Sisters protecting their sister, from left to right: Adela (Sarah Milici), Angustias (Colleen Carey), Martirio (Gina Marie Russell), and Amelia (Lorrie Fargo), Bernarda (Ruth McRee). Photo by Michale Brunk (NW Lens), provided by Arouet, and used with permission.

Enter The House of Bernarda Alba, a play by Spanish writer, poet, dramatist, and theatre director Federico García Lorca, who died by assassination in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War, only two months after he had written this play. Currently playing at The Ballard Underground Theatre, adapted in English by Emily Mann, directed by Charles Waxberg and Roy Arauz and put on by Arouet, the focus of this play is control and how it is wielded (and abused) by a domineering mother and those who live there: her elderly mother (María Josefa, played beautifully by Frances Hearn), her five daughters – Angustias (39 years old), Magdalena (30 years old), Amelia (27 years old), Martirio (24 years old), and Adela (20 years old) – and her servants.

Set in a Spanish village in a home in Andalusia, this household is in mourning at the loss of the husband and father. The mother, Bernarda Alba, aged 60 years of age and brilliantly played by Ruth McRee (Mme. Pernelle in Taproot Theatre’s Tartuffe), decrees an 8-year mourning period and denies her daughters any joy or outside relations, particularly of the romantic variety.

What results is a very dysfunctional, disheartened, and sexually deprived household – a combination that can only lead to tragedy (and does).

Your Hedonista recently accepted a media invitation to attend this play. (I got to sit front and center – literally – on the comfy couches that the theatre currently has, but may be getting rid of … such a shame if they do!) In it, all characters are heart-wrenchingly portrayed with an intensity and sorrow that makes you shake your head, if not shed a tear or two.

The House of Bernarda Alba has only three performances left in its run, which is May 4th to 19th, 2012. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. shows on May 17th, 18th, and 19th, which range in price from $10-$50, are available through Brown Paper Tickets.

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.

A relatively new Bellevue eatery opened its doors on March 2nd, 2012. Within a week, they started up with Happy Hour. About a month later, they then launched a lunch menu. This is a restaurant that encourages both hipster chic and family fun. A place that encourages its foodie fans to play with their food … literally.

Their renos to this space are industrial chic - and accented with coral-like hues of burnt-orange-meets-persimmon.

That place? Bradley + Mikel’s Koral Bar & Kitchen. The brainchild of Koral lies with two restauranteur innovators who are no strangers to the food/beverage/dining/hospitality industries: Northwest natives Bradley Dickinson and Mikel Rogers. Following in the footsteps of their first Bellevue creation – PEARL Bar & Dining back in 2008 – Koral is their “New American Kitchen” located in the Hyatt Regency Bellevue (the old Twisted Cork locale; your Hedonista confesses that she attended a media tasting there and wasn’t much impressed; all she remembers is an entourage of raspberry-flavored cocktails, which aren’t her fav. She also confesses that she has yet to review PEARL, but hopes to soon. She recently attended a media dinner with Mikel Rogers.)

“We like to go places [to dine] where we can bring our families,” Mikel Rogers informed me over dessert. “We don’t like to take ourselves too seriously and we like to have fun. We like to have a great time.”

Although Koral considers itself as an upscale dining experience, it clearly doesn’t take itself too seriously – for example, it has a menu that describes its kitchen burger as having “serious goo factor.” And its dessert menu encourages playing, complete with such offerings as cookies ‘n’ milk and mousse you blend yourself in a bowl (just like at Grandma’s house).

Some of Koral's liquids and solids, from left to right: sweet 'n' sour beverage options of the sweet $9 vodka kollins (Absolut Grape infused vodka, St. Germain, sweet and sour and soda water) and the $10 smokey sour Boulevardier, which sports the Koral color (Bulleit Rye Whiskey, Campari, and sweet vermouth); the $10 roasted marrow bones, served with crostini and a parsley salad; and the $10 chocolate mousse for two that you mix yourself (ganache and whipped cream) and eat ... with two spatulas! (They have $6 milk and cookies, too - I tried their molasses, chocolate chip & butterscotch, and peanut butter & bacon.)

Lunch is available weekdays – Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinners are available seven days a week: 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday. Happy Hours are from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and from 9:00 p.m. to midnight seven days a week ($2 off all draft beer and 1/2 off all bar appetizers, signature cocktails, and wines by the glass).

Koral's poster promoting their Mother's Day Brunch.

Mother’s Day Alert: Tomorrow, Koral will have a special brunch menu for brunch (10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; dinner will also be available from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.). Brunch items range in price from $10 to $26 and include: 1) house made fritters with apricot butter, 2) choice of an appetizer (there are five choices, including fresh fruit and salads) and 3) an entrée; entrées include everything from eggs to meats to seafood.

So feel free to play with your food, 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.

Enzo (David S. Hogan) and his owner Denny (Eric Riedmann) enjoy the elusive Seattle sunshine in The Art of Racing in the Rain. Photo by Alan Alabastro, provided by Book-It, and used with permission.

First, there’s The Art of Racing in the Rain – a play adaptation based on the 2008 book (and New York Times best seller) by Seattle author Garth Stein, currently playing at Book-It Repertory Theatre from April 17th to may 13th, 2012. Set in Seattle, this play is an adaptation by Myra Platt and directed by Carol Roscoe. It tells of the human-dog bond between Denny Swift (Eric Riedmann) and his dog – a mutt likely with part terrier in the genetic mix – Enzo (David S. Hogan). Enzo seeks reincarnation as a human; but, to obtain it, he must remain heroic and true … all the while keeping Denny on the same path. WARNING: This one just may make you shed a tear or two.

Four performances of The Art of Racing in the Rain remain: 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. performances both tomorrow and Sunday. Tickets range from the $20s to the $40s, but according to their ticketing website, all performances are sold out. Book-It’s 23rd season is now out and features five plays for its upcoming 2012-2013 season.

Next is the world premier of Exit, Pursued By A Bear at ArtsWest, running April 18th to May 13th, 2012. Produced jointly by Synchronicity Theatre (Atlanta) and and Crowded Fire Theater (San Francisco), this is a play by Lauren Gunderson, author of last year’s ArtsWest production of another strong female protagonist – Émilie: La Marquise Du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight. Although I didn’t enjoy Exit as much as Émilie, protagonist Nan Carter (performed by Sara Coates, who was, interestingly enough, also Soubrette in Émilie as well as in Theater Schmeater’s An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein) is a convincing “victim-turned-victorious” heroine. The victim of domestic violence at the hands of her red-necked husband Kyle Carter (Jonah Von Spreecken), Nan (with the help of a couple of friends) takes things into her own hands and doles out her own form of poetic – well, at least Shakespearean – justice. Disturbingly dark and comedic at the same time, this is definitely a revenge play.

Only two performances remain of Exit: tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Tickets range from $10 to $34.50. This play is recommended for those 16 years of age and older. The 2012-2013 season at ArtsWest is also prepped and will run from September 19th, 2012 to May 25th, 2013. The five plays will be: Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson; The Winter Wondrettes; Shirley Valentine; Next Fall; and 33 Variations.

Although very different, a clear central theme exists between these two plays exists: that the power to change and improve oneself really lies within.

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.

Chef John Howie’s Sport Restaurant & Bar – located just a stone’s throw from the Space Needle, on the main floor of Fisher Plaza – now has an expanded Food and Drink Menu to facilitate such hearty, ‘n’ rich sport-alicious foods. (They have more sports paraphernalia than you can shack a stick at, offer HD, LCD, and Plasma TVs, and even have TVs at the individual booths. Sports programming, of course, dominates.)

Not too long ago, your Hedonista attended a media lunch.

Some of the highlights, left to right: Cheesey Jalapeño Poppers ($7.00), 5X Pike Stout Infused Hardboiled Egg ($7.50), and Texas Steak Chili ($4.50/cup, $8.00/smaller bowl, and $13.00/larger bowl). All of these items were yummy.

Some of the highlights are in image form in this article. The Cheesy Jalapeño Poppers had, to me, just the right amount of heat (and the chipotle-ranch dipping sauce is to die for). The Pike 5X Stout-infused hard-boiled egg was served up creatively with artisan salts. And the Texas Steak Chili was steak-alicious.

Some more of the highlights, left to right: the 28-day aged Prime 10 oz Fire-Grilled Sirloin Steak ($21.00), Thin Crust "Marguerite the Pizza not the Princess" $8.00 (8-inch)/$11.00 (12-inch), and - last but by no means least - their ab-fab New York Style Reuben ($14.00).

Other highlights included sliced bites of the 28-day aged grilled prime sirloin steak, the thin crust Margherita pizza, dubbed “Marguerite the Pizza not the Princess” and made with Fontina, Parmesan, and Mozarella cheeses, as well as Roma tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and basil. (NOTE: these pizzas can also come Gluten Free upon request.) But the all-time fav of mine, hands down, was their New York Style Reuben: piles of thin-sliced corned beef and sauerkraut served up on slices of grilled caraway rye bread and Swiss cheese and sauced up with SPORT’s special sauce. OMG! Pure bliss.

There were really no duds on the menu, although I confess that the Char Siu Chicken Salad ($8.50 half size and $12.00 full size) really didn’t do it for me and the Homemade Clam Chowder ($3.75/cup, $6.50/smaller bowl, and $10.50/larger bowl) was good, but failed to knock my socks off.

Sport opens at 11:30 a.m. seven days a week and closes at 11:00 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and at 1:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

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.

Dating is no different – regardless of the external tools at hand – for we always have our own, biological internal tools, if you will. That’s right, our internal tools, such as hormones, phermones, instincts, and intuitions.

Eric Ankrim (Aaron) and Kelly Karbacz (Casey) in the world premiere of First Date, a co-production of ACT and The 5th Avenue Theatre. Photo by Chris Bennion, photo provided by The 5th Avenue Theatre, and used with permission.

Enter First Date – a world premiere co-production between ACT – A Contemporary Theatre and The 5th Avenue Theatre (these two theatres are currently in their second year of collaboration). (Your Hedonista attended as media not too long ago.) Based on a book by Austin Winsberg, directed by Bill Berry with music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, and musical staging by Josh Prince, this musical is one hilarious romantic comedy. Eric Ankrim (Curly in Oklahoma!) plays Aaron, a somewhat uptight Wall Street suited type, who meets up with Kelly Karbacz’s character Casey, an edgy, all-black-wearing SoHo artiste type, on a blind date that mutual friends set them up on. (Would’ve thought they’d have met online, but nooooo!)

As if insecurities and emotional baggage weren’t enough, in today’s age we now have social media and electronic baggage, as it were. This musical hits home to any and all looking for love (or even a short-term hook-up) in today’s digitally-stimulated age (ahem!). The neurosis of these two daters – who are beautifully backed up by a cast that covers everything from ex-lovers to fellow diners – is utterly priceless.

First Date runs from March 10th, 2012 to May 20th, 2012. Tickets range in price from $15 to $69.

The takeaway: don’t over-think while on a first date … and be sure to turn off your smart phones, 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.

Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancer Batkhurel Bold (Apollo) with Apollo's muses: (l-r) principal dancer Maria Chapman, soloist Sarah Ricard Orza, and principal dancer Lesley Rausch in Apollo, choreographed by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust. Photo © Angela Sterling, provided by PNB, and used with permission.

Take the latest production of the Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB): Apollo & Carmina Burana. (Your Hedonista attended Opening Night this past Friday as media.) This production involves two separate performances, separated by a single intermission. First, Apollo, with music by Igor Stravinsky and choreography by the late George Balanchine. Apollo is the ancient Greek and Roman God of, well, many things, including the arts. In this dance, Apollo interacts with three of his artistic muses: Callioppe (poetry and its rhythms), Polyhymnia (mime), and Terpsichore (dance). The stage is bare, save for a stool upon which Apollo sits for a time and three props used by the muses to distinguish which muse is which (a lyre, mask, and scroll). The backdrop is a deep blue, perhaps to symbolize the heavens (all that was missing was some dry ice or cloud formations). The dance is an otherwordly hybridization between classicism and modernity – a truly lovely piece.

Acclaimed set designer Ming Cho Lee's colossal twenty-six-foot golden wheel shares the stage with the Seattle Choral Company and Pacific Northwest Ballet company dancers in Kent Stowell’s Carmina Burana. Photo © Angela Sterling, provided by PNB, and used with permission.

Next, to balance out the lightness of the heavens, is the delicious darkness of hell … well, purgatory, at least (or even real life). Carmina Burana is based on a collection of medieval poems and literary dramas designed to satirize the Catholic Church. With music by the late Carl Orff and choreography by Kent Stowell, a world is created in which the puppets are the people and the puppeteer is the great Wheel of Fortune (a very, very cool prop designed by Ming Cho Lee). Beautifully choreographed and splendidly sensuous – I especially enjoyed the lightly sequined nude body suits worn by the dancers to signify sweaty, even carnal nudity. With the costumes seemingly gone, one could focus on the form and interaction – “raw” ballet, if you will. And the singing by the Seattle Choral Company added an entirely additional dimension rarely experienced during a ballet performance. (In short, a real treat.)

Finally, hats off must go to Conductor Emil de Cou, who seems supernatural himself in his abilities to conduct both the orchestra and the Seattle Choral Company, all while the dancers do their thing in the midst of it all (literally).

Apollo & Carmina runs April 12th to the 22nd, 2012. Tickets range in price from $28 to $168.

So if you like a lil’ lustiness with your power and worship, this latest by the PNB should not be missed, 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.

Take Cutters Bayhouse, for example. Originally founded in 1983 and part of the RUI empire, with its dark wood and merlot-colored interior themes and reeking of a geriatric boys’ club, today it reopened as the completely renovated Cutters Crabhouse. Now retro, chic and full of light – one really has a view from every table, no matter where in the restaurant one sits – the new and improved Cutters seats up to 173, with private dining for up to 70.

Their hope?

To draw in a younger, sexier crowd of both/all genders.

The old interior of the Cutters Bayhouse (left), image courtesy of the Cutters Crabhouse archives (note the plaid carpet). The new interior - on display for the general public starting today - boasts a light and airy feel, complete with crab pot-esque chandeliers stretched out over the wooden common table and bright citrus fruits stacked up in cylindrical glass vases at the bar.

Just like its interior, the menu has also taken an extensive redo under the leadership of Executive Chef Simon Zatyrka and Chef de Cuisine Joshua Martin. Popular favs from the old menu still exist: the Smoked Salmon Chowder ($8.25), topped with crispy salmon skin, chives and roe; the tempura-battered Beecher’s Cheese Curds from the bar menu ($5 Happy Hour) – still served with Micks pepper jelly, but now also tossed with fried pickled Alvarez Farms Peppers as well as Fresno Chilis; and the Oven Roasted Dungeness & Rock Crab Dip ($15.95), made with artichoke hearts, aged parmesan, shaved onions, and a baguette.

That said, most of the menu – menus, actually, are brand spankin’ new and a bit overwhelming. There’s an oyster menu, a raw bar menu, a fettuccine bar. Two features menus – one for lunch, one for dinner – will offer up the whims of Chef Simon. There’s also a Bar Menu that includes a Sushi Menu, a Bar Food Menu, and $5 Happy Hour menu that will kick off this Monday, April 16th and run Mondays to Fridays 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. until close as well as Saturday and Sunday evenings from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. until close. Oh, and a weekend brunch menu from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

The old 'n' new offerings of Cutters Crabhouse, from left to right: some sushi roll offerings, a sample taste of smoked salmon chowder, and Seattle Style Fish Tacos.

Yesterday, your Hedonista attended their pre-opening training day. I sampled some sushi, a sample of their smoked salmon chowder, and their Seattle Style Fish Tacos ($13.95): Alaskan halibut and cod, avocado, lime, zucchini, green onion and red cabbage (messy, but oh-so-good).

All in all, a good “new” joint worth checking out. They say “come for the crab and stay for the view” but “come for the view and stay for the crab” would also be accurate.

(They even validate 50% off the parking rate at the Public Market Garage at 1531 Western Avenue. Just be sure to spend $10 or more and to show your receipt in the garage.)

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.

Running from March 23rd until April 22nd, 2012 at the Seattle Repertory Theatre (which will, incidentally, be celebrating its 50th Anniversary Season next season, scheduled to run from September 2012 until May 2013) is Or – a farcical play by Liz Duffy Adams that’s directed by Allison Narver. It’s a 90-minute play without any intermissions that’s filled with artistic (and sexual) passion, artistic (and sexual) creativity, and diplomatic (and sexual) espionage. (Not too long ago, your Hedonista attended as media.)

Montana von Fliss as Nell Gwynne (left) and Kirsten Potter as Aphra Behn (right) star in Or, at Seattle Repertory Theatre. Photo by Chris Bennion, provided by Seattle Repertory Theatre, and used with permission.

Set during the reign of King Charles II during the time of England’s Restoration, the protagonist is a lovable – nay, desirable – bisexual spy-turned-playwright Aphra Behn (1640-1689): England’s first female professional playwright during a time when women had not yet broken into this industry. Not surprisingly, gettin’ by in a Restoration-Era “Man’s World” typically involves some sex … or consequences. Played by Kirsten Potter, Aphra is very playful, intelligent, and practical. Montana von Fliss plays the beautiful and sexually-charged Nell Gwynne (and others). Finally, Basil Harris plays Charles II (and others). This is a three-person cast of characters that’s pulled off as if there are many, many more. Definitely worth seeing.

Fourteen performances remain, including both 2:00 p.m. matinées and 7:30 p.m. evening performances. (NOTE: Some shows are already sold out.) Tickets are (depending on performance time): $35-$45 for adults, $35-$40 for seniors and $22 for students. For those of you 25 years of age and under, tickets to any show are $12 (best seats available). Also, groups of 10 or more can get up to 20% off tickets.

So if you’re cravin’ a lil’ witty, sexual content, dear hedonists, Or just may be the play for you.

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.

Bang Bar Thai Restaurant & Lounge took over the Tom Yum Koon restaurant on California Ave SW in West Seattle, right next door to A Terrible Beauty. Early in 2011 the renovations began, with Bang Bar’s opening in June 2011. Kay Fuengarom and Aom Tiacharoenwat are partners in this particular endeavor (Kay also has two other Thai restaurants, located further north up the I-5: Chaiyo Thai in Northgate and Zab Thai in Everett.)

Although your Hedonista has dined only at Bang Bar (and on more than one occasion, at that) and recently attended a tasting there hosted by Kay, a connecting theme among all of these restaurants appears to be “Eat the Heat” – in other words, embrace the spicy goodness of Thai cuisine. Bang Bar offers the following choices: Mild, Medium, Hot, Very Hot, and Extra Hot.

Appies and cocktails: Duck roll ($8.95, left) and martinis: Cucumber Mint and Big Bang Cosmo ($8 each, right).

Appies and cocktails began the tasting: a delicious duck roll ($8.95) sliced sushi-style and made with honey-glazed roasted duck that takes five hours to prepare and is rolled up in Rotis with apple, cucumber, green onion, red bell pepper, and honey Hoisin sauce. (NOTE: Their Duck Noodle dish ($15.95), made with the same duck and served up in a bowl with bok choy, home made egg noodles, and a balsamic Hoisin reduction sauce, is equally delicious and a personal fav of mine.) The cocktails ($8 a piece) were light and paired well with hot foods. The Cucumber Mint martini is a muddled-mint-and-cucumber beverage made with Pearl Cucumber vodka, San Pellegrino, and fresh sour mix. The Big Bang Cosmo is a Cosmopolitan with a Lychee twist: lime, lemon, Sky Citron, Lychee liqueur, cranberry juice, and fresh sour mix, served with a lychee fruit stuffed with a maraschino cherry.

Mains and dessert, left to right: Garlic Lamb ($17.95) and Crispy Garlic Chicken ($12.95); for dessert, Lychee Crème Brûlée ($6) and home made ice cream - this one Thai iced tea flavored.

For the mains, it was a garlic-themed night: rack of lamb ($17.95) and chicken ($12.95). Both were (pleasantly) very different. The lamb was marinated and grilled, and the chicken crispy. Both went well together, but were equally lovely on their own. For dessert, the Lychee Crème Brûlée ($6) and Thai iced tea home made ice cream ($6) were a lovely ending to a great tasting.

Bang Bar is open Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until midnight. It offers a combination-laden lunch menu served Monday to Friday from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Happy Hours – complete with $5 martinis at the bar – are 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily, as well as Late Night Happy Hour from Sunday to Thursday 9:00 p.m. until close and even on Friday and Saturday from 10:00 p.m. until close.

Not into taking in the ambiance? Take-out is also available. Bang Bar will even deliver “within limited area” from 5:00 p.m. until 10:0o p.m. with a minimum order of $40.

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.

Michael Uloth (Don Pasquale) and Amanda Opuszynski (Norina) in Don Pasquale at UW's Meany Hall. Photo by © Elise Bakketun, provided by Seattle Opera, and used with permission.

For example: the Seattle Opera may well be grand, but it’s 21-week-long Young Artists Program (YAP), begun in 1998, is nothing to sneeze at, either. Right now, Donizetti’s Italian comedic opera Don Pasquale is currently being performed at the University of Washington’s Meany Hall, YAP’s  first time there (they have traditionally performed every spring at the Meydenbauer Center Theatre in Bellevue). YAP’s Artistic Director Peter Kazaras set it in the mid-century times of Fellini’s film La Dolce Vita.

Only four performances are taking place: Friday, March 31st at 7:30 p.m. (your Hedonista attended as media); Saturday, April 1st at 2:00 p.m. (Happy April Fool’s); Friday, April 6th at 7:30 p.m; and Saturday, April 7th at 7:30 p.m.

Don Pasquale is a tale of teaching the father a lesson by the son. Well, really more by the son’s true love (Norina), whom the father-like uncle (Don Pasquale) has forbidden his nephew (Ernesto) to marry, for he has another woman in mind for him. Ernesto holds his ground and maintains his love for Norina, to which Don Pasquale responds by evicting and disinheriting Ernesto, and then taking a wife of his own.

Although I found that the bass, baritone and even tenor voices didn’t project as well over the dulcet tones coming from the orchestra pit as did the soprano’s voice, the performance, was, overall, highly entertaining. Amanda Opuszynski (Frasquita in Carmen) was a deliciously devilish Norina, with a powerful soprano voice to match. Tenor Andrew Stenson was a perfectly petulant Ernesto and Canadian (from Kitchener, Ontario) bass Michael Uloth was a certifiably clueless Don Pasquale. Baritone David Krohn (Dancaïre in Carmen) made a devious doc Dr. Malatesta (for he assists Norina in tricking her future father-in-law) and baritone Kenny Enlow does a comical (if brief) notary by the name of Carlotto. (He’s actually a a guest artist, a first-year UW grad student who’s studying vocal performance.) Overall, the performance gives off über-witty and retro-chic vibes.

Tickets for the remaining shows are $55 for adults and $20 for students. (NOTE: the roles of Norina, Ernesto, and Dr. Malatesta alternate between the cast above on March 31st and April 6th and Lindsay Russell, Jason Slayden, and Joseph Lattanzi, respectively.)

So if you want to see the ol’ man get his, you now know where to go this weekend.

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.