‘Don’t Drink the Water’ at Driftwood Theatre

Published 3:08 pm Thursday, June 14, 2007

The Driftwood Players bring a sure flood of comic relief when they open the Broadway hit “Don’t Drink the Water” tonight in Edmonds.

The show runs weekends through July 1.

The action takes place inside an American embassy behind the Iron Curtain. An American tourist and caterer, his wife and daughter rush into the embassy two steps ahead of the police who suspect them of spying and picture-taking. The family finds that the embassy is little sanctuary because the ambassador isn’t there and his son, who is supposedly in charge, has been expelled from a dozen countries and all of Africa.

Undaunted, the family frantically plots their escape home in this comedy that caps the Driftwood Players’ season.

“The Green Sheep”: If you’re a parent looking for a little culture for your child, you may be wondering “How old does little Johnny have to be before I can take him to the theater?”

The answer is, quite young; even 1-year-olds can enjoy this show.

The Children’s Museum of Seattle and the Seattle Children’s Theatre are collaborating on “The Green Sheep.” This play, geared to kids between 1 and 4, runs through Aug. 31 at the Children’s Museum in Seattle.

“The Green Sheep” is based on Mem Fox’s award-winning book. This 30-minute play is filled with music, movement and puppetry, and a 20-minute interactive, creative drama workshop. All this while delighting toddlers and bringing parents some new tools to help them engage in creative play with their children.

“Etta Phifer’s Testimonial Shoe Kismet”: Etta is preparing for the end of her life. Kismet, an unborn spirit, is preparing for the beginning of hers. Their worlds collide while each is looking for a pair of shoes.

This play premieres tonight and runs through July 8 at ACT Theatre in Seattle.

Etta Phifer is preparing for her 80th birthday and a party but she can’t find her new party shoes. As she looks, she doles out life lessons in a conversation with her closest companions, her old shoes. Meanwhile, Kismet, a silent unborn spirit, is searching unsuccessfully for the right pair of shoes for her journey into this world. As their worlds intersect, their stories unfold with witty and wicked humor.

“Etta” was written by University of Washington alumna Shontina Vernon, who credits much of her wisdom to being raised by older parents; her father and mother were 90 and 60 years old, respectively, when they adopted her at the age of 2.

The Hansberry Project at ACT is presenting this play as a special addition to its 2007 season. The Hansberry Project is a new and growing theater created to continue African-American theater in Seattle.

PNB’s School Performance and Choreographer’s Showcase: See 540 new dancers from age 8 and up in some new works as the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s students take the stage for a day-long extravaganza.

Three performances are scheduled – at noon, 3:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday at McCaw Hall in Seattle.

This is the 26th annual school performance for PNB. The evening performance is a milestone, as the school’s professional-division students perform original choreography by PNB dancers, faculty and guest artists in Choreographers’ Showcase. In addition to introducing new works, this year’s presentation will include new pieces by principal dancer Olivier Wevers, corps de ballet dancer Kiyon Gaines and PNB school faculty member Sonia Dawkins, as well as the choreographic debut of PNB corps de ballet dancer Stacy Lowenberg.

“The Hiding Place”: The Attic Theatre will present “The Hiding Place,” Corrie Ten Boom’s true story of courage, love and forgiveness set shortly before and during World War II, during the Nazi occupation of Holland.

Determined to live their faith, the Ten Boom family shelters Jews from the Nazis and suffers the consequences when Corrie and her sister Betsie are sent to the Ravensbruck concentration camp, where their faith is tested to the limit.

“The Hiding Place” will be performed on Saturday at Emmanuel Bible Church in Seattle.

Comedian Nick Swardson performs at 7:30 tonight at The Moore Theatre in Seattle.

This year, Comedy Central premiered Swardson’s first half-hour special, part of the acclaimed Comedy Central Presents series. In addition to the special, Swardson has also appeared on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “The Late, Late Show” with Craig Kilborn three times and NBC’s “Late Friday” twice.

Swardson recently sold a pilot to Comedy Central, “Gay Robot,” an animated comedy series in which he provides the voice for the title character. Most recently, Swardson was seen in the hit comedy “Blades of Glory” with Will Ferrell and Jon Heder.

Chris Bennion photo

Michaela Koerner and Connor Toms perform in “The Green Sheep.”