BONANZA • Printer's Devil
THE EMPRESS OF EDEN • Empty Space
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST • Theater of Relativity
ONE WEEK ONLY
LOVE SONGS • REALITY Dance
STRINDBERG (IN PARIS) • Theater Simple
CLOSING THIS WEEK
THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE • Seattle Rep
KOKOPELLI COMES BACK TO THE PEOPLE • PONCHO
PLENTY • Stepping Stone
WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LOVE • Book-It
OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS
THE BABY CONTEST WINNER--It's 1976 in Seattle, and Barb and Leo Mulberry's 15-year-old daughter has fallen in love with a black man. The answer, they decide, is to move to the islands. Local playwright/director Katz McMullen takes on a whirlwind of social issues. Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 547-7375. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, through March 6. $8-$10.
THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE--28-year-old Irish playwright Martin McDonagh's award-winning play finds a Seattle home at the Rep, with Jason Butler Harner, Zoaunne LeRoy, and Marianne Owen. The Beauty Queen of Leenane is a dark internal drama pitting a lonely woman against her aging mother, and is the first in a trilogy set in the rural town of Leenane. Seattle Repertory Theater, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat & Sun at 2, through Feb 28. $10-$36.
THE BOYFRIEND--The 1920s musical burlesque that launched Julie Andrews, revived by Seattle's Civic Light Opera, with musical direction by Kim Douglass and choreography by Karen Omahen. Jane Addams Theater, Summit School, 11051 34th Ave NE, 363-2809. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2:30, through March 6. $14-$18.
BURIED CHILD--Cowboy Sam Shepard's Pulitzer Prize-winning play tracks mud all over Illinois, following the collapse of a once-so-innocent farm family torn apart by a secret. Theater Schmeater's performance features Jerry Lloyd, Paetra October, and John Q. Smith. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, through March 6. $12, free under 18.
CAMELOT--"I Wonder What the King is Doing Tonight." Lerner and Loewe and swordplay comprise the Fifth Ave's production of the popular Broadway musical based on the King Arthur tale The Once and Future King. Fifth Avenue Theater, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-ARTS. Tues-Sat at 8, Sun at 7:30, Sat & Sun at 2, through March 7. $19-$48.
*DINA MARTINA LIVE!--Dina Martina, Seattle's treasure (though she claims to be from Las Vegas), returns to Re-bar after a year's absence. "Dina Martina is a kind of Frankenstein of kitsch for thirtysomethings--she'd be drag even without the drag. Martina's show is packed with pop references that play to a very specific house. If you're not a Re-bar regular, or if you're not in your 30s (in other words, if you didn't spend your high school years driving around in rusty Dodge Darts listening to groups like Taco and Toto), Dina could seem much more freakish than funny" (Tonia Steed). Re-bar, 1114 Howell (atBoren), 323-0388. Fri-Sun at 8, through March 7, $10. 21 and over.
EDWARD II--Bertolt Brecht's version of the Christopher Marlowe drama dates from his early years, expressing his emerging anti-bourgeois Marxist leanings, lending the play a suitably propagandist edge. Here directed by Elizabeth Eddy with masks and a live instrumental score. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, through March 6. $10/$12.
THE EMPRESS OF EDEN--Attempted Utopia goes wrong, in this world premiere of Barbara Lebow's play based in the 1930s. A German naturalist lays claim to Isla Maria in the Galapagos, announcing plans to create a self-sufficient paradise. However, when an Austrian baroness also lays claim to the island, mysterious deaths ensue. This is the first of Empty Space's Behnke New Works Challenge program, and is directed by Rod Ceballos (Accidental Death of an Anarchist). Empty Space Theater, 3509 Fremont N, 547-7500. Days and times vary, through March 27. $16-$25.
GRACE AND PATIENCE--Local playwright Jeff Resta (The Diva Classification System) demonstrates non- traditional family values in this tale of Eric "Grace" Kearney (Patrick Rogers), his six-year-old daughter Patience, his boyfriend "Yoz," and their struggle to stay together. Promises "campy humor, dark dreams, heroism, and magic." Annex Theater, 1916 Fourth Ave, 728-0933. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, through March 20. $10.
KEROUAC--Vincent Balestri's long-running one-person "jazz play" about the On the Road author, punctuated by Brian Kent's saxophone, has been leading the neo-beatnik set to Pioneer Square for over two years now. Velvet Elvis Arts Lounge, 107 Occidental Ave S, 624-8477. Thurs-Sun at 8, through March 14. $14-$18.
Late Night Catechism--And the nun goes on. Somebody really likes cute Catholics. This is an evening of audience participation and interactive improv theater: think Sister Windy crossed with Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You. First Covenant Church, 400 E Pike, 292-ARTS. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, extended for eternity. $24.50-$29.50.
*NORTH STREET--The Printer's Devil Theater opens its 1999 season with the world premiere of Aaron Thomas' psychological and linguistic meltdown, North Street, set on the streets of Vermont, where "unemployment and cold weather go hand in hand." Theater Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 860-7163. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, through March 13. $10.
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST--Dale Wasserman's adaptation of the Ken Kesey novel finds a well-added home with Theater of Relativity, directed by John Marengo. Belltown Theater Center, 115 Blanchard, 728-7609. Thurs-Sat at 8, through March 20. $12.
PLENTY--Currently getting lots of press for his supposedly risqué play The Blue Room, which stars Nicole Kidman and plays on Broadway, David Hare's older play Plenty--also controversial for its time--is being staged by Seattle's Stepping Stone Productions. Directed by Cornish graduate Carmel Baird, and featuring Retha Tinker as Susan, a woman who served passionately in WWII and must now adjust to post-war life. Book-It Repertory Theater, 1219 Westlake Ave N, 217-9767. Thurs-Sat at 8, through Feb 27. $10/$8.
ROMEO & JULIET--The Seattle Shakespeare Festival promises "dangerous swordplay, lavish costumes, and fast-paced action" in their staging of the Bard's teenage-love-gone-bad poison popper. Featuring Emily Grogan as Juliet, Jos Viramontes as Romeo, Hans Altwies as Mercutio, and Peter Jacobs as Capulet. Children's Museum Theater, Center House at Seattle Center, 286-0728. Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2, through March 7. $18/$10.
STRINDBERG (IN PARIS)--The ambitious Theater Simpletons (Escher's Hands, The Master & Margarita) immerse themselves in the writings of August Strindberg to bring his philosophy and personality to life, puffed full of "pure energy" and absurdity. The Canadian critics called the production "ingenious." On The Boards, 100 W Roy, 217-9888. Thurs-Sun at 8, through Feb 28. $10/$12.
THE SYRINGA TREE--Actress/writer Pamela Gien plays over two dozen characters of various ages and backgrounds in this drama-with-a-conscience set in South Africa. Directed by Larry Moss. Bullitt Cabaret, ACT, 700 Union St, 292-7676. Thurs at 7:30, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2, through March 7. $10.
WEARING THE EDGES OF BROKEN GLASS SMOOTH WITH YOUR TONGUE--Two one-acts by William R. Cole, following that cursed couple, Adam and Eve, from sin's inception through time's collapse. Theater Babylon asks, "What better way to celebrate the approaching millennium?" Well, we can think of one. Directed by James Venturini. Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. Thurs-Sat at 8, through March 6. $9.99.
WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LOVE--Raymond Carver's spare, resonant stories might be perfectly suited to the stage, rife as they are with psychological tension. Book-It takes on the title story, along with Intimacy and Cathedral. ACT, Greg Fall Thrust Stage, 216-0833. Thurs-Sat at 8, some Sunday matinees, through Feb 28. $10-$13.
FESTIVALS, CABARETS, & COMEDY
BONANZA --Printer's Devil Theater's annual workshop series, curated this year by company members Deron Bos and Tricia Rodley, will feature pieces in different stages of development over 12 weeks, performed as readings, staged readings, or workshop productions. Speakeasy Cafe Backroom, 2304 Second Ave, 860-7163. Mon & Tues at 7:30, through May 18. Donation.
CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION--Fifth-generation master puppeteer Yang Feng and his daughter Yang Xie Zheng present the story of the Chinese New Year in this world premiere. Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave NE, 523-2579. Fri at 7:30; Sat & Sun at 1 & 3, through March 7. $5.50-$7.50.
Julie Cascioppo Experience--Songs and characters you may grow to love. The Pink Door, Pike Place Market, 1919 Post Alley, 443-3241. Tues at 8:30 & 11. No cover.
KOKOPELLI COMES BACK TO THE PEOPLE--Current Cornish faculty member and "renowned clown" Larry Pisoni directs this mystical comedy based on Native American legends of trickster figures Kokopelli and Coyote. PONCHO Concert Hall, 710 E Roy St at Kerry Hall, 726-5066. Sun-Tues at 8, through March 2. $5/$3.
OH, COWARD!--A revue of songs and plays by the post-Victorian but prolifically closeted playwright Noël Coward, featuring Joel Carlton (Annie Get Your Gun), Patti Cohenour (The Phantom of the Opera), and David Pichette (Nixon's Nixon). Directed and choreographed by Stephen Terrell. Seattle Repertory Theater, Seattle Center, 443-2222. Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat & Sun at 2, through April 4. $15-$39.
*TEATRO ZINZANNI--An elaborate blend of European cabaret, theatrical spectacle, music, and five courses of fine cuisine courtesy of chef Monique Barbeau, all packaged in an antique European dance hall imported from Belgium for the occasion. Seattle Center, 222 Mercer St, 281-7788 ext 700 or 292-ARTS. Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 6:30, extended through April 11. $88.
*ULALUME/WHEN LILACS LAST IN THE DOORYARD BLOOM'D--Following last year's successful private-residence poetry performances, New City Salon presents Edgar Allan Poe's Ulalume, Walt Whitman's When Lilacs Last In the Dooryard Bloom'd, Shakespeare's Sonnets 29, 116, and 129, and T. S. Eliot's Burnt Norton (from the Four Quartets), performed in multiple environments with maximum audiences of 20 people. "Although the New City's selections beg a few interesting questions (such as why three young women would opt to read four old men to us), the evening is still very worthwhile... imbued with subtle, simple pleasures: warm rooms, coffee with cream, and the vibrant sound of live voices curling and rolling over fine, fine words" (Tonia Steed). Call for location, 328-4683. Thurs-Sat at 8, through March 6. $12.
DANCE
LOVE SONGS--Visiting members of the REALITY dance/theater company join 20 Seattle residents on stage in David Rousséve's (Colored Children Flyin' By) newest work, about "love, compassion, and spirituality in contemporary urban society." On The Boards, 100 W Roy, 217-9888. Thurs-Sun at 8, Sun at 3, through Feb 28. $16-$18.
LATE NIGHT
SCREAM QUEEN--The talented Bret Fetzer brings more darkness to late night in this one-act black comedy featuring Lyssa Browne as Dotty Parker, a B-movie star who hurls herself from sexploitation to lesbian vampirism. Annex Theater, 1916 Fourth Ave, 728-0933. Fri & Sat at 11, through March 19. $5.
SPIN THE BOTTLE--The Annex's late-night performance is a slumgullion of juggling, dance, singing, and silhouettes, cultivated by the finely tuned Bret Fetzer. Annex Theater, 1916 Fourth Ave, 329-8270. First Fri of every month. No reservations. $5.
THEATER SCHMEATER--The seventh season of Theater Schmeater finds them back in The Twilight Zone, Live on Stage, with two classic episodes: "The Jeopardy Room," written by Rod Serling, and "Perchance to Dream," written by Charles Beaumont. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave (between Pike & Pine), 324-5801. Fri & Sat at 11, through March 6. $8; 18 and under free.
CALLS
ANNEX THEATER--Call for playwrights to participate in Hothouse '99, a creative workshop hosting writers in residence, May 16-30. Works will be performed on the Annex Mainstage. Call 728-8081 for application guidelines and information.
ARTICHOKE--ArtsWest Theater Company announces auditions for a play by Johanna Glass, to be directed by Karen Kinch. Need five men, ages 40-60; one woman, mid-30s; and one girl, age 14-ish. Prepare one contemporary monologue no longer than three minutes. Auditions held at ArtsWest Gallery/Offices, 4714 42nd Ave SW, March 4-7. Call 901-3704 for an appointment.
GREENSTAGE--Now accepting directors' proposals for summer production of Timon of Athens. Deadline is March 5. Call 748-1551 for info.
INTIMAN/ACT/FREEHOLD JOURNEYMAN PROGRAM--Now accepting applications for 16-week intensive mentorship session starting in Sept '99, with a stipend of $3,000. Contact Cyndi Pock, Program Administrator, 624-3570. Deadline is March 20.
SEATTLE REP--Now taking applications for its Professional Arts Training Program for the 1999-00 season, offering young professionals practical experience. Applications accepted through April 15; internships available in various areas. Call 443-2210, ext. 1200 for more information and an application.
