THE BIG FRIENDLY GIANT
Final week. A kind vegan suffering from a crippling speech impediment and an extraordinary case of acromegaly befriends an orphan, meets the queen of England, and saves the continent. Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 443-0807. $12-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through Jan 19.
THE JOY LUCK CLUB
See review this issue. I can't think of anything to say that I don't personally find offensive, and I think that makes me a bad person. ReAct at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave S, 364-3283. $6-$12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Feb 9.
LOVE'S PAINFUL ITCH
Opening. Don't I know it. Breeder's Theater presents the tale of Chastity Bodice in something that I think can be accurately described as a "romp." Breeder's Theater at E. B. Foote Winery, 127-B SW 153rd St, Burien, 242-3852. $20. Jan 17-20, 24-25, and 31 and Feb 1 at 7 pm; matinees at 2 pm on Jan 19 and 26.
SCOOTER THOMAS MAKES IT TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD
Opening. When the looming threat of adulthood is amplified by the sudden death of a childhood friend, Dennis Wright's life is thrown into a comedic spiral of self-examination. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 East Pike St, 632-9800. $8-$10. Fri and Sat at 8 pm. Through Feb 8.
STRANGE ATTRACTORS
Opening. Empty Space hosts the world premiere of David Adjmi's totally twisted new play, directed by the ever-reliable Chay Yew and starring the ever-brilliant Heidi Schreck and Ian Bell. Empty Space Theater, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $25-$40. Tues-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through Feb 16.
TAKING SIDES
Opening. Art and politics and world war: the dramatic account of the clash between a U.S. Army major and the conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic post-WWII. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $10-26. Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, Sat matinees Jan 25 and Feb 8 at 3 pm, Sun matinee Feb 2 at 3 pm. Through Feb 8.
THIS ROOM AND THIS GIN AND THESE SANDWICHES
Opening. Edmund Wilson's 1937 look at the art/commerce yarn, as filtered through the scope of the influential Provincetown Players. Union Garage Performance Center, 1416/1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $14. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 6 pm. Through Feb 8.
THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE
Opening. It's all class wars and cross-dressing in Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux's 18th-century romantic comedy, directed by Stephen Wadsworth. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $15-$40. Tues-Fri at 7:30 pm. Sat-Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through Feb 15.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
KATHY GRIFFIN
One night only. Just barely clinging to the graceful side of the celebrity-for-celebrity's-sake card, Griffin regularly maintains her standing as the best element in the growing volume of unconscionably bad projects she so often attaches herself to. Which is saying something, I guess. This performance, featuring Seattle's Peggy Platt, marks the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Avenue, 652-4255. $35. Wed Jan 22 at 8 pm.
IMPROV! COMEDY AND MORE!
It's not clear what the "and more!" portion of the evening holds, but I hope it has something to do with Reddi-wip. Ain't nothin' funny like Reddi-wip. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 N Pike, 417-5667. $10 suggested donation. Sat at 10 pm. Through Jan 25.
SINBAD
One night only. I have a real soft spot for failed sitcom stars. When the only phone calls their publicists receive are from interns for Hollywood Squares and The Surreal Life, the fallen celebrity's humility is akin to the fallen saint's. For the sake of my conscience, please pay tribute to the faded sheen of the star we once knew--the irrepressible spirit known simply as Sinbad. Sinbad at Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 292-2787. $35-$75. Fri at 8 pm.
DANCE
BEYOND BLUE
This week only. Choreographer Rain Ross presents a well-intentioned (if not particularly earth-shattering) look at a range of human experiences, with professional and student dancers. Lehua Dance Theatre at Velocity MainSpace, 915 E Pine, second floor, 898-1320. $12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm.
INTIMATE STAGE
This week only. Tina Pilonetti, Alan Sutherland, Kristin Narcowich, and Joan Laage perform confrontational dance works in a living room near you. Intimate Stage at a home in Green Lake, 2353 N 64th St, 526-5756. $12. Sat-Sun at 7 pm.
EVENTS
* 12 MINUTES MAX: A PERFORMANCE EXHIBITION
This week only. Now in its 24th year, On the Boards' artist-friendly, time-sensitive performance showcase 12 Minutes Max has grown into a veritable rite of passage for up 'n' coming Northwest performers--be they writers, dancers, or wonderfully entertaining freaks. This month's installment offers Vanessa DeWolf, Margo Lauritzen, and Maureen Whiting's dance tribute to Black Sabbath. On the Boards, 100 West Roy, 217-9888. $7. Sun Jan 19 and Mon Jan 20 at 7 pm.
STUDIO SERIES 2003
Freehold students, alumni, and faculty let loose in this series featuring 18 different performing events; each week will feature a new lineup of staged readings, dance, and original plays. Call for scheduling info. Freehold's East Hall Theatre, 1525 10th Ave, second floor, 323-7499. Donation. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Through Jan 30.
LONG RUNS
BROADVILLE CARNIVAL at Cafe Venus, 624-4516.
CABARET: THE ResERECTION at Coffee Messiah, 861-8233.
* THE HOKUM SHOW at Hokum Hall, 937-3613.
JET CITY IMPROV at ArtsWest, 938-0339; at the Ethnic Cultural Theater, 781-3879.
LATE NIGHT CATECHISM from Seattle Theatre Project at ACT Theatre, 292-7676.
QUEER AS A THREE-DOLLAR BILL at the Comedy Underground, 800-992-8499.
