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STAGE REVIEWS Opening Nights Ming’s Minions spring into action. (Chris Bennion) MING THE RUDE Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave. N., 206-547-7500. $10-$35. 7:30 p.m. Sun. and Tues.-Thurs.; 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 2 p.m. matinees Sat.-Sun. Ends Sun., Nov. 9. If you want to know what the Empty Space's '70s park romps felt like—and you do —don't miss Ming , a lighthearted bit of fluff in which the death of King CharmGlo Ming leaves the Kingdom of Courtesy in the hands of son Larry (Troy Fischnaller), a sweet misfit who has trouble walking and waving at the same time. This is to say nothing of how he'll behave once the nefarious Sir Pendulous Dewlaps (Kevin C. Loomis) zaps all the good manners out of him—a deed that throws Queen Bess (Sarah Rudinoff), the patriotic Betty (Nicole Boote), and some dedicated little Minions into action. Encouraged by director Lori Larsen, the cast bounces happily around as if in some vintage Warner Bros. cartoon. Fischnaller's gangly physical comedy is endearing, Loomis' goosey fiendishness is a delight, and if anyone is fit to play an animated queen it's La Rudinoff—the great Chuck Jones himself might have created her generously comic curves, and you could spend the whole show just watching her face explode. You probably won't walk out humming any of John Engerman's music, and the lyrics that he and Rex McDowell, Phil Shallat, and Bob Wright have provided aren't going to stick around either (and is it too much to ask of family nonsense like this to keep it to 90 minutes?). Regardless, the foursome's text is winningly silly: Ming is a lowbrow high—lifted by Melanie Burgess' cheerful junk costumes—and a welcome return to some carefree days. STEVE WIECKING
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