Weekend Theatre: April 2-5
ONE WEEKEND ONLY
Tanja Liedtke/construct @ On the Boards. The German-born, Australia-based choreographer Tanja Liedtke was the rising star of the dance world, appointed artistic director of the Sydney Dance Company in May 2007 mere months before her tragic death (she was struck by a garbage truck in the middle of the night). While we admit it's harder to get really excited about dance than most other forms of theatre, this may well be the one dance performance you don't want to miss--not only was Liedtke on her way to becoming a defining choreographer of her generation, but this will likely be your only chance to see her work as originally prepared by the late artist. OtB has the only North American appearance. (100 W. Roy St. Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m. Tix $24.)
OPENINGS
Crime and Punishment @ Intiman. Turning Doestoeyevsky's Crime and Punishment into a 90-minute "psycho-thriller" at first strikes us as ridiculous. Surely the plot's various grotesqueries and twists aren't the point. But what do we know? The Intiman's record is impressive, and if we recall, CHAC did this (or a similar adaptation) to generally positive reviews a couple years ago. (201 Mercer St. Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 & 8 p.m., Sun. 2 & 7:30 p.m. Tix $40-$55/$10 under 25.)
The Rez as I Saw It @ TPS Theatre 4/Backwards Ensemble Theatre Co. Playwright Caleb Penn grew up in a distinctly weird situation: white on the Suquamish Indian Reservation. In his new play, he explores the complex racial, social, and economic ties and divisions that marked his childhood in one of the forgotten corners of the American dream, a place where drugs and violence are pervasive and a young man's skin color makes him the embodiment of his people's crimes against another. (305 Harrison/Seattle Center House, 4th Foor. Fri. 7 p.m., Sat. 8 p.m, Sun. 2 p.m. Tix $15/$10/$5.)
LAST CHANCE
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.-Sat., 7:30, Sat. cabaret, 10:30 p.m., Sun., 2 p.m.$22-$36.)
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). (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. Fri. & Sat., 7:30 p.m. Tix ~$32.)
