Live theater, live comedy and live stories this weekend (and beyond) in Olympia

Molly Gilmore
·2 min read

‘Mystery’ at the mall

Need a chill to ward off the summer heat? Theater Artists Olympia’s “The Mystery Plays,” in its opening weekend at OlyTheater in Capital Mall, might be just the thing, and not just because the mall is air-conditioned. The show, which mixes medieval mystery play with “Twilight Zone”-style twists, marks a return to the creepy creations for which the company — and director Pug Bujeaud — were long known. (Remember Bujeaud’s two concurrent productions of Quentin Tarantino’s “Reservoir Dogs,” one with an all-woman cast? The director says that was her scariest show ever.) “Riverdale” creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, who’s clearly also a fan of the frightening, wrote “The Mystery Plays,” a pair of loosely connected one-acts. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10-12, 18-19, 21, 25-26 and 2 p.m. Aug. 13, 20 and 27 at the theater near the cinema in the mall, 625 Black Lake Blvd., Olympia. Tickets are $20.

Catch this comedian

Self-deprecating comedian and “Great British Baking Show” fan Ron Funches is performing Saturday, Aug. 12, in Olympia. Funches might be called a triple threat — or even quadruple: He not only does stand-up but also writes, acts and does voice-over work. He has appeared in “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “The Tonight Show” and been heard in “Trolls” and on “Bob’s Burgers.” The show, with opener Blair Socci, starts at 8 p.m. at Olympia Film Society’s Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30, or $25 for film society members.

Comedian Ron Funches, performing Saturday night, Aug. 12 at Olympia’s Capitol Theater, clearly knows how to stand out in a crowd.
Comedian Ron Funches, performing Saturday night, Aug. 12 at Olympia’s Capitol Theater, clearly knows how to stand out in a crowd.

Listen to stories — or tell one

At StoryOly, Olympia’s own story slam, anyone who’s willing to tell a true personal story might be part of the evening’s entertainment. All it takes is courage, preparation (stories need to be 8 minutes or shorter, and no notes are allowed) and a little luck (if there are more would-be tellers than there is time, names will be drawn — those who hope to tell stories should arrive at 6 to sign up). The winner, chosen by a panel of volunteer judges, gets a T-shirt, a cash prize and the chance to compete in the annual Grand Slam. This month, the theme is “Spur of the Moment.” The slam, founded by local entertainment wizards Elizabeth Lord and Amy Shephard, happens from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, at The Brotherhood Lounge, 119 Capitol Way N., Olympia. The cost is $5-15 at the door, with no one turned away for lack of funds. Half of proceeds go to Planned Parenthood.

Quentin Tarantino is a bit much for freelance writer Molly Gilmore, but she is happy to see just about anything else Pug Bujeaud directs. She talks about what’s happening in Olympia and beyond with 95.3 KGY-FM’s Michael Stein from 3 to 4 p.m. Fridays.