Stage

Openings & Events

All Hallows’ Cleave Blood Squad and Balagan co-present this improvised horror show. Erickson Theatre Off Broadway, 1524 Harvard Ave., 587-5400. $10. 8 p.m. Sat., Oct. 26.

And Then There Were None Agatha Christie’s thriller about gradually, mysteriously dying houseguests. Renton Civic Theater, 507 S. Third St., Renton, 425-226-5529, rentoncivictheater.org. $17–$22. Opens Oct. 25. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Nov. 9.

Blood Pudding T.M. Sell’s satire mashes up corporate politics and vampires. Des Moines Beach Park, 22030 Cliff Drive S., Des Moines, 870-6527, brownpapertickets.com. $20. Opens Oct. 25. 7 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Nov. 3.

Bo-Nita Hannah Mootz stars in Elizabeth Heffron’s solo show, which explores Midwest working-class life with a touch of magical realism. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $12–$65. Opens Oct. 23. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sun., plus some matinees 2 p.m. Wed., Sat., & Sun.; see seattlerep.org for exact schedule. Ends Nov. 17.

Carnevolar IV: The Haunting A cirque-arts journey into the underworld. 8 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 24: all ages, $20–$35. 9 p.m. Fri., Oct. 25–Sat., Oct. 26: 21 and over, $38–$70. Emerald City Trapeze Arts, 2702 Sixth Ave. S., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com.

Friday the 13th Ian Bell’s Brown Derby series stages, and usually gender-fucks, cult classics. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St., rebarseattle.com. $18. 8 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 24–Sat., Oct. 26.

The Gregory Awards Seattle’s Tonys, honoring the year’s best theater. The Neptune, 1303 N.E. 45th St., gregoryawards.org. $35–$125. 7:30 p.m. Mon., Oct. 28.

The Luxuria Cycle Jimmie Galaites’ exploration of modern romance “satirizes not only our society’s obsession with finding the perfect partner, but also the way personal information is used as currency by corporate interests.” Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., 728-0933, annextheatre.org. $5–$10. Opens Oct. 22. 8 p.m. Tues.–Wed. Ends Nov. 13.

Merrily We Roll Along Sondheim onscreen from the West End’s Harold Pinter Theatre. See fathomevents.com for participating theaters. 7 p.m. Wed., Oct. 23.

Moisture Festival’s Haunted Halloween Cabaret A fundraiser/costume party/auction to benefit the spring show, with emcee Kevin Joyce. Hale’s Palladium, 4301 Leary Way N.W., moisturefestival.org. $40. 6 p.m. Fri., Oct. 25.

Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare’s opposites-attract romantic comedy. Center House Theatre, Seattle Center, 733-8222. Previews Oct. 23–24, opens Oct. 25. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sat., plus some Sat.–Sun. matinees; see seattleshakespeare.org for exact schedule. Ends Nov. 17.

Red Light Winter & 25 Saints Tim Gouran and Richard Nguyen Sloniker star in both these dramas, alternating in repertory. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 292-7676, azotheatre.org. $25–$30. Previews Oct. 23–24, openings Oct. 26. Runs Thurs.–Sun.; see acttheatre.org for exact schedule for both. Ends Nov. 24.

This Is Halloween A cabaret/burlesque spectacular based on The Nightmare Before Christmas, starring Armitage Shanks, Jed Dunkerley, Orkestar Zirconium, and many more. The Triple Door, 216 Union St., 838-4333. $20–$40. Opens Oct. 24. Daily except Mon.; see thetripledoor.net for showtimes. Ends Oct. 31.

A Wrinkle in Time Seattle Public Theater’s Youth Program presents Madeline L’Engle’s YA sci-fi classic.Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W. Green Lake Ave. N., 524-1300, seattlepublictheater.org, Donation. 7 p.m. Fri., Oct. 25, 2 & 7 p.m. Sat., Oct. 26, 2 p.m. Sun., Oct. 27.

Current Runs

Animal Cruelty Scot Augustson’s “shadow puppet noir” tells of Chicken Jenny’s brush with the law. Theater Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave. S., 800-838-3006, printersdevil.org. $15–$18. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. Ends Nov. 9.

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Anything Goes SEE REVIEW, PAGE 24.

The Bacchae GreenStage’s “Hard Bard” series (classics with the gore turned up to 11) presents Euripides’ tragedy. Stage One Theater, 9600 College Way N., 800-838-3006, greenstage.org. Free. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sun. Ends Nov. 2..

Cafe Nordo SEE REVIEW, PAGE 24.

Campfire Spooky stories, improvised. Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 800-838-3006, unexpectedproductions.org. $10. 8:30 p.m. Thurs. Ends Halloween.

Cannibal! The Musical! The tale of Alferd Packer, written by those South Park guys. Unexpected Productions Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 800-838-3006, unexpectedproductions.org. $12–$15. 8:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Ends Nov. 2.

Carrie: The Musical For a teen still best remembered for being drenched in pig blood, Stephen King’s telekinetic heroine is now quite the queen of the prom. Carrie: The Musical was a notorious 1988 Broadway flop, with an amateurish book by screenwriter Lawrence D. Cohen. Still, the show has an adolescent urgency, if not self-awareness. Here, Tony-winning Alice Ripley plays mom to Keaton Whittaker’s Carrie; Ripley can really tear it up in the right role. STEVE WIECKING The Moore, 1932 Second Ave., 877-784-4849, stgpresents.org. $17.50–$50. 8 pm. Thurs.–Sat., 2 & 7 p.m. Sun. Ends Oct. 26.

An Evening of Christopher Durang Four short plays. JewelBox/Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave., 800-838-3006, fantasticz.org. $15–$20. 7 p.m. Wed. Ends Oct. 30.

5th of July Lanford Wilson’s play about a post-Vietnam reunion of Berkeley alums. West of Lenin, 203 N. 36th St., theatre22.org. $10–$20. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. Ends Oct. 26.

Flame in the Mirror John Ruoff’s exploration of the Irish experience in America. Eclectic Theater, 1214 10th Ave., S., 800-838-3006, eclectictheatercompany.org. $12–$25. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Nov. 3.

Hello Darlin’s: Mom’s Got Something to Tell You! Josephine Howell’s solo show channels comedian “Moms” Mabley. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. S., 800-838-3006, langstoninstitute.org. $10–$25. 7 p.m. Thurs.–Sun., 2 p.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends Oct. 26.

The Hobbit Studio East and StoryBook Theater present Tolkien. Studio East, 11730 118th Ave. N.E. #100, Kirkland, 425-820-1800, studio-east.org. $12–$14. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2:30 p.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends Nov. 3.

The Matchmaker The great aims of Thornton Wilder’s classic 1954 farce, set in the 1880s, are embodied by widowed marriage broker Dolly Levi Gallagher (played boldly and joyfully by Pam Nolte). With a thick Irish brogue and twinkling eye, she encourages the ridiculous adventures of the tale’s naive working-class adventurers. Wilder peppers his hit play with expertly crafted dialogue, but the cast generally fails to deliver; Wilder’s subtle strokes are skipped over as setups for broad laughs. Thankfully, those laughs land consistently. MARK BAUMGARTEN Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St., 781-9707, taproottheatre.org. $15–$40. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat. Ends Oct. 26.

Mirror Images The premiere of Scott Timmons’ mother/daughter drama. DownStage Theatre, 4029 Stone Way N., 800-838-3006, playwrights-theatre.org. $16. 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Oct. 26.

Night of the Living Dead One of the creepiest movies ever made becomes children’s theater. Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St., Mercer Island, 232-4145 x109, youththeatre.org. $15. 7, 8, & 9:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Ends Nov. 2.

The Real Inspector Hound Tom Stoppard’s murder-mystery parody. Jones Playhouse Theatre, 4045 University Way N.E., 543-4880, depts.washington.edu/uwdrama. $10–$20. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Oct. 27.

Rewired The Phoenix and The Frog present an “immersive performance project” on the theme of “mental health and life on the periphery.” Teatro de la Psychomachia, 1534 First Ave. S., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. $18. 
8 p.m Fri.–Sat. plus Thurs., Oct. 31. Ends Nov. 2.

Shrek, the Musical “Everything you liked about the movie plus more.” Bainbridge Performing Arts, 200 Madison Ave. N., Bainbridge Island, 842-8569, bainbridge
performingarts.org. $19–$27. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 3 p.m. Sun., plus 3 p.m. Sat., Oct. 19 & 26. Ends Oct. 27.

Sugar Daddies Sir Alan Ayckbourn came to Seattle to direct this production of his 2003 dark comedy. Sugar Daddies takes a familiar premise—a Faustian bargain between a worldly, wealthy older man with a shady past and a provincial, susceptible young woman—and rides it, well, nowhere terribly interesting. Emily Chisholm plays innocent, dowdy Sasha, who brings home hit-and-run victim Val (Sean G. Griffin, in Santa suit). Val recognizes in Sasha the kitten he will spoil rotten. In an interesting departure from the expected quid pro quo, he desires nothing in return but her joy—no sex, no strings. But Ayckbourn systemically saps potential menaces as soon as they appear. Sasha thinks her rent is going up (which might bind her to Val’s largesse), but then it’s not. When neighbor Ashley (John Patrick Lowrie) tries to warn Sasha about the possibly dangerous Val, with whom there is implied history, she implausibly refuses to let him tell. Such unswallowable details spring from Ayckbourn’s comic craftsmanship, not from believable characters. Yet Sugar Daddies scores its laughs, even while paddling in place. MARGARET FRIEDMAN ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 292-7676. $41 and up. Runs Tues.–Sun.; see acttheatre.org for schedule. Ends Nov. 3.

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The Taming Riffing on Shakespeare, Lauren Gunderson has created a rare specimen: a political comedy that’s fair-handed and funny. When Republican senate staffer Patricia wakes up in a hotel room with Bianca, a liberal blogger, we expect a familiar hostage plot. But both have been captured by Miss Georgia contestant Katherine, whose aspirations go way beyond shaking her peaches. Two whole acts would be too long for the hotel room, but the three get catapulted back to 1787, where they’re forced into historical characters from the other side of the political fence. MARGARET FRIEDMAN ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave. S.W., 938-0339, artswest.org. $15–$34. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. Ends Oct. 26.

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. You pay a lot more at TZZ than you might for a show at Re-Bar or the Pink Door—though you’re not just buying dinner and a show, but a lavish evening-length party. GAVIN BORCHERT Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St., 802-0015. $108 and up. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see dreams.zinzanni.org 
for exact schedule. Ends Jan. 26.

Teatro ZinZanni: Tambourine Submarine Recess Monkey stars in TZ’s nautical-themed family show. Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St., 802-0015. $19–$25. Runs 11 a.m. selected Sat. & Sun.; see dreams.zinzanni.org for exact schedule. Ends Dec. 15.

10 Days to Happiness Donna Rae Davidson’s play/memoir about “one woman’s hilariously tortured search for enlightenment.” Amazing Grace Spiritual Center, 2007 N.W. 61st St., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. $15–$20, 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Ends Oct. 26.

The Underneath Kelleen Conway Blanchard’s horror-movie sendup is set in a seaside town. Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., annextheatre.org. $5–$20. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. plus Mon., Nov. 4. Ends Nov. 16.

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The Walworth Farce In a distressed London flat, Dinny (Peter Crook) and his adult sons Sean (Darragh Kennan) and Blake (Peter Dylan O’Connor) are engaged in their daily performance of the titular farce. It’s a zany comedy of errors, triggered by the wake of a family matriarch, executed with wigs, a mustache, and a couple of cardboard caskets. If someone misses a line, the play-within-the-play halts for Dinny to berate his boys’ lackluster performance. The farce is plenty funny, but the laughs are uneasy; there’s an ominous undercurrent to this 2006 work by Irish playwright Enda Walsh. During each interruption, we gradually learn why Sean and Blake have been kept close to the nest by a father who fears outsiders. When one of those outsiders, Hayley (Allison Strickland), makes an unexpected house call, the dark origin of the family’s ritual performance is revealed. Expertly directed by John Kazanjian, The Walworth Farce never succumbs to the darkness. And the New Century Theatre Company cast lands every beat. Crook in particular is a tempest of focused energy, both hilarious in his secondary role—the scheming son at his mother’s wake—and chilling in his primary role as the fear-mongering stage father Dinny. MARK BAUMGARTEN New City Theater, 1404 18th Ave., wearenctc.org. $20–$30. 8 p.m. Wed.–Sun. Ends Oct. 27.

Young Frankenstein Mel Brooks’ follow-up to The Producers. Burien Actors Theater, S.W. 146th St. and Fourth Ave. S.W., Des Moines, 242-5180, burienactors
theatre.org. $7–$20. 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Oct. 27.

Dance

3rd Shift Dance/Expose the Eastside Dance Collective From these two companies, a split bill of contemporary jazz dance. Velocity Dance Center, 1621 12th Ave., 800-838-3006, 3rdshiftdance.org. $8–$10. 10 p.m. Fri., Oct. 25.

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VUYANI DANCE COLLECTIVE SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 19.

Ghost Game VII: The Wild Hunt The Cabiri’s Halloween dessert-theater cabaret brings creepy folk tales to life through acrobatics, aerial arts, and dance. Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way S.W., 800-838-3006, cabiri.org. $40–$70. Opens Oct. 25. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sun. Ends Nov. 3.

Classical, Etc.

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Lori Goldston New works from this composer/cellist, including music from her recent album, Film Scores. Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., waywardmusic.blogspot.com. $5–$15. 8 p.m. Wed., Oct. 23.

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Seattle Opera SEE REVIEW, PAGE 24.

Royal Opera House Live From Covent Garden, Puccini’s opulent Turandot. Guild 45th, 2115 N. 45th St., landmarktheatres.com, roh.org.uk. 7 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 24.

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Seattle Symphony String serenades by Elgar and Tchaikovsky, and music by the brothers Haydn., Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $19 and up. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 24, 8 p.m. Sat., Oct. 26, 2 p.m. Sun., Oct. 27.

Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra Featuring the premiere of the winning composition from SWOJO’s first annual jazz-ensemble composition contest for women composers. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland, 425-893-9900, kpcenter.org. $22. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 24.

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UW Symphony Beethoven’s Seventh plus a Hindemith ballet, led by newly appointed conductor David Rahbee. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $10–$15. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 24.

Vocalpoint! Seattle Joseph Crnko directs. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, 524-3234, nwchoirs.org. $12–$19. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 24–Sat., Oct. 26, 2:30 p.m. Sun., Oct. 27.

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Inverted Space The UW’s modern-music ensemble plays Cage, Rzewski, and works by UW composers.Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., music.washington.edu. $5–$15. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Oct. 25.

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Lake Union Chamber Orchestra SEE EAR SUPPLY, THIS PAGE.

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Northwest Symphony SEE EAR SUPPLY.

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Pacific MusicWorks SEE EAR SUPPLY.

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Seattle Symphony With Broadway diva Bernadette Peters. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, 
seattlesymphony.org. $52 and up. 8 p.m. Fri., Oct. 25.

Seattle Women’s Chorus On their Halloween concert, music from Bach and Wicked. Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, 1245 Tenth Ave. E., flyinghouse.org. $25–$45. 8 p.m. Fri., Oct. 25, 2 p.m. Sat., Oct. 26.

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The Met: Live in HD Shostakovich’s surreally irreverent The Nose, in William Kentridge’s imaginative and acclaimed production. See metopera.org for participating theaters. 10 a.m. Sat., Oct. 26, 6:30 p.m. Wed., Oct. 30.

James Reid From this guitarist, a miscellany of Spanish music. Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave., 365-0845, frye
museum.org. Free. 2 p.m. Sat., Oct. 26.

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Seattle Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra Opening its season with some ravishing Berlioz and spiky Stravinsky. Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., 800-838-3006, seattlemetropolitanchamberorchestra.com. $10–$15. 2 p.m. Sat., Oct. 26.

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Seattle Philharmonic SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 22.

Tudor Choir English church music from across the centuries: Orlando Gibbons, John Rutter, and much more., Blessed Sacrament Church, 5050 Eighth Ave. N.E., 323-9415, tudorchoir.org. $20–$30. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Oct. 26.

UW Halloween Organ Concert Owning the organ’s spooky connotations in this annual event. Kane Hall, UW campus, 685-8384, music.washington.edu. $15. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Oct. 26.

Metropolitan Opera Auditions Hear the opera stars of the future. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St. $10–$15. 10 a.m. Sun., Oct. 27.

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McCaw Hall Day of Celebration Has it been 10 years already? Celebrate with performances by tenants Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet, plus the Cornish Latin Ensemble, 3rd Shift Dance, SANCA, and much more. McCaw Hall, Seattle Center, mccawhall.com. Free. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Sun., Oct. 27.

UW Chamber Winds Music by Joseph Schwantner, Michael Daugherty, and others. Brechemin Auditorium, School of Music, UW campus, 685-8384, music.washington.edu. $5. 1:30 p.m. Sun., Oct. 27.

Michael Carroll Debussy, Schubert, and more from this pianist. Haller Lake United Methodist Church, 13055 First Ave. N.E. Donation. 2 p.m. Sun., Oct. 27.

SEATTLE PRO MUSICA SEE EAR SUPPLY.

Seattle Festival Orchestra Anna Edwards conducts Mendelssohn and Brahms. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., seattlefestivalorchestra.org. $12–$20. 2 p.m. Sun., Oct. 27.

Total Experience Gospel Choir Celebrating 40 years! Patrinell Wright conducts. Seattle First Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard St., totalexperiencegospelchoir.org. Donation. 3 p.m. Sun., Oct. 27.

Washington Wind Symphony Music by James Barnes and more. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland, 425-893-9900, washingtonwindsymphony.org. $13–$18. 3 p.m. Sun., Oct. 27.

Collier and Dean This UW jazz percussion/bass duo performs. Penthouse Theatre, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $12–$20. 7:30 p.m. Tues., Oct. 29.