With the quince already in blossom, Seattle’s stages are likewise thawing out from the early-winter lull. This month brings some potentially intriguing offerings from the fringe end of the spectrum:
Washington Ensemble Theatre gives the world premiere of Babs the Dodo a “sad comedy” by Michael Mitnick. The emerging playwright pits his heroine’s midlife crisis against the allure and empty promises of the Home Shopping Network in a production directed by Elise Hunt. Babs marks the edgy company’s second time collaborating with playwrights from the Yale Drama School masters program.
Runs through March 14 at Washington Ensemble Theatre, 608 19th Ave E, (206) 325-5105.
Man Alone Productions has chosen the work of local playwright Vincent Delaney for its inaugural show as a company and is presenting the West Coast premiere of 3 Screams, directed by Mary Machala. Delaney’s play — in keeping with the zeitgeist of dark comedy — concerns an accountant-turned-art-thief. His wife and son suffer the consequences that ensue from his heist of Edvard Munch’s “The Scream,” that icon of modern angst.
Runs through Feb. 26 at Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Avenue S., (253) 548-7432.
Balagan Theatre recently transferred its cult hit Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog from Capitol Hill to its new digs at ACT, in the Allen Theatre. Created by Joss Whedon — of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame — this musical miniseries about a comic book-style supervillain who blogs and sings began as an internet phenomenon.
Runs through Feb. 12 at Balagan Theatre, in the Allen Theatre at ACT, 700 Union St., (206) 292-7676.
In its cosy downstage space in Wallingford, Stone Soup Theatre is staging Paula Vogel’s 1998 Pulitzer Prize-winning play How I Learned To Drive. John Vreeke directs the ambivalent drama that grapples with pedophilia in its portrayal of the relationship between Li’L Bit and her uncle. Set in the 1960s, this subtle coming of age story blends hints of ancient Greek tragedy with the liberating energy of early rock ‘n’ roll.
Runs through Feb. 27 at Stone Soup Theatre, 4029 Stone Way N., (206) 633-1883.
