WALK THIS WAY

Young Frankenstein

Do you enjoy comedy? Do you like bliss? Then you'll want to catch the musical Newsday called "blissfully funny," Mel Brooks's adaptation of Young Frankenstein. It was developed in Seattle in 2007 and hit Broadway two years later. A mostly faithful translation of the 1974 movie, it includes all your favorite moments: "Abby Normal," "Puttin' on the Ritz," Frau Blücher's way with horses, and one enormous schwanzstucker. (Voof!) Or, if you've never seen the movie, you're in for an even bigger treat. The year is 1934. Frederick Frankenstein seeks to erase the memory of his mad grandfather by doing serious science. As you might predict, this ends with the creation of a singing, dancing monster, a rendition of "Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life," and a lot of lit torches. For what you are about to see next, you must enter quietly into the realm of genius.

[The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, Young Frankenstein, Feb. 7-8, 7:30 p.m., 512 Washington St. SE, Olympia, 360.753.8585]

FUNNY FRIDAYS

Two nights of guaranteed laughs

Every few years, some chauvinist comic makes headlines by saying women aren't funny. It isn't true, of course, though most comedy clubs are still total sausagefests. But if you've been a fan of standup at any point during the last 30 years, then you know Margaret Cho can absolutely destroy a room; and if you've seen the 2010 documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, you know Ms. Rivers is having a much-deserved moment. If they shared a double bill, that'd pretty much be the ultimate night of comedy, right? Well...we don't get that. But! We will get the next best thing, as the comediennes play successive Fridays this fall. Come to think of it, you might need a week to recover between shows anyway.

[Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, Margaret Cho, Oct. 28 7:30 p.m., Joan Rivers, Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m., $42-$74, Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5890]

ONE MAN, ONE RING

He's like Tolkien on tweak

Back in the late '90s, I saw a show in which half a dozen actors synopsized the original Star Wars Trilogy in 30 minutes, and I thought that was impressive.  Then comic actor Charles Ross came along and managed to do the entire thing by himself. His One Man Star Wars has been performed over 1,200 times on four continents. So what would be more difficult? Try blasting through the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy solo - plus jokes! We have a winner!  In One Man Lord of the Rings Ross portrays the entire Fellowship of the Ring, plus Aragorn's army, plus umpty-thousand orcs, plus both of Gollum's conniving personalities, in only 60 minutes flat. No bathroom breaks necessary! Actually, if Ross could play a volcano, he would've saved Peter Jackson a fortune on digital effects. And, unlike Andy Serkis, he won't show up in a green unitard.

[Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, One Man Lord of the Rings, May 5, 3 and 7:30 p.m., $42, Theatre on the Square, 915 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5890]

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FALL ARTS: Our theater picks of the new season

FALL ARTS: Big shows are headed our way

FALL ARTS: Our visual arts picks of the new season