ALL MY SONS
See review this issue. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $18-$26. Wed-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sat matinees at 2 pm. Through March 1.
ALL THE GREAT BOOKS (abridged)
The "Bad Boys of Abridgment" take a red pen to 68 works of literary greatness in under two hours. Reduced Shakespeare Company at ACT Theatre, 700 Union Street, 292-7676. Tues-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through March 2.
* BALLYHOO
"A little bit Brazil, a little bit Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and a little bit King Crimson, Ballyhoo is the impossible-to-summarize story of a far-distant future in which Earth has been transplanted to a new solar system, all culture is advertising, and government agents called Friendly Joes duke it out with renegade terrorists called Bellboys." (Bret Fetzer) Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 323-0388. $12. Feb 7, 8, 9, 14, 16, 21, and 23 at 8 pm. 21 and over. Through Feb 23.
A CHORUS LINE
Hopes and dreams, triumphs and failures, tits and ass. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 625-1418. $15-$58. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun-Wed (no performances Mon) at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun matinees at 2 pm. Through Feb 16.
COMEDY OF EROS II
A fresh installment of A Theater Near You's Comedy of Eros, a sampler of one-acts devoted to the hilarity of sex. A Theater Near You at Northwest Actors Studio Cabaret, 1100 E Pike St, 726-9814. $12-$20. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through Feb 15.
FAR EAST
Opening. The Northwest premiere of A. R. Gurney's semi-autobiographical account of his time on a U.S. Naval base in Japan. Mirror Stage Company at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030. Through Feb 23.
THE JOY LUCK CLUB
Final week. "Director David Hsieh should be applauded not only for his fluid adaptation of the novel but also for managing the enormous cast of over 20 (!). While the actors vary in talent, the sheer volume of people on stage gives dramatic moments an epic quality and celebratory moments a genuine joy." (Gregory Zura) 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.
I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS
See review this issue. Book-It Repertory at Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 364-3282. $15-$22. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 4 pm. Through Feb 16.
JACK & JILL
"The dialogue, severely stylized and clipped, sometimes succeeds in being humorous or urgent, and sometimes degenerates into hopelessly dull relationship-babble." (Brendan Kiley) Steeplechase Productions at Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 935-8420. $29 with dinner, $15 for show only. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm. Through Feb 15.
A LIE OF THE MIND
Opening. Wives beaten, brains damaged, guns fired, doors slammed: surprise! It's Sam Shepard! Rebound One Productions at ACT, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $10-$25. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Feb 23.
LOVE LETTERS
The torture of a love affair by post, just in time for that wicked celebration of Saint Valentine's. Seattle Public Theater at Bathhouse Theater, 7312 Green Lake Dr N, 325-6500. $10-$18. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Feb 15.
MONSTER
"Brandon Whitehead (as Dr. Frankenstein) and MJ Sieber (as the Creature) do well to keep this confounding play from popping its stitches." (Gregory Zura) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $12-$15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Feb 22.
THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA
Southern drawl, questions of faith, and perhaps even some funny hats in Tennessee Williams' award-winning masterpiece. GreenStage at Sand Point Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way, Building 406, 748-1551. Free. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 1.
THE OUTSIDERS
"Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold." Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $12-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through Feb 15.
THE PRODUCERS
Here's that show you've heard all about, starring people you've never heard of. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 292-2787. $26-$67. Wed-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm, matinees Sat-Sun at 2 pm, Thurs Feb 6 at 1 pm. Through Feb 16.
SCOOTER THOMAS MAKES IT TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD
Final week. 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 E Pike St, 632-9800. $8-$10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Feb 8.
* STRANGE ATTRACTORS
See Stranger Suggests. 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.
THE SUICIDE: A RUSSIAN COMEDY
Alternate title: Nyet, Mother. Meany Studio Theatre, UW campus in lower Meany Hall, 543-4880. $7-$12. Wed-Thurs at 7 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Feb 16.
* TAKING SIDES
Final week. See review this issue. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $10-$26. Wed-Sat at 7:30 pm, matinee Sat Feb 8 at 3 pm. Through Feb 8.
THIS ROOM AND THIS GIN AND THESE SANDWICHES
Final week. "Fabulous acting--and the set? A picture-perfect testament to sepia-tinged bohemian dinge. However. Three hours long? Three jaw-clenching, breath-holding, pee-pee-dancing hours?" (Adrian Ryan) Theatre Under the Influence at 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
"If you're looking for a heroine-featuring witfest, go straight to the horse's mouth and read a three-dollar used copy of Much Ado About Nothing from your local used bookstore, and skip the $40 ticket." (Brendan Kiley) 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.
TWELFTH NIGHT
Final week. Another of Shakespeare's drag debacles, with a whole mess of fancy Europeans falling in love all over the place. Seattle Shakespeare Company at Center House Theater, Seattle Center, 325-6500. $12. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Feb 9.
VIC: SPIRIT MADE FLESH
Opening. Winner of the 2002 Hugo House New Play Competition, Maria Glanz's play about 19th-century suffragette Victoria Woodhull. Open Circle Theatre, 429 Boren Ave N, 325-6500. $15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through March 1.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
ANANSI THE SPIDER
Opening. Pupaphobia: the irrational fear of puppets. Arachnophobia: an abnormally strong fear of spiders. I'm getting an ulcer just thinking about it. Carter Family Puppet Theater at Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave NE, 523-2579. $7.50-$9.50. Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 1, 3 pm. Through Feb 23.
CITY LIFE
Opening. Improvised theater about the Jet City. Unexpected Productions at Market Theatre, Post Alley, 781-9273. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 15.
COMEDY COURT
Improv comedy... in a courtroom setting! Motion denied. Comedy Court at Odd Duck Studios, 1214 10th Ave, 442-2044. $7. Sat at 8 pm.
* FRANKENOCCHIO
Opening. Monkey Wrench Puppet Lab present their latest abomination of puppet theater, whose title pretty much speaks for itself. Monkey Wrench Puppet Lab at Nippon Kan Theatre, 628 S Washington St, 340-1445. $13-$15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through Feb 21.
LOUNGE LIZARDS
Opening. If life is a cabaret, please kill me. The Velveteens, a lounge trio and their pianist, gut the standards for your entertainment. Straight-Edge Theatrics at Thumpers Restaurant, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $15. Fri-Sat at 8:30 pm. Through March 1.
THE PITFALLS OF MR. YAMA
One day only. Extraordinarily creepy marionettes with trees growing out of their heads teach us how to share. Thistle Puppet Theatre at Langston Hughes Cultural Center, 104 17th Ave S, 524-3388. Sat at 1 pm.
STUDIO SERIES 2003
Freehold students, alumni, and faculty let loose in this series featuring 18 different performance 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 Jan 30 at 8 pm.
DANCE
CHAMBER DANCE COMPANY
This week only. Channeling such choreographers as Eve Gentry, Hannah Kahn, Susan Marshall, Bebe Miller, and Llory Wilson, the Chamber Dance Company gets all ovarian in a celebration of "historically significant women choreographers." University of Washington, Meany Hall, 543-4880. $10-$14. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Feb 9.
* 33 FAINTING SPELLS: ENTRY
One night only. Dayna and Gaelen Hanson (no relation), owners of the two pairs of feet responsible for some of the Northwest's most celebrated contemporary dance compositions, present a free work-in-progress screening of Entry, their latest abstract dance film. 33 Fainting Spells at Oddfellows Building, 915 E Pine St, Room 429, 568-8640. Free. Thurs Feb 6 at 7 pm.
LOST SOLES
Opening. Thaddeus Phillips plays stage manager, dancer, and bilingual actor in the West Coast premiere of Lost Soles, his new work about the life of a Midwestern tap dancer trapped in Cuba. Thaddeus Phillips at On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $15-$18. Wed-Sun at 8 pm. Through Feb 16.
RUSSIAN NIGHTS
Final week. If the winter months are leaving you a little icy, check out the steamy, sweat-soaked sheen of these hot Russian nights--works by Marius Petipa and George Balanchine. Mercer Arts Arena, 363 Mercer St, 292-2787. $16-$110. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm. Through Feb 8.
SPEAK TO ME
This week only. When words won't do... I just gotta dance! Lingo Dance Theater presents their latest, based on the shortcomings of language. With score by Reggie Watts. Lingo Dance Theater at On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $15. Thurs-Sun at 8 pm. Through Feb 9.
UMI/SEA
One night only. I respect Butoh, I really do, but I just don't get it. And I know I'm not alone. Fortunately, the folks at Intimate Stage are here to shed a little light, in a Q&A following a performance by local Butoh goddess Joan Laage. Intimate Stage at a suburban home in Green Lake, 2353 N 64th St, 526-5756. $5. Sun at 7 pm.
LATE NIGHT
* NEVER SWIM ALONE
Final week. "A tight, tense, and smart little late-night nugget that has no trouble snagging and holding on to one's attention. It's the violence, probably." (Adrian Ryan) Blackbird Theatre at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 632-9800. $8-$10. Fri-Sat at 10 pm. Through Feb 8.
* SPIN THE BOTTLE
One night only. Annex Theater's monthly showcase, featuring performances by Johnny Kaufmann, Wayne Rawley, Maureen Whiting, and Gillian Jorgensen. Annex Theatre at Velocity MainSpace, 915 E Pine St, 728-0933. $7. Fri Feb 7 at 11 pm.
THE TWILIGHT ZONE
Opening. The cash cow returns... and it's thirsty for blood! Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $10. Fri-Sat at 11 pm. Through Feb 22.
