Salish Lodge (right) overlooks Snoqualmie Falls (left). This time of year, the water flow is plentiful - that mist soaked both me and my camera!

For me, a visit to Snoqualmie Falls (note: the hiking trails are closed until 2013), typically includes a stop in at Salish Lodge and Spa. Perched literally atop the falls, this lodge is rich in history: originally an eight-room inn for weary travelers back in 1916, it was known for its hearty breakfasts to fortify its patrons before they continued on with their respective journeys, be it into the mountains or down to the sea.

In 1988, the building got a face lift and reopened as Salish Lodge; Twin Peaks was filmed there. They also have two restaurants – the Attic and the Dining Room – as well as a Spa on the fourth floor (which they recently renovated to include a quiet room). Both restaurants are fabulous spaces with great views that offer tasty treats. And the spa typically offers seasonal specials.

Take right now, for example: throughout the month of February, Salish is celebrating “The Month of Love” by offering two overnight packages, a five-course Valentine’s Day Dinner, and three special spa treatments.

The Salish Spa got a facelift with a new look (left) and quiet room (right). Fear not, however, for the soaking pools, complete with their own mini falls (center), can still be found on the fourth floor.

The overnights are called”Love at the Lodge” and “A Night to Remember.” The dinner is available in addition to their usual dinner menu tomorrow (February 10th, 2012) and Saturday (February 11th, 2012) and exclusively on Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 – Valentine’s Day.

This fireside massage table, complete with chocolate massage oil had a twin and was ready for a romantic couples massage.

About a week ago, I enjoyed one of their February spa treatments as a media experience: their Chocolate Massage ($115). A 50-minute treatment with a focus on Swedish-style of massage, but with Deep Tissue and Therapeutic massage components at the ready as-needed, this massage will definitely relax and inspire romance. The massage oil used is a chocolate-scented oil that will get you craving chocolate (big time).

The other two treatments for this month are the 50-minute Chocolate Decadence Body Scrub ($115) and the 50-minute Couples Chocolate Fireside Foot Revitalizers ($135/person, $270/couple). Of course, the standard spa treatment offerings are still available.

So if falling in love at the falls is your thing, there’s no better time to do it, dear hedonists.

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable overage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.

Although your Hedonista had little time to enjoy more than one restaurant, I plan to return. That said, choosing from a small list of the “foodie haves” of Gig Harbor, my choice was a good one: Brix 25°. Located in Gig Harbor’s historic downtown, this restaurant is not one to miss. Named after Brix – a scientific sweetness scale in which the sugar strength of the solution is measured as a percentage by weight -  Brix 25° is, well … sweet (25 grams of sugar in 100 grams of liquid). I was told that Brix 26° is the optimal  for grape harvest, FYI. Perhaps this means that this restaurant is on the potential edge of perfection … (h)mmmm.

A flute of Champagne greets guests shortly after they are seated (I'm in the bar area here).

For sweet this restaurant is, having originally opened approximately 8 years ago as Marco’s Ristorante, then about 6 years ago as Brix 25°. Roughly 2-3 years ago, the hubby-wife team of Chef/Owner Thad Lyman and Owner Katie Doherty took over the restaurant. Their motto: “flavors of the northwest.”

The rest, as they say, is history.

Shortly after I was shown to my table, I was greeted with a complimentary flute of Champagne – their house bottle of  Wycliff Champagne Brut (a California dry sparkling that’s a nice start to a great evening ahead). This complimentary flute is simply just what they do for everyone of drinking age who patronizes the restaurant. It’s so nice to get the VIP treatment even when you’re just coming in for a meal. (Note: this was not an official media tasting, but rather me just enjoying dinner out).

The meal was fab. Their Clams & Mussels ($13 on the regular menu, or $8 during their “Get Happy” Happy Hour menu, which is in effect in the bar from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily, all seven days of the week, and all night on Saturdays) is served with crumbled sausage, croutons, and a piquillo pepper coulis. The shellfish was fab, but the broth was dry and just not the type I typically spoon up/lap up/soak up with bread. The Brix Signature Boeuf Bourguignon ($28) was, in sum, amazing: to-die-for braised beef short ribs with roasted cipollini onions, crimini mushrooms, bacon, carrots, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and an über-rich burgundy sauce that I could bathe in (seriously).

Finally, for dessert I enjoyed their baked-fresh Profiteroles, served up with Vanilla ice cream (tasty with a shot of espresso … or two).

Offerings from Brix 25° (left to right): Clams and Mussels in a saffron-d'arbol chile white wine sauce ($13.00), the Brix Signature Boeuf Bourguignon made with braised short ribs ($28.00), and freshly-baked Profiteroles with vanilla ice cream for dessert ($7.00).

All in all, a very good visit … and one worth repeating, too.

(P.S. – They currently hold ongoing regular events, such as their 1) Monthly Wine Social (third Monday of every month); 2) “Wine Wednesday” every Wednesday – when every bottle of wine on their wine list is 50% off; and 3) Cocktail Party (first Friday of every month).)

Oh, and they’ve declared Friday, February 10th, 2012 through to Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 to be their “Love Weekend” in honor of V-Day, dear hedonists.

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable overage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.

Things like alcohol. (Duh – call it the “international social lubricant, if you will.)

And chocolate. (Known to contain phenethylamine, which provides heightened romantic and overall euphoric emotions.)

Elliott's Sous Chef Peter Ryan graciously indulged me by shucking a couple of Skookum oysters table-side. Four of his personal favs were sampled. Although all of the oysters were tasty, my personal ranking preference is (listed in reverse order, saving the best for last): Penn Cove, Skookum, Blue Pool from the local Hama Hama Oyster Company, and Totten Virginica from Taylor Shellfish Farms here in Washington.

Oysters, even. (They contain the hormone dopamine, which heightens libido, as well as zinc, which increases sperm count and testosterone production. There’s also the erotic nature of sucking one of these babies down, straight out of its shell … get my drift, dear hedonists?)

Elliott’s Oyster House is offering bitter sweet treats on Tuesday, February 14th of this year (and possibly longer if we ask nicely, beg, and/or plead).

For love (and sex) can be both bitter and sweet. In fact, each one needs the other, for each defines the other, at least in part. Both at opposite ends of the spectrum and close together (think of the two ends of a horseshoe), bitter and sweet can come together and work wonders – be it for matters of the palate or of the heart.

Last night, your Hedonista headed over to Pier 56 to get some kicks, as it were.

I was not disappointed.

The Venus ($9) is, quite simply, sparkling meets floral. A nice bitter-sweet combination. (And also matched with last night's sunset.)

First, two drinks are being offered, promoted as “Nectar of the Goddesses”: the Venus and the Persephone.

The Venus ($9) is a blend of Prosecco and broVo+RG Rose Geranium Liqueur. BroVo Spirits is “lady-made liquor” company located right here in Washington State that likes to use local ingredients.

(NOTE: Elliott’s and some other Seattle Restaurants are collaborating with broVo to create “50 First Dates” ­- a collection of libido-liciously love-inspiring cocktail and dessert recipes. This booklet will be available at Elliott’s on Valentines Day, while quantities last.)

On its own, the Rose Geranium Liqueur smells so floral, I want to dab some behind each of my ears. It goes down silky smooth with a warming finish. The Venus cocktail is both floral and sweet but also bitter due to the Campari. Want to try it? Can’t wait until February 14th? Well … it just so happens that the recipe is immediately below, which Elliott’s agreed to share (thanks again):

Elliott’s Oyster House Venus

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 oz broVo+RG Rose Geranium Liqueur

2 tsp Campari

1 tsp Rothman and Winter Crème de Violette

4 oz Chilled Prosecco

DIRECTIONS:

In a champagne flute, combine broVo liqueur, Campari and Crème de Violette. Top with chilled Prosecco and gently stir. Garnish with an orange twist.

The Persephone ($10): an adults-only bubble tea for V-Day. I enjoyed the mango bits at the bottom.

Next, there’s the Persephone ($10). Inspired by the Sidecar, this cocktail is also bittersweet, with both lime juice and agave syrup, as well as brandy and the fruit flavors of orange, mango, passion fruit and rhubarb in the liqueurs. At the bottom of this cocktail is mango fruit “caviar” that made the experience somewhat like a tasty adults-only bubble tea. Here’s the recipe for this concoction as well, once again courtesy of Elliott’s:

Elliott’s Oyster House Persephone

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 oz Metaxa 5 Star Brandy

3/4 oz X-Rated Fusion Liqueur

3/4 oz Fresh Lime Juice

1/2 oz Aperol

1 tsp Agave Syrup

Mango Fruit Caviar (optional garnish, recipe below)

DIRECTIONS:

In a chilled cocktail glass, add 1 Tbs Mango Caviar and set aside. In a shaker tin, add remaining ingredients, shake and strain into chilled cocktail glass with Mango Caviar.

Mango Fruit Caviar

In a sauce pan, combine 1 cup mango juice and 2 tsp Agar Agar. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly.  Reduce to a simmer and continue whisking until Agar Agar is dissolved, about 3 to 5 minutes. Allow to cool for a few minutes and pour into a syringe or squeeze bottle. Gentle squeeze drops into about a cup of vegetable oil. Allow to sit for 1 minute. Strain out oil and gently rinse fruit caviar with apple juice.  Pour fruit caviar into about a cup of apple juice and keep chilled for up to 3 hours.

The Valentine's Day dessert special at Elliot's Oyster House: a Rose & Violet Granita with Fresh Strawberries and Bitter Chocolate Sabayon ($7). (And yes, it tastes as good as it looks.)

Finally, last but not least, there’s the dessert, which was created after the two cocktails above were finalized: a very sensual Rose & Violet Granita with Fresh Strawberries and Bitter Chocolate Sabayon ($7). Experiencing this dish was like devouring a work of art. (Literally.) The granita is refreshing and very grape-like.

“It’s the best grape you can ever have,” Sous Chef Peter Ryan assured me.

Situated in a Florentine Cup made with a bee-sting mix imported from Italy, the end product is a wafer-like receptacle for the rose and violet granita, tastes like honey, and holds the granita even as the latter melts … without the former getting soggy. The strawberries remind me of a poke, but with sugared strawberries instead of raw tuna or other fish. And, when the foamy chocolate sabayon is added to the mix, it’s like a deconstructed box of fruit-flavored chocolates.

And, if all of this bitter-sweetness is just too much, just remember: there’s always the oysters.

It is Elliott’s, after all.

Happy shucking, dear hedonists.

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable overage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.

That said, sometimes folks just need a “fresh start” – a deadline/dateline that prompts one to get off one’s hedonistic hiney and (to quote the Nike motto): “Just do it.”

So here you Hedonista stands – well, actually, as I write this, sits – with her own health improvement: the social betterment of Heed the Hedonist.

How, you ask?

At last! Your Hedonista (and Heed the Hedonist) can now finally "connect and share" with all you fellow hedonists out there! Whoo-hoo!

Why, by finally creating that Heed the Hedonist Facebook (FB) page (http://www.facebook.com/heedthehedonist) that I confess I’ve been meaning to set up – OK, more like dreading to set up – since I began this blog in late 2009. Not that there’s anything fancy about it right now, mind you. In fact, it’s pretty bare (I’m currently working on my Jacqueline Pruner (Hedonista) page: http://www.facebook.com/jacquelineprunerhedonista). (NOTE: I also have a Twitter page – https://twitter.com/heedthehedonist – and handle: @heedthehedonist).

Granted, I realize that, although I am typically striving to be on the cutting edge, only just now I joined the some 800 million active FB users (the FB stats are quite interesting, if you care to have a look-see.) I’m even using bitly now – whoo-hoo!

However, I’m just thrilled I’ve gotten this far (with the help of a friend or two, to whom I am eternally grateful), so please feel free to reach out/”friend”/”like” whatever you crazy FB hedonists out there are doing these days. Also, any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated also, please just be patient as I evolve with this latest e-medium.

As for me, I promise to keep at it … and, with great satisfaction, cross one of my New Year’s Resolutions off of my 2012 list.

Enjoy the snow days while they last, dear hedonists … and be safe out there.

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable overage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.

Miss Indigo Blue as The Countess of Candies (Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy).

For it’s burlesque time again at The Triple Door – (your Hedonista attended as media at last year’s performance, and once again this year). From what I could remember, Land of the Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker 2011 was pretty much the same as last year’s performance, but no less entertaining. Put on by Lily Verlaine (artistic direction and choreography) and Jasper McCann (technical direction, script and lyrics), the inspiration for this sensual show comes from The Nutcracker Ballet.

Complete with ballet dance moves performed en pointe – by both men and women alike – as well as pastie wearing – again, by both men and women alike – this sh0w was both sexy and funny. It’s a perfect date-night or group-night outing. But tickets go fast; this year, I attended opening night of their 6th annual performance last Wednesday, December 14th, where I was told that they were already 80% sold. (So you’d better hurry.)

Tickets range in price from $28 to $45; the show was originally scheduled to end December 24th, but it looks like they’ve added at least one additional show, on December 17th. Early shows are 17 years and older; late shows are 21 years of age and older (slightly more naughty, I gather). And they have both a food and bar menu with their newly-launched Triple Door Backstage Ale made by the Elysian Brewing Company and selling for $6.

So if a little ecdysiastic pageantry is what you crave, check this show out and give your peepers (and maybe your fellow peepin’ peeps) some pleasure this holiday season.

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable overage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.

But how about some changes of a different nature? Like a lesbian love affair? Or a performance that, overall, shows more like a musical than a Shakespearean Comedy?

Interested? Then you may want to check out the latest Shakespearean production by the Seattle Shakespeare Company that is directed by Sheila Daniels: A Midsummer Night’s Dream – perhaps Shakespeare’s most popular comedy – currently playing at Intiman Theatre October 20th until November 13th, 2011.

The Seattle Shakespeare Company stepped in to support Intiman after reports of its financial woes earlier this year; its production of The Threepenny Opera – their first performance at Intiman – broke previous records during its three-week performance run. Last season – which includes indoor productions, Wooden O outdoor productions, tours across the state of Washington, and in-school residencies – resulted in an 11% increase in those served: some 53,000+ individuals. Incidentally, the Seattle Shakespeare Company just announced its 10th straight season in a row with a balanced budget; it has just completed its 20th anniversary season, with a budget that has tripled over the last eight years. Last June, the Seattle Shakespeare Company received a three-year grant in the amount of $85,000 from the Washington Women’s Foundation in order to further develop the Regional Shakespeare Alliances in schools and communities throughout the state.

Todd Jefferson Moore as Nick Bottom - who was absolutely brilliant - and Amy Thone as a fabulous Titania. Photo by John Ulman, provided by the Seattle Shakespeare Company, and used with permission.

But back to A Midsummer Night’s Dream. As Jeff Fickes, Communications Director at the Seattle Shakespeare Company informed me in a recent telephone interview (your Hedonista attended as media a couple of weeks ago), this production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is “Not your traditional way of looking at the show.”

Its artwork pictures dark, moss-covered rocks that twinkle – almost sinisterly – in the moonlight and invite us to “Come play in the dark, mischievous night….”

Added Jeff: “It’s only when you move into the forest that things get twisted.”

In this production, Lysander is a woman by the name of Lysandra (played by Christine Marie Brown) and in love with the lovely Hermia (played by Allison Strickland). Puck (played by Chris Ensweiler) is more sinister minion than playful trickster. And the cast of fairies – who sing and dance in a very physical, sensuously bestial, and tribal way – are more dangerous than whimsical.

In short, this is a series of love stories that are more bittersweet than sugar-coated. And the performance of Todd Jefferson Moore as Nick Bottom is alone worth the ticket price.

Including tonight, nine performances remain. The dates and times of these performances, which run Thursdays through Sundays and include six evening and three matinée performances, can be located on the Ticket Calendar. Tickets range in price between $15-$40 for adults and $15-$25 for seniors and students, with prices for groups of ten or more attendees in the $20 to $23 range.

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable overage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.

That’s right – I’m talking about The Rocky Horror Picture Show by Richard O’Brien. (Your Hedonista received and accepted a media invite to last Wednesday’s Opening Night.) With the longest-running theatrical release in film history, this international cult classic became a must-see – and participate – midnight movie. (I remember attending in my college days.) What’s more, in 2005, it was registered with the U.S. National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. Why? Why, for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” of course! A good choice, given that, costumed up in a riotous hybrid of punk rocker meets burlesque, the cast – and often audience members – of this production never fail to entertain.

Sarah Uptagraff (Columbia) and David Katz (Dr. Frank 'N' Furter) in ArtsWest's latest production. Photo by Michael Brunk, provided by ArstWest, and used with permission.

And this most recent running at ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery is no exception. From July 13th through the 23rd, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show is very much worth going to see. Put on by ArtsWest’s Summer Musical Theater Apprenticeship Program, this show is as polished as any I’ve seen to-date (really). Directed by Christopher Zinovitch (Evil Dead: The Musical), Kimberly Dare (Tell Me On A Sunday), and Bobby Temple, this production stays true to the original while making it all work perfectly on the intimate ArtsWest stage.

And the cast – some of them as young as still in college, even high school – absolutely rock it. From Brad (Kody Bringman) to Janet (Becca Orts) to Riff Raff (Ryan Floresca) to Magenta (Chelsea Gilpin), all the actors are perfectly cast and pull this production off like real pros. David Katz is an absolutely fabulous Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter, and Sarah Uptagraff is a freakishly fiesty Columbia.

Remaining performances run tonight through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with late night performances on Friday and Saturday nights at 11:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 each.

So if it’s time to do the Time Warp again, now you know where to go, dear hedonists….

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.

Dreya Weber as Cleopatra lights up the stage. Photo by Korum Bischoff, provided by TZ, and used with permission.

Enter the latest production by Teatro ZinZanni (TZ): Hail Caesar. Running May 12th to August 28th, 2011, this fanciful show reunites Julius Caesar and Cleopatra for one magical night under the spiegeltent. (Your Hedonista attended as media last month.) With everything from dinner and dancing, to acrobatics and acting, to sensuality and song, this show fills your plate. Frank Ferrante – an absolute TZ fav of mine, and a TZ regular since 2001 – kicks off the show as “Chef Caesar” and alleged inventor of the Caesar salad. (Close, but no cigar, BTW – the Caesar salad is asserted to have been invented – on the fly, no less – by Italian-born Mexican Caesar Cardini at his Prohibition-avoiding Tiajuana restaurant, Cardini’s; how I’d love to have/see Frank play THAT role someday!) Frank is a global actor and director who’s done everything from stage to TV. He’s even been a question on Jeopardy. His performance was, as usual, a hoot. Caesar’s lady love, Cleopatra, is performed by Dreya Weber – a lithe ‘n’ lovely multi-talent (actress, musician, choreographer and aerialist) plays the perfect yin to Caesar’s – er, yang.

TZ's 7:10 from Cairo makes me want to leave the station, if you get my drift.

And the vittles were good, too. This show’s menu includes a three-course starter of a Caprese salad, springtime asparagus soup, and their Caesar salad. Their choice of mains includes a Northwest Prime Beef Tenderloin dish from the WA Okanagan’s Double R Ranch with a green peppercorn demi, a Scallops dish in which the scallops are beautifully encrusted in macadamia nuts, and their usual vegetarian option – their custardy Mushroom Strata, served with veggies and garlic-fried chickpeas. Dessert was a lovely Vanilla Panna Cotta made in-house and garnished with fresh strawberries and mint. They also offer “menu enhancements” that range in price from a basket of Macrina bread ‘n’ butter for $4.75 to an Artisan Cheese Sampler paired with La Caussade St. Croix-Du-Mont for $14.

Personally, I always look forward to the liquid libations they roll out, fabricated to fit the theme of a given show. I really enjoyed the 7:10 from Cairo ($12) – Veev Açaí Spirit, St. Germain Elderflower liqueur, Pama Pomegranate flavored liqueur and a Prosecco splash. This light ‘n’ floral beverage has a fruity fizz that just screams spring.

Also new at the ol’ Teatro Zoo:

- Since the end of last year, an online TZ Boutique.

- Their Sweet Sunday Brunches are still on – a 1.5-hour, 4-course version of the main show, available at 11:30 a.m. on select Sundays. (If interested, see the TZ  brunch event calendar for more details.)

- Their naughtier Mezzo Lunatico (ML) shows are also still going full-swing (visit their ML website for the most current show; the next one’s taking place tomorrow night: June 18th, 2011).

- This Summer’s 2011 Camp ZinZanni begins June 27th and runs to August 13th of this year. Geared for ages 5 through 16, these camps teach cirque-related skills to all of the young and aspiring Teatro ZinZanni performers of the future. This program is a part of the ZinZanni Institute for Circus Arts (ZIRCA).

So if you feel fancifully hedonistic, you may just want to explore, attend, and be entertained, dear hedonists.

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.

Would you forgive this person?

Would you forgive this person if the result of the encounter was your death, due to a broken heart?

Would you also forgive this person if that person, without intending to, had actually fallen in love with you, too?

Pacific Northwest Ballet corps de ballet dancer Amanda Clark. Photo by © Angela Sterling and image composite by Ben Kerns. Provided by PNB and used with permission.

A medieval peasant girl by the name of Giselle does.

For an all-too-brief ten days, the Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) is performing its latest ballet in McCaw Hall: Giselle. (Your Hedonista attended a matinée performance as media last Saturday.) With its new staging by PNB Artistic Director Peter Boal, this Giselle - with the libretto by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges and Théophile Gautier and music by French composer Adolphe Adam (with additional music by Friedrich Burgmüller and Ludwig Minkus) – marks a world première. Running June 3rd until this Sunday, June 12th, 2011, there are still a few more opportunities to enjoy this latest ballet in town.

Pacific Northwest Ballet company dancers eerily hop across the stage in arabesque penchée formation as the ghostly Wilis in PNB's world premiere staging of Giselle. Photo by © Angela Sterling, provided by PNB, and used with permission.

Considered to be one of the greatest tragedies in the history of the ballet, Giselle originally debuted at the Paris Ballet du Théâtre de l’Académie Royale de Musique  in 1841. A Romantic era work of art, Giselle is a young peasant girl from a medieval German grape-growing village who is seduced – and subsequently betrayed – by a nobleman. This nobleman, Duke Albrecht of Silesia, poses as a fellow peasant so as to sow some serious wild oats prior to his marriage to his betrothed, the Prince’s daughter, named Bathilde.

Giselle goes mad when she discovers the truth and the rooted depths of Albrecht’s deception – and subsequently joins the ranks of the supernatural Wilis, who are the ghosts of women who were scorned before their mortal wedding days and thus doomed in the afterlife to take their revenge on unsuspecting men by killing them.

This performance is both ghostly and graceful; it comes complete with graceful pas de deux duets and such “ghostly” movements across the entire stage as a series of grand pas arabesque penchées by the Wilis and a pas de bourrée en pointe series by the deceased Giselle.

(There’s even a Mime Guide to assist with the story as it unfolds – what more could one ask for?)

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.

Both Macbeth and The Comedy of Errors will be performed - Macbeth July 7th through the 31st, 2011 and The Comedy of Errors July 7th through August 7th, 2011. So, in addition to The Merry Wives of Windsor, which runs until May 15th, 2011, it looks like the Seattle Shakespeare Company’s Wooden O has this summer’s free outdoor Shakespeare performances all squared away (see below, or check out their online Performance Calendar).

Wooden O Summer 2011

Performance Schedules

Macbeth

A last year's Wooden O performance in the Luther Burbank Park Amphitheatre. Photo by John Ulman, provided by the Seattle Shakespeare Company and used with permission.

The Comedy of Errors

* Part of the Seattle Outdoor Theater Festival

† Part of the Mercer Island Summer Celebration

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.