Get out your calendars! Banish cabin fever by attending some of the terrific spring arts dance, theater and music shows in the South Sound. (See also our Seattle-area spring arts preview, and if we missed something please email emurray@parentmap.com.)
March 2–30, Tea for Ruby
Evergreen City Ballet is premiering an hour-long ballet based on the popular book by Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, and Fancy Nancy illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser. $13–$21.[BELLEVUE, RENTON, AUBURN]
March 8, Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival
Grammy-Award-winning musicians in the slack key genre perform the various styles of the art form. $10–$27. Washington Center for the Performing Arts. 7:30 p.m. [OLYMPIA]
March 9-17, Freckleface Strawberry - The Musical
A girl and her friends realize that their differences make them special; ages 3 and up. $12–$19. Tacoma Children’s Musical Theater. [TACOMA]
March 14-30, OLIVER!
Based on the Dickens novel, OLIVER! has pathos, drama, and outstanding musical numbers, including "Food,: "Glorious Food," "I'd Do Anything," "Where is Love?," "Consider Yourself," and more musical theater classics. $28–$30. Capital Playhouse. [OLYMPIA]
March 15–April 7, The Joy Luck Club
Based on the bestselling novel, young Chinese women and their mothers explore their pasts; ages 13 and up. $12.50–$24.50. Tacoma Little Theatre. [TACOMA]
March 23, Olympia Youth Chorus
Folk music, light-hearted fare by the littlest singers, energetic gospel tunes, and lilting melodies. Olympia’s Sweet Adelines will join on stage. $7–$17. Washington Center for the Performing Arts. 7 p.m. [OLYMPIA]
March 29–April 14, The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood
A frantically funny, Monty Pythonesque retelling of the classic that adds up to an irreverent jaunt through Sherwood Forest. $9–$13. Ages 8 and up. Olympia Family Theater, Washington Center for the Performing Arts. [OLYMPIA]
March 30, Mark O’Connor: American String Celebration
The cure for a kid resisting music lessons (especially violin) is an evening with Grammy Award-winning fiddler Mark O’Connor, who mixes up classical, jazz, mountain, Celtic, old-time and Texas-style fiddling to exuberant, richly inspiring effect. $24–$59. Broadway Center for the Performing Arts. 7:30 p.m. [TACOMA]
April 4, Lord of the Dance by Michael Flatley
Described by the Los Angeles Times as a "show piece extravaganza," Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance has catapulted Irish dance to a new dimension and unprecedented worldwide acclaim. $25.50–$76. Washington Center for the Performing Arts. 7:30 p.m. [OLYMPIA]
April 5–6, The Tortoise and the Hare
Local kids join two actors from Missoula Children’s Theatre to perform the well-known Aesop fable; suitable for all ages. $7–$10. Centerstage! Theatre. [FEDERAL WAY]
April 14, Rhythms from Around the World
Join the Tacoma Symphony Orchetra Percussion Quartet on a whirlwind tour around the world to explore the elements of rhythm and a look at the world of percussion instruments. $5–$12. Schneebeck Hall, University of Puget Sound. Arrive by 1:30 p.m. for an Instrument Petting Zoo. 2:30 p.m. [TACOMA]
April 5–28, Legally Blonde - The Musical
Sorority girl turned law student learns to trust her own instincts; official age recommendation is age 4 and up; we suggest older. $20–$29. Tacoma Musical Playhouse. [TACOMA]
April 19–May 12, The Rainmaker
A man promises solutions to a family’s problems; ages 10 and up. $18–$24. Lakewood Playhouse. [LAKEWOOD]
May 3–26, Little Shop of Horrors
A carnivorous, singing exotic plant wreaks havoc; ages 13 and up. $14.50–$26.50. Tacoma Little Theatre. [TACOMA]
May 17–June 9, 9 to 5 – The Musical
Secretaries hamstring their sexist boss and take over the company; official age recommendation is age 4 and up; we suggest older. $20–$29. Tacoma Musical Playhouse. [TACOMA]
May 11, May 18-19, Bringing Fairy Tales to Life
Get tickets far in advance for this popular performance of short ballets by Tacoma City Ballet, based on classic children’s fairy tales, nursery rhymes, proverbs, limericks, and fables. Performance and Fairy Tale Tea Party, Saturday, May 11 ($10). Traditional Performances, Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19 ($5). [TACOMA]
June 14–July 14, The Importance of Being Earnest
Dashing young men pursue — and trick — young women; ages 10 and up. $18–$24. Lakewood Playhouse. [LAKEWOOD]
June 15, Jazz @ TMP
A showcase of some of the region’s most venerable jazz talent; suitable for all ages. $25. Tacoma Musical Playhouse. [TACOMA]
June 7–23, The Laramie Project
Exploration of the murder of gay college student Matthew Shepard. Only for older teens – the recommended age is 16 and up – but it can open up critical conversations about bullying and tolerance. $9.50. Tacoma Little Theatre. [TACOMA]
