Please note: Press releases for upcoming productions must be received
by The Stranger no less than two weeks before the opening date. Fax 323-7203
or e-mail traci@thestranger.com.
OPENING THIS WEEK
DAMN YANKEES • Civic Light Opera
EVISCERATION • Sickled Cell Theater
EVITA • Paramount
IDENTIKIT• Annex Theater
SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: KING JOHN • Volunteer Park
THEY ALL PLAYED RAGTIME • Hokum Hall
ONE WEEK ONLY
ORCHARDS • Cornish Senior Showcase
ROAD BLOCKS TO RELATIONSHIPS • Theater Liberation
WILD BEASTS & PETTICOATS • Freehold Theater
CLOSING THIS WEEK
EVERYDAY & TO-MORROW • Michael Bonacci
FIREBIRD • Pacific Northwest Ballet
FOUR FIRSTS • Odd Duck
HERSTORY OF PORN: REEL TO REAL • Annie Sprinkle
IT COMES AROUND • Theater Under the Inflamesuence
RED, WHITE & TUNA • Moore
SPALDING GRAY • On the Boards
TERRA NOVA • Taproot
WALKING THE WALLS • NW Actors Studio
THE WEDDING • Meany Studio
OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS
1918–A deadly inflamesuenza epidemic brings feverish epiphanies to
a small town in Texas: Yes, family really matters. A feel-good play by Horton
Foote (The Trip to Bountiful), directed by James Lapan. Theater Schmeater,
1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, through May 8. $12-$15.
DEALER’S CHOICE–From England, a poker comedy that deals with a straight
face with British slang, relationships, and the politics of money loans. This
Northwest premiere is directed by Rod Pilloud. Empty Space Theater, 3509
Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri at 8, Sat at 2 & 8, Sun at
2 & 7, through May 9. $16-$25.
EVERYDAY & TO-MORROW–The diary of an early Montana feminist provides local poet Michael Bonacci fertile fodder for a full-length verse play, performed by Shana Bestock. Wit’s End Teashop & Bookstore, 770 N 34th St, 256-1636. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, through April 25. $10.
EVISCERATION–Dialogue, dance, and still image give gut feeling to Sickled Cell Theater’s second full-length production. With a cast of 12 fringe veterans, the company hopes to plumb the depths of passion and independence. Seattle Mime Theater, 915 E Pine St, 4th Floor, 329-6665. Thurs-Fri at 8, through May 1. $7.
FOUR FIRSTS–Local playwrights premiere four original shorts: Musings by Jose Amador; Corn by Andrew MacLean; Light from the Sun by
Paul Mullin; and The Depressionist’s Handbook by Joe Wack. Odd Duck
Studios, 1214 10th Ave, 729-4839. Thurs-Sat at 8, through April 24. $10/$8.
HERSTORY OF PORN: REEL TO REAL–Annie Sprinkle brings porn to light,
including a how-to. Velvet Elvis Lounge Theater, 107 Occidental
Ave S, 624-8477. Wed-Sat at 8, Sat at 10:30, extended through April 24. $22.
IDENTIKIT–DNA twists fate in this science/fiction/ music/movement
play that questions the idea of personal identity through personal ads and genetic
programming. Directed by Carys Kresny (Penetralia). Annex Theater,
1916 4th Ave, 728-0933. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, through May 15. $10.
IT COMES AROUND—See Pick Box. Union Garage, 1418 10th
Ave, 720-1942. Thurs-Sat at 8, through April 24. $10. See Calendar Box.
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
MAKING PORN –Looking for a fun, frothy night of lite humor, misplaced drama, and gratuitous nudity? Then head on down to the return engagement of Making Porn, a “comedy about the gay porn industry,” fresh from a successful run off-Broadway and starring porn superstar Ryan Idol. Theater Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 781-5714. Wed-Thurs at 8, Fri-Sat at 7 & 10, Sun at 7, through May 2. $25 (!).
ORCHARDS–Variations on Chekhov presented by Cornish BFA candidates, including plays adapted by Spalding Gray, David Mamet, Wendy Wasserstein, and others. Directed by Laurence Ballard. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway (at Pine), 726-5099. Tues-Sat at 8, one week only. $7/$4.
RED, WHITE & TUNA–Tuna, Texas, is the setting for Joe Sears and Jaston Williams’ tale of redneck independence, the third in the “Greater Tuna” series. The Moore Theater, 1932 Second Ave, 292-2787, through April 25. Call for times and prices.
ROAD BLOCKS TO RELATIONSHIPS–Therapy takes to the stage in this interactive
theater promoted as a tool to “effect personal, social, and political change.”
Seattle Public Theater, 915 E Pine St, 328-4848. Fri April 23 at 8 pm
only. Donation.
ROMANCE WITH DOUBLE BASS–Stories by Anton Chekhov, whose rightfully
celebrated plays are mere piddles compared to his gorgeous, masterful short
stories. Book-It bravely chooses four: “Romance with Double Bass,” “Anyuta,”
“The Chorus Girl,” and “The Grasshopper.” Book-It Theater, 1219 Westlake
Ave N #301, 216-0877. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, through May 2. $10-$15. See
review this issue.
SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: KING JOHN–A royal grass-roots summer tradition, directed by Rita Giomi. Volunteer Park, Amphitheater, 726-5066. Fri-Sun at 3:30, through May 1. Free.
*STRAIGHT–David Schmader
is a funny man. Unfortunately, he was born gay. In Straight, Schmader
searches for a remedy, throwing himself into sessions with a Bellevue psychotherapist,
“ex-gay” support groups–even venturing into Texas. In the process, he examines
the ethics of conversion therapy and what it means to be “straight.” Re-bar,
1114 Howell St, 323-0388. Fri-Sun at 8, through May 9. $10 (21 & over).
TERRA NOVA--In the race to reach the South Pole, tragedy ensues. Ted
Tally’s 1977 play, based on British explorer Robert Falcon Scott’s personal
journals, makes for doomed drama. Taproot Theater, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707.
Wed-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat at 2, through April 24. $20-$22.
TIPS FOR GIRLS WHO STRIP–Madeline Koulouris’ one-woman show based
on her actual experience as a stripper in New York is sure to raise a few eyebrows…
among other things. Parlour Room, 163 S Jackson, 287-1900. Wed-Sat at
8, through May 1. $10.
WALKING THE WALLS–“S. P. Miskowski’s Southwestern odyssey sends two misplaced persons ambling through the Arizona desert in a pickup truck, each looking for a second shot. Low-key direction and brilliant performances fuel the production for miles. But even on a collision course, at almost three hours the play eventually runs out of gas” (Tonia Steed). NW Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike, 324-6328. Fri-Sat at 8, through April 24. $10/$8.
THE WEDDING–Yury Belov, former artistic director of the Moscow Clown
Theater, clowns around with Chekhov, presenting three versions of the story,
in comedic, absurdist, and farcical style, respectively. Meany Studio Theater,
UW Campus, 543-4880. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, through April
25. $7-$8.
FESTIVALS, CABARETS, & COMEDY
BONANZA –Printer’s Devil Theater’s annual workshop series. Week #9
features Parturition, by the inspired Heidi Schreck. Speakeasy Cafe
Backroom, 2304 Second Ave, 860-7163. Mon-Tues at 7:30, through May 18. Donation.
DAMN YANKEES–The devil and baseball can ruin your soul, as proven in this expletive-driven musical. Directed by Rich Gray. Jane Addams Theater, 11051 34th NE (off Lake City Way), 363-2809. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2:30, through May 15. $14-$18.
EVITA –Andrew Lloyd Weber’s paean to the power of a strict hairdo,
Eva Perone’s eminence grise. The 20th anniversary tour features an all-new
cast of Latino actors in the leading roles. Paramount Theater, 911 Pine
St, 682-1414. Tues-Sat at 8, Sat & Sun at 2, Sun at 7, through May 9. $23-$48.50.
FESTIVAL OF IMPROV–Guest improvisers, including Keith Johnstone, Avery
Schreiber, and Charna Halpern, perform and teach Master Classes all week. Market
Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. Tues-Sat, call for times and prices.
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.
RADIO MAMBO–The Seattle Rep presents Latino comedy troupe Culture Clash in this revue of comedic interviews with select citizens of Miami: Cuban exiles, Anglo art dealers, Haitian Americans, and drag queens all get a glitter and grin treatment “in the spirit of the Marx Brothers.” Seattle Repertory Theater, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat & Sun at 2, through May 23. $25-$36.
*SPALDING GRAY–He might be called the white-bread Woody Allen for his talent at whining. Here with another “monologue-in-progress” about his slapstick family life, in Morning, Noon, and Night Gray explores the exhaustion of fatherhood in the course of a single day. On The Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. Tues-Sat at 8, through April 24. $20-$25.
*TEATRO ZINZANNI–Three
hours of fancy food and thrilling spectacle from the world over, presented in
an antique European dance hall imported from Belgium for the occasion. Worth
the price just to watch local wonder Kevin Kent work his jaw-dropping magic
on crowds of people who’ve never set foot in a fringe theater. Seattle Center,
222 Mercer St, 281-7788 ext 700 or 292-ARTS. Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 6:30,
extended through May 30. $88.
THEY ALL PLAYED RAGTIME–A ragtime revue of a uniquely American music that traverses the century. Hokum Hall, 7904 35th Ave SW, 937-3613. Fri-Sat at 8, through May 1. $12/$10.
*THREE DOLLAR BILL–Seattle’s
original Gay/Lesbian/ Bisexual stand-up comedy show still stands in its second
year. “Defying all expectations, $3 Bill is refreshingly raunchy, full of scathing
goodness” (Steven Grimm). Comedy Underground, 222 S Main, 324-8025. Tues
at 8:30. $6.
WOMEN ON TAP –Local playwright Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates’ musical
drama was inspired by Jeni LeGon, the first African American woman to sign with
a major studio (MGM). LeGon’s journey from Chicago to Broadway is portrayed
through drama, music, and tap dance; now 80 years old, she still teaches tap
in Vancouver, B.C. You go, girl! Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center,
104 17th Ave S (at Yesler), 684-4757. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, through May 22.
$18-$15.
DANCE
FIREBIRD –Kent Stowell’s lush, heavily costumed Russian folktale (set
to Stravinsky) sets the base for PNB’s April program, alongside large-casted
Artifact II, a drama choreographed by Frankfurt Ballet Artistic Director
William Forsythe, and Orpheus Portrait, Stowell’s retelling of the Greek
classic. Seattle Center Opera House, 301 Mercer St, 292-ARTS. Thurs-Sat
at 7:30, Sat at 2, through April 24. $16-$100.
WILD BEASTS & PETTICOATS–Three dances presented by Heather Kravas
and Karn Junkinsmith use imaginative drama and quirky accompaniment. The title
dance is inspired by themes common to fairy tales. Freehold Theater,
Oddfellows Hall, 1525 10th Ave, 323-7499. Thurs-Sat at 8, this week only. $10/$8.
LATE NIGHT
THE A.M. CABARET–Amoral entertainment for insomniacs; promising naked
poetry, music, strippers, and drag queens. You may think you’re dreaming. Coffee
Messiah, 1554 E Olive Way, 860-7377. Sat from 2-4 am. $5.
JET CITY IMPROV–Improv comedy and music based on audience suggestions. Ethnic Cultural Theater, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE, 781-3879. Fri-Sat at 10:30.
THEATER SPORTS–Improv comedy with a competitive edge, brought to you
by Unexpected Productions. Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273.
Fri-Sat at 10:30, $9; Sun at 7, $5.
UP IN YOUR GRILL–The fourth annual comedy cabaret from those shameless
folks on the fringe comedy circuit. Up in Your Grill, con fofole! Annex
Theater, 1916 Fourth Ave, 325-5743. Fri-Sat at 11 pm, through May 14. $5.
See review this issue.
CALLS
GREENSTAGE–Looking for a costume designer for spring/summer production
of The Comedy of Errors, to be performed May 14-30 and July 12-Sept 6.
Call Linda at 324-7098.
SINGER ACTOR/ACTOR SINGER STUDIO–Newly formed studio offers seminar
for singers/performers, taught by Julliard graduate/teacher Stan Keen. Seminar
will run evenings June 7-July 19. Cost: $150. Call 328-1476.
SKETCH COMEDY TROUPE–Auditioning actors of all shapes and sizes, Sat-Sun
April 24-25, at Freehold. Call for appointment, 726-2527.