A View from the Bridge
In 1950s Brooklyn, a longshoreman takes in a pair of undocumented Italian brothers and when one of them takes up with his niece, his world begins to fall apart. Seattle Rep offers up an exceptional production of this Arthur Miller play—its cast is first-rate, its set is a must-see and even the jazzy interludes serve the story well. The story, mind you, is one you’ll keep talking about long after the show: So what exactly was the extent of longshoreman Eddie’s affection for his grown niece?
Most shows will be at the Rep itself, but on Oct. 13, the Rep presents a night of immersive theater at the Wing Luke Museum, where an entirely Asian American cast will read from the play in the rooms of the Wing’s historic tenement hotel.
If you go: A View from the Bridge, Seattle Rep, through Oct. 18 (Tickets start at $41)—F.D.
Best American Poetry Launch Party *
Novelist and poet Sherman Alexie has selected 75 contemporary poems for this year’s Best American Poetry. The always-candid Alexie, whose poetry (like all of his writing) is deeply emotionally affecting, will also host the event. To celebrate the release of the anthology, Alexie will call to the stage poets featured in the collection, including local celebrity Ed Skoog, Natalie Diaz, and Joan Kane. An evening of poetry reading and celebration -- it will be the perfect way to kick off the weekend.
If you go: Best American Poetry Launch Party, Huge House, 7 p.m. Oct. 9 (Free)—N.C.
Birds at the Burke *
Remember that story that went viral on social media earlier this year -- the one about the local girl who feeds crows and receives “gifts” in return? She’s 8-year-old Gabi Mann and she’ll be on hand for Birds at the Burke, an all-day event for aficionados of our feathered friends. Other featured attractions include photographer Paul Bannick, a game called “Birding Jeopardy,” bird-themed haiku and actual live birds. Free with museum admission.
If you go: Birds at the Burke, Burke Museum, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct 10 ($10)—F.D.
Grand Rapids Ballet
Local dance fans can celebrate a homecoming of sorts this week for Patricia Barker, the former Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancer. Barker is now artistic director for Michigan’s Grand Rapids Ballet and she brings her 30-plus dancers to Seattle for a 5-day run. The company will perform Olivier Wevers’ full-length “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Wevers, also a former PNB dancer is artistic director of Whim W’him) as well as a mixed bill of works by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, David Parsons, Penny Saunders and Mario Radacovsky.
If you go: Grand Rapids Ballet, Cornish Playhouse at Seattle Center, through Oct. 11 ($52)—F.D.
Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival *
This marks the 20th year of this Seattle film festival, celebrating queer talent, from local to international, all throughout town. The film everyone is sure to be talking about is Nasty Baby, a 2015 Sundance stunner starring Kristen Wiig and director Sebastián Silva. It's about a “modern family” trying to have a baby, and the character examinations and insanity that ensues (7 p.m. Oct.16). Don’t miss Drag Becomes Him, the documentary about the life and rise of loveable and talented RuPaul’s Drag Race winner and local theater legend Jinkx Monsoon (7 p.m. Oct. 9). The festival also features a program of animated shorts program, which never fail to be fun and eye-opening (9:15 p.m Oct. 14).
If you go: Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, various theaters, Through Oct. 18 ($12)—N.C.
* events that are under $15
