Stage

Openings & Events

The Beggar’s Opera Vaclav Havel’s non-musical take on John Gay’s 18th-century slum story (not the usual Weill/Brecht version). Jones Playhouse Theatre, 4045 University Way N.E., 543-4880, drama.uw.edu. $10–$20. Previews April 23–24, opens April 25. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends May 4.

Cornish Sophomore Ensemble Horton Foote’s Harrison, Texas is the starting point for their new group-generated piece. The ending point is anyone’s guess. Raisbeck Performance Hall, 2015 Boren Ave., 800-838-3006, cornish.edu. $5–$10. 8 p.m. Wed., April 23 & Fri., April 25; 2 p.m. Sat., April 26; 7 p.m. Sun., April 27.

Gone Wild! A Savage Romp Through the Animal Kingdom Local performance troupe the Libertinis (“Seattle’s sexiest interdisciplinary arts ensemble”) add music, burlesque, and comedy to this tongue-in-cheek zoology lesson. Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., 728-0933, annextheatre.org. $5–$10. Opens April 25. 11 p.m. Fri.–Sat., plus 8 p.m. Mon., May 5. Ends May 10.

Hair The smash ’60s musical is full of hippie goodness and song. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave. S.W., 938-0339, artswest.org. Opens April 23. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. Ends June 7.

King Lear Ungrateful daughters, divided affections, the fool whispering in your ear, the windswept heath—what could possibly go wrong? Cornish Playhouse at Seattle Center, 733-8222. $25–$48. Previews April 23–24, opens April 25. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see seattleshakespeare.org for exact schedule. Ends May 17.

Peter Pan It’s dueling Peters, as Youth Theatre Northwest stages it too. Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 S.E. 40th St., Mercer Island, 232-4145 x100, youththeatre.org. $13–$17. Opens April 25. 7 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sat.–Sun. Ends May 18.

Tales of a 5th Grade Somebody Prepubescence, in the sufferers’ own words. Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W. Green Lake Ave. N., 524-1300, seattlepublictheater.org. Donation. 7 p.m. Fri., April 25, 2 & 7 p.m. Sat., April 26, 2 p.m. Sun., April 27.

Truth Like the Sun Local writer Jim Lynch set this recent novel during our 1962 World’s Fair. Now see Book–It Repertory Theatre’s stage adaptation. Center House Theatre, Seattle Center, 216-0833. $23–$45. Previews April 23–25, opens April 26. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see book-it.org for exact schedule. Ends May 18.

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Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Some Broadway classics age better than others. Death of a Salesman or A Streetcar Named Desire are stamped with a very particular kind of postwar milieu, yet to me this coruscating campus drama survives the jump to our present century. Writing in 1962, Edward Albee gave scant mention to the outside world. His relentless focus is on the raging marriage of George and Martha, who use the younger couple Nick and Honey as surrogates and punching bags for the rage they can’t keep to themselves. Their forays and furies are strategic; even getting the right amount of drunk involves a degree of calculation. The expression of marital spite requires a certain amount of disinhibition—served on the rocks, of course—without getting sloppy about it, because that would simply invite counterattack. Do George and Martha (here played by R. Hamilton Wright and Pamela Reed) hate each other? Should they be together? Should they really be raising a son (never seen in the play)? Those questions fade in the face of the overpowering need George and Martha feel. It’s not codependency in our modern sense, but a more primal kind of attachment. Arguing is like sex to them. They don’t belong together, but you can’t imagine them apart. Aaron Blakely and Amy Hill play the younger faculty duo. Braden Abraham directs. BRIAN MILLER Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $12–$80. Opens April 23. 7:30 p.m. Wed.–Sun., plus 2 p.m. some Wed., Sat., & Sun; see seattlerep.org for exact schedule. Ends May 18.

Marcus Youssef & James Long In Winners and Losers, the two Vancouver, B.C., theater artists pretend to have a furious, escalating argument. On the Boards, 100 W. Roy St., 217-9888, ontheboards.org. $20. 8 p.m. Wed., April 23–Sun., April 27.

Current runs

Attempts on Her Life The Horse in Motion presents this immersive audience-participation play. University Heights Community Center, 5031 University Way N.E., 800-838-3006, thehorseinmotion.org. $15–$25. 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sun. Ends April 27.

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Bethany SEE REVIEW, PAGE 22.

Chaos Theory SEE REVIEW, PAGE 22.

Dina Martina: Her Greatest Videos… and More! A night of highlights from the grande dame’s shows, hosted by herself. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St., 800-838-3006, brownpapertickets.com. $20–$25. 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends April 27.

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Ernest Shackleton Loves Me SEE REVIEW, PAGE 22.

Fuente Ovejuna Lope de Vega’s play of tyranny and rebellion. Cornish Playhouse at Seattle Center, 269-1901, cornish.edu. Free. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. Ends April 26.

Godspell Stephen Schwartz’s musical take on the Gospel According to St. Matthew. Raisbeck Performance Hall, 2015 Boren Ave., 800-838-3006, cornish.edu. $5–$10. 8 p.m. Thurs., April 24 & Sat., April 26, 2 p.m. Sun., April 27.

Impenetrable SIS Productions presents Mia McCullough’s play about women, society, and body image. West of Lenin, 203 N. 36th St., 800-838-3006. $12–$16. Runs Thurs.–Sat. plus 8 p.m. Mon., April 28; see brownpapertickets.com for exact schedule. Ends May 3.

In the Book Of Written by John Walch on commission for the 2012 Alabama Shakespeare Festival, the play is hyper-topical, grappling directly with the war in Afghanistan, Tea Party politics, and immigration. Despite this, Walch’s script manages to feel timeless, at least in the hands of this able cast, directed by Scott Nolte. Walch’s play was inspired by the Old Testament’s Book of Ruth, and his heroine is an Afghan woman named Anisah (Carolyn Marie Monroe), a former translator for the U.S. military who’s brought to small-town Mississippi for protection by retired Lieutenant Naomi Watkins (Allison Strickland). Broxton isn’t so welcoming. The Muslim Anisah experiences xenophobia, most vehemently from Naomi’s former sister-in-law Gail (a spirited Pam Nolte), who also happens to be running for mayor as a Tea Party—style outsider. As the election approaches, however, the young widow Anisah finds kindness from Gail’s adult son Bo Jr. (Kevin Pitman). Suddenly family threatens to trump hot-button politics, and hard choices must be made. The play’s topicality falls away, and we’re left with a family of complicated, likable characters and a play that does them justice. MARK BAUMGARTEN 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 April 26..

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Little Shop of Horrors Alan Menken & Howard Ashman’s musical is simple, it’s overstuffed with hummable melodies, and it toys affectionately with two of America’s enduring infatuations: cheesy monster movies and jukebox pop. Appropriately, this co-production of ACT and the 5th Avenue cranks the fun dial up to 11. There’s a palpable glee in watching confident performers nail each number with sharpshooter precision. KEVIN PHINNEY ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 292-7676. $20–$50. See 
acttheatre.org for exact schedule. Ends June 15.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Shakespeare’s romantic fantasy, al fresco. Seattle Center, cornish.edu. Free. 2 p.m. Fri.–Sun. Ends April 27.

Office Hours Norm Foster’s comedy about a busy Friday afternoon. Renton Civic Theater, 507 S. Third St., Renton, 425-226-5529, rentoncivictheater.org. $17–$22. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends April 26.

Quickies, vol. 15 Live Girls! Theater presents short plays on the themes of science and magic. Theater Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave. S., 800-838-3006, lgtheater.org. $5–$20. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. plus Mon., May 5. Ends May 10.

Peter Pan Lyric Opera Northwest presents this very kid-friendly musical. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland, 425-893-9900, kpcenter.org. $24–$34. 7:30 p.m. Fri., April 25–Sat., April 26.

A Room With a View It’s hard to imagine how prim and proper (and gay) E.M. Forster would feel about his 1908 novel becoming Broadway fodder. The 1985 movie is the more direct inspiration for writer Marc Acito and composer Jeffrey Stock, both Broadway veterans. Virginal heroine Lucy (Laura Griffith) is traveling through Italy with her chaperone (Patti Cohenour); there she’s courted by the romantic George (Louis Hobson), which threatens a potential match back in England with uptight Cecil (Will Reynolds). Who will she choose?!? Well, you’ve seen the movie, so you know. T. BOND 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., 625-1900. $29 and up. Runs Tues.–Sun., see 5thavenue.org for exact schedule. Ends May 11.

Snow White Stepparent issues and seven brothers (played by three actors). $10. Runs weekends in various venues; see storybooktheater.org for exact schedule. Ends May 18.

Tails of Wasps Newly elected suburban congressman Frank Davis (Paul Morgan Stetler) isn’t a Democrat or Republican, and he doesn’t have any positions besides fighting the good fight. After the victory party, he’s returned to his hotel room—ringed by us 100 spectators in three banks of bleachers set close to the action—with his loyal campaign aide Rachel (Brenda Joyner) on what’s effectively her last night of employment. She throws herself at him, and the lights go out. In the next three acts we meet three more women, each visiting the same hotel room with Frank, though not necessarily during the same night. (In fact, about five years pass.) Each vignette echoes the others, with repeated gestures, lines, and grapplings on the bed. Frank never really leaves the hotel room; it’s a kind of purgatory for him, an arena for the eternal recurrence of his lust. However, in her new work, playwright Stephanie Timm leaves the actresses battling against a blank; their isolation—one per act, never meeting—dilutes the potential drama. Frank can’t be a tragic figure without greatness; nor can we even pity a shallow guy who’s lived his life by teleprompter. Darragh Kennan directs this very committed New Century Theatre Company production, with Betsy Schwartz, Sylvie Davidson, and Hannah Mootz rounding out the cast. BRIAN MILLER ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 292-7676, wearenctc.org. $15–$30. 8 p.m. Thurs.–Sun. Ends April 27.

Teatro ZinZanni: On the Air Their new radio-themed show features the return of emcee Kevin Kent. Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St., 802-0015. $99 and up. Runs Wed.–Sun.; see zinzanni.com/seattle for exact schedule. Ends June 1.

The Tutor Maryrose Wood’s musical—about an aspiring writer, Edmund (Eric Ankrim), hired by Manhattanites Richard and Esther (Hugh Hastings, Beth DeVries) to help their apathetic daughter Sweetie (Tatum Ludlam/Katie Griffith) get into Princeton—presents a setup for a satire, of literary pretensions or upper-class neuroses or both, but Wood throws marshmallows rather than darts at her targets. GAVIN BORCHERT Village Theatre, 303 Front St. N., Issaquah, 425-392-2202. Runs Wed.–Sun. plus some Tues.; see villagetheatre.org for exact schedule. Ends April 27; then runs May 2–25 in Everett.

Dance

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SCUBA SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 20.

Carmona Flamenco Traditional music and dance. Cafe Solstice, 4116 University Way N.E., 932-4067, carmona2@comcast.net. $15–$20. 8 & 9:30 p.m. Sat., April 26.

Russian Chamber Music Foundation Tchaikovsky’s 12-piece cycle The Seasons for piano will be accompanied by dancers from Emerald Ballet Theatre. Benaroya Recital Hall, Third Ave. and Union St., russianchambermusic.org. $12–$32. 3 p.m. Sun., April 27.

Classical, Etc.

Seattle Symphony Concertmaster Alexander Velinzon solos in Brahms’ Violin Concerto; Ludovic Morlot also conducts Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra.Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $19??$122. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., April 24, 8 p.m. Sat., April 26.

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Cameron Carpenter “The Liberace of the organ,” his fans call him. His skeptics, too. He’ll play Bernstein, Liszt, Mozart, and more. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $19 and up. 7:30 p.m. Fri., April 25.

Lake Union Civic Orchestra Christophe Chagnard conducts Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra, plus Berlioz and Debussy. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 343-LUCO, luco.org. $13–$18. 7:30 p.m. Fri., April 25.

Love Songs & Other Fairy Tales A new cycle of songs by Jay Hamilton and Gordon Frazier. Chapel Performance Space, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., waywardmusic.org. $5–$15. 8 p.m. Fri., April 25.

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Simple Measures The Northwest Boychoir visits this chamber-music series to sing Bernstein, Britten, Ives, Mozart, and more. At Seattle First Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard St., 7:30 p.m. Fri., April 25, and Green Lake Church, 6350 E. Green Lake Way, 6 p.m. Sun., April 27. 853-5672, simplemeasures.org. $15–$30.

Metropolitan Opera at the Movies Mozart’s rom-com Cosi fan tutte is one of the operas James Levine chose for his return to conducting this season. See metopera.org for participating theaters. $20. 10 a.m. Sat., April 26.

Vladimir Gorbach Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires and more from this classical guitarist. Benaroya Recital Hall, Third Ave. and Union St., 297-8788. $28–$38. 7:30 p.m. Sat., April 26.

Northwest Symphony Songs and arias for soprano by Huntley Beyer and others, plus Brahms and Shostakovich. Highline Performing Arts Center, 401 S. 152nd St., Burien, 800-838-3006, northwestsymphonyorchestra.org. $10–$15. 8 p.m. Sat., April 26.

Seattle Baroque Music from Handel’s Italian years—when he was getting his ya-yas out, before he settled down to become London’s respectable purveyor of operas. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 325-7066, earlymusicguild.org. $20–$42. 8 p.m. Sat., April 26.

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Auburn Symphony Cheeky symphonies by Haydn (#45) and Shostakovich (#9), both written to twit the powers that be. Auburn Performing Arts Center, 700 E. Main St., Auburn, 253-887-7777, auburnsymphony.org. $10–$34. 7:30 p.m. Sat., April 26, 2:30 p.m. Sun., April 27.

Seattle Symphony A “Beyond the Score” multimedia performance digs deeper into Mendelssohn’s “Italian” Symphony. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $19 and up. 2 p.m. Sun., April 27.

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McCabe Larionoff Duo SEE EAR SUPPLY, PAGE 23.

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Philharmonia Northwest A work by Cornish faculty member Emily Doolittle, plus Milhaud and Saint-Saens, on this family concert. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 4805 N.E. 45th St., philharmonianw.org. $15–$20. 2:30 p.m. Sun., April 27.

Mostly Nordic Chamber Music Series Music from the Scandinavian nations, continuing with songs from and about Norway. Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 N.W. 67th St., 789-5707, nordicmuseum.org. $22–$27 ($47–$55 w/smorgasbord). 4 p.m. Sun., April 27.

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Club Shostakovich Dmitri’s 10th (of 15) string quartets, plus music by Gideon Klein, Mieczyslaw Weinberg, and Alexander von Zemlinsky. Temple Beth Am, 2630 N.E. 80th St., triopardalote.com. $10–$20. 7:30 p.m. Sun., April 27.

Salish Sea Early Music Festival Trio sonatas (flute, gamba, and harpsichord) by Bach, Rameau, and others. Christ Episcopal Church, 4548 Brooklyn Ave., 633-1611, salishseafestival.org. $5–$20. 7:30 p.m. Mon., April 28.

UW Bands The Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band play Bernstein, Higdon, and more. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880, music.washington.edu. $10–$15. 7:30 p.m. Mon., April 28.

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Hilary Hahn SEE THE PICK LIST, PAGE 21.

John Lill Beethoven’s “Appassionata,” Brahms intermezzos, and more from this pianist. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 215-4747, seattlesymphony.org. $19 and up. 7:30 p.m. Wed., April 30.