The Stranger

Nothing radical or iconoclastic went into the making of Elephant's Graveyard—just meticulous storytelling by a midcareer playwright (George Brant), disciplined direction (by Jason Harber), and a fantastic 13-member ensemble (including Ray Tagavilla and Michael Blum). In 1916, Sparks Circus pulled into the muddy town of Erwin, Tennessee—true story—and things went fatally sideways. The Rashomon-like, multiple-perspectives-on-one-event trick is an old one, but Balagan makes it fresh all over again. (Balagan Theatre, 1117 E Pike St, 800-838-3006. 8 pm, $15. Through Sept 26.) by Brendan Kiley

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The final quarter of this four-day, cutting-edge digital-arts fest climaxes at Neumos with a bombastic nocturnal techno feast featuring Alter Ego, Tim Exile, Reagenz, and Jerry Abstract. Before that, hit Volunteer Park in the afternoon for eclectic, cortex-splintering sets by Eddie, Gaslamp Killer, KiloWatts, and Sub Swara; and in between, chill out to the audiovisual splendors of the showcases Ameritronica (Triple Door) and Beauty in Binary (Seattle Asian Art Museum). And realize you've just had a whirlwind tour of electronic music's peaks. (Various venues, www.dbfestival.com. Noon–2 am.) by Dave Segal

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Patton Oswalt is a funny little squeezy-toy of a person whose standup—cheerfully brutal, sprawling yet precise—is among the best in the world ever. In the grim almost-comedy Big Fan, Oswalt plays Paul Aufiero, a Staten Island parking-lot attendant whose life, wife, god, sun, stars, and reason to eat, poop, and breathe is the New York Giants. When, thanks to alcohol and overexuberance ("fan" is short for "fanatic," right?), he gets the shit beaten out of him by his favorite player, Aufiero's life plummets to dark, low, surprising places. Big Fan makes the most of Oswalt's chubby pathos while excising any hint of healing irony. It's tough and good. (See Movie Times: thestranger.com/film.) by Lindy West

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Two weeks ago, Ryan Boudinot read from his debut novel, Misconception, at Elliott Bay Book Company. Somewhere in the middle of the first chapter, around the part when the main character describes his own sperm as seen in a microscope as "each a tiny exclamation point carrying my half of what could have been a human being," an offended woman stormed out of the reading, which made the evening feel even more exciting. We can only hope that Boudinot manages to alienate even more uptight grannies with his hilarious, pervy stories tonight. (University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400. 7 pm, free.) by Paul Constant

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Like Interiors, Crimes and Misdemeanors indulges Woody Allen's oddly romantic view of WASP life. Like Hannah and Her Sisters, it's a great Woody Allen movie featuring the man in a supporting role. Unlike either, 1989's Crimes and Misdemeanors involves a murder, and though the hand of the writer/director can feel exceedingly heavy, the big ideas, great performances, and sporadic bursts of comedy make this one of the man's best. (See Movie Times: thestranger.com/film.) by David Schmader

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Many recognize her as the scene-stealing drag queen from the films Trick and Girls Will Be Girls, but only in her solo stage shows does Miss Coco Peru bloom in full. Her 2008 Re-bar performances were unforgettable stunners—it's not often a drag queen scares you with her intellect, but Miss Coco Peru isn't just any drag queen. Hers is a deep, dark drag performance designed for people who are sick of drag. Don't miss it. (Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, www.brownpapertickets.com. 7 pm, $22.50 adv/$25 DOS, 21+.) by David Schmader

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