A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY
See review this issue. The Nazi regime--as it relates to the Reagan era--in Tony Kushner's pre-Angels in America rumination on art in dark times. Strike Anywhere Productions at Seattle Center House, Theater Four, fourth floor, 325-6500. $8-$10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 22.
BOY GETS GIRL
"If the premise of this politically naive and dramatically inert play is to be believed, romantic comedies and exploitation movies turn regular guys into psychopathic stalkers. After a fairly engaging first half, the second act collapses into a paralyzing and formless miasma--leaving a stage full of talented actors with nothing left to stand on but a big pile of ham." (Tamara Paris) Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $10-$46. Tues-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through March 23.
* THE CHANGELING
"The prospect of watching a florid Jacobean play in a tiny theater in the back of a bar may not sound like an exciting way to spend a weekend night. Unless, however, that play has been adapted by Bret Fetzer, dynamically directed by Carys Kresny, and performed by a cast beyond reproach." (Gregory Zura) Annex Theatre at Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 728-0933. $12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 22.
DEATHTRAP
Ira Levin's (Rosemary's Baby, The Stepford Wives) ancient Broadway comedy-thriller about a dried-up playwright who attempts to lift a script from his up-and-coming student. North Seattle Community College, 9600 College Way N, 526-7791. Tickets are pay-what-you-can. Fri-Sun at 8 pm. Through March 15.
ESCAPE FROM HAPPINESS
"Canadian playwright George F. Walker's play, touted as a throwback to the screwball comedies of the 1930s, is a supposedly humorous work, with dark twists involving a family entrenched in a 'battle of denial.' Never has a show had a more appropriate title." (Gregory Zura) Theatre Babylon at Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 15.
GO, DOG. GO!
Word on the street says this shit's got the kiddies cracking up like there's no tomorrow. Get super high and join the fun. Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $12.50-$19.50. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through May 4.
GOODNIGHT CHILDREN EVERYWHERE
No, Michael, no! It's just a play! Richard Nelson's WWII drama about families scattered abroad during the bombings on London. Playhouse Theatre, 404 University Way NE, UW campus, 543-4880. $7-$12. Wed-Thurs at 7 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through March 16.
HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE
Paula Vogel's Pulitzer Prize-winning survey of the icky limits of familial affection. University of Washington, Studio 201, 543-4880. $5. Wed-Thurs at 7 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through March 16.
JEKYLL AND HYDE
Final week. A musical rendition of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic--astonishing audiences with its 13 different rhymes for "dichotomy." Civic Light Opera at Jane Addams Summit School Auditorium, 11051 34th Ave NE, 363-2809. $20-$30. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 8.
KICKING THE HAT
In this world-premiere play, five women justify their middling, inconsequential existences with some claptrap about hope and well-being rendering life worthwhile. ArtsWest Theater, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0399. $10-$24. Wed-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sat and Sun matinees at 3 pm. Through March 29.
THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER
A 1930s Kaufman and Hart comedy in the familiar "unwanted houseguest" subgenre, about a domineering theater critic who wears out his welcome. The Playhouse, 200 Madison Ave North, Bainbridge Island, 842-8569. $9-$15. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 3 pm. Through March 22.
THE MILLIONAIRESS
See review this issue. Steeplechase Productions at Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 935-8420. $15. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm. Through March 29.
MURDER AT CRAGGY ROCK
A Wild West musical-mystery-comedy set to steak, featuring characters with names like Slappy, Hap Hazard, El Gatito, and Fifi. Northwest Murder Mysteries at Rock Salt Steak House, 1232 Westlake Ave N, 706-7575. $50, includes meal. Sat at 8 pm. Through March 29.
MY FAIR LADY
I'm really uncomfortable with the word "cockney." 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 625-1900. $15-$58. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2, 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm. Through March 16.
NICKY SOMEWHERE ELSE
Apparent mental illness, as masked by the notion of a child's "imagination." Nicky Somewhere Else journeys through the world of imaginary twins, pet rabbits, Santa Claus, and telling delusions. Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $12-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through March 30.
NORMA
Final week. Opera. Tragedy. Italian. Approximately three hours long. Seattle Opera at Mercer Arts Arena, 363 Mercer Ave, 389-7676. $35-$109. Fri-Sat at 7 pm. Through March 8.
* R (THE SWASHBUCKLING TALE OF ANNE BONNY AND MARY READ)
Final week. "Let me heap praise upon Kristina Sutherland and Desiree Prewitt for their fabulously titled and well-executed R (The Swashbuckling Tale of Anne Bonny and Mary Read). They wisely avoid all temptations to romanticize or wax sanctimonious in their two-woman show about famous 18th-century female buccaneers. Instead, they offer a compelling, straightforward story about the rise and fall of two women who preferred piracy to petticoats." (Brendan Kiley) Macha Monkey at Chamber Theatre, 915 E Pine St, fourth floor, 860-2970. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 8.
ROMEO AND JULIET
West Side Story, but in fancier pants. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $15-$40. Tues-Sun at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. Through April 20.
TRUE WEST
One night only. "True West is a powerful, transcendent, and deeply comic work of art, but I'm afraid this production packs all the wallop of a knock-knock joke." (Tamara Paris) Insight America at Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, 425-893-9900. $10-$16. Sat March 8 at 8 pm.
color="#FF0000">*WOMEN WITH BALLS
"Finally, someone has managed to tackle a social issue without beating the audience to death with it. The concept is simple: Four fun and talented women perform what seems like a collection of history reports written by sassy budding feminists. Set to music. With butt jokes. This show is breezy, not preachy; lighthearted, not pointy-headed; and even a touch (ouch) educational." (Adrian Ryan) Red & Me at Bathhouse Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Drive N, 325-6500. $12-$18. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm. Through March 29.
* WOUNDS TO THE FACE
"Wounds to the Face is a thoughtful, intense, moody, broody piece of theater. It's a 'serious artistic statement,' certainly, and I thought it was swell. It's a lot to take at times: stylized, serious, on the verge of buckling under its own artsier-than-thou symbolism." (Adrian Ryan) Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 15.
YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN
A lighthearted musical about the most fucked-up children of all time. Music Works Theatre, 14360 SE Eastgate Way, Suite 102, Bellevue, 325-6500. $12-$16. Fri-Sun at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through March 23.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
CIRCUS CONTRAPTION
This weekend only. Circus Contraption takes its surreal performance artiness to the Eastside with two separate shows: the adults-only Gallimaufry and the family-friendly A Surreal Circus. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, 425-893-9900. $10-$18. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 8.
CITY LIFE
Improvised theater about the Jet City. Unexpected Productions at Market Theatre, Post Alley, 781-9273. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 15.
FRENCH CABARET ON BROADWAY 2003
Buncha French songs, sung in French by Frenchies. Le Centre Français, 623 Broadway Ave E, 726-4843. $8-$10. Sat at 8:30 pm. Through May 17.
* FRINGEACT
This weekend only. ACT's bloated carcass is given a much-deserved kick by this four-day festival featuring staged readings of 30 new plays by 30 Seattle playwrights (including Elizabeth Heffron, Wayne S. Rawley, Gregory Hischak, Bret Fetzer, and Maria Glanz). ACT, 700 Union St, 292-7676. One-day pass $12, four-day pass $36. Thurs-Sun, times vary; call or go to www.fringeact.org for details.
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 E Pike St, third floor, 425-417-5667. $10. Sat at 10 pm. Through March 29.
IT'S ALL THE SAME
Gender-bent cabaret starring local theater veterans Karen Gruber and Doug Knoop. Thumper's Restaurant & Lounge, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $10. Sun at 8:30 pm. Through March 30.
LOUNGE LIZARDS
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 Thumper's Restaurant & Lounge, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $15. Fri-Sat at 8:30 pm. Through March 15.
DANCE
CELEBRATION
This week only. A "mixed-repertoire" dance medley featuring a twinkle-toed interpretation of Peter and the Wolf. ARC Dance Productions at Shorecrest Performing Arts Center, 15343 25th Ave NE, Shoreline, 325-6500. $12-$15. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm. Through March 8.
* INTIMATE STAGE
This week only. The beautifully uncanny solo dance work of Degenerate Art Ensemble's Haruko Nishimura, along with Joan Laage and cellist Brent Arnold. Intimate Stage at a home in Green Lake, 2353 N 64th St, 526-5756. $12. Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through March 9.
THE END OF THINGS/MELT
This week only. Acclaimed (as if On the Boards would house anything else) Australian dance troupe the Lucy Guerin Company present the U.S. premiere of their two most recent works. Lucy Guerin Company at On the Boards, 100 Roy St, 217-9888. $12-$25. Thurs-Sun at 8 pm. Through March 9.
LATE NIGHT
SPIN THE BOTTLE
One night only. Annex Theatre continues its tradition of omnibus monthly shows--this month's cabaret features Reggie Watts, Brian Goedde, Gillian Jorgensen, and many more. Annex Theatre at Velocity MainSpace, 915 E Pine St, second floor, 728-0933. $5. Fri March 7 at 11 pm.
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, 292-7676.
QUEER AS A THREE-DOLLAR BILL at the Comedy Underground, 800-992-8499.
