Seattle Theatre Group's new season: dance, much more

By Misha Berson

A pan-African version of "Le Sacre du Printemps" ("The Rite of Spring") created by Algerian choreographer Cie Heddy Maalem, a program of dances set to Mozart by Mark Morris Dance Group and a new show by tapmaster Savion Glover titled "Bare Soundz" are some of the many attractions slated for Seattle Theatre Group's dance-rich 2008-09 season.

STG, the nonprofit manager of the historic Paramount Theatre and Moore Theatre, will also join forces with Seattle's Early Music Guild to import the Monteverdi opera "La Favola d'Orfeo" ("The Legend of Orpheus," coming Feb. 6-8, 2009), in a production by Milan's renowned opera troupe La Venexiana.

Also expected: the U.S.-based touring show "Kungfu Theatre: Tales from the Beijing Opera" (April 17); new works by Seattle's Donald Byrd and his Spectrum Dance Theater (April 25 and 26); and such popular, ongoing STG programs as Silent Movie Mondays (weekly in June 2009), "Dance This" and "More Music @ The Moore" (May 9).

STG will continue to offer mix-and-match subscriptions, which allow patrons to get a discounted package and preferred seating by ordering advance tickets to at least three shows of any genre.

"The system has worked very well for us," said STG executive director Josh LaBelle. "In the current season our subscriptions are up 9 percent, to about 17,000, over the previous year." He notes that overall attendance is healthy too: roughly 537,000 tickets sold to STG-sponsored shows.

People can assemble their own STG packages from dozens of 2008-09 Moore and Paramount events.

Some other choices:
Children's touring stage shows by musician Dan Zanes (Dec. 6 and 7), the Backyardigans (Oct. 25 and 26) and others.

Jazz concerts, such as a salute to Blue Note Records (Jan. 8) and an evening with McCoy Tyner (Nov. 14).

Touring Broadway musicals, running on a calendar-year season that was announced earlier ("Avenue Q," "Spring Awakening," "Phantom of the Opera").

Comedy shows, among them the Comedy Addiction Tour (Oct. 3), and stand-up gigs by Paula Poundstone (Nov. 15) and Carlos Mencia (Oct. 11).

Popular individual artists, including experimental performer Laurie Anderson (Oct. 16) and singer Linda Ronstadt (Oct. 23).

"This system fits our mission best," said LaBelle. "We want people to explore diverse artistic experiences. We're not just about Broadway and pop concerts."

Next season, LaBelle is continuing his plan for STG to bring more international attractions to its venues — an expensive proposition, but one he is strongly committed to. To be successful, he said, such ventures take partnering with other arts organizations. In addition to working with the Early Music Guild on the Milan opera import, the African "Le Sacre du Printemps" is part of a continuing partnership with On the Boards to present works by leading contemporary African performing artists.

More about the STG 2008-09 season and subscription purchases: http://www.theparamount.com/ or 206-467-5510.