Stage Openings & Events Bluebeard’s Wife Or, “Dark Fairy Tales Re-Imagined

By By Gavin Borchert • March 11, 2014 3:01 pm
Tracy Michelle Hughes in Pretty Fire at Taproot Theatre.
Tracy Michelle Hughes in Pretty Fire at Taproot Theatre.

Stage

Openings & Events

Bluebeard’s Wife Or, “Dark Fairy Tales Re-Imagined for Our Time.” Presented by students in SPT’s Youth Program. Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W. Green Lake Ave. N., 524-1300, seattlepublic
theater.org. Donation. 7 p.m. Fri., March 14, 2 & 7 p.m. Sat., March 15, 2 p.m. Sun., March 16.

• 

Billy Connolly SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 25.

Family Affair Jennifer Jasper’s “sick, hilarious, and ultimately relatable” monthly cabaret on the theme of family. JewelBox/Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave., 441-5823, jenniferjasperperforms.com. $10. 7:30 p.m. Wed., March 19.

Final Fantasy: The Improvised Adventures Improv meets (and spoofs) video games. Unexpected Productions Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 800-838-3006, unexpectedproductions.org. $12–$15. Opens March 14. 8:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat. Ends April 26.

• 

House of Thee UnHoly SEE THE PICK LIST, 
PAGE 22.

Julius Caesar Robert Downing’s solo version of Shakespeare’s political tragedy. Ark Lodge, 4816 Rainier Ave. S., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. $5. Opens March 17. 7 p.m. Mon. Ends March 31.

The Kentucky Cycle Robert Schenkkan’s multipart story of three families over two centuries. Bainbridge Performing Arts, 200 Madison Ave. N., Bainbridge Island, 842-8569, bainbridgeperformingarts.org. $19–$27. Previews 7:30 p.m. March 12–13, opens March 14. Part 1: 7:30 p.m. Fri., 2 p.m. Sat. Part 2: 7:30 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends March 30.

• 

The Lion King SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 22.

NCTC’s St. Patrick’s Day Bash Readings of new 10-minute plays, a limerick contest, and more. Solo, 200 Roy St., wearenctc.org. $25. 7 p.m. Mon., March 17.

Spamalot An encore of the 5th’s successful run, staged by students from the Rising Star Project. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., 625-1900, 5thavenue.org. $8–$25. 8 p.m. Fri., March 14, 2 & 8 p.m. Sat., March 15.

Munenori Takeda/Fisher Ensemble

Noh master Takeda joins the local alt-opera troupe for a preview of their September collaboration. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., jaclab.org, fisherensemble.org. Donation. 
7 p.m. Fri., March 14.

Current Runs

Black Vengeance Now they’ve gone and made Othello into a punk opera, created by Nathaniel Porter. The Ballard Underground, 2220 N.W. Market St., 800-838-3006, ghostlighttheatricals.org. $12–$15. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., plus 2 p.m. Sun., March 16. Ends March 22.

The Boy at the Edge of Everything A bored 12-year-old meets his doppelganger—in space! Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-0807. $15–$36. Runs Thurs.–Sun., see sct.org for exact schedule. Ends April 6.

The Elephant Man SEE REVIEW, PAGE 26.

• 

Little Shop of Horrors I’m not sure I buy the old adage about musicals being the gateway drug to serious theater. With a pop-culture confection like this, based on the old Roger Corman B-movie, turned into a hit musical, and filmed in 1986 with Steve Martin and Bill Murray, I do not believe that school field-trip groups will convert to die-hard Ibsenites. Here the pleasures are those of nostalgia, camp, and jukebox melodies that wink at Little Shop’s retro setting. The unbeatable team of composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman were, in 1982, fondly lampooning a 1960 movie they must’ve seen on television thousands of times during childhood; their show is an unabashed celebration of cheesy horror and Motown harmonies—joyous kitsch, in other words. After ACT’s prior musical collaboration with the 5th Avenue Theatre, 2012’s First Date, this co-production boasts a long roster of Northwest stage talentwith leads Joshua Carter (as the lovelorn Seymour) and Jessica Skerritt (as his ditsy crush Audrey), directed by Bill Berry. As for Seymour’s carnivorous plant from outer space, that’ll be a giant puppet, given voice by Ekello J. Harrid, Jr. BRIAN MILLER. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 292-7676. $20–$50. Runs Tues.–Sun.; see acttheatre.org for exact schedule. Ends June 15.

Noises Off In Michael Frayn’s comedy, we see a touring theater troupe from two points of view—first at rehearsal, then from backstage during a performance. Burien Little Theater, 242-5180, burienlittletheatre.org. N.B.: performed at 14907 Fourth Ave. S.W. in Burien. $7–$20. 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends March 23.

Odysseo The dancing horse show from traveling circus troupe Cavalia performs under a giant tent. Marymoor Park, 6046 W. Lake Sammamish Parkway N.E., Redmond. $34.50–$149.50 ($154.50–$229.50 w/dinner). Runs Tues.–Sun.; see cavalia.net for exact schedule. Re-extended through March 30.

Pretty Fire Tracy Michelle Hughes stars in Charlayne Woodard’s solo show about motherhood. Isaac Studio Theatre, 208 N. 85th St., 781-9707, taproottheatre.org. $15–$25. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri., 2 & 8 p.m. Sat. Ends March 22.

A Rose for Danny The Irish Heritage Club presents this memoiry domestic drama by Seattle playwright Kevin Moriarty. TPS Theatre 4, Seattle Center, Center House, 4th flr., irishheritageplayers.org. $15–$20. 7:30 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends March 16.

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.

Ten Days to Happiness Donna Rae Davidson’s solo show about her experiences at a Buddhist meditation retreat. Amazing Grace Spiritual Center, 2007 N.W. 61st St., 10daystohappiness.com. $15–$20. 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 
plus 2 p.m. Sat., March 15. Ends March 15.

Third SEE REVIEW, PAGE 26.

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

Worst Trip Ever IN ALL CAPS!!1! Jet City turns online travel reviews into theater. Wing-It Productions, 5510 University Way N.E., 781-3879, jetcityimprov.com. $12–$15. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Fri. Ends March 21.

Dance

• 

Pacific Northwest Ballet: Director’s Choice SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 22.

Pacific Northwest Ballet: Pinocchio The annual performance by PNB students—one act, ideal for families. McCaw Hall, Seattle Center, 441-2424, pnb.org. $25–$68. 12:30 & 3:30 p.m. Sun., March 16; 3:30 p.m. Sat., March 22.

Classical, Etc.

Travis Brass The brass ensemble from the U.S. Air Force band plays marches, jazz, ragtime, and more. Benaroya Recital Hall, Third Ave. and Union St., 215-4800, benaroyahall.org. Free. 7:30 p.m. Wed., March 12.

UW Choirs The Chamber Singers and University Chorale perform. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $10–$15. 7:30 p.m. Wed., March 12.

Seattle Symphony James Ehnes plays Bartok’s Violin Concerto no. 2; Andre de Ridder also conducts Dvorak and Mozart. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $19 and up. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., March 13; noon Fri., March 14; 8 p.m. Sat., March 15.

Northwest Sinfonietta Bach’s St. John Passion, his hard-hitting tale of the life of Christ. Seattle First Presbyterian Church, 1013 Eighth Ave., 800-838-3006, northwestsinfonietta.org. $42. 7:30 p.m. Fri., March 14.

Metropolitan Opera at the Movies Tenor-of-the-moment Jonas Kaufmann sings the title role in Massenet’s Werther. See metopera.org for participating theaters. $20. 10 a.m. Sat., March 15.

• 

JACK Quartet The adventurous New York–based string quartet offers two shows: music by composers from the UW School of Music and DXARTS at 7:30 p.m., and improv at 10. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $10–$25. Sat., March 15.

• 

Orchestra Seattle/Seattle Chamber Singers Mozart’s Requiem, plus music by Liszt and Samuel Jones. First Free Methodist Church, 3200 Third Ave. W., 800-838-3006, osscs.org. $10–$25. 7:30 p.m. Sat., March 15.

• 

Concert Imaginaire New works from this ensemble, including sings by composer David Hahn.Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., concertimaginaire.com. $5–$15. 8 p.m. Sat., March 15.

• 

Northwest Symphony Bruckner’s vast Symphony no. 8 in West Seattle’s similarly vast Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 4142 42nd Ave. S.W., 800-838-3006, northwestsymphonyorchestra.org. $12–$15. 
8 p.m. Sat., March 15.

Master Chorus Eastside Vivaldi’s Gloria, Haydn, and more. First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, 1717 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue, 425-392-8446, master
choruseastside.org. $15–$20. 3 p.m. Sun., March 16.

Music Northwest Brahms’ rousing Piano Quartet in G Minor, plus Beethoven, Sarasate, and Schumann., Olympic Recital Hall, S. Seattle Community College, 6000 16th Ave. S.W., 937-2899, musicnorthwest.org. $16–$18. 3 p.m. Sun., March 16.

• 

Seattle Youth Symphony Favorites by Copland, Prokofiev, and Weber. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 362-2300, syso.org. $15–$45. 3 p.m. Sun., March 16.

• 

Byron Schenkman and Friends Chamber music—this time, by fanciful baroque colorist Jean-Philippe Rameau—from this expert keyboardist and hand-picked colleagues. Benaroya Recital Hall, Third Ave. and Union St., 215-4747, byronschenkman.com. $10–$42. 7 p.m. Sun., March 16.