OPENING THIS WEEK
INCORRUPTIBLE · Seattle Public Theatre
LIFE AND LOVE · Cabaret at the Crêpe de Paris
NEW PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL · Stepping Stone Productions
SEX DRUGS ROCK & ROLL · Stepping Stone Productions
SIDEWAYS STORIES FROM WAYSIDE SCHOOL · Seattle Children’s Theatre
ONE WEEK ONLY
A RUSSIAN HAMLET: SON OF CATHERINE THE GREAT · Eifman Ballet/UW World Series
DISCOVER DANCE · Pacific Northwest Ballet
NOT JUST A GALA · Northwest Actors Studio
THE SHNEEDLES PERFORMANCE FUNDRAISER · Odd Duck Studio
WHEN YOU WISH… TUNES FROM ‘TOONS · Seattle Men’s Chorus
CLOSING THIS WEEK
1776 · 5th Avenue Theatre
AND A NIGHTINGALE SANG · ArtsWest Theatre
FIVE TANGOS· Pacific Northwest Ballet
HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH · Re-bar
REFERENCES TO SALVADOR DALI MAKE ME HOT · Empty Space
SEX IN SEATTLE · Theatre Off Jackson
MORE FRINGE FEST REVIEWS
America’s Royal Miss from Millennial Ass Company–Written and performed by a fierce, aerobicized actress from New York named Rachel Solomon who has managed to take the most hilarious concept I’ve ever heard of and scrub every last vestige of humor out of it. TAMARA PARIS
As You Like It from Rasa–Chad Jennings is very memorable in three
roles–an actor to look out for. Nick O’Donnell is also good as Touchstone,
the fool, and Lisa Nix is fine as the wry Celia. So I couldn’t figure out why
she hadn’t been cast in the lead of this Shakespeare fave; Trudy Barnett, who
does play Rosalind, can’t fill the part. Her voice gets shrill and nasal and
she rushes her lines. I can forgive minor actors who are this weak, but it’s
hard to ignore such a miscast lead. REBECCA BROWN
Black Codes from Ah Um Theatre–These three short plays, all interrogations of different types, attempt Albee-esque verbal tennis to offer a critique of bureaucracy and capitalist culture, but are simply exhausting (not to mention that their payoffs are distastefully and unnecessarily violent, particularly when the deaths are played for a joke). If you want to hear a bunch of Canadians say, “Zed,” “To what purpose is this?”, “Daren’t,” and “Aboot,” go right ahead, but otherwise this is torture. GRANT COGSWELL
Giants Have Us In Their Books from Soiled Soul Productions–Josh Hartvigson played an unbelievably annoying little boy in the first of these four one acts by José Rivera, so when he came back as the radically different tiger, I thought, “Wow, this guy can act.” However, I’m puzzled by why folks think Rivera is such a hot writer; his ideas for how to stage these vignettes are clever, but read more like the work of a precocious student than a mature, complex thinker. RB
Speak the Devil from SF Buffoons–Four performers prancing about in grotesque make-up and sexualized costumes, the SF Buffoons mock their audience rather than perform for them. The audience seemed bored to death with the troupe’s rather ordinary fart jokes, dry humpings, and you’re-a-yuppie insults, creating a vacuum of disdain in which the performers’ energetic capering approached Andy Kaufman-like levels of hopeless stupidity. In other words, it’s a fine show if you’re the only person laughing. TOM SPURGEON
Today from HereNow Productions–Today compresses a 24-hour period of life lived into a single hour of dance, film, and movement. The filmwork is sharp and a setpiece where a performer draws continual outlines over a film projection of a person in motion is downright inspired. But the feel is more like a bunch of respected performers keeping their hands in, rather than artists shooting for the moon, making at times for one goddamn dull day. TS
OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS
1776
The song and dance story of the Declaration of Independence, featuring lots of guys in wigs and ye olde capri pants. 5th Avenue Theater, 1308 Fifth Ave, 625-1418. $17-$58. Tues-Sat at 8, Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2. Through March 25.
21 DOG YEARS: DOING TIME @ AMAZON.COM
Mike Daisey dishes dirt on his experiences at Amazon.com, weaving in other
topics as well. “The show, much like the new economy itself, has wonderful
highs but sadly some staggering lows.“ (Tamara Paris) Speakeasy
Backroom, 2304 Second Ave, 444-4336. $10. Fri-Sat at 8. EXTENDED through
March 31.
ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF AN ANARCHIST
Dario Fo’s satire, given local flavor by this new political theater troupe. Barefoot Theatre Group, Labor Temple, 2800 First Ave, 389-4977. $10. Wed-Sat at 8. Through Mar 31.
AND A NIGHTINGALE SANG
A play about the turmoil of an English family during World War II, with the most sentimental title of all time. ArtsWest Theatre, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $20 adults/$17 students & seniors. Thurs-Sat at 8, with 3 pm matinee on Sat March 24. Through March 24.
ART
The recent Broadway hit. Previews March 26-April 2. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $15-$42. Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2 (Wed matinee at 2 on April 25). Through April 28.
CYMBELINE
One of those “problem plays” of Shakespeare that get everyone so bothered
because it suggests that sometimes people aren’t very nice, even people we like. Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $30-$42 general, $10 for
anyone 25 or under. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2, Sun at 7:30.
Through April 7.
EGGUUS
The most pompous, portentous play of all time, but with a twist. “Inventive sight gags, though moment-to-moment funny, eventually result in a one-note parody.“ (Stacey Levine) Consolidated Works, 410 Terry Ave, 381-3218. $14 general, $12 members, $7 for “coop” seating. Thurs-Sun at 8. EXTENDED through April 1.
*HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH
The world’s greatest botched-sex-change rock musical. “I seriously question the intelligence of anyone who doesn’t see this show. Twice.” (Adrian Ryan) Re-bar, 1114 Howell (at Boren), 323-0388 or 325-6500. $16. Fri-Sun at 8. EXTENDED through March 24.
INCORRUPTIBLE
Hilarious comedy about grave-robbing Medieval monks. See Bio Box. Seattle
Public Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 524-1300. $16-$19. Thurs-Sat at
8, Sun at 2. Through April 15.
NO ONE IS ALONE
A bunch of Stephen Sondheim songs about, you know, love and stuff. Cabaret at the Crêpe de Paris, Rainier Square, 1333 5th Ave, 623-4111. $42 for dinner and show, $16 for show only. Dinner starts as early as 6:30; shows start Thurs at 8, Fri-Sat at 8:30. Through May 26.
REFERENCES TO SALVADOR DALI MAKE ME HOT
A bit of magic realism from José Rivera. Adult language and sexual situations, we are warned. “[The play] is divided into four acts, the middle two realistic in style, the first and last surreal. These ‘bookend’ acts contain some lovely writing… but they don’t work as a framing device for, or an explanation of, the realistic middle acts-mostly because the ‘real’ story doesn’t work either.“ (Rebecca Brown) Empty Space, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $20-$28. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2, Sun at 7. Through March 24.
SAME TIME NEXT YEAR
Once a year, an adulterous couple meet clandestinely for some annual nookie. RipTide Theatre Company at the Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 405-8433. $22 in advance, $25 at door, includes dinner and show. Fri-Sat at 6:30 (show starts at 7:30). Additional performance Sun March 25. Through March 31.
SEX IN SEATTLE
An episodic tale of four Asian American women and their love troubles, inspired by the similarly-titled HBO series. Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 784-2154. $12. Thurs at 8, Fri-Sat at 10:30; extra performances on March 23-24 at 8. Through March 24.
SIDEWAYS STORIES FROM WAYSIDE SCHOOL
The horrors of public school turned into goofy comedy. Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $14.50-$22. Fri at 7, Sat-Sun at 2 & 5:30. Through June 10.
SPINNING INTO BUTTER
Racism and political correctness cause a frenzy at a Eastern liberal arts college. We are promised shocking secrets and shameful truths–that’s a lot to promise in this day and age. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $29-$42 ($10 for anyone under 25). Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2. Through April 14.
WINNIE-THE-POOH
Bear gets stuck in honey jar to the delight of vengeful bees. Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $21-$22 adults/$14.50-$15.50 students, seniors, & children. Fri at 7, Sat-Sun at 2 & 5:30. Through May 20.
DANCE
A RUSSIAN HAMLET: SON OF CATHERINE THE GREAT
Radically reconceived Russian ballet. See Stranger Suggests. Eifman Ballet in the UW World Series at Meany Theater, UW campus, 543-4880. $52. Thurs-Sun at 8. One weekend only.
DISCOVER DANCE
Special matinee performance of a mix of dance work, presented for students. Pacific Northwest Ballet at Seattle Center Opera House. Free, first-come first-served. One performance only: Sun March 25, 2 pm.
DYSFUNCTION
The latest from choreographer KT Niehoff and her troupe. See Stranger Suggests. Lingo dancetheater at On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $15. Thurs-Sun at 8 pm. One weekend only.
FIVE TANGOS
Well, actually, it’s ballet. With a tango influence. In one of four different pieces. The other ones are just ballet. Well, different kinds of ballet. But they sound cool too. Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Center Opera House, 292-ARTS. $15-$110. Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sat at 2. Through March 24.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
LIFE AND LOVE
From first kiss to kiss-off, in song. Cabaret at the Crêpe de Paris, second level of Rainier Square, 1333 Fifth Ave, 623-4111. $42 dinner and show, $16 show only (limited seating). Fri-Sat at 8:30. Through April 28.
NOT JUST A GALA
NWAS celebrates 22 years of existence by thanking its volunteers and donors with this bash. Featuring food, drink, a raffle, and Crazy Eights Theatre Company doing a mix of sketch comedy and improv. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. One night only: Sat March 24, 6-9 pm.
THE SHNEEDLES PERFORMANCE FUNDRAISER
The Shneedles are going to Germany and they need your help to get them there! See Stranger Suggests. Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 324-2375. $25 (a tax-deductible donation). Sun-Mon at 7. One week only.
WHEN YOU WISH… TUNES FROM ‘TOONS
I can’t decide if this is genius or nauseating: Seattle Men’s Chorus sings songs from cartoons, ranging from “Oh, Streetcar” from The Simpsons to the title song from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Seattle Men’s Chorus at the Paramount Theatre, Ninth & Pine, 323-2992. $10-$30. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. One weekend only. (Special free concert for children on Sat at 2; donation suggested of either money or teddy bears; tickets available only by calling 323-2992.)
LATE NIGHT
CABARET: THE RESURRECTION
Everything from drag queens (including host Hellen Havokk), live music, naked poetry, fire-breathers, and sword-swallowers. Coffee Messiah, 1554 E. Olive Way, 861-8233. $5. Every Saturday at midnight.
SEX DRUGS ROCK & ROLL
Revival of Eric Bogosian’s overrated series of monologues, performed with gusto by Peter Dylan O’Connor. Stepping Stone Productions at Nippon Kan Theatre, 628 S Washington St, 781-3905. $10. Fri-Sat at 10:30. Through April 13.
LONG RUNS
JET CITY IMPROV at University Heights Center, 781-3879.
LATE NIGHT CATECHISM from Seattle Theatre Project at A Contemporary Theatre, 292-7676.
MYSTERIAN at Illusionz Magical Entertainment Center, Issaquah, 425-427-2444.
THEATERSPORTS at the Market Theater, 781-9273.
CALLS
Captain Carlo Productions seeks adult actors of all ethnic types for a TV pilot. Please send headshot and resume to: CC Productions, 342 NE 55th St, Seattle, WA 98105.
The Driftwood Players seek directors for pre-selected productions in their 2001-02 season. Send resumes to: Director Selection Committee, The Driftwood Players, P.O. Box 385, Edmonds, WA 98020. Questions? 425-774-9600.
EXITheatre holding auditions for two summer productions (Hero, a one-weekend workshop in May-June, and Undo, which will run for four weekends in August) on March 25 & 27. Call 779-2284.
Lotus Productions seeks actors for feature length movie shooting in Seattle in August. Send photo/brief bio to P.O. Box 1109, Clinton, WA 98236.
Open Door Theatre holding season auditions for 2001-2002 on Sat, March 31, for plays dealing with child abuse. All positions are paid; minority actors encouraged to audition. Rehearsals in August, touring performances in Sept. Call 800-809-0633.
Short non-synch 16mm film seeks male actors 25-35 and 50+. Send head shots to: 237 Seventh Ave W #5, Kirkland, WA 98033 and/or call 369-1785.
Short film seeks three male actors (16-60), one female actor, and one male child actor for production in mid April. Auditions on March 24 &31. Call 425-462-7654, or e-mail mskypro@hotmail.com.
Smilewide Productions is holding open auditions Sat March 31 at the Speakeasy backroom for two women, five men for upcoming performance of Raised On Film. Call 284-5445.
Tacoma Little Theatre is also doing Guys & Dolls and holding
auditions on March 25 and 27; show will run June 8-30. Call 253-272-2281.