Stage

Openings & Events

Battle of the Bards VIII Ghost Light Theatricals’ annual fundraiser presents scenes from three shows under consideration for their 2014-15 season—and you get to pick which they’ll do. The Ballard Underground, 2220 N.W. Market St., 800-838-3006, ghostlighttheatricals.org. $10. 8 p.m. Fri., Feb. 7–Sat., Feb. 8.

Boy Meets Girl In Taproot’s comedy improv show, you determine how this romance plays out. Isaac Studio Theatre, 208 N. 85th St., 781-9707, taproottheatre.org. $10–$12. 8 p.m. Fri., Feb. 7, Sat., Feb. 8 & 15.

ComedySportz Seattle Comedy Group moves their improv show to the former Empty Space. The Atlas Theater, 3509 Fremont Ave. N., seattlecomedygroup.com. $14. 8 & 10 p.m. Fri.–Sat.

Cornish Winter New Works Festival Staged readings of three brand-new plays by Cornish seniors Drew Combs (Feb. 7–8), Grace Carmack (Feb. 14–15), and Xochitl Portillo-Moody (Feb. 21–22). Cornish Playhouse at Seattle Center, cornish.edu. Free. 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat.

I Hate Children Paul Nathan’s ironically titled family magic show. Hale’s Palladium, 4301 Leary Way N.W., strangertickets.com. $15–$35. Opens Feb. 8. 1:30 & 3 p.m. Sat., 1 p.m. Sun. Ends Feb. 23.

Marisol The Collision Project debuts with Jose Rivera’s surreal comedy. Inscape, 815 Seattle Blvd. S., collision
theater.org. $20–$25 ($10 Mon.) Preview Feb. 6, opens Feb. 7. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. & Mon. Ends Feb. 22.

Niwa Gekidan Penino This troupe performs Kuro Tanino’s “bizarre, psycho-erotic fever dream straight out of Tokyo.” On the Boards, 100 W. Roy St., 217-9886, onthe
boards.org. $12–$25. 8 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 6 & Sun., Feb. 9; 
8 & 10 p.m. Fri., Feb. 7–Sat., Feb. 8.

Frank Olivier His Valentine-themed “Twisted Cabaret” includes “a ballet performed entirely on a unicycle” and more. Hale’s Palladium, 4301 Leary Way N.W., twisted
cabaret.com. $17–$60. Opens Feb. 6. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. plus 10:30 p.m. Fri. & 3 p.m. Sun. Ends Feb. 23.

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Jerry Seinfeld SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 22.

Spin the Bottle In this monthly variety show, “candy-inspired dance,” “droney garage-band ballads,” “reptilian smut,” and much more. Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., annextheatre.org. $5–$10. 11 p.m. Fri., Feb. 7.

Venus in Fur David Ives’ kinky Tony-winning comedy. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $12–$80. Previews begin Feb. 7, opens Feb. 12. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sun. plus 2 p.m. some Wed., Sat., & Sun.; see 
seattlerep.org for exact schedule. Ends March 9.

Virtual Solitaire Dawson Nichols’ solo show. Stage One Theater, 9600 College Way N., 800-838-3006, brown
papertickets.com. $10. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Feb. 7.

Wicked Wiz of Oz A 45-minute mashup of Oz musicals, part of the “Mimosas With Mama” drag brunch. Narwhal, 1118 E. Pike St., strangertickets.com, mimosaswithmama.com. $15–$20. Opens Feb. 9. 1:30 p.m. Sun.

Current Runs

American Wee-Pie Lisa Dillman’s comedy, set in a cupcake boutique. Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W. Green Lake Ave. N., 524-1300, seattlepublic
theater.org. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Feb. 16.

Black Like Us Rachel Atkins’ play about an African-American woman who passes for white in 1958. Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., 728-0933, annextheatre.org. $5–$20. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. plus Mon., Feb. 10. Ends March 1.

Ed, Downloaded SEE REVIEW, PAGE 24.

The Equation Theatre9/12 presents Charles S. Waxberg’s Depression-set “examination of a capitalistic economy and what it does to humanity.” Trinity Episcopal Church, 609 Eighth Ave., 332-7908. Pay what you can. 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., plus some weekend matinees; see theatre912.com for exact schedule. Ends Feb. 15.

The Foreigner Larry Shue’s 1984 comedy is adored across America, yet this revival is a waste of a reliably risible text and a capable local cast. In brief: Meek British proofreader Charlie (Erik Gratton) pretends not to speak English while vacationing at a Georgia fishing lodge, then wacky complications ensue among the red-state yokels. Brian Yorkey’s half-dozen players are directed at less-than-farcical speed; the prolonged, stagy silences are more suited to Harold Pinter. ALYSSA DYKSTERHOUSE Village Theatre, 303 Front St. N., Issaquah, 425-392-2202, villagetheatre.org. $34–$65. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Thurs. (plus some Tues.); 8 p.m. Fri.; 2 & 8 p.m. Sat.; 2 & 7 p.m. Sun. Ends March 2. (Then plays in Everett March 7–30.)

A Great Wilderness In Samuel D. Hunter’s uncomfortable work, Walt (Michael Winters), an aging “conversion therapist,” is contracted to cure a gay high schooler of homosexuality through scripture and friendly bonding at his Idaho camp. Within a few minutes Daniel (Jack Taylor) is gone. Who is this crumbling, frustrated guy, and what did he do with Daniel? These are the twin engines that propel us into the depressing world of evangelism and homophobia. MARGARET FRIEDMAN Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $12–$65. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sun. plus some Wed. & weekend matinees; see seattlerep.org for exact schedule. Ends Feb. 16.

The Icelandic Illumination Rangers To find the missing Aurora Borealis, “the Rangers will have to dance around magnetic poles, navigate the Reykjavik synth-pop scene, and learn what it really means to be friends.” It sounds like a kids’ show—but there are also adults-only “blue” performances (10:30 p.m. Feb. 7 & 21). WET, 608 19th Ave. E., 325-5105, washingtonensemble.org. $5–$10. 10 a.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends Feb. 23.

The Little Dog Laughed SEE REVIEW, PAGE 24.

Mr. Pim Passes By A.A. Milne’s Edwardian comedy. Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St., 781-9707, taproottheatre.org. $20–$40. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat. Ends March 1.

The Normal Heart Larry Kramer’s groundbreaking 1985 AIDS drama. Erickson Theatre Off Broadway, 1524 Harvard Ave., 800-838-3006, strawshop.org. $18–$36. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. Ends Feb. 15.

Reading to Vegetables E.M. Lewis’ thriller about a pre-med intern who participates in a chilling experiment. Penthouse Theatre, UW campus, 543-4880, drama.uw.edu. $10–$20. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Feb. 9.

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Spamalot This musical’s skeleton is Monty Python and the Holy Grail, stuffed with parodies of other musicals, beloved bits from the Python TV series, and meta-commentary. The casting for this local production is as good as it gets, full of actors you’ve loved elsewhere if you’ve seen a musical anywhere in King County in the past decade. GAVIN BORCHERT 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., 625-1900. $39 and up. Runs Tues.–Sun.; see 5thavenue.org for exact schedule. Ends March 2.

Story & Song Bret Fetzer’s fairy tales get choral backing. Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., 728-0933, annex
theatre.org. $5–$10. 8 p.m. Tues.–Wed. Ends Feb. 26.

Teatro ZinZanni: On the Air Their new radio-themed show features the return of emcee Kevin Kent. Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St., 802-0015. $108 and up. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see dreams.zinzanni.org for exact schedule. Ends June 1.

For many more Current Runs, see seattleweekly.com.

Dance

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Pacific Northwest Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty SEE REVIEW, PAGE 25.

Classical, Etc.

Joshua Bell The popular violinist plays Bach, Stravinsky, and more. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $41 and up. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Feb. 5.

Seattle Symphony Brian Stokes Mitchell sings Broadway ballads on this Seattle Pops concert. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $19–$95. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 6; 8 p.m. Fri., Feb. 7; 2 & 8 p.m. Sat., Feb. 8; 2 p.m. Sun., Feb. 9.

Seattle Women’s Chorus Music from the swing era to salute women in the WWII work force. Cornish Playhouse, Seattle Center, 388-1400, seattlewomens
chorus.org. $25–$60. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 6; 8 p.m. Fri., Feb. 7; 2 & 8 p.m. Sat., Feb. 8; 2 p.m. Sun., Feb. 9.

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Seattle Improvised Music Festival Musicians from across America and overseas perform with Seattle’s out-music elite. Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., seattleimprovisedmusic.us/simf. $10–$25. 8 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 6–Sat., Feb. 8.

Tom Collier and Friends Jazz from this UW faculty musician and colleagues. Meany Studio Theater, UW campus, music.washington.edu. $12–$20. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Feb. 7.

Orchestra Seattle Stilian Kirov conducts Liadov, Mendelssohn, and Mussorgsky. First Free Methodist Church, 3200 Third Ave. W., 800-838-3006, osscs.org. $10–$25. 7:30 p.m. Sat., Feb. 8.

Thalia Symphony Chausson, Rossini, Sibelius, and more. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 800-838-3006, thaliasymphony.org. $15–$20. 2 p.m. Sun., Feb. 9.

Canzonetta 600 years of choral music from this ensemble. Cornish College/PONCHO Concert Hall, 710 E. Roy St., cornish.edu. 7 p.m. Sun., Feb. 9.

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Trio Pardalote Shostakovich’s Ninth Quartet, plus music by Schulhoff, Ysaye, and Wayne Horvitz. The Royal Room, 5000 Rainier Ave. S., triopardalote.com. $10–$20. 7:30 p.m. Sun., Feb. 9.