“Wicked”: This blockbuster musical first flew into Seattle in 2009 and broke box office records.
The show returns, presenting the compelling and wonderfully creative story of the Land of Oz before Dorothy.
The story focuses on two girls: one born with green skin who is fiery, smart and misunderstood and the other a beautiful, ambitious and popular blond.
We watch these two grow up to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good, against a backdrop of wickedly good songs, such as “Defying Gravity.”
“Wicked” plays at various times through Nov. 17 at The Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle.
Tickets start at $35. Call 877-784-4849 or go to www.stg.presents.org.
“Becky’s New Car”: This Steven Dietz comedy is a laugh-out-loud amusement park ride and definitely worth the trip over to Whidbey Island Center for the Arts to see it.
“Becky’s New Car” is witty and droll, with delicious deadpan humor and U-turn plot twists.
The plot focuses on Becky Foster, a 40-something mother and wife who has a decent life working in an auto dealership, a decent husband, Joe, who is a roofer and a decent, though free-loading, psych-major son living in her basement.
But Becky senses something is missing. That something enters the dealership in the form of widower millionaire Walter Flood, who falls for Becky at first sight. Through a miscommunication that is not corrected, Walter believes Becky is also widowed. That’s where Becky must decide whether to put on the brakes or power forward with a different life.
“Becky’s New Car” cast includes Suzanne Kelman as Becky; Tom Harris as Joe; Jeff Riggs as Chris; Phil Jordan as Walter; Athena Michaelides as Kenni; Patricia Duff as Ginger; and Eric Mulholland as Steve. Deana Duncan directs.
“Becky’s New Car” opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, 565 Camano Ave., Langley. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 27.
Tickets are $22, $18 and $15. All seats $16 Sundays. Call 360-221-8268 or 800-638-7631 or go to wicaonline.com.
“Return to Paradise”: Teatro ZinZanni’s new show is set at Seattle’s 1962 World’s Fair with characters such as Elvis Presley and Jimi Hendrix and local Indie musicians Jen Ayers of Honey Tongue and Thaddeus Turner of Thaddillac and Maktub.
In addition, Bruce Lee also shows up at Paradise International “adult” club during the show.
What would a meeting of all these historic entertainers look like? Go to Paradise and find out.
This new production kicks off the fall arts season and Teatro ZinZanni’s dinner-theatre phenomenon by transforming its tent into the Paradise ZinZanni.
“Return to Paradise” runs through Jan. 27 at Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St., Seattle.
Dinner prices start at $106; brunch prices start at $76. Call 206-802-0015 or go to dreams.zinzanni.org.
“Ramayana”: ACT’s season finale is a hero’s tale full of battle scenes, vivid costumes and puppetry.
This saga stars Rama, a young prince who is off to rescue his wife from an evil king.
The show is co-directed by Kurt Beattie and Sheila Daniels with choreography by Maureen Whiting, and a new script interpretation by playwright Yussef El Guindi and Stephanie Timm.
“This may be one of the most ambitious shows ACT has ever staged,” said Beattie in a prepared statement.
“Ramayana” opens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at ACT, The Falls Theatre, 700 Union St., Seattle. Shows are at various times through Nov. 11.
Single tickets range from $37.50 to $55; Students: $15. Call 206- 292-7676 or www.acttheatre.org.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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