The Week Ahead | Arts and entertainment, Sept. 7-13

Movies

"I Served the King of England"

Veteran Czech director Jiri Menzel has concocted a luxurious, sexy and delightfully absurd comedy about a blindly ambitious waiter, played by Ivan Barnev, giving a remarkable Chaplinesque performance. At the Varsity. For showtimes, see Page 6. To read our 3 ½-star review, go to www.seattletimes.com/movies.

"Old School"

The Fremont Outdoor Cinema wraps up for the summer on Saturday with a screening of "Old School," the Luke Wilson/Vince Vaughn/Will Ferrell romp about a bunch of 30-somethings who start a fraternity. The beer-soaked film is a fitting run-up to Fremont's upcoming beer-focused festival, Fremont Oktoberfest. The movie: dusk on Saturday in the parking lot across from the old Redhook Trolleyman Pub at North 35th and Phinney Avenue, Seattle; $5 suggested donation (information, 206-781-4230 orwww.fremontoutdoormovies.com).

Pop music

Kid Rock

The Puyallup Fair got under way this weekend, and that means it's time for the Puyallup concerts. The rodeo kicked off in the concert arena Friday and Saturday, and the Black Crowes and Casting Crowns turn the focus to rock Monday and Tuesday. But there's no bigger star on the concert lineup this year than Kid Rock, playing the Puyallup Wednesday night. His album "Rock N Roll Jesus" has been one of the top sellers of the year, and last week sat at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. He plays with Rehab opening at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Puyallup Fair and Events Center, 110 Ninth Ave. S.W., Puyallup; $30-$60 (206-628-0888 or www.ticketmaster.com; information, www.thefair.com).

Theater

"The Phantom of the Opera"

The Andrew Lloyd Webber phenomenon known as "Phantom" is bound for Seattle — again. The Broadway musical has been touring in the U.S. for 15 years, and is on its fifth trip to Seattle; "Phantom" currently stars Richard Todd Adams as the man in the mask, with Trista Moldovan as his beloved Christine. "The Phantom of the Opera" opens Wednesday and plays Tuesdays-Sundays through Oct. 4 at the Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle; $20-$70 (206-292-ARTS or www.broadwayacrossamerica.com).

Classical

Seattle Symphony

The Seattle Symphony Orchestra opens its 2008-09 season next weekend, and maestro Gerard Schwarz hosts a preview concert Friday night that will hint at the music to come. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle; $20 (206-215-4747 or www.seattletsymphony.org).

Visual arts

Dale Chihuly

Dale Chihuly's elegant "Laguna Murano Chandelier" will be on display at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma starting Saturday. The immense piece — sculpted and blown glass created in 1996 in collaboration with Italian glass masters — encompasses about 1,500 square feet and includes five elements, two that hang from the ceiling and three more that rise from the floor. The work will remain on display through April 19, 2009. Museum of Glass, open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays (extended hours on Third Thursdays till 8 p.m.), 801 E. Dock St., Tacoma; $4-$10 (253-284-4750).