THE ARK
A musical retelling of the story of Noah. Village Theatre, 303 Front St N, Issaquah, 425-392-2202. $26-$42. Tues-Sat at 8 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. Through April 20.
LA BOHÈME
Final week. Puccini's familiar opera, set in the country of sissies and cowards (that shall remain spineless), as performed by the youth of America. Seattle Opera Company's Young Artists Opera at Meydenbauer Center, 11100 NE Sixth Street, Bellevue, 389-7676. $15-$28. Fri-Sat at 7 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through April 6.
EVEN STEVEN GOES TO WAR
Opening. A child meets his grandfather, a Vietnam vet declared missing in action, and somehow this leads them to "discover... the meaning of friendship" in this world-premiere play by Allison Gregory. Bathhouse Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 524-1300. $30-$60. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through April 27.
* THE FAR SIDE OF THE MOON
This week only. See Stranger Suggests. Robert Lepage's award-winning one-man show, a work that glues the space race between sibling nations in a metaphor for familial relations. Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave, 467-5510. $26-$46. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through April 5.
* 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.
* HARD TIMES
Final week. "As the expression goes, Charles Leggett steals (or steals a considerable part of) the show as the vulgar capitalist Josiah Bounderby, who owns Coketown's bleakest factory and is married to the sensitive daughter (Heather Guiles) of Mr. Thomas Gradgrind (Brian Thompson), who also steals a healthy portion of the show--not with the hilarity and energy that Leggett generates every moment he is on the stage, but with the perfection with which he reproduces the stern schoolmaster. In a word, go to this play no matter what your circumstances might be--overemployed or underemployed; receiving bonuses or welfare. It's a great play based on a great book by the always wonderful Charles Dickens." (Charles Mudede) Book-It Repertory Theatre at Seattle Center House, 305 Harrison St, 770-0880. $12-$22. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through April 6.
* HERBERT WEST: RE-ANIMATOR
Opening. "This wonderfully wicked little delight has plenty of screaming, retching, and sobbing, along with yammering severed heads, homoerotic undertones, and the reckless use of needle drugs. The acting is skillful and the tale inherently full of dark humor--as any quality horror story should be. Two severed heads, way, way up." (Adrian Ryan) Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $12. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through April 26.
THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO
See review this issue. By the author of Driving Miss Daisy, another heartwarming commentary on social hierarchy, this time set in 1939 debutante Atlanta. A wealthy Jewish family questions its heritage as its country prepares for war. Taproot Theatre Company, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $10-$26. Wed-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm. Through April 26.
PARROT FEVER (OR, LIES I'VE TOLD IN CHAT ROOMS)
Opening. Written and directed by the talented Keri Healey (of Cherry Cherry Lemon renown), Parrot Fever delves into the vast wasteland of desperation that is Internet community in a look at humanity's crippling need for intimacy. Ethereal Mutt at Union Garage, 1416 10th Ave, 720-7942. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through May 3.
* PRICK
Final week. "No other actor in town is better at bringing to life multiple characters and myriad settings on a bare stage than the dazzlingly virtuosic K. Brian Neel, and his newest offering showcases his skills admirably. However, Prick is a strange and unsettling experience, not for the faint of heart." (Tamara Paris) Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 325-6500. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through April 5.
RADIO ACTIVITY #6
Theater Under the Influence tunes in to a selection of radio serials from the '30s and '40s--including Flash Gordon, The Romance of Helen Trent, and Suspense--for a live-action performance. Theatre Under the Influence at Union Garage, 1416 10th Ave, 720-7942. $12-$14. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 6 pm. Through April 19.
* ROMEO AND JULIET
"What makes the Rep's Romeo and Juliet so engaging, so visually astounding, so moving, so shockingly... good? Hell if I know. But it seems that some somebodies at the Rep did something pretty darn right. The amazing set and costumes are only icing--wonderful acting is the sweet, sweet cake. Love Shakespeare? You must see this show. Hate Shakespeare? You must see this show. I'm willing to bet it'll surprise you. A lot." (Adrian Ryan) Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $15-$40. Tues-Sun at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. Through April 20.
SEA-SAW
Opening. A "Lumberjack Dreamplay" as painted by the incomparable Curtis Taylor, Sea-Saw promises a glorious hodgepodge that will finally shed light on the oft-ignored cabaret troupes of the logging industry. Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave, 411-5823. $15. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through April 26.
SEX IN SEATTLE, EPISODE 6: VICIOUS VALENTINES
Final week. "This popular episodic soap opera about the absurdly tangled love affairs of four sassy Asian American chicks is 100 percent critic-proof. This show is a joyous community event, a celebration of an underrepresented demographic, and a chance to dress up and have date night. Practically the only thing it isn't is a decent piece of theater." (Tamara Paris) Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 323-9443. $8-$12. Fri-Sat at 8 and 10:30 pm. Through April 5.
* THE SPEED OF DARKNESS
See review this issue. Fool's Cathedral at Velocity MainSpace Theater, 915 E Pine St, second floor, 325-8773. $15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through April 27.
* UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL
"Glen Berger's small miracle of a play, Underneath the Lintel, is fundamentally about finding something to believe in. I could quibble over director Adam Greenfield's fussy theatrics or Todd Jefferson Moore's occasionally rushed, but otherwise strong, performance, but I am reluctant to say anything that might dissuade you from seeing this marvelous show. Smart, funny, and literate, this is a night at the theater that should not be missed." (Jeff Meyers) Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $22-$35. Tues-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm. Through April 19.
THE YELLOW WALLPAPER
See review this issue. The maddening qualities of a dingy, unkempt household explored in a world-premiere adaptation of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's claustrophobic classic. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $12-$15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through April 26.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
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.
JACK & THE VARMINTS
Opening. The folks at the Northwest Puppet Center haul out their very expensive dolls for a story about something called a "varmint." Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave NE, 523-2579. $7.50-$9.50. Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 1 and 3 pm. Through April 20.
NORTHWEST NEW WORKS FESTIVAL
Opening. Now in its 20th year, the Northwest New Works Festival provides a unique opportunity for some of our most imaginative artists to develop new projects. Presenting six different programs over three weeks, the festival is an exuberant multimedia celebration, highlighting contemporary choreography, music, and performance--ranging from the theatrical video work of Richard Lefebvre to the music of Erin Jorgensen and the street-level performance art of Sheri Cohen. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $8-$15. Fri-Sat, Studio Theater at 7:30 pm, Mainstage at 9 pm. Through April 19.
VACLAV
Czech-born magician Vaclav dazzles over dinner. Bouchee, 3510 Fremont Ave N, 632-5220. Free with dinner. Open engagement.
DANCE
* MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP
This week only. Morris--a Seattle native--has, throughout the '80s and '90s, successfully revamped stiff 'n' pointy notions of ballet and grace, playfully shoving some humor and stomp into classical dance. The members of the Mark Morris Dance Group showcase some of Morris' more exciting works, from 1990's Going Away Party to this year's Serenade. Mark Morris Dance Group at Meany Theater, University of Washington, 543-4880. $40. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through April 5.
STOMP
Opening. When the homeless become the restless, be prepared for percussive refuse! So loud.... Can't... stop... trembling. Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave, 467-5510. $28.50-$43.50. Tues-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 5, 9 pm, Sun at 3, 7 pm. Through April 27.
* MONEY & RUN EPISODE 4: GO STRAIGHT, NO CHASER
Opening. Big Momma Bob and all the rest remount an old favorite for another sense-stunning exploitation of our excessive-television-watching childhoods. (Adrian Ryan) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $10. Thurs-Sat at 11 pm. Through April 26.
SPIN THE BOTTLE
One night only. Annex Theater continues it tradition of omnibus monthly shows, this month featuring Sarah Rudinoff, Bret Fetzer, Sgt. Rigsby, and many more. Annex Theatre at Velocity MainSpace, 915 E Pine St, second floor, 728-0933. $5. Fri at 11 pm.
EVENTS
ROBERT LEPAGE
One night only. In town for a two-day run-through of his award-winning one-man show The Far Side of the Moon, Lepage makes a pit stop at Cornish for a public discussion of his work. PONCHO Concert Hall, 710 East Roy St, 726-6011. Free. Fri April 5 at noon.
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.
