This Week In Theater: Puppet Hands, Asian Single Ladies, Erotic Theater, etc...

Spring in Seattle, a time when, after several dark and moldy months, the population's fancy turn to silly and randy thoughts. Thankfully, every year several theater companies decide to embrace and cater to this tendency. Here's a sampling of this year's offerings:

Don't be fooled by the word "puppet" here, the folks at Puppet This! are more attuned to their subject's more popular showbiz cousins whose overlords have copyrighted the letter 'M' in their name. PT has been around for a few years now, developing their improv-based comedy at late night cabarets and the occasional showcase here and there. With Manos: The Hands Of Felt, PT adapted the Z-Grade movie "classic" (popularized by the weisenheimers at MST3K ages ago) and switched the actors with their puppet counterparts. It could only make the movie better.

Fridays and Saturdays at 10:30 p.m.; April 1 - April 16 // Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Avenue // $10 - $12

The strength and appeal of the Sex In Seattle franchise is such that it has been central in maintaining the existence of SiS Productions, the series' producing entity since its creation in 2001. After ten years, the creative forces behind the show have decided to bring the series to a close: Sex In Seattle 19: The One That Got Away is the series' penultimate episode. In case you're not familiar, Sex is a direct response to the hit HBO series with the similar title, one that was created by and for Asian Americans, though with a universal appeal. During its peak, the series was known for providing escapist fare that addressed culture specific issues. Note that this is not the end of SiS Productions, but the entity that gave it its name.

Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.; April 1 through April 30 // Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Avenue // $6 - $15




For years now, the Erotic Shorts series has been providing theater for people who like to have their adult themes treated with maturity and honor. Which is not to say that the event will be devoid of humor, just that the humor is more in line with Secretary than The Virginity Hit. This year's selections features the talents of John Longenbaugh, Kerry Christianson, Shane Regan and more. (Normally, this event takes place at the Little Red Studios in the Cascade neighborhood, but is instead taking place at Odd Duck Studios in Capitol Hill, for reasons left unmentioned in the press material.)

Saturday & Sunday 3:00 p.m., Sunday evening at 8:00 p.m. // Odd Duck Studios, 1214 10th Avenue // $15, available at the door

We close out this week's entry with two events that have already begun their production run, though both are long-standing Seattle institutions and merit attention. First, Dina Martina has taken up residence at Re-bar, yet again. If you're new in town, you are bound to run into a zealot who will rave about just how glorious and wonderful Dina is. These people are not wrong, and there's good reason for the devotion; you will laugh, be scared and humiliated for Dina simultaneously. Once upon a time, Dina was Seattle's and ours alone, but she has risen to international acclaim in recent years. Catch her, you will not be sorry.

Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., through April 30 // Re-bar, 1114 Howell Street // $20 - $25

Finally, there is the Moisture Festival, an event that escapes easy encapsulation. In essence, for two weeks out of the year, artists who specialize in the more traditional arts (vaudeville, tumbling, acrobatics, burlesque) gather in order to show off their skills. Over the years, this project has grown to four venues (including one in Vashon Island) and gained a reputation for showcasing the creme de la creme of the local acts. Generally, the shows at Hale's Palladium at Hale's Brewery on Leary features the comedy acts, while ACT hosts separate shows for the performing and burlesque showcases.

Through April 10 ; visit the Moisture Festival website for further details // ACT, Hale's Brewery, SIFF, Georgetown Ballroom and Open Space in Vashon Island // $10 - $25