Wave of season-opening shows in Seattle: 'Full Monty,' Ann Landers, 'Breaking the Code'

September is hurricane season in other parts of our nation. In Seattle, it brings in a tidal wave of season-opening shows in local theaters. The next couple of weeks in particular are packed with openings, and we want to call your attention to several productions of interest opening imminently:

"The Lady With All the Answers." Once upon a time, long before Dr. Phil and Dr. Laura and all those other busybodies, Ann Landers was the country's advice-giver-in-chief.

For more than 50 years, through her widely syndicated and religiously read newspaper column, Ms. Landers (real name: Esther "Eppie" Lederer) doled out firm guidance to those writing in to request her wisdom on everything from "Dear John" letters and party etiquette to alcoholism and homosexuality.

David Rambo's one-woman bio play about the columnist's connection with her avid readers, and her own life conundrums, is having its Seattle debut at ACT Theatre, directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton and featuring versatile Julie Briskman as the gal with at least a few of the answers.

Tonight through Oct. 31 at ACT Theatre, Seattle (206-292-7676 or www.acttheatre.org).

"The Full Monty." What would Ann Landers make of this Broadway musical comedy? It's based on the British film about a group of unemployed working stiffs who, out of economic and moral despair, form their own male strip act.

The insightful and entertaining (and, alas, timely) tuner, with a snappy book by Terrence McNally and splendid score by David Yazbek, was unjustly overshadowed by another little musical that also premiered in Broadway's 2000-01 season, "The Producers."

Though it reached Seattle on tour, "The Full Monty" is making its first professional regional outing here at Village Theatre (with no full nudity on display, but lots of playful hints of beefcake). New Yorker Jerry Dixon, whose last Village assignment was a classy rendering of "Show Boat," directs.

Wednesday through Oct. 24 at Village Theatre, Issaquah (866-688-8849 or www.villagetheatre.org).

"Breaking the Code." This fascinating play by Hugh Whitemore, about the brilliant English mathematician Alan Turing, was last staged professionally in Seattle a dozen years ago.

That was well before the British government formally apologized in 2009 for its horrendous treatment of Turing, an early architect of the computer who helped crack the Nazi's deadly Enigma code in World War II.

Turing lost his government security clearance and was tried under England's "indecency" laws after it came to light he was a homosexual.

Strawberry Theatre Workshop revisits Whitemore's vivid drama, in a new production staged by Sheila Daniels that stars Seattle Rep veteran Bradford Farwell as Turing.

Tonight through Oct. 9 at Erickson Little Theatre, Seattle (800-838-3006 or www.strawshop.org).

"Arcana." The vibrant, uplifting and macabre images of that psychic's tool, the Tarot deck, have inspired this evening of mini-plays and monologues by Seattle dramatist John Longenbaugh.

Open Circle Theater unveils Longenbaugh's stage anthology, describing it as a modern social commentary on "sex, power and the continued difficulties of making a meaningful connection with another human being."

Tonight through Oct. 2 at Open Circle Theater, Seattle (206-382-4250 or www.octheater.com).

Misha Berson: mberson@seattletimes.com