Staff Picks
If summer travel still feels too far away, this month, local theater can take you all over the world and even beyond — into the cosmos, and into the future.
“Unrivaled”
Though the word frenemies wouldn’t be coined for nearly 1,000 years after they finished writing, 11th-century writers and ladies-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu and Sei Shōnagon sound like they may have been a great example of the concept. Shikibu wrote “The Tale of Genji,” widely considered one of the world’s first novels, and Shōnagon wrote “The Pillow Book,” a personal account of court life. Rosie Narasaki’s play explores the complex dynamic between these two icons of Heian-era Japan, one of rivalry and, perhaps, begrudging respect. Find the “fun, ‘Mean Girls’ take on two of the most exalted writers of all time” (per the show’s publicity) onstage at Seattle Public Theater, in a co-production with SIS Productions.
May 10-June 2; Seattle Public Theater, 7312 W. Green Lake Drive N., Seattle; $10-$100 on a sliding scale; 206-524-1300, seattlepublictheater.org
“Once on This Island”
Though this Calypso-flavored, dance-heavy musical debuted on Broadway in 1990, I first came to it via Audra McDonald’s 2000 album “How Glory Goes” (excellent, obviously), which includes “Come Down From the Tree,” a delightful song that was cut from the show. Written by composing team Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (“Ragtime”), “Once on This Island” is based on the 1985 novel “My Love, My Love” by Trinidadian author Rosa Guy, itself a retelling of the beloved “The Little Mermaid” fairy tale. In brief: Peasant girl Ti Moune risks everything for the aristocratic man who captures her heart, guided all the while by the mighty gods of the Caribbean island she calls home.
May 14-June 16 at Village Theatre Issaquah, 303 Front St. N., Issaquah. June 22-July 14 at Village Theatre Everett, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. $53-$115; 425-392-2202, villagetheatre.org
“N O W I S W H E N W E A R E (the stars)”
This Andrew Schneider work, building on his earlier piece ”YOUARENOWHERE,” stretches the traditional definition of theater in thrilling ways. No, you will not be sitting in a seat. No, you will not be interacted with, or expected to interact, in any uncomfortable ways. Yes, you’ll enter a dark room filled with stars to explore the cosmos or perhaps humanity or perhaps yourself. Schneider’s attention to the storytelling potential of (and human connection to) tech and design is incredible, and I will never miss an opportunity to check out his work. As caveats: Due to the show’s unusual setup, which includes “periods of prolonged darkness,” it is recommended for ages 12 and older, and no late entry will be permitted for the guided visit.
May 16-19; On the Boards, 100 W. Roy St., Seattle; sold out; 206-217-9886, ontheboards.org
“Gunked!”
For theater kids of a certain age (the Nickelodeon generation?), a show with the tagline “It’s Double Dare meets Noises Off!” might just sell itself. This is the promise of “Gunked!,” a new show at Annex, written by Marcus Gorman and Jo Jo Stiletto, that purports to blend slime and slamming-door comedy in this story about the creators of a late-1980s kids cable network prepping to launch a high-energy, TV competition series. A brand-new play is always an unknown quantity, but if this premise hits your nostalgia sweet spot, get thee to Annex. Still making up your mind? The only wrong answer, as “Double Dare” fans know, is: “I don’t know.”
May 30-June 15; Annex Theatre, 1100 E. Pike St., Seattle; sliding scale tickets starting at $5; 206-728-0933, annextheatre.org
“Jinkx Monsoon and Major Scales: Together Again, Again!”
Sandwiched between her New York run as Audrey in “Little Shop of Horrors” and her return to Broadway as Mama Morton in “Chicago,” our beloved songbird Jinkx Monsoon makes a glorious return to Seattle Rep with longtime collaborator/accompanist Major Scales, last seen at the Rep in 2014’s “The Vaudevillians” and 2015 holiday special “Unwrapped.” In this musical comedy duo’s new show, the year is 2065, the sun has exploded and the world has been taken over by aliens. Jinkx and Major aren’t getting along so well, but in the face of this dystopia they decide to put their differences behind them for a final musical reunion extravaganza. Jinkx is a talent in so many ways, but I remember to this day how brilliantly (meaning kindly, quickly and hysterically) she shut down a “Vaudevillians” audience member who was making the show about him (if you know who you are: Do not do this), and I’ve never been so sure I was in the hands of a master live performer.
May 31-June 23; Seattle Rep, 155 Mercer St., Seattle; $50-$180; 206-443-2222, seattlerep.org
To read more of our arts and entertainment writers’ recommendations, go to: st.news/staff-picks.
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