm and the city boss (Hing Lam). But, as we and Daniel will learn, everyone in Guiyang is bound by a complext web of web of guanxi, a uniquely Chinese notion of mutual responsibility owed between two people or groups. Directed by Annie Lareau, Chinglish is quick-paced, quick-witted, and brimming with humor. Nearly one-quarter of the play is spoken in Mandarin (with projected subtitles that we trust are being translated appropriately). What makes us chuckle, though, are the mistranslations and communication breakdowns among Hwang’s characters. It’s like that game of telephone, where children whisper a single phrase around the room until it’s mangled and unrecognizable. IRFAN SHARIFF ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave. S.W., 938-0339, artswest.org. $15–$34.50. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. Ends March 29.

The Comparables Should women work collaboratively with one another to break the glass ceiling, or is it every woman for her ambitious self? And which philosophy yields the better commissions? Those are the questions confronting late-middle-aged Bette (Linda Gehringer, with bouncy bronze tresses and ball-breaking attitude). Leaving her boutique real-estate agency to star in a reality show about women achieving their dreams (!), she’s about to bequeath her business. Her dutiful consigliere Monica (studiously sexless Cheyenne Casebier) is the logical choice, but logic be damned. Empires like Apple aren’t built on logic; they’re built on magnetism and risk—qualities that sexy new hire Iris (Keiko Green) has in spades. These two younger women duke it out for supremacy in this custom-built comedy by Laura Schellhard (The K of D), with Braden Abraham directing. Though the rivalry amuses in a sitcom-y spirit, and several clever ironies weave through, any sense of the genuine vaporizes under scrutiny. Yet thanks to the commitment of these three skillful performers, who buttress their cartoonish, polarized characters, I stayed engaged through most of the 85-minute one-act. MARGARET FRIEDMAN Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St. (Seattle Center), 443-2222. $17–$102. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sun. plus some Wed. & weekend matinees; see seattlerep.org for schedule. Ends March 29.

Dina Martina—Tonight! All-new songs, stories, and videos from the incomparable, indescribable entertaineress, with Chris Jeffries on keyboard. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. $20–$25. 8 p.m. Fri–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends April 26.

The Flick Annie Baker’s Pulitzer winner—a magical mingling of Pinter pauses, Ibsenesque naturalism, and flashes of Pirandello—causes me cognitive dissonance. Brevity is not one of its selling points, but the script takes chances that this New Century Theatre Company production, directed by MJ Sieber, does finally redeem. Working in a dilapidated old single-screen movie theater, ushers Sam (Sam Hagen) and Avery (Tyler Trerise) and projectionist Rose (Emily Chisholm) discuss film, the transition from 35 millimeter to digital, and life in general. A millennial David Mamet, Baker captures, like, the speech patterns of Generations X and Y, and keenly conveys the universal experiences—and rants—of peons in the service industry. Like Rent, The Flick will not resonate with everyone. It’s a generational statement of sorts, in which Baker beautifully depicts the human condition through her trio of underachievers. Though a test of patience, the play is worthwhile for both ardent theater lovers and those theater-averse members of Generation Me, who so seldom find themselves represented onstage. ALYSSA DYKSTERHOUSE The Mainstage at 12th Avenue Arts, 1620 12th Ave., wearenctc.org. $15–$35. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., 7 p.m. Sun. Ends April 4.

Goodnight Moon Based on the bedtime book by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd, this musical debuted here in 2007. Now a new wave of kids can enjoy it. Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $20 and up. Runs Thurs.–Sun.; see sct.org for exact schedule. Ends April 26.

Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well & Living in Paris SEE REVIEW, PAGE 19.

Mamma Mia! On the night before her wedding, a woman’s desire to find her father brings three men from her mother’s past into their lives. With the music of ABBA, like you didn’t know that. The Paramount, 911 Pine St., 877-­STG-­4TIX, stgpresents.org. $25 and up. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat., 1 & 6:30 p.m. Sun. Ends March 29.

March Is Cabaret Month Classic cabaret from a variety of artists; see ballardjamhouse.com for lineup. Egan’s Ballard Jam House, 1707 N.W. Market St., 789-1621. $15 for one show, $25 for both (+ $10 food/drink min.). 7 & 9 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Ends March 28.

Moisture Festival The 12th annual variete overload: comedy, circus, and burlesque acts of all descriptions. Runs Wed.–Sun. through April 12 at Hale’s Palladium, 4301 Leary Way N.W. with “Libertease Burlesque” shows March 27–April 4 at Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, plus other special events including at Teatro ZinZanni, April 7–8. See moisturefestival.org for full schedule and info.

The Most Deserving Catherine Trieschmann’s comedy examines the snakepit that is civic arts-council grant-giving. Theater Schmeater, 2125 Third Ave., 324-5801, schmeater.org. $22–$29. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. Ends April 18.

No Way to TReat a Lady SEE REVIEW, PAGE 19.

The Rainmaker arrives to transform a drought-stricken farm and its denizens in N. Richard Nash’s 1954 play. Presented by Local Jewell Productions. The Ballard Underground, 2220 N.W. Market St., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. $15–$20. 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat. Ends April 4.

Snow Falling on Cedars A stage version of David Guterson’s Puget Sound-set play. Bainbridge Performing Arts, 200 Madison Ave. N., Bainbridge Island, 842-8569, bainbridgeperformingarts.org. $19–$27. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. Ends March 29.

Tartuffe Seattle Shakespeare Company is resetting Moliere’s enduring farce about swindlers and hypocrisy in 1947. Center House Theatre, Seattle Center Armory, ­733-­8222. $25–$48. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sat. plus some weekend matinees; see seattleshakespeare.org for exact schedule. Ends April 12.

Teatro ZinZanni: The Hot Spot Frank Ferrante and Dreya Weber return for TZ’s new show, in which “love and magic in the digital age collide.” Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St., 802-0015. $99 and up. Runs Thurs.–Sun. plus some Wed.; see zinzanni.com/seattle for exact schedule. Ends June 7.

Classical, Etc.

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Deviant

Septet SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 17.

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Seattle Symphony Their Sibelius cycle wraps up with the Symphonies 5, 6, and 7, led by Thomas Dausgaard. (Thursday’s concert will be followed by a brief recital of Sibelius’ songs.) Benaroya Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $20–$120. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., March 26; 8 p.m. Sat., March 28.

Hamsaz Ensemble 700 years of Iranian music. 
Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., townhallseattle.org. $5–$25. 7 p.m. Thurs., March 26.

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Paul Kikuchi A CD-release event for his Bat of No Bird Island, a cycle of pieces inspired by (and incorporating) his grandfather’s collection of 78s. Jack Straw Cultural Center, 4261 Roosevelt Way N.E., paulkikuchi.com. Free. Noon–3 p.m. Sat., March 28.

Seattle Philharmonic Exploring two tragic heroes: Hamlet (via Shostakovich’s incidental music) and Petrouchka (via Stravinsky’s ballet score). Benaroya Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., seattlephil.org. $20–$30. 2 p.m. Sat., March 28.

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Philharmonia Northwest Will Haydn’s 1796 Mass in Time of War ever not be relevant? Meany Hall, UW campus, 800-838-3006, philharmonianw.org. $18–$25. 7:30 p.m. Sat., March 28.

Byrd Ensemble British choral music from the early 20th century by Finzi, Walton, and the like. St. Mark’s Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave. E., byrdensemble.com. $10–$20. 7:30 p.m. Sat., March 28.

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Seattle Men’s Chorus Honoring two martyrs, Tyler Clementi and Harvey Milk, with new works. McCaw Hall, Seattle Center, 388-1400, seattlemens
chorus.org. $28–$68. 8 p.m. Sat., March 28, 2 p.m. Sun., March 29.

Puget Sound Wind Quintet Music by Nielsen, Piazzolla, and others from Auburn Symphony players. St. Matthew Episcopal Church, 123 L St. N.E., Auburn, 253-887-7777, auburnsymphony.org. $10–$17. 4 p.m. Sun., March 29.

Music of Remembrance SEE THE PICK LIST, 
PAGE 18.

Baroque at Cornish Free for lunch? Hear some vocal and instrumental music from Byron Schenkman, Ingrid Matthews, and Cornish students. PONCHO Recital Hall, Cornish College, 710 E. Roy St., cornish,edu. Gree. 12:30 p.m. Wed., April 1.

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London Symphony On his 70th-birthday tour of the West Coast, Michael Tilson Thomas conducts favorites by Britten, Gershwin (the Piano Concerto with soloist Yuja Wang), and Sibelius. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave. & Union St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. Call for ticket prices. 7:30 p.m. Wed., April 1.