Charlyne Yi does not believe in love. Or so she says. Well, at the very least, she doesn't believe in fairy-tale love or the Hollywood mythology of love, and her own experiences have turned her into another modern-day skeptic. Paper Heart follows Charlyne as she embarks on a quest across America to make a documentary about the one subject she doesn't fully understand. As she and her good friend (and director) Nick search for answers and advice about love, Charlyne talks with friends and strangers, scientists, bikers, romance novelists, and children. They each offer diverse views on modern romance, as well as various answers to the age-old question: does true love really exist? Opens this weekend at most theatres.
THEATRE
The Seattle Public Theater Youth Ensemble Presents A Vampire Story by Moira Buffini and directed by Shana Bestock. Two young women arrive in a small town. Their names are not their own. In drama class, Eleanor says she's survived for more than 200 years drinking human blood. Her classmates think she's insane, the teacher tries to get her to write a play as drama therapy, and an outsider friend falls in love with her. Things start falling apart. People disappear. Are these troubled young women on the run - or are they really vampires? A darkly comic look at identity, acceptance and survival. Mature content; parental discretion advised. Shows are at 7 p.m., July 31, and Aug. 1. Matinee show, 2 p.m. Sunday Aug. 1. Each show is FREE (with suggested donation to the education program). Seattle Public at the Greenlake Bathhouse (Free Parking). A Vampire Story features live music by Sasha Kool and Jessa Lowe, with additional musical direction by Andrew Marques. The Ensemble: Aviva Wynn, Casey Bouldin, Kaitie Marshall, Sarah Murphy, Noelle McCabe, Joseph Sims, Francesco D'Aniello, Madeleine Symons, Alexandra Albert, Anna Bennett, Amy MacDonald, Luke Greenway, Celeste Endlich, Asher Delaney-Hanna, William Lavely, Ben Symons, and Peter Durning. Curious about how you can get more involved with the program? We love "new blood!" Check it all out at www.seattlepublictheater.org.
Hailed by critics as honest, exhilarating, compassionate and unexpectedly funny, Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking looks at how grief can make you crazy, and what it means to come out on the other side. At the Intiman Playhouse, 201 Mercer St., 206-269-1900 Aug. 21-Sept. 20. $10-$55. Visit www.intiman.org.
The Bathhouse Ensemble presents I, Gelosi, a meta-theatrical adventure based on the real historical 16th-century Italian commedia troupe, the Gelosi. Now, these actors, who have been dead for 400 years, have returned to tell us their madcap story. Internal fights, meddling politicos, and competing visions of theater itself threaten the group at every turn, but the Gelosi are determined to be remembered. Performances are 7:30 p.m., Aug. 11-13 and 7:30 Aug. 18-20 at the historic Bathhouse Theater on Green Lake. There is no charge but donations are encouraged.
Othello at Intiman. Director Arin Arbus ignites Seattle's summer with one of the most acclaimed stagings of a Shakespeare play in a decade, the Theatre for a New Audience production of Othello. When Othello and Desdemona elope to consummate their undeniable passion, Iago sees his chance to destroy the Moor he secretly hates. Iago convinces Othello his bride is having a tawdry affair with Lieutenant Cassio. Othello becomes enraged, Iago fuels the scandal and Othello's world comes crashing down. And a handkerchief undoes them all. Through Aug. 9. For tickets and more information visit www.intiman.org
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.
5th Avenue Theatre presents Catch Me If You Can. A precocious teenager with a silver tongue, Frank Abagnale posed as a Pan Am pilot, a doctor and a lawyer...and made off with millions! His remarkable true story, based on the DreamWorks motion picture, now comes to thrilling new life on the stage. Created by the Tony Award-winning team who brought us Hairspray, this truly promises to be the theatrical event of the season. Through Aug. 16.
It's hard to believe that in 79 years, and countless hours tinkering on this nation's greatest stages, Stephen Sondheim has never worked in Seattle. On Oct. 26, musical theater's living legend will make this first momentous journey to Seattle for an onstage conversation with his friend and respected New York Times columnist Frank Rich. A Life in the Theater: An Onstage Conversation with Stephen Sondheim & Frank Rich is Oct. 26 at Benaroya Hall. Tickets are $48 - $78. Call 206-215-4747 or online at www.benaroya.org.
The regional premiere of Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming opens at Taproot Theatre through Aug. 8. Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming is a toe tappin', knee slappin', heartwarmin', bluegrass gospel extravaganza filled with comedy and celebration. Visit www.taproottheatre.org or call (206) 781-9705 for more information.
LIVE MUSIC
This week at the Tractor Tavern: 8/5 - smartypants-pop M. Bison, What What Now, Heatwarmer, also featuring live painter Jonathan Matas, $6, 9 p.m.; 8/6 - beats-driven dance punk The Beats, Man, the Curious Mystery, 1-2 1-2, $6, 9 p.m.; 8/7 - Square Peg presents Zepparella an all female Led Zeppelin review, Seeing Blind, $12-15, 9 p.m.; 8/8 - soulful music with eclectic instrumentation Sean Hayes, Cataldo, Honey.Moon.Tree, $10, 9:30 p.m.; 8/9 - gypsy-folk Americana Eric Claesson & The Scowlers, The Legendary Oaks, Ghost of Kyle Bradford, $6, 8 p.m.; 8/10 - straight-up country Randy Rogers Band, Lucky Suns, $12-$15, 9 p.m. Visit www.tractortavern.com for more information or call 206-789-4250.
The ZooTunes concert series continues Aug. 13 with Joan Baez, $22; Aug. 16 - Nanci Griffith, $19; Aug. 19 - Susan Tedeschi with JJ Grey and Mofro, $22; Aug. 26 - Amos Lee, $22. Doors open at 5 p.m. Music starts at 6 p.m., and shows end at approximately 8:30 p.m. For more information visit www.zoo.org.
KEXP and Seattle Center Present Concerts at the Mural, a FREE summer concert series curated by KEXP, 6-8 p.m., every Friday through Aug. 21 on the lawn of Seattle Center Mural Amphitheatre. Included in this series is the annual KEXP barbeque, a free-entry event offering a great line-up of bands, 2-9 p.m., Saturday, at Seattle Center. The four Friday evening concerts, presented free-of-charge, will offer an innovative and eclectic blend of artists and performance styles, showcasing up and coming artists alongside long-standing national acts. The series is intended to attract residential neighbors, families, downtown workers and music lovers from throughout the greater community. Aug. 7, Dyme Def and Fresh Espresso; Aug. 14, The Dodos and Army Navy; Aug. 21, Fruit Bats, Johnny and the Moon and special guest; Saturday, Aug. 8 is the KEXP BBQ with Dinosaur Jr., Cymbals Eat Guitars, champagne champagne, Japandroids, Born Anchors and Viva Voce.
Culture Yard Vibes Alive 2009 presents A mid-summer festival of reggae music and culture with Groundation, Pablo Moses & The Revolutionary Dream Band, Ooklah the Moc and Paula Fuga, 9 p.m., Friday Aug. 7 at the King Cat Theater 2130 Sixth Ave. $25/$30. Visit www.cultureyard.com for more information.
VISUAL ARTS
Deporting Cambodians: How Immigration Policy Shapes Our Communities, will be the newest visual exhibit through Oct. 18 at the Wing Luke Asian Museum in the International District at 719 S. King St. For more information visit www.wingluke.org.
The Wing Luke Asian Museum presents Parallel Lines, 8 Contemporary Seattle Artists. The event features Tram Bui, Mark Takamichi Miller, Jason Huff, Akio Takamori, Patti Warashina, Saya Moriyasu, Thuy-Van Vu and Joseph Park. The work will be on display through Nov. 29. The museum is at 719 S. King St. in Chinatown-International District. Visit www.wingluke.org. for more information.
Coming soon to the Wing Luke are 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. It starts Sept. 11 and runs through April 18. Visit www.wingluke.org.
READINGS
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.
Queen Anne Books is holding its Monthly Book Club with The Indian Clerk. Anyone and everyone is welcome to this drop-in, no-guilt book club. Meetings are 7 p.m., on the second Monday and following Wednesday of every month. So pick the day that works best for you and come by, 1811 Queen Anne Ave. N. 206-283-5624.
CINEMA
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at IMAX. In the sixth installment, Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds. Together, Harry and Dumbledore work to find the key to unlock Voldemort's defenses. Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same. Visit www.seattlecenter.com for times.
OTHER STUFF
Jim Henson (1936-1990)-artist, puppeteer, film director and producer-created elaborate imaginary worlds filled with unique characters, objects, environments and even languages and cultures. His work is enjoyed in dozens of languages in more than 100 countries. Jim Henson's Fantastic World offers a rare peek into the imagination and creative genius of this multitalented innovator and creator of Kermit the Frog, Big Bird and other beloved characters. The exhibition features 100 original artworks, including drawings, cartoons and storyboards that illustrate Henson's talent as a storyteller and visionary. Among the variety of exhibition objects are puppets and television and movie props, photographs of Henson and his collaborators at work and original video productions, including excerpts from Henson's early career and experimental films. At the EMP through Aug. 16.
Queen Anne Science Café. Join Pacific Science Center for an evening packed with science, drinks and stimulating discussion. Come explore the latest ideas in science and technology from leading researchers and scientists in a relaxed atmosphere. The café is a forum for discussing science issues with local scientists, all while enjoying food and drinks! Presented by Pacific Science Center, KCTS 9 Public Television and Science on Tap. Learn more at pacificsciencecenter.org At 7:30 p.m. Sept. 1 at T.S. McHugh's at 21 Mercer St.
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