10 NAKED MEN
"Did I enjoy this mincing, quipping, dangling parade of fags? Finn Walker was cute as a pickle as Kenny (and hangs circa seven inches, cut) and Irwin Ghallan was charming as a confused and hairy rent boy (eight inches soft, to the left, in a jockstrap). When the dialogue got boring someone stripped, so that basically worked out. It ain't art, but it sure is naked." (Adrian Ryan) Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave, 706-2634. $25-$30. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 7 and 10 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through June 8.
2 PIANOS, 4 HANDS
Final week. Musical theater in the hands of music majors about their lives in music. Written by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $15-$46. Tues-Sun at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun matinees at 2 pm. Through June 1.
42nd STREET
The classic musical about musicals. The 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. $16-$60. Tues-Wed and Sun at 7:30 pm, Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sat-Sun at 2. Through June 8.
THE AUGUST WILSON PROJECT
Final week. See review this issue. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $25. Thurs-Fri May 29-30 and Sun-Mon June 1-2 at 7:30 pm. Through June 2.
CHINA DOLLS
"Hmmm... you're a middle-aged, middle-class, middlebrow closeted homosexual in town for business, and you'd like to find a revue that indulges your persistent and inexplicable desire to watch strident, self-congratulatory drag queens and drama-school dropouts belt out show tunes without a trace of irony. Well, fasten your seat belt--have I got a show for you!" (Tamara Paris) Wait... what? Productions at Standard Lounge, 527 S Main St, 605-6033. $18-$25. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, late-night performance Saturdays at 10:30 pm. Through June 29.
* GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS
"The director of this play, Aimee Bruneau, has done something great. Something really fucking great. She's assembled--on Ira Parnes' terrific sets--a cast that knows how to act. Really made them pull their fucking tongues out of their asses and--now, wait--and tell a story about men who are 'always closing.' You'll understand. Once you see this play you'll fucking see." (Greg Zura) Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 325-6500. $8-$22. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through May 31.
GOD'S MAN IN TEXAS
"With the dramatic sensibilities of a good episode of Highway to Heaven, God's Man in Texas explores the sin many of us have committed at one time or another--ambition. Despite some good performances (Jeff Berryman's, in particular), the show provides absolutely no surprises. With its all-too-pat setup buried under so many safe Christian jokes, overly long examinations of Bible passages, and jokes about former President Bill Clinton (!), the show ultimately offers little beyond disappointment." (Gregory Zura) Taproot Theatre, 204 85th St, 781-9707. $16-$26. Wed-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm. Through June 14.
* GO THERE
Final week. "Sarah Rudinoff's one-person show (directed by her former Hedwig costar, Nick Garrison) is just about the best one-person show I've seen this side of ever. There isn't a moment of this show I'd change, and that's the most I can say for any show. And this is the first time I've ever said it. Viva la Rudinoff! Go see this show." (Adrian Ryan) Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 323-0388. $13. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through May 31.
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
Opening. With its latest production, the young In-g company takes a look at love in eight short pieces, with works written by the likes of Wayne Rawley, Tim Sanders, and Tamara Paris. In-g Productions at Northwest Actors Studio Cabaret Space, 1100 E Pike St, 938-1100. $12. May 30-31 and June 6-7, 13-15, 20-21 at 8 pm. Through June 21.
THE HAIR MONOLOGUES
One night only. As inspired by Eve Ensler's famous rants on the infinitely more relevant regions of the body, solo performer Venus Opal Reese discusses the burden of black women's hair--which is apparently the nexus of a surprising amount of social turmoil. Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave, 628-0888. $13.50-$18.50. Sun June 1 at 7 pm.
THE HEARING WORLD AROUND ME
One night only. "A one-deaf-woman storytelling show" exploring the many difficulties faced by the hearing impaired. Laurent Clerc Hall, Community Center Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 1609 19th Ave. $10. Sat May 31 at 8 pm.
HOLY GHOSTS
Opening. A student production of a play about a group of Southern cult members. Directed by Diane Hostetler. Stage One Theater at North Seattle Community College, 9600 College Way N, 527-3661. Tickets by donation. Fri--Sat May 30-31 and Thurs-Sat June 5-7 at 8 pm.
IN THE WAKE
Opening. Founding member of Golden Fish Theatre company Becky Hellyer presents the world premiere of her new comedy, the story of family obligation in a time of death. Golden Fish Theatre at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 325-6500. $10-$15. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through June 21.
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
Opening. "One thing I'll say for him, Jesus is cool." Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 292-ARTS. $18-$56. Tues-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through June 8.
JOE SHMOE
Final week. "A heavenly race against time to save some guy from a deadly mistake in the afterlife's bureaucratic Fate Department? How silly. But the Habit folks do cocky, quirky, thinky comedy pretty darned good--gooder than anyone else I can recall at the moment--and Joe Shmoe provides plenty of genuine milk-shoots-right-out-of-your-nose-type funny moments." (Adrian Ryan) The Habit Productions at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 696-8430. $11. Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 8 and 11 pm. Through May 31.
* ONDINE
"This excellent, original adaptation of Jean Giraudoux's Ondine by director Sean McEnaney deftly negotiates the textual tension between Giraudoux's punchy wit and elevated language. Concerning the doomed love of a water sprite for a hunky, if stupid, knight-errant, Ondine is a sincere, lyrical, three-hour fairy tale, and I loved it in the goopy corner of my self that sighs at full moons and finds aquatic mammals deeply moving." (Brendan Kiley) Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through June 21.
PROJECT X: BEFORE THE COMET COMES
Final week. "It is, in a word, wretched--though the production, for all its bleakness, featured some phenomenal acting. Piano accompaniment, impressive video production, and an inspired, art-installation-perfect set lent Project X an impressive aesthetic. But I felt torn between sniveling and yawning. Was this an awful play populated by great production talent? Or was it a work of stark beauty this particular philistine simply failed to appreciate? Though I lean toward the former, I honestly cannot decide." (Brendan Kiley) Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $22-$40. Sun-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. Through May 31.
THE SEAGULL
See review this issue. Chekhov, unrequited love, water fowl--as adapted by Money & Run creator Wayne S. Rawley. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $12-$15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun Jun 8 and 15 at 2 pm. Through June 21.
THE SHAKESPEARE STEALER
Based on the children's novel of the same name, director Rita Giomi presents an Elizabethan tale of friendship and theft. Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $12-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through June 15.
VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE
Final week. "Written and conceived by the recently much-celebrated Bergel, Voyage is visually clever, energetic, and I suspect there's an original idea lurking in it. But with a cast of non-singers singing a score written either a full octave lower or three octaves higher than any of their non-ranges, all delivered in monotone rhyming verse in Nordic accents, well... uhhh... what?" (Adrian Ryan) The Little Theatre, 610 19th Ave E, 219-3161. $7-$12. Sat May 31 at 4 and 11 pm.
WHITE TRASH BARBECUE
One night only. As part of the "Prostituting Genius" performance art series, White Trash Barbecue presents the no doubt sleazy gifts of Christina Nation, Sarah Papineau, the Spolin Players, and the tireless Craig Trolli. Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 324-1062. $8. Fri May 30 at 8:30 pm.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
BFL: TV SHOW
Opening. The fine folks at Bald Faced Lie return to the evening with an all-new sketch show about television. Bald Faced Lie at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030. $10. Fri-Sat at 10:30 pm. Through June 21.
* BURLESQUEFEST
One night only. See Stranger Suggests. Thrasher Presents at the Showbox, 1426 First Ave, 628-3151. $16.50. Thurs May 29 at 8:30 pm, 18+.
DEAF KIDS DRAMA FESTIVAL
One day only. God, I'm going to hell. Featuring four short plays in ASL with a cast of over 35 deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $6-$9. Sat May 31 at 2:30 and 5:30 pm.
HOT TYPE FESTIVAL
Final week. The Rep's second annual festival of readings of new works, with premieres by Steven Dietz, Nilo Cruz, Katie Forgette, Friedrich Schiller, and Chay Yew. Seattle Repertory Theatre, the Seattle Center, Second Ave and Mercer St, 443-2222. $10. Thurs-Sun May 29-June 1. See www.seattlerep.org for details.
CATHY SORBO
One night only. Free-associative standup comedy
from the nervy Cathy Sorbo. Comedy Underground, 222 S Main St, 628-0303. $6. Tues June 3 at 8:30 pm.
STORY SLAM
One night only. Theatrical storytelling featuring "the stories that you search for at dinner parties," whatever that means. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $4. Tues June 3 at 8 and 10 pm.
WOMEN'S PLAYWRIGHT FESTIVAL
Opening. Staged readings of new works by four rising women playwrights: B.F.E. by Julia Cho, Wed June 4; The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl, Thurs June 5; Mariela in the Desert by Karen Zacarias, Fri June 6; and Dream of Home by Kathleen Tolan, Sat June 7. Seattle Repertory Theater, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $10. Wed-Sat June 4-7 at 7:30 pm. Through June 7.
DANCE
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY
Opening. Pacific Northwest Ballet does its best to perpetuate gender roles for little girls the Northwest over with everyone's favorite Prince Charming yarn. Pacific Northwest Ballet at Mercer Arts Arena, 363 Mercer Street, 292-ARTS. $16-$110. Thurs-Sat May 29-31 and June 5-7 at 7:30 pm, May 31 and June 7 at 2 pm, June 8 at 1 pm.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
This week only. Velocity presents its tri-yearly presentation of works in progress, this time featuring Eric Clothier, Laura Gilbert, Gabriel Bruya, and Stefanie Smith, among others. Velocity MainSpace Theater, 915 E Pine St, second floor, 325-8773. $8. Sat-Sun at 8 pm.
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON SENIOR DANCE PROGRAM
Final week. Seven university dance majors see the stretch of their parent's hard-earned money culminated in the ultimately brief performance marking their choreographic debut. University of Washington, Meany Studio Theatre, 543-4880. $7-$9. Wed-Sat May 28-31 at 8 pm, Sun Jun 1 at 2 pm.
LATE NIGHT
* CARLOTTA'S LATE NIGHT WING-DING
The delightful alter ego of Troy Mink returns with a late-night talk show, featuring a wealth of local talent. Northwest Actors Studio Cabaret Space, 1100 E Pike St, third floor, 625-6500. $8-$10. Fri-Sat at 10:30 pm, bar opens at 10 pm. Through June 7.
THE TWILIGHT ZONE
Opening. The cash cow returns... and it's thirsty for blood! Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $10. Thurs-Sat at 11 pm. Through June 21.
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 Ethnic Cultural Theatre, 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.
TEATRO ZINZANNI at 2301 Sixth Ave, 802-0015.
THEATRESPORTS at the Market Theater, 781-9273.
