Weekend Theatre: June 12-14
zoe | juniper's "Old Girl," part of the Mainstage Showcase at NW New Works at OtB. Photo by Juniper Shuey.
RECOMMENDED
NW New Works Fest @ On the Boards. Week two of OtB's annual revue of the best experimental theatre, performance, and dance from around the Northwest. Last weekend was a blast, and this weekend there's eight completely different performers hitting two stages. The Studio Showcase plays tonight at 8 and Sat. and Sun. at 5, and the Mainstage performances are Sat. and Sun. at 8. (100 W. Roy St. Tix $14.)
The Tempest @ Seattle Shakespeare. There's one reason why this show is a must-see, and her name is Hana Lass. Following a fine turn as one of three cast members of the critically lauded Crime and Punishment at Intiman this spring, Lass shines as Ariel, the "airy spirit" with dark powers, opposite more experienced actors. (Seattle Center House, Fri. & Sat. 7:30, Sun. 2. Tix $25/$36.)
CLOSING
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.)
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.)
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.)
