Comedy!
Word is that David Haynes is over the top in the lead role of "La Bete," a comedy set in France in the 1650s and set in clever rhymed verses. An all-star cast and fabulous costumes add to the fun of the Olivier Award-winning show seen at 7 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 6 at Cyrano's, 413 D St. Tickets are available at centertix.net.
Mystery!
Ace actor Kevin T. Bennett takes a turn as director for Anchorage Community Theatre's production of the Agatha Christie thriller, "And Then There Were None." Ten strangers, trapped on an island, are knocked off one by one by an unknown party who accuses each of murder. Intense perfection as only Dame Agatha could write it, the play kicks off ACT's 60th season. Catch the show at 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday at 1133 E. 70th Ave. Tickets are available online at actalaska.org or by calling 868-4913.
Harmony!
Violinist Christine Harada Li, leaving for studies abroad, will present a beefy program of all three Brahms Violin Sonatas for the home crowd at 8 p.m. Friday in the Anchorage Museum Auditorium. (625 C St., but use the Seventh Avenue entrance.) Admission is $15, $10 for students. Li will be accompanied by pianist Juliana Osinchuk, who will also take part in an Anchorage Festival of Music concert at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Blue.Hollomon Gallery, 3555 Arctic Blvd. That soiree will feature several Anchorage musicians in a program dedicated to women composers of the baroque era; if you have no idea who Elizabeth Jacquet de la Guerre was, you really need to check her out because, as a composer, she's a bona-fide heavyweight. Admission is $35, $25 for seniors, $15 for students and includes a reception. More information at anchoragefestivalmusic.com.
Stravinsky!
Igor Stravinsky's mix of folk/jazz/atonal music and storytelling, "The Soldier's Tale," will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at the University of Alaska Anchorage Fine Arts Building Recital Hall. Grant Cochran directs the music and stage action with a UAA music faculty crew that features Mari Hahn as the narrator, Jane Drebert as the princess, Scott Heverling as the soldier and Malcolm Kuntz as the hard-bargain-driving devil. It's billed as the Anchorage premiere of the complete eccentric work, with dialogue and dance. Tickets are $18-$15 and are available at uaatix.com and at the Fine Arts Building box office.
Compiled by arts reporter
Mike Dunham