OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS
ARCADIA
See review this issue. Tom Stoppard’s period-hopping, mathematics-fetishizing comedy of precocity. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 380-0500. $15. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm. Through April 24.
BLACK COFFEE
Opening. Agatha Christie’s first murder-mystery play, with David Pichette as Poirot and R. Hamilton Wright as his sidekick. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $20-$36. Preview performance Tues April 13 at 7 pm. Opening Wed April 14 at 7 pm. Through May 2.
BOOMTOWN: MERCERDOTCAMERON
Opening. A “dot-comedy” based on the Beckett novella Mercier and Camier. Waffle Theater at Stone Soup Theatre, 4035 Stone Way N, 279-0983. $5-$10. Opening Fri April 9 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm. Through April 17.
CENTER OF GRAVITY
“Set in an alternate universe where the Wright brothers’ efforts ended in disaster, the play leapfrogs from one jagged fragment of time to another, gradually piecing together a love triangle and sibling rivalry. As Orville and Wilbur, Shawn Law and Cory Nealy bounce off of each other like the frenzied ideas in the brothers’ own heads. But Julia Leonas, as the brothers’ mother, is woefully out of synch; her flat, sluggish performance makes the play–much of which is utterly charming–feel only partially digested. ” (Bret Fetzer) Theatre Babylon at Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12-$15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through April 17.
CORPUS CHRISTI
“Ancient Roman centurions romp around 1950s Texas, where Jesus–played with Christ-like gayness by Will Halsey–attends Pontius Pilate High School and is eventually nailed up for performing gay weddings. Even with a few truly stirring moments (and those are certainly not due to Terrence McNally’s writing), and gregarious performances all around, I almost felt like the captive of some mad, gay, Christian outreach ministry. Ouch. ” (Adrian Ryan) Gaydar Productions at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 267-2750. $19. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through April 25.
CRANE & TURTLE
Final week. Traditional Chinese tales, told with meter-high rod puppets. Dragon Arts Studio at Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave NE, 523-2579. $7.50-$9.50. Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 1 and 3 pm. Through April 11.
* CRY, THE BELOVED COUNTRY
Final week. “This beautiful, powerful story is drawn together by many strong performances–especially that of the superlative William Hall Jr. as the simple, sensitive country pastor. Cry, the Beloved Country is a rare and moving theater experience. (Adrian Ryan) Book-It Repertory at Center House Theatre, 305 Harrison St, Seattle Center, 216-0833. $15-$26. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm. Through April 10.
* EDMOND
See review this issue. David Mamet’s dystopian play set in New York City, circa 1984. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through April 25.
FOOLS
See review this issue. Neil Simon’s comic fable about a Ukrainian village under an unfortunate stupidity curse. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $10-$28. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through May 1.
FOUR(PLAY)
One night only. A performance sampler with the Typing Explosion, humorous tales about natural disasters, and more. Shorecrest Performing Arts Center, 15343 25th Ave NE, Shoreline, 417-4645. $12-$15. Sat April 10 at 7:30 pm.
HAVING OUR SAY: THE DELANEY SISTERS’ FIRST 100 YEARS
Featuring Myrna Key as Elizabeth and Ginger Gaillard as Sarah Louise. Tacoma Little Theatre, 210 N I St, Tacoma, 253-272-2281. $14-$18. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through April 25.
HONK!: THE UGLY DUCKLING MUSICAL
Opening. A musical adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen classic. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $10-$28. Opening Wed April 14 at 7:30 pm. Through May 1.
IT AIN’T NOTHING BUT THE BLUES
Opening. A blues-ical with over three dozen songs. That’s 36, in case you’ve forgotten your arithmetic. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $10-$46. Preview performance Thurs April 8 at 7:30 pm. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through May 8.
LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL
Opening. See Stranger Suggests. A one-woman show about one of Billie Holiday’s last performances, with the talented Felicia Loud as Lady Day. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave S, 684-4757. $15-$18. Preview performance Thurs April 8 at 7 pm. Opening Fri April 9 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7 pm. Through April 18.
(L)IMITATIONS OF LIFE
“Douglas Sirk was one of the cinema’s most gifted artists and his eye-boggling and subversively ironic 1959 race-relations melodrama, Imitation of Life, is a work of enduring genius. But you’ll never guess at the film’s profoundly sophisticated delights from this incoherent, ill-conceived, and puerile production. ” (Tamara Paris) Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $10-$35. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through April 17.
M*A*S*H
An adaptation of the book about the zany Korean War. Historic Everett Theatre, 2911 Colby Ave, Everett, 425-258-6766. $7-$14. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through April 18.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
The Shakespearean story, adapted by Arne Zaslove with a rock ‘n’ roll twist. Seattle Shakespeare Company at Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, 425-893-9900. $10-$22. Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm. Through May 8.
MRS. PIGGLE-WIGGLE
A musical adaptation of the children’s books by Betty MacDonald. (Stoner alert: Set features a completely upside-down house!) Seattle Children’s Theatre, 201 Thomas St, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $14-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through June 13.
* THE MYSTERY OF ATTRACTION
“Most playwrights would give a digit to write like Marlane Meyer. Her script is surprisingly funny, but the stakes are high and real. Though the entire cast is great, Brandon Whitehead nails the mercurial, crisis-mode lawyer precisely and brilliantly. The Mystery of Attraction is, on all levels, a stellar piece of theater. ” (Brendan Kiley) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $12-$15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through April 24.
THE O’CONNER GIRLS
Final week. “It’s an inoffensive, TV-movie-flavored show with no pretensions beyond leaving its audience with a warm, friendly feeling, and I can’t condemn it for that. But if that’s not what you’re looking for, don’t go. “ (Bret Fetzer) Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $10-$29. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through April 10.
PROOF
Opening. Mathematics and madness and mystery, oh my! SecondStory Repertory, 16587 NE 74th St, Redmond, 425-881-6777. $14-$18. Preview performance Thurs April 8 at 8:15 pm. Opening Fri April 9 at 8:15 pm. Sat at 8:15 pm. Through May 8.
SPLIT SECOND
Opening. Four performance pieces by Seattle’s most beloved mime, Mik Kuhlman, exploring split-second decisions. Velocity MainSpace Theater, 915 E Pine St, second floor, 325-6500. $13-$15. Opening Fri April 9 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm. Through April 18.
DANCE
BALLET ARGENTINO
One weekend only. The young Buenos Aires company, under the direction of Julio Bocca. Meany Theater, University of Washington campus, 543-4880. $40. Thurs-Sat April 8-10 at 8 pm.
LES BALLETS AFRICAINS
One night only. The national ensemble of Guinea performs a blend of dance, storytelling, and music. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St, 215-4747. $25. Sun April 11 at 7:30 pm.
BELLYDANCE SUPERSTARS AND THE DESERT ROSES
One night only. Presenting a variety of tribal, Egyptian, and cabaret performance styles. Century Ballroom, 915 E Pine St, 325-6500. $20-$23. Sat-Sun April 10-11 at 7:30 pm.
CORNISH DANCE THEATER SPRING 2004 CONCERT
One weekend only. Cornish students perform works by faculty and guest choreographers, including Donald Byrd and Wade Madsen. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway Ave, 325-6500. $4-$8. Fri April 9 at 8 pm, Sat April 10 at 2 and 8 pm.
EDGES
Opening. Two dance theater pieces by Karl Frost, including the newest installment of the Dancing Wilderness Project. RED Studio, 89 Yesler Way, 790-1645. $9-$15. Opening Sat April 10 at 8 pm. Sun at 8 pm. Through April 18.
FLOOR OF THE FOREST
Cornish and UW dance students perform a 1970 dance by Trisha Brown in conjunction with Brown’s Henry Art Gallery exhibition. Henry Art Gallery, 543-2280. Free with museum admission ($6-$8). Thurs at 6:15 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through July 18.
TANGO CABARET
One night only. Patricio Touceda and Eva Lucero headline an evening of tango performances in a range of styles. Century Ballroom, 915 E Pine St, 325-6500. $20. Fri April 9 at 8 pm.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
CINEOKE
One night only. Karaoke meets movie musicals, thanks to DVD subtitles. Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave, 441-5823. $5. Mon April 12 at 8 pm.
* AN EVENING WITH DINA MARTINA
One night only. See Stranger Suggests. All of the cackles, none of the cancer. This is a nonsmoking show at Re-bar, 1114 Howell St. Free, reservations not required. Mon April 12 at 9 pm.
LOUNGE LIZARDS 2: THE CHARITY TELETHON
Final week. A cabaret revue about an amateur telethon. Crepe de Paris, 133 Fifth Ave, 623-4111. $16 (show only)-$42 (dinner included). Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through April 10.
* NORTHWEST NEW WORKS FESTIVAL
Final week. Sixteen 20-minute performances from across a range of disciplines, including theater, dance, and visual art. This weekend, the 5 pm performance slot features Emily Stone and James Moore, the 7:30 slot is reserved for an installation piece by Lucia Neare, and at 8 pm you’ll see dance (with interdisciplinary flourishes) from Cori Caulfield, Mary Sheldon Scott/Jarrad Powell Performance, and more. See www.ontheboards.org for more information. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $12-$30. Fri-Sat at 5, 7:30, and 8 pm. Through April 11.
DAT PHAN
One weekend only. Standup comedy at Giggles Comedy Club, 5220 Roosevelt Way NE, 526-5653. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 and 10 pm.
SEATTLE NEUTRINO PROJECT
Dedicated to the art of live, improvised movies. Historic University Theatre, 5510 University Way NE, 325-6500. $10. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm. Through May 21.
LATE NIGHT
THE STAY UP LATE SHOW
One night only. A performance cabaret, this month’s edition features Ellen Forney and Troy Mink. Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $10. Sat April 10 at 11 pm.
TAPROOT IMPROV COMEDY
Christian improv? We are so there. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $5. Fri-Sat at 10:15 pm. Through April 30.
THE TEMPS
One night only. Improv comedy at ArtsWest Playhouse, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $5-$7. Sat April 10 at 10:30 pm.
* THE TWILIGHT ZONE: LIVE!
“The Twilight Zone‘s mix of pomposity, cheesy melodrama, and willingness to gaze into the dark side of human nature makes these productions a curious pleasure. “ (Bret Fetzer) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $10. Thurs-Sat at 11 pm. Through April 24.
SPECIAL EVENTS
AUNTIE MAME
One night only. This staged reading is the opening event for the new Seattle theater group Elliott Bay Theatre. Seattle Children’s Theatre, 201 Thomas St, Seattle Center, 325-6500. $25. Sat April 10 at 8 pm.
LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON
One afternoon only. A performance, auction, and benefit for the Crispin Spaeth Dance Group. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $35. Sat April 10 at 3 pm.
UN BECOMING
One day only. A staged reading of a play about hysterectomies, performed in conjunction with a protest against involuntary hysterectomy procedures. Architecture Building Rm 147, University of Washington campus. Free, reservations not required. Sat April 10 at 3 pm.
YANKEE DOODLE DANDY SPOTLIGHT NIGHT
One night only. Meet the cast and learn about the exciting history of tap dancing! 5th Ave Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave. Free, reservations not required. Thurs April 8 at 7 pm.
LONG RUNS
BIG WHEEL BINGO at Rendezvous, 441-5823.
DON’T TELL MOMMA at Thumper’s, 328-3800.
* THE HOKUM HALL VARIETY SHOW at Hokum Hall, 937-3613.
JET CITY IMPROV at Historic University Theatre, 352-8291.
LATE NIGHT CATECHISM from Seattle Theatre Project at ACT, 292-7676.
TEATRO ZINZANNI at 2301 Sixth Ave, 802-0015.
THEATRESPORTS at the Market Theater, 781-9273.
