Stage calendar

EVENTS

Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts: The first phase of work that will turn the old Dunn Lumber building at 1410 Grove St., Marysville, into a performing arts center is complete. An official opening is set for 1 p.m. April 21 at the new center. Some of the classes at the center this spring are piano lessons and acting classes. More information is at www.redcurtainfoundation.org.

Wesco Lip Dub Competition: Arlington High School once again plays host to the annual lip dub contest involving many of the regions high schools. The judging begins at 6:30 p.m. April 30 in the Byrnes Performing Arts Center, 18821 Crown Ridge Blvd., Arlington.

COMEDY

Café Zippy: Every third Saturday, beginning at 7 p.m. April 19, Cafe Zippy, 2811 Wetmore, Everett, hosts free improvisational comedy shows featuring the group Scenic Detour. More information is at www.cafezippy.com.

The Spencers: Magic, illusion, comedy and mystery is what the Merlin Award-winning Spencer family offers in a show at 7:30 p.m. April 26 at the Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 Fourth Ave. N., Edmonds. For tickets and information, call the center box office at 425-275-9595.

THEATER

Snohomish County

“Thugs: A Musical Mafiasco”: Driftwood Players presents “Thugs” through May 11 at Wade James Theater, 950 Main St., Edmonds. Tickets, $25 or $22, are available at www.driftwoodplayers.com or by calling 425-774-9600. Music and lyrics by Kim Douglass and D. Richard Tucker. Directed by Ted Jaquith, Mark Press and Lee Ann Hittenberger. No show on Easter Sunday.

“The Best Laid Plans”: Phoenix Theatre presents the comedy by Fred Carmichael and directed by Austin Gregory, through April 27, at the Firdale Village theater, 9673 Firdale Ave., Edmonds. Ada Westbrook finds herself called upon to act as a liaison between the government and enemy powers. During her Caribbean vacation, a spy dies in Ada’s house. Then the body is stolen. Actors include Melanie Calderwood, Jordan Fermstad, Renee Gilbert, Austin Gregory, Doug Knoop, Woody Lotts, Michael McFadden, Asa Sholdez, Carissa Meisner Smit and Deanna Smit. Call 206-533-2000 for ticket reservations. Cost is $18.50 or $15.50 for seniors, students and military personnel.

“The Tutor”: This witty new pop musical produced by Village Theatre runs May 2 through 25 at the Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave. For tickets, which range in price, call 425-257-8600. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. The story involves an aspiring young novelist who thinks he has discovered the formula for success: slaving over his novel in the morning and tutoring rich kids in the afternoon to pay the bills. Unfortunately, his characters are starting to develop attitudes of their own. But muses can come in the least expected places, and his latest “cash cow” student, a sullen 16-year-old from the Upper Eastside, just might have the key to his success. The musical continues through April 27 in Issaquah. For more information, go to villagetheatre.org.

“The Boyfriend”: Glacier Peak High School’s spring musical is staged at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, April 18 through May 3. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students/seniors/children and can be purchased online at www.glacierpeakdrama.org or at the box office one hour prior to show time. This comedic romantic spoof of 1920s musical comedies is set on the French Riviera, and is an entertaining representation of The Golden Age. Complete with a catchy score and great dance numbers.

“Cinderella”: The Rodgers &Hammerstein classic is presented by Snohomish High School at 7 p.m. April 25 and 26, May 1, 2, 9 and 10, at the school’s Performing Arts Center, 1316 Fifth St., Snohomish. A special 2 p.m. matinee and tea on May 10 includes light refreshments, commemorative tea cups and photos with Cinderella and the Prince. Cost for the matinee is $15. Other performances are $12 or $10 for students and seniors, with tickets sold at the door.

“Dressing for Murder”: Reunion Theatre Group’s spring production is the premiere of a new murder mystery comedy by Howard Voland and Keith McGregor. Set on a private island in the Pacific Northwest, the play involves family intrigue, greed, suspicion and, of course, murder. The family matriarch, Cara Twigg, is convinced that one of her children is killing off their siblings, in hopes of inheriting the family trust. She invites her old friend, Grace Sharp, and Grace’s friend, Doris Brooks, (a pair of amateur detectives) to join the family for Thanksgiving on the island, hoping that they can figure out who’s doing in her offspring. Performances are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, April 18 to May 3, at the Everett Music Hall, 1402 Everett Mall Way, near Macy’s. Park on the east side. Tickets are $14 for adults; $11 for students, seniors and military. Reservations by calling 425-268-2187 or at www.reuniontheatregroup.org.

Seattle

“Little Shop of Horrors”: A collaboration between A Contemporary Theatre and the 5th Avenue Theatre, the campy musical comedy runs through June 15 at ACT, 700 Union St., Seattle. Tickets, starting at $29, are available online at www.actthreatre.org or by calling 206-292-7676.

“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”: Seattle Repertory Theatre presents Edward Albee’s classic American masterpiece, April 18 through May 18 in the Bagley Wright Theatre, 155 Mercer St., at the Seattle Center. Never before seen on the Rep’s stages, “Woolf” still has the power to surprise and exhilarate modern audiences more than 50 years after its premiere. Tickets are available through the Seattle Rep box office at 206-443-2222 or online at www.seattlerep.org.

“Bethany”: A Contemporary Theatre mainstage production of Laura Marks’ play; through May 4, ACT Allen Theatre, 700 Union St., Seattle. The plays sheds a human light on the impact of the economic meltdown. Regular tickets start at $55; discounts available; pay-what-you-can Sundays and Thursday matinees. On Tuesdays all seats are $20. Go to www.acttheatre.org.

DANCE

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”: Pacific Northwest Ballet’s use of Balanchine’s choreography is a celebration of love and springtime; a ballet hit for all ages; through April 19, McCaw Hall, 301 Mercer St., Seattle Center. At April 19 matinee, young fans are encouraged to dress up in their favorite finery, costume or tutu and join the cast an hour prior to performance for keepsake crowns, story time and a mini-dance class.

OPERA

Seattle Opera: The company concludes its 50th anniversary season, as well as the 31-year tenure of director Speight Jenkins, with “The Tales of Hoffmann.” An all-star cast sings Jacques Offenbach’s score chronicling famous writer E.T.A. Hoffmann’s misadventures in love. Four shows in one, this inventive spectacle pulls out all the stops with cunning stagecraft, stunning production design and a supersize cast. The production opens May 3 and runs through May 17. Tickets are available online at seattleopera.org or by calling 800-426-1619. Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, 301 Mercer St., Seattle Center.

BILLBOARD

Call for performers: The Lynnwood Arts Commission would like to spotlight local performing artists and musicians at the Lynnwood Farmers Market, opening June 12 in Wilcox Park. Based on audition videos, between 8 and 20 artists or groups will be selected for outdoor performances during market hours. Applications are due May 2. For more information and application, go to www.lynnwoodfarmersmarket.com.