Weekend Theatre: June 5-7
Sara Edwards, Becky Poole, Paige Weinheimer, Erin Jorgensen in "Sunday Service" at NW New Works--next weekend. Photo by Tim Summers.
RECOMMENDED Northwest New Works @ On the Boards. The NW New Works Fest returns in top form! The first weekend features a lineup of top Northwest dance groups on the mainstage, and a cast of brilliant experimental troupes down in the studio, our favorite part of the fest. The studio showcase plays Fri. 8, Sat. and Sun. at 5. The mainstage performances are Sat. and Sun. at 8. Next weekend, the lineup changes, so this is your only opportunity to see some of Seattle's best performers, including Helsinki Syndrome, featuring former Seattlester Rachel Hynes, live from London. (100 W. Roy St. Tix $14.)
A Thousand Clowns @ the Intiman. "Terrific. Goddamn terrific, that's what. Intiman's A Thousand Clowns is like if Holden Caulfield grew up, got a job writing for a kids' TV show, and then suddenly quit, desperately angry about having become a 'phony.' On the one hand, it's as time- and place-stamped as can be--there's the hilarity of dialing the weather lady on the phone, and an impromptu 'Guess that New York borough accent' contest--but on the other, these people are such characters, the play sucks you right in. We had no idea three hours had passed at its close." [Read our review.] (Fri. 8 p.m., Tues.-Thurs. 7:30 p.m. 201 Mercer St. Tix $40-$55.)
CLOSING Director's Choice @ Pacific NW Ballet. PNB presents an evening of choice movements selected by the director, stretching from Balanchine to Christopher Wheeldon. And Sunday at 6:30 is a special event honoring the long career of PNB principal Louise Nadeau, who will be taking her final bows after 19 years. (301 Mercer St. Fri. & Sat. 7:30, Sun. 1 p.m. Tix $25-$155.)
ALSO PLAYING
Below the Belt @ ACT. "It's fitting that the star of Richard Dresser's Below the Belt is an actor best known for sitcoms, because the play feels like a 90-minute-long one: There's plenty of one-liners, the characters are all archetypes, and the plot is all about lies, because a story about lies ensures that you can end up exactly where you started and that's exactly how sitcoms like to roll. That's not to say the play's bad—it's actually really funny—but it's not exactly the biting satire it's made out to be." [Read the review.] (Fri. 8, Sat. 2 & 8, Sun. 2 & 7:30. 800 Union St. Tix $10/$15/$40-$55.)
Titus @ WET. "[T]his is one of WET's iconoclastic adaptations, where they've taken a year to workshop with actors, designers, and guest artists, and have elaborated like industrious neon coral on the bones of Shakespeare's play. Directed by Katjana Vadeboncoeur, the play has become an art installation of sorts, with Andrea Bryn Bush's scenic design, Heidi Ganser's costumes, Brendan Patrick Hogan's sound, and Andrew Lazarow's video projections combining to sometimes remarkable effect." [Read our review.] (Fri.-Mon. 8 p.m. 608 19th Ave. E. Tix $10-$18.)
Grease @ 5th Avenue. "If you just want a sing-along, Grease will suit you fine. However, if you're looking for the character development or chemistry of the movie, this production will disappoint. Oh, and this Taylor Hicks guy (American Idol Season 6 winner), who's almost being touted as the show's star, makes nothing more than a glittery cameo." [Read our review.] (Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 & 8 p.m., Sun. 1:30 & 7 p.m.. 1308 Fifth Ave. Tix $29-$88.)
