11. THE COLOR PURPLE

>>> NOV. 12

The Color Purple is a now-classic musical set largely in Georgia that will take to the Pantages in Downtown Tacoma on Nov. 12. But how can you put together a true Southern evening up here in the Northwest? Impossible, you might think, with our lack of humidity (unless it's falling from the sky) and not a cricket to be heard anywhere near the Broadway Center (unless you count the gentle squeaking of a homeless person's pilfered grocery cart). Impossible it is not.

Located at 1716 Sixth Ave., the Southern Kitchen is an awesome place to immerse yourself in Southern culture before the show starts. Grub on some hush puppies, catfish and collard greens with a side of some pretty amazing mango or strawberry lemonade or sweet tea. Just pretend there's a bayou outside instead of 6th Ave, ya'll. Reservations are not required.

After the show, jaunt on over to Meconi's Pub and Eatery just a few blocks away at 709 Pacific Ave.. While this one isn't exactly Southern fare, you will enjoy close proximity to the theater as well as a delightfully boozy array of mixed drinks, beer, wine and tasty food. - Kristin Kendle

[Pantages Theatre, Friday, Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m., $48-$84, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5890]

12. FROST/NIXON

>>> JAN. 14

As you know if you've seen the erstwhile Opie's 2008 movie version, Frost/Nixon is Peter Morgan's dramatic distillation of David Frost's historic 1977 TV interviews with Tricky Dick, in which our 37th president finally admitted to being a nefarious crapsack. 

As good as Michael Sheen and the Oscar-nominated Skeletor (aka Frank Langella) were in that film, this is one confrontation that deserves to be seen live and in the moment - and so it shall, at Tacoma Little Theatre, opening Jan. 14.  (I'm currently in the process of growing my jowls out for auditions.) 

In the meantime, what food goes best with the demolition of an ex-president?  We're told Nixon liked cottage cheese slathered in ketchup, so let's not take this too damn literally, shall we?  Instead, we'll fall back on that old Vulcan proverb, "Only Nixon can go to China."  Indochine it is!  Oh my sweet agnostic God, have you tried their honey walnut prawns?  Yes, I know Indochine serves mostly Thai food, but their shrimp would be stars in any Hong Kong eatery.  Finally, Chef Gordon Naccarato at Pacific Grill traveled Hawaii learning how to make the perfect mai tai, so put his skillz to work on your nightcap. - CC

[Tacoma Little Theatre, Jan. 14-Feb. 6, Friday-Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m., $15-$24, 210 N. I St., Tacoma, 253.272.2281

13. SPRING AWAKENING

>>> JAN. 22

What better to do with an evening out than see an oft-banned musical? Spring Awakening follows a group of German students as they come of age and explore their sexuality - providing an afternoon or evening of entertainment for you. The content is explicit as it chronicles the consequences of oppressed sexuality so this is not your best bet for a family night out. In fact, it might just be your worst bet unless you want to fit in about four years of Sex Ed courses into one evening of song and dance. There are two shows at the Pantages Theater Jan. 22.

Regardless of which show you see, starting off with a lunch or dinner at the close by Varsity Grill is just about the best way to go. Expect burgers, sandwiches and soups. Reservations are accepted.

(Closed) After the show, Woody's on the Water features both a thematically appropriate name as well as great entertainment and after-show drinks and food. Most Friday and Saturday nights have music, and you can also find good food, drinks and some pretty amazing appetizers that are half price here from 9 p.m. until midnight. - KK

[Pantages Theater, Jan. 22, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., $38-$80, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5890]