Born With Teeth @ ArtsWest (West Seattle)

An aging authoritarian ruler, a violent police state and a restless, polarized people seething with paranoia: It’s a dangerous time for poets. Two of them — the great Christopher Marlowe and the up-and-comer William Shakespeare — meet in the back room of a pub to collaborate on a history play cycle, navigate the perils of art under a totalitarian regime and flirt like young men with everything to lose. One of them may well be the death of the other in this biting comedy about ambition, ego, and history. Written by Liz Duffy Adams; directed by Mathew Wright.

Preview 1/31; opens 2/1

Financial accessibility: Reduced price tickets ($18.50) offered to those who need them. Enter discount code “inclusion” during checkout process.

Tickets ($48.50) here.