Weekend Theatre: March 26-29
Sean G. Griffin, Russell Hodgkinson, Frank Corrado, Shawn Telford, and Hans Altwies in Conor McPherson's "The Seafarer," closing this weekend at Seattle Rep. Photo by Chris Bennion.
RECOMMENDED
LAST CHANCE! The Seafarer @ Seattle Rep. "And all this caps the biggest contradiction of all: We read the script to this show mere hours before heading to the Rep last week, and concluded that we didn't like it, that this was going to be another sloppy Rep production, and yet we left the theatre prepared to recommend the play to just about anyone!" [Read our review.] (Thurs. & Fri., 7:30 p.m., Sat. 2 & 7:30 p.m. Tix $15-$59.)
Merchant of Venice @ Seattle Shakespeare. "Seattle Shakespeare Company's production of The Merchant of Venice is startlingly good. The company in general swings for the fences, with hits and misses, but when they are good it is usually because they have found good company." [Read our review.] (Seattle Center House, Thurs.-Sun., 7:30, Sat. & Sun., 2 p.m.$22-$36.)
CLOSING
Betrayal @ Seattle Rep. "The beginning of the play--the chronological end of the story--is full of playwright Harold Pinter's trademark massive silences and nothing seems to matter much. Oh, you cheated? No shit. Let's stare off into the distance and forgive each other over some brandy. Only later will the deafening 'meh' of it all hit home, but at the beginning you're left wondering what the big deal is. Sure, it's the '70s, but can everyone be as blasé about this as it appears?" Run extended! [Read our review.] (Seattle Rep, Second Ave. & Mercer St. Thurs. & Fri., 7:30 p.m., Sat. 2 & 7:30 p.m. Tix $29-$55.)
Hello Dolly @ 5th Avenue. "Jenifer Lewis does a tremendous job in the lead role. As the larger-than-life character you come close to loving to hate, without crossing the line too far from loving her, Lewis makes the whole thing look effortless. At one point, she led her chorus line of "handsome men" three times through the final spell of the play's title song for full fabulous effect because, let's face it, that's the one song everybody (at least every musical theater nerd/gay) knows by heart. Like AIG with the government bailout, may as well milk it for all it's worth." [Read our review.] (1308 Fifth Ave. Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m., Sun., 1:30. Tix $22-$81.)
Long Day's Journey Into Night @ Stone Soup. New Amerikan Theatre presents one of Eugene O'Neill's most brutal masterpieces--an aching, heart-wrenching, three-hour trip through a hell of love and obligation, courtesy of America's greatest playwright ever. (4035 Stone Way N. Fri. & Sat., 8 p.m. Tix $10.)
ALSO PLAYING
Moisture Festival @ Hale's Palladium. So big, bad-ass, and cool, we can't even begin to express our excitement: the Moisture Festival returns with performance of the Grand Variete show (family friendly, with aerialists and clowns) and the burlesque show (not for the kiddies). It's moved this week to Hale's Palladium in Fremont/Ballard, and don't forget SIFF is supporting the festival with showings of variety-themed films, featuring Moisture Fest artist performances with each show. (4301 Leary Way NW. Thurs.-Sun., various scheduling. Tix $7-$20.)
The History Boys @ ARTS West. "The premise of the story is familiar--eccentric academic attempts to teach young minds the intrinsic value of knowledge. The unconventional method of teaching employed by their English teacher, Hector (John Wray), raises brows amongst the faculty. Locking classroom doors during his lessons while his students to engage in witty repartee, reciting poems, and occasionally breaking into song, we can almost see a method to his madness." (4711 California. Thurs.-Sat., 7:30 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. Tix ~$32.)
