AMERICAN VOICES: BUKOWSKI, MICHELINE & THE FIRST AMENDMENT
See review this issue. Dramatic portrayal of a real-life 1968 obscenity controversy involving Charles Bukowski, Jack Micheline, and lefty magazine Open City. Theatre Under the Influence at Union Garage Performance Space, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12. Fri-Sat at 9 pm. Through Aug 23.
THE BALTIMORE WALTZ
In this Paula Vogel chestnut, an unmarried schoolteacher gets a mysterious, fatal illness from a toilet seat, then tours Europe with her gay brother. Once upon a time, this was a vague play about AIDS (specifically, the way the disease robbed so many sensitive straight folk of their entertaining gay friends/relatives). God knows what it's about now. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $10-$12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Aug 24.
CLOSER
Opening. An update of Noel Coward's Private Lives, Patrick Marber's award-winning dramatic comedy makes its way to Seattle after successful runs on Broadway and in London. Two complete sets of reproductive organs (and the folks they're attached to) meet; disaster follows. ReAct Theatre at Bathhouse Theatre, 7912 W Green Lake Dr N, 364-3283. $6-$12. Thurs Aug 15 at 8 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm and 7 pm. Through Sept 1.
DAMES AT SEA
Closing. Dramatic self-reference spirals out of control in yet another American musical based on the production of an American musical. Classics Unlimited at Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, 325-6500. $14-$19. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. Through Aug 18.
DRALION
Since when did foreigners in funny clothes hell-bent on "death-defying" nosedives cease to be called "threats to national security"? I'm ASKING?!?! Cirque du Soleil at Grand Chapiteau, 900 Garden Ave N, 800-450-1480, next to Renton Boeing Plant. $31.50-$65. Tues-Wed at 8 pm, Thurs-Fri at 5 and 9 pm, Sat at 4 and 8 pm, Sun at 1 and 5 pm. No performance Tues Aug 27. Through Sept 8.
FOOTLOOSE! THE MUSICAL
Closing. Let's hear it for the boy! Let's give the boy a hand! Let's hear it for my baby, you know you gotta understand... Oh, oh, oh, maybe he's no Romeo but he's my loving one-man show, oh, woh, woh, woh--let's hear it for the boy! ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $10. Wed-Sun Aug 14-18 at 7 pm, also Sat-Sun Aug 17-18 at 2 pm. Through Aug 18.
FULLY COMMITTED
Solo show about an unemployed actor taking reservations for an ultra-chic restaurant. Now with David Scully. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $24.50-$29.50. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Open run.
MONEY & RUN EPISODE 6
See review this issue. Wayne S. Rawley's serial returns, with original cast in tow, for its newest debacle: The Eyepatch of the Tiger. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $12-$15, under 18 free. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through Aug 24.
NICKEL AND DIMED: ON (NOT) GETTING BY IN AMERICA
Adapting Barbara Ehrenreich's best-selling account of the same name, Joan Holden's new play focuses on minimum-wage labor and its soul-draining effects. "As a play, Nickel and Dimed is not without power, but it feels thin, less substantial than its literary counterpart." (Emily Hall) Intiman Theater, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $27-$42. Tues-Thurs & Sun at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, matinees Sat-Sun at 2 pm until Aug 24. Through Aug 25.
OUR TOWN
Opening. Thornton Wilder's classic play as performed by local deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing youth. Yep, you read that right. Seattle Children's Theatre's Deaf Youth Drama Program at Charlotte Martin Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 443-0807. $7-$11. Fri at 7 pm, Sat at 2 and 5:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Aug 25.
THE RIMERS OF ELDRITCH
Closing. Bounding aimlessly in seemingly random chronological order, Lanford Wilson's 1964 murder mystery paints a weaving portrait of a small town's treacherous underbelly. Bainbridge Performing Arts at the Playhouse, 200 Madison Ave N, 842-8569. $9-$15. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, pay-what-you-can performance Thurs Aug 15. Through Aug 17.
SPEECHLESS
Sketch comedy on mute, by local heroes Bald Faced Lie. "While the lofty idea is an interesting one, unfortunately its execution isn't particularly funny. Although the acting was solid, the punch lines were so simple that watching the play was like watching children's theater (albeit with a little T&A)." (Jennifer Maerz) Bald Faced Lie at Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 325-6500. $15-$19. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7 pm. Through Aug 24.
* STARBALL
Solo performer John Kaufmann takes a stab at combining Jungian theory, astronomy, and dramatic performance in this act of planetary spectacle. "Starball is a quirky and pointy-headed adventure, sexy in an odd and indescribable way, and would probably require psilocybin to get any more surreal. I loved it." (Adrian Ryan) John Kaufmann at Pacific Science Center's Smith Planetarium, Seattle Center. 634-9018. $12. Thurs-Sun at 8 pm, seating between 7 and 7:55 pm. Through Aug 25.
TAMING OF THE SHREW
"Bitchy girl submits to backhanding smart-ass. Misogynist parable? Feminist subversion? Decide for yourself." (Bret Fetzer) GreenStage Theater Company. Call for locations, dates, and times, 748-1551, www.greenstage.org. Free. Through Sept 2.
TEATRO ZINZANNI: DINNER & DREAMS
The most expensive dinner theater of all time--three hours of gluttony, lust, and eye candy. Featuring the effervescent yet earthy Kevin Kent. "Dinner & Dreams isn't a disaster. The food is great, and a handful of the performers are dazzling. But for every bit that dazzles, a half-dozen fall flat." (David Schmader) Teatro ZinZanni, Sixth & Battery, 805-0015. $89 Wed-Fri & Sun, $99 Sat (includes dinner, but not beverages or gratuity). Wed-Sat at 6:30 pm, Sun at 5:30 pm. Open run.
VAYA CON LOLA
See review this issue. A new play chronicling the struggles of a crazy Latina mother and her estranged daughters, written by and starring the worship-worthy Monica Appleby. Baba Yaga Productions at Ned Skinner Theater, 1501 10th Ave E, 325-6500. $10. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Aug 24.
DANCE
* FALL KICK OFF SHOWCASE EXTRAVAGANZA
This week only. A three-day eruption of Seattle's contemporary dance scene, featuring performances by 33 Fainting Spells, Mary Sheldon Scott, Pat Graney, Wade Madsen, Amy O'Neal, and Liz Young. Velocity Dance Center, 915 E Pine St, #200, 325-8773. $20-$35. Fri-Sun Aug 16-18 at 8 pm.
HYPOCHONDRIA
This week only. Founding member of the Dappin' Butoh troupe Consuelo Gonzalez presents her latest work, the convoluted story of a girl named Hypochondria who is struck psychosomatically lame, and who is able to spiritually heal the insane. Also featuring a new work by Joan Laage and Lisa Lightner. Intimate Stage at a home in Green Lake, 2353 N 64th St, 526-5756. $12, reservations required. Sat Aug 17 at 8 pm, Sun Aug 18 at 7 pm.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
ANTIQUES IMPROV SHOW
Bring your own objects; these jokers will tell you what you've got. The problem with the premise is... don't you think those real appraisers are pretty much winging it too? Unexpected Productions at Market Theater, Post Alley, 781-9273. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Aug 31.
BEACH BLANKET BURLESQUE
This week only. More pasties than you can shake a... wait, scratch that. A benefit for Miss Indigo Blue's queer cabaret act BurlyQ, which will be representing Seattle in this year's Tease-O-Rama in San Francisco come September. Fallen Women Follies at Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 233-9873. $15. Sat-Sun Aug 17-18 at 8 pm.
HOKUM'S MIDSUMMER VAUDEVILLE FESTIVAL!
A variety show of explosive proportions. Caution: mimes. Hokum Hall, 7904 35th Ave SW, 937-3613. $12-$14. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun Aug 25 at 3 pm. Through Aug 25.
KAFTAN!
A charmingly ramshackle kitsch cabaret with It's Mark Mitchell, Kurt B. Reighley, Paula!, and guests. "A nice-enough dose of free entertainment." (Josh Feit) Swedish Housewife at ING, 1530 Bellevue Ave, 329-5388. Free. Sun at 9 pm. Ongoing.
YOUNG ACTOR INSTITUTE SHOWCASE
This week only. Students of the Seattle Children's Theatre's advanced-studies program present a platform to display the fruits of their six-week labors in the form of musical theater, improv, and stage combat. Seattle Children's Theatre at Eve Alvord Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 443-0807. Free. Sat-Sun Aug 17-18 at 7 pm.
LATE NIGHT
COMEDY COURT
Opening. Improv comedy... in a courtroom setting! HA! Comedy Court at Odd Duck Studios, 1214 10th Ave, 442-2044. $10. Sat at 10:30 pm, with additional performances on Sept 7 and 14 at 8 pm. Through Sept 14.
MYSTERY AT CAMP CHESTNUT
Closing. The kids at Cornish bring us the public run of their successful student production, a late-night affair with (surprise!) a twist: The audience controls the storyline in this Choose-Your-Own-Adventure-styled performance. Strike-Anywhere Productions at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, third floor, 324-6328. $5-$6. Fri-Sat at 10 pm. Through Aug 17.
PEGGY PLATT
One night only. The final evening of summer comedy with the popular Ms. Platt. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $8-$10. Fri Aug 16 at 10:30 pm.
THE TWILIGHT ZONE
The cash cow returns... and it's thirsty for blood! Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $10. Fri-Sat at 11 pm. Through Aug 24.
