Diversions 12/23

Stone Soup Theatre's 2009-2010 Season is in full swing. A Child's Christmas in Wales, adapted from the poem by Dyland Thomas, through Dec. 24; Fool for Love by Sam Shepard, Feb. 19-March 14, 2010; The Vagina Monologues 10th Anniversary Edition, by Eve Ensler, April 2-24, 2010; Original One-Act Play Festival, May 13-23, 2010. For tickets and more information visit www.stonesouptheatre.org

Seattle Shakespeare Company presents Twelfth Night through Dec. 27 at the Center House Theatre in Seattle Center. This is Shakespeare's only holiday-themed play. "Twelfth Night" sweeps onto the stage featuring traditional music and caroling, jokes and laughter, and some smooching under the mistletoe. Artistic Director Stephanie Shine stages this beguiling comedy of romantic misadventures which runs through Dec. 27 at The Center House. For more information visit www.seattleshakespeare.org.

If you're dreaming of a WHITE Christmas, don't miss this joyous adaptation of the classic film in its first return engagement in Seattle since it played to sold-out audiences in 2006! White Christmas plays the 5th Avenue Theatre through Dec. 30. For tickets and more information visit www.5thavenue.org

Sail away to the bright BLUE waters of Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific. A stunning reinvention produced by Lincoln Center Theater, SOUTH PACIFIC swept the 2008 Tony Awards®, winning seven honors including Best Musical Revival and Best Director for Intiman Theatre's Bartlett Sher. Set on a tropical island during World War II, the musical tells the sweeping romantic story of two couples and how their happiness is threatened by the realities of war and by their own prejudices. At the 5th Avenue Theatre Jan. 29 - Feb. 21, 2010. For tickets and information visit www.5thavenue.org.

ACT's 34th Annual production of A Christmas Carol returns through Dec. 27. Kurt Beattie returns to the role of Scrooge - the first time in more than 10 years! Alternating in the role is R. Hamilton Wright. And both are directing this year's production. For more information and tickets call 206-292-7676 or visit www.acttheatre.org.

This January Seattle Shakespeare Company stages Electra, Sophocles' story of family vengeance longed for, sought after, and found through bloodshed. Adapted by Frank McGuinness, Electra will be staged by director Sheila Daniels. Electra begins previews on Thursday, January 7 and opens Friday, January 8 at the Center House Theatre. Electra will run through January 31, 2010.

Leo K. Theatre also presents Speech and Debate Jan. 15 through Feb. 21, 2010. An aspiring teen journalist, an awkward wannabe popstar, and the openly gay new kid in town all have secrets. But when their squeaky clean small-town high school refuses to acknowledge the messy parts of being a teenager, this ragtag bunch of misfits starts an after school Speech and Debate team to expose a possible scandal. Recommended for ages 14 and above for mild profanity, teens engaged in discussions of sex, drinking and drug abuse. Visit. www.seattlerep.org for tickets and more information.

Jet City Improv and Wing-It Productions present Seattle's Best Comedy, a night of hijinks and improvisational fun with audience participation. At the Historic University Theatre, 5510 University Way N.E. 206-352-8291. Visit www.jetcityimprov.com for more show times and information.

The Musically Speaking series at the Seattle Symphony is coming up. It begins, at 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 3 Tickets: $23-$125. Additional performances are at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 7, 8 p.m., Jan. 8, and 8 p.m., Jan. 9. Visit www.seattlesymphony.com for more information.

Seattle Baroque Orchestra Presents Out with the Old, in with Vivaldi! At 8 p.m., Jan. 2 in Town Hall (Eighth and Seneca streets, Seattle Baroque Orchestra (SBO) will ring in the New Year with a festive concert of overtures and concertos by Vivaldi. The fiddles will be on display in this celebration with Ingrid Matthews leading a concerto for four violins and James Garlick in his concerto solo debut with the orchestra. Tekla will play the evocative viola d'amore in a double concerto with lutenist John Lenti. Flautist Courtney Westcott and renowned recorderist Vicki Boeckman will join in on some French party music by Corrette. For more information visit www.seattlebaroque.org.

Bob Zentz will perform at 7: 30 p.m., Jan. 23 at the Phinney Neighborhood Center. Ever wonder where some of those great songs in the "Rise Up Singing" songbook come from? Well here's your chance to meet Bob Zentz who has three songs in "The Book." Bob writes and sings songs, old and new, about people, places, and times gone by. For more information and reservations visit www.seafolklore.org.

Now playing: Up in the Air, Dec. 18, Guild 45th; The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, Dec. 18, Harvard Exit; Flame & Citron, Dec. 18, Varsity; Avatar 3D, Dec. 18, Neptune, etc.; Collapse, Dec. 18, Varsity; Did You Hear about the Morgans? Dec. 18, Metro, etc.; Alvin and the Chipmunks: Squeakquel, Dec. 23, (location not set).

Opening soon: It's Complicated, Dec. 25, (location not set); Sherlock Holmes, Dec. 25, (location not set); The Broken Embraces, Dec. 25, Egyptian; A Single Man, Dec. 25, Harvard Exit; Nine, Dec. 25, Guild 45th, etc.; The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Jan 8, (location not set); Crazy Heart, Jan. 15, (location not set); A Town Called Panic, Jan. 22, Varsity; Police, Adjective, Jan. 29, Varsity; The White Ribbon, Jan. 29, (location not set); North Face, Feb. 5, Varsity; The Last Station, Feb. 12, (location not set); 44 Inch Chest, Feb. 12, Varsity; A Prophet, March 19, (location not set).

The Wing Luke presents the wild politically charged collections and paintings of Roger Shimomura. Shimomura has been devoted to issues of ethnic identity as a third-generation Japanese American. His paintings tackle socio-political issues of Asian America. Through April 18. Visit www.wingluke.org.

Open mic at El Diablo coffee house. Poetry readers are encouraged to join the fun the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month The event is co-hosted by Margaret Roncone and Lainne Dexter. This series is getting a trial run every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. Show up to listen or bring poetry to read at this all open mic venue that can continue if enough people want to make it happen. ... tell others about it.... always good to have more places to read and help indie business survive in these hard times.... 8 p.m., at El Diablo coffee house 1811 Queen Anne Ave. N.

Monthly Book Club at Queen Anne Books begins again with The Secret Scripture Queen Anne Books welcomes all interested readers to its drop-in, no-guilt book club. The group gets together the second Monday and following Wednesday of every month, so pick the day that works best for you and join the no-guilt group at 7 p.m., on Mondays. No reservation or sign-up is needed-- just drop by. Queen Anne Books is at 1811 Queen Anne Ave. N. www.queenannebooks.com

2010 National Geographic Live in Seattle Speaker Series starts with Africa: Through the Lens with filmmaker and journalist Michael Davie. The Emmy Award-winning Davie has immersed himself in the wilderness and unpredictability of Africa -- from the front lines of war in Liberia, to the battle to save the Congo's endangered mountain gorillas, to a progressive prisoner rehabilitation program in South Africa. Zimbabwe-born Davie gives a deeply personal account evoking the beauty, brutality and heartache of Africa. He sheds light on the often-misunderstood continent with one goal in mind: to raise awareness about the courage and humanity he has encountered among its people. Through his enriching presentation with tales of adventure, extraordinary personal encounters, and riveting film clips, Davie asks the tough questions and gives a voice to the Africa that is rarely seen. Davie speaks at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010, and Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010. The event is at Benaroya Hall. Visit www.seattlesymphony.org for more information.

The Seattle Veterans Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. Also open on military holidays (Memorial Day, July 4th and Veterans Day) and by appointment for groups. The museum is also looking for volunteers and board members. The museum is located at Second Avenue between Union and University streets behind the Remembrance Garden. Visit www.seattleveteransmuseum.org or call 425-821-0489 for more information.

Rock-n-Roll photography coming to the EMP. On Feb. 6, 2010, Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (EMP|SFM) presents Taking Aim: Unforgettable Rock 'n' Roll Photographs Selected by Graham Nash. This dynamic exhibition showcases some of the most memorable photography in the history of popular music, as chosen by a legendary musician who is also well-known as a photographer, collector, and pioneer in digital imaging and printing. As guest curator, Graham Nash, of Crosby, Stills and Nash, brings his rich musical history, keen eye, and storytelling skills to an exhibition of nearly 100 rock 'n' roll images taken by 40 of the world's greatest music photographers, including Anton Corbijn, Lynn Goldsmith, Annie Leibovitz, Jim Marshall, Neal Preston, Mick Rock, Francesco Scavullo and Nash himself. At a time when more museums are beginning to explore rock 'n' roll photography, Nash's eye and perspective make this a rare exhibition. For more information visit www.empsfm.org.[[In-content Ad]]