“Kaputnik”: Dr. Myles Stanton is an intelligent astronomer but he can’t figure out a couple of things.

Number one: Why would his lovely, sophisticated wife, Hali, fall for his bumbling, goofball assistant Blaine? Doesn’t she know that Blaine is obsessed with an invasion from Mars?

Number two: What is it that makes Blaine so fascinating to three strangers in trench coats, fedoras and dark glasses who have arrived on the scene?

These are the things Stanton ponders while being in charge of an obsolete observatory in the desert on the night of the launch of Sputnik.

These items are pondered while the strangers in trench coats engage the observatory crew in an international game of cat and mouse, involving spies and sleeper cells and a surprise ending.

The Phoenix Theatre cast for this Frank Semermano comedy is David Bailey, Austin Gregory, Laura Hanson, Susan Connors, Asa Sholdez and Melanie Calderwood. The show is directed by Erick Lewis.

“Kaputnik” opens at 8 tonight at the Phoenix Theatre, 9673 Firdale Ave., Edmonds. The show runs at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through June 23.

Tickets are $18.50 and $15.50. Call the box office at 206-533-2000 or go through brownpapertickets.com.

“Senior Prom — The Play”: Nick Terry hopes his play based on his movie is as successful as the film turned out to be.

The film, “Senior Prom,” premiered at the 2010 Seattle International Film Festival and got Terry warm reviews and an award and made the Mountlake Terrace High School senior the youngest SIFF filmmaker on record.

After its SIFF debut, Terry submitted the film to multiple film festivals where it won Best Feature Film in the High School Division at the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival. It also showed at the Ellensburg Film Festival.

“Senior Prom — The Play” is based on the same premise: that the prom is a defining moment in a high schooler’s life, and shares with the audience moments of pure bliss and agonizing teenage angst, all done with a high degree of humor and skill.

Terry was asked to turn the movie into a play by his drama teacher at Mountlake Terrace High. The film is a highly improvisational work based on the movie-making mockumentary style of Christopher Guest who created “Best in Show.”

It’s that interview style cinematography of “Park and Rec” and “The Office” that is at the core of the film’s charm.

To retain some of that same style in the play, there are scenes where the actors are talking directly to the audience or involving the audience. At one point, the audience has to vote for prom king and queen. So each night there could be two new winners and that’s where those actors get to test their improvisational mettle.

“Working with his father Matt, Nick expanded some scenes from the film, moved stuff around and worked hard to make sure that the improvisational element was still very much in place. It was soon clear that no two shows would be alike,” according to press material about the show.

Directed by L. Sam Samano, this is the first time the play will be performed by mostly adults in teenager roles.

There is also closure, Samano said.

The play wraps up with a 10-year reunion so we see how some of these characters turned out despite whether their prom was a success or not.

“Senior Prom — The Play” opens at 7:30 tonight at Historic Everett Theatre, 2911 Colby Ave., Everett. Performances are June 1 through 16 with evening shows at 7:30 p.m. and afternoon shows at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $10 and $8. All proceeds support the Historic Everett Theatre. Dress for prom and save $1. Call 425-258-6766 or visit www.everetttheatre.org or get tickets at the door.

Seattle Shakespeare Company’s Wooden O arm brings free outdoor performances of “Henry V” and “The Tempest” to Snohomish County.

Shows run July 11 through Aug. 11 at several parks in Snohomish County. All performances are free. Donations are encouraged.

“Henry V” will be directed by George Mount and is about a young, untried king who learns that leadership is more than wearing a crown as he battles against overwhelming odds.

The show will be staged locally at 7 p.m. July 17 and 18 at Lynndale Park Amphitheater, 18927 72nd Ave. W, Lynnwood.

“The Tempest” is directed by Kelly Kitchens. It’s a tale of forgiveness after the sorcerer Prospero is exiled by his younger brother to an enchanted island with his daughter.

The show is being performed locally at 3 p.m. July 21 at Edmonds City Park, Third Ave. S, Edmonds, and at 7 p.m. July 24 and 25 at Lynndale Park Amphitheater, 18927 72nd Ave. W, Lynnwood.

Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; tgoffredo@heraldnet.com.