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Want more? Here’s everything we recommend this month: Music, Visual Art, Literature, Performance, Film, Food.
PNB: In the Upper Room
Nov 7–16
Premiering in 1986, Twyla Tharp’s high-energy ballet, In the Upper Room, has become one of the most iconic ballets of the 20th century, admired for its athletic choreography, minimalist costume design, dramatic lighting, and a transcendent score by Philip Glass. The Pacific Northwest Ballet will take on Tharp’s contemporary classic, along with Dani Rowe’s emotionally compelling one-act ballet, The Window. This is a must for not only ballet and contemporary dance fanatics, but for lovers of experimental music and performance art. These performances will also debut the newly minted PNB dancers Christopher D’Ariano and Amanda Morgan. (McCaw Hall, various times, all ages) AUDREY VANN
Aya Ogawa, the Nosebleed
Nov 13–15
Doris Duke Award–winning playwright and director Aya Ogawa’s autobiographical play The Nosebleed explores themes of failure, humanity, empathy, and connection, as well as their strained relationship with their late, estranged father. Ogawa enlisted four actors to play various facets of themself, while taking on the role of both their father and their 5-year-old son. Audiences are invited to project their own experiences onto the blank, minimal set and are engaged in the “theatrical memorial and healing ritual” through audience participation. The New York Times selected it as a critic pick and called it “conversational, unflinching and delicately layered,” writing that “Ogawa’s memoir-like excavation tests the boundaries of love and family obligation through intimate confession.” (On the Boards, 8 pm, 6+) JULIANNE BELL
Conner O’Malley
Nov 20
I’ll be honest, I used to refer to Conner O’Malley as “Aidy Bryant’s husband,” until I saw him in Joe Pera Talks With You as a depressed father who eats chicken in the shower, followed by his feature-length, the straight-to-YouTube film Rap World. He isn’t the typical comedian I’d ride for—in general, I have an aversion to male comics—but his loud, aggressive take on comedy ultimately makes a subversive statement about the absurdity of modern-day masculinity. The Chicago-born comedian, whom the New Yorker has called “the bard of the Manosphere,” plays pathetic, reply-guy characters that shed light on the idiocy of alpha males and/or incel men who have largely gotten us to our current hellscape. In a message on his Instagram, an AI-generated O’Malley states, “I have been in the General Motors psychological experiments labs generating humor sequences infused with alternative political ideas, and I’m finally ready to take it out on the road.” (Neptune Theatre, 7 pm & 9:45 pm, all ages) AUDREY VANN
Come From Away
Nov 28–Jan 4, 2026
Ugh, I love Come From Away more than I can articulate. The hit musical tells the story about the small town of Gander, Newfoundland coming together to help the passengers on 38 planes stranded there after American airspace closed on 9/11. It is a musical that reminds us of the generosity of strangers and the goodness that persists in spite of large-scale evils. Come From Away got its start at the Seattle Repertory Theatre a decade ago when producers staged an early version of the show. It returns to that stage this fall, but the show won’t be the same version we all know. The Rep is putting a twist on Come from Away this year. All I know is there will be an emphasis on actors also playing musical instruments. Whatever version of Come From Away graces Seattle stages, I’m excited to see it and be welcomed back to The Rock. (Seattle Repertory Theatre, various times) NATHALIE GRAHAM
More
Violet vs Gottmik: The Knockout Tour Nov 6, Neptune Theatre, 8 pm, all ages
Whitmer Thomas with Clay Tatum Nov 6, Madame Lou’s, 7 pm, 21+
Nate Bargatze Nov 6–7, Climate Pledge Arena, 7 pm, all ages
Countess Luann Nov 7, The Showbox, 8:30 pm, 21+
Ally J Ward: Imposter Syndrome Nov 9, Here-After, 7 pm, 21+
Manual Cinema: The 4th Witch Nov 12, Moore Theatre, 7:30 pm, all ages
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet Nov 16, Paramount Theatre, 2 & 6 pm, all ages
World Ballet Company: The Great Gatsby Ballet Nov 16, Moore Theatre, 6 pm, all ages
Penelope Nov 28–Dec 21, ArtsWest, various times
Pacific Northwest Ballet: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker Nov 28–Dec 28, McCaw Hall, various times, all ages
Spanksgiving Burlesque & Drag Show Nov 30, Tractor Tavern, 7 pm, 21+
A John Waters Christmas Dec 2, Neptune Theatre, 8 pm, all ages
A Drag Queen Christmas with Nina West, Lexi Love, Shea Coulee, Jewels Sparkles, Crystal Methyd, Suzie Toot, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Bosco, and Lydia B. Kollins Dec 3, McCaw Hall, 7:30 pm, 18+
Disney’s The Lion King Dec 4–Jan 4, Paramount Theatre, various times, all ages
Early Warnings
Alaska: A Very Alaska Christmas Show Dec 5, Neptune Theatre, 8 pm, all ages
Matt Rogers: Christmas in December Dec 6, Neptune Theatre, 8 pm, all ages
The 5th Annual Holly Jolly Holiday Show Dec 7, Neumos, 6 pm, 21+
Blue Xmas with Betty Wetter Dec 11, Clock-Out Lounge, 9 pm, 21+
Kitten N’ Lou Present: Jingle All the Gay Dec 12–14, Neptune Theatre, various times, all ages
In Tandem: A Trio of Duets Dec 18–20, On the Boards, 8 pm, ages 6+
The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show Dec 23–28, Moore Theatre, all ages
Fortune Feimster: Takin’ Care of Biscuits Dec 31, McCaw Hall, 7 pm, all ages
Seattle Opera: Daphne in Concert Jan 16 & 18, McCaw Hall, various times, all ages
Pacific Northwest Ballet: Cinderella Jan 30–Feb 8, McCaw Hall, various times, all ages
