* 1984
Final week. "Numbered in the successes: the strong performance by the lead, Adrian LaTourelle; the extensive and often ingenious utilization of video technology; and the adaptation by Wayne Rawley. The primary failure is the set--it's too modern or clinical for the grimy London described in the book." (Charles Mudede) Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $10-$35. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm. Through Feb 28.
ALLIE COMES HOME
Final week. Family and fanciness abound in this play about the East Coast political elite in 1976. Live Girls! Theater, 620 Alaskan Way, 218-9404. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Feb 28.
THE ADVENTURES OF SINBAD
Opening. A puppet restaging of the Arabian Nights story. Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave NE, 523-2579. $7.50-$9.50. Opening Fri Feb 27 at 7:30 pm. Sat-Sun at 1 and 3 pm. Through March 14.
ARIADNE AUF NAXOS
Opening. Postmodern avant la letter, Richard Strauss' Ariadne is an opera about opera. Seattle Opera at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, 389-7676. $37-$118. Opening Sat Feb 28 at 7:30 pm. Sun at 2 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through March 13.
ARTHUR: THE BEGETTING
"Maybe with some rigorous editing, I'd find the story more involving; as it is, I watched it all with a cold heart." (Bret Fetzer) Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $10-$28. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through March 6.
BLASTED
The U.S. premiere of the disturbing first play from Sarah Kane. Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $10-$15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 13.
BRAVE LITTLE TAILOR
Final week. Children's theater about a craftsman with a knack for fly swatting. SecondStory Repertory, 16587 NE 74th St, Redmond, 425-881-6777. $8.50. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 1 and 3 pm. Through Feb 29.
* DARK RIDE
Extended. "The show is impossibly well directed (spotty lighting notwithstanding), driven by the very real-seeming sense that these people aren't acting so much as being acted upon. " (Christopher Frizzelle) Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through March 13.
THE DEVIL & BILLY MARKHAM
Final week. Shel Silverstein's tale of a Faustian bargain. The Possibilities at Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 323-0388. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Feb 28.
DREAMGIRLS
Final week. Frenchie Davis stars in this retelling of the rise of the Supremes. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. $18-$64. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 1 pm. Through Feb 29.
ELEPHANTS ARE CONTAGIOUS
Opening. Seven vignettes inspired by surrealist paintings. Strike Anywhere Productions at JEM Arts Center, 6012 12th Ave S, 763-5830. $10. Opening Fri Feb 27 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm. Through March 28.
I DO, I DO!
A marriage musical, featuring husband Michael and wife Agnes. Shoreline Conference Center, 18560 First Ave NE, Shoreline, 363-2809. $20-$30. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2:30 pm. Through March 7.
AN INSPECTOR CALLS
Final week. A black-box staging of the J. B. Priestley play. Meydenbauer Center, 11100 NE Sixth St, Bellevue, 325-6500. $10-$25. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Feb 28.
LADDERS ON THE PEARBLOSSOM HIGHWAY
One weekend only. A series of vignettes with themes of superstition, ritual, and faith. Ned & Kayla Skinner Theater, Cornish College of the Arts, 2015 Boren Ave, 325-6500. $5-$8. Opening Thurs Feb 26 at 8 pm. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm.
LADYHOUSE BLUES
Opening. The angels in a working-class St. Louis house, circa 1919. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $10-$24. Opening Wed March 3 at 7:30 pm. Through March 20.
LIFE, A GUIDE FOR THE PERPLEXED
A Flying Karamazov Brothers show at ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $20-$36. Thurs-Fri at 7 pm, Sat at 2 and 7 pm, Sun at 1 and 4 pm. Through March 21.
* LINE ONE
See review this issue. Final week. An experimental show featuring cell phones. Annex Theatre at Chamber Theatre, 915 E Pine St, fourth floor, 728-0933. $7. Fri-Sun at 8 pm. Through Feb 29.
MACBETH
Opening. This production updates Macbeth for the 21st century. Freehold's East Hall Theatre, 1529 10th Ave, second floor, 325-6500. $10-$12. Opening Thurs Feb 26 at 7:30 pm. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm. Through March 13.
* MANSIZE
See review this issue. Final week. The Stranger's own David Schmader premieres a new comedic work. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $15. Wed-Sun at 8 pm. Through Feb 29.
THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER
"Poorly staged, poorly paced, the production was loud and flailing when it needed to be controlled and precise." (Bret Fetzer) Sand Point Magnuson Park, Building 406, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, 748-1551. Free. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through March 14.
OF MICE AND MEN
Final week. An adaptation of the Depression-era classic. Tacoma Little Theatre, 210 N I St, Tacoma, 253-272-2281. $14-$18. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Feb 28.
THE MINEOLA TWINS
Extended. Final week. "It's possible that there's a worse play by a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, but I can't think of one. " (Bret Fetzer) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Feb 28.
MOMMA DON'T HURT ME SO BAD
Final week. A comedic S&M fairy tale. Center House Theater, 305 Harrison St, 933-2835. $20. Thurs-Sat at 7 pm. Through Feb 28.
NIGHTSTORIES
Final week. Bedtime stories for grownups. SecondStory Repertory, 16587 NE 74th St, Redmond, 425-881-6777. $8. Fri-Sat at 8:30 pm. Through Feb 28.
OKLAHOMA
Opening. The quintessential American musical, replete with singing cowboys and brooding farmhands. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 292-2787. $22-$58. Opening Tues March 2 at 7:30 pm. Wed at 7:30 pm. Through March 7.
SAVING GRACE
Final week. A farce about a secretary, her lecherous boss, and a repairman. Tacoma Actor's Guild, 901 Broadway, Suite 600, Tacoma, 253-272-2145. $12.50-$28. Thurs at 7 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Feb 29.
SHAPE OF A GIRL
Opening. A one-woman show about the malice of teenage girls. Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $14-$26. Opening Fri Feb 27 at 7 pm. Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through April 4.
TIBET THROUGH THE RED BOX
Based on a true story, this play recounts the travels of a Czech filmmaker in Tibet. Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $12-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through March 14.
* THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE
See review this issue. William Saroyan's drama about the regulars at a 1939 California saloon. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $10-$46. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm, Tues at 7:30 pm, Wed at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through March 6.
TWO BIRDS AND A STONE
Final week. "No matter what its virtues, it's difficult to recommend any play as grindingly miserable as Two Birds and a Stone." (Brendan Kiley) Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 325-6500. $8-$22. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Feb 28.
THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES
One night only. The Vagina Monologues is to February what It's a Wonderful Life is to December. Discuss. Showbox, 1426 First Ave, 1-800-325-7328. $15-$20. Fri Feb 27 at 7 pm.
THE WINTER'S TALE
Final week. "If you ask me, the best part is when the guy gets chased by the bear." (Meg van Huygen) Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W Greenlake Dr N, 325-6500. $10-$18. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Feb 29.
DANCE
10TH ANNIVERSARY/LEAP DAY CELEBRATION
One night only. A retrospective performance from The Field/Seattle, with Amii LeGendre and more. Velocity MainSpace Theater, 915 E Pine St, 227-7757. Free, donations accepted. Sun Feb 29 at 7:30 pm.
CORNISH COLLEGE BFA CONCERTS
One weekend only. Three programs featuring the work of candidates for the BFA degree in dance. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway Ave, 323-1400 ext. 1018. Free, reservations required. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 8 pm.
SCUBA: KIM EPIFANO'S SONIC, DANCE, & THEATER
One weekend only. The first performance in the SCUBA program--designed to offer touring opportunities to emerging dance artists from Seattle, Minneapolis, and San Francisco--will feature the Bay Area's Kim Epifano and company. Velocity MainSpace Theater, 915 E Pine St, second floor, 325-8773 ext 2. $13-$15. Fri-Sat at 8 pm.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
CIRCUS CONTRAPTION: CHEAP THRILLS AND OTHER DELIGHTS
One night only. This circus promises aardvark ballerinas and "surreal egg dances." Redmond Performing Arts Center, 17272 NE 104th St, Redmond, 425-556-2392. $9-$14. Sat Feb 28 at 7 pm.
JIMMY DORE
One weekend only. Standup comedy at Comedy Underground, 222 S Main St, 628-0303. $6-$12. Thurs at 8:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8:30 and 10:30 pm.
GIGGLES COMEDY CLUB LAUGH-OFF
Final week. Standup comedy competition at Giggles Comedy Club, 5220 Roosevelt Way NE, 526-5653. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 and 10 pm. Through Feb 28.
JIMMY HOARD
Final week. Cabaret with Jimmy at Thumper's Restaurant and Bar, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $10. Sun at 8:30 pm. Through Feb 29.
JUGGLEMANIA
One day only. Standup comedy and physical feats from Rhys Thomas. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, 425-893-9900. $10-$16. Sat Feb 28 at 2 pm.
LA RONDE
Final week. NorthWest goga Theatre presents an improvised play. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 748-0698. $8. Sat at 8 pm. Through Feb 28.
LOVE, AGAIN
Final week. Cabaret with Sylvia O'Stayformore and Miss Bea Haven. Thumper's Restaurant and Bar, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $10. Fri-Sat at 9:30 pm.
STIFFED: Fringe Artists Getting It Up Again
Opening. See Theater News. Fringe Artists Task Force presents a fundraiser cabaret. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave. $10, tickets available at the door only, 21+, ID required. Opening Tues March 2 at 8 pm. Through March 30.
SUZANNE WESTENHOEFER
One night only. Standup comedy from an out lesbian. Meany Theater, University of Washington campus, 323-2992. $21-$25. Sat Feb 28 at 8 pm.
LATE NIGHT
SCATTERBRAINS
One night only. Improv comedy at ArtsWest Theater, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $7. Sat Feb 28 at 10:30 pm.
* SOCCER MOMS
Final week. "These three competitive suburbanite bitches are real people, dammit, well-rounded by budding lesbianism, transformational midlife crises, casual alcohol abuse, and swinging marital separations--lusty, lost, backstabbing women, driven together and driven apart by a common obsession with 11-year-old girls knocking balls into nets with their heads. It's bizarre. It's hysterical. It's borderline dirty. Go see it." (Adrian Ryan) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $10. Thurs-Sat at 11 pm. Through Feb 28.
TAPROOT IMPROV COMEDY
Christian improv? We are so there. This show follows selected performances of Arthur: The Begetting at Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $4-$5. Fri-Sat at 10:15 pm. Through March 5.
SPECIAL EVENTS
'80s DANCE PARTY
A benefit for Empty Space Theatre. You're supposed to dress up. Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $10. Sat Feb 28 at 11 pm.
THE TRUTH
One night only. No, it's not an ad for right-wing radio, it's a reading of a new musical about the intrepid staff of an alternative weekly. Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse Theatre, 7312 W Greenlake Dr N, 524-1300. Free. Mon March 1 at 7:30 pm.
MAVERICK MARINE: THE LIFE AND FALL OF GENERAL SMEDLEY BUTLER
One day only. A reading of the new musical from Todd Jefferson Moore, Max Moore, and Stranger Genius Award winner Chris Jeffries. Empty Space Theater, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. Free. Fri Feb 27 at 1 pm.
LONG RUNS
BIG WHEEL BINGO at Rendezvous, 441-5823.
DON'T TELL MOMMA at Thumper's, 328-3800.
* THE HOKUM HALL VARIETY SHOW at Hokum Hall, 937-3613.
JET CITY IMPROV at Historic University Theatre, 352-8291.
LATE NIGHT CATECHISM from Seattle Theatre Project at ACT, 292-7676.
TEATRO ZINZANNI 2301 Sixth Ave, 802-0015.
