52 PICK UP
One night only. Improv based on randomly selected playing cards. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, 425-893-9900. $10-$16. Fri April 23 at 8 pm.
ARCADIA
Final week. "The story is great but the production is as uneven as a closed-eyed shave. " (Brendan Kiley) Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 380-0500. $15. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm. Closing-night gala performance Sat April 24 at 6:30 pm. Through April 24.
AS YOU LIKE IT
Don Nigro's adaptation of the Shakespearean comedy. Tacoma Actors Guild, 901 Broadway Ave, Suite 600, Tacoma, 253-272-2145. $12.50-$28. Preview performances Thurs April 22 at 7 pm, Fri April 23 at 8 pm, Sat April 24 at 2 pm. Through May 9.
BAKER'S DOZEN: "KRAKATOA LOVE CHILD"
One night only. Four fly playwrights tackle the same plot outline about a fancy new resort called Krakatoa Love Child. Live Girls! Theater, 620 Alaskan Way, second floor, 568-1985. $12. Fri April 23 at 8 and 10 pm.
BEAUTY OF THE FATHER
Opening. The premiere of a new play by Nilo Cruz, about the reunion of a young woman with her estranged artist father. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $10-$29. Preview performances Sat-Sun April 24-25 at 7:30 pm, Tues April 27 at 7:30 pm. Opening Wed April 28 at 7:30 pm. Through May 15.
BLACK COFFEE
See review this issue. Agatha Christie's first murder-mystery play. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $20-$36. Thurs-Fri at 7 pm, Sat at 2 and 7 pm, Sun at 1 and 6 pm, Tues at 7 pm. Through May 2.
CENTER OF GRAVITY
Extended. "As Orville and Wilbur, Shawn Law and Cory Nealy bounce off of each other like the frenzied ideas in the brothers' own heads. But Julia Leonas, as the brothers' mother, is woefully out of synch; her flat, sluggish performance makes the play--much of which is utterly charming--feel only partially digested. " (Bret Fetzer) Theatre Babylon at Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12-$15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through May 1.
CORPUS CHRISTI
Final week. "I almost felt like the captive of some mad, gay, Christian outreach ministry. " (Adrian Ryan) Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 267-2750. $19. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through April 25.
COWBOY MOUTH
Opening. A rock musical by Sam Shepard and Patti Smith, featuring live music from members of the Tight Bros from Way Back When. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 226-5508. $10-$12, 21+ w/ID required. Opening Fri April 23 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm. Through May 8.
CRASH! THE POW BOOM SERIES
Two weekends only. A festival of short plays by emerging playwrights. JEM Arts Center, 6012 12th Ave S, 763-5830. $10. Opening Fri April 23 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm. Through May 1.
DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN
Final week. Rob Becker's one-man show about the differences between dogs and cats. Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave, 292-2787. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 5 and 8 pm, Sun at 3 pm. Through April 25.
* EDMOND
Extended. "An emotionally numbing but sickly fascinating journey through the lowest sleaze-caked cesspits of mankind's worst imaginings. I think I loved it. " (Adrian Ryan) Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through May 8.
* FOOLS
"Fools is an extra-G-rated, community-oriented romp. Don't hate me if I thought it was adorable. " (Adrian Ryan) 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 May 1.
THE GOOD BODY
Eve Ensler--mastermind of The Vagina Monologues--workshops her newest work, exploring "body image." Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $10-$35. Wed-Sun at 7 pm. Through May 3.
HAVING OUR SAY
Final week. With Myrna Key and Ginger Gaillard. Tacoma Little Theatre, 210 N I St, Tacoma, 253-272-2281. $14-$18. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through April 25.
HONK! THE UGLY DUCKLING MUSICAL
A musical adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen classic. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $10-$28. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 3 and 7:30 pm, Sun at 3 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through May 1.
* HOW TO BE COOL
Two nights only. See Stranger Suggests. The 2003 Fringe hit returns as a fundraiser for Union Garage. Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave. Tickets available at the door only, $12-$15. Tues-Wed April 27-28 at 8 pm.
INTO THE WOODS
Opening. Stephen Sondheim's fairy-tale musical. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave S, 364-3283. $15-$18. Opening Thurs April 22 at 7:30 pm. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through May 30.
IT AIN'T NOTHING BUT THE BLUES
A blues-ical with more than three-dozen songs. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $10-$46. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm, Tues at 7:30 pm, Wed at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through May 8.
THE LAST ENEMY
See review this issue. Final week. An itinerant troupe of actors attempts to produce a play about a pair of crescent/Star of David-crossed lovers. Ethnic Cultural Theatre, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE, 543-7661. $5. Thurs at 7 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through April 25.
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
Final week. Cornish students stage Shakespeare's Falstaff comedy outside. Seattle Center Fountain Lawn, 726-5011. Free. Fri-Sun at 3:30 pm. Through April 25.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
See review this issue. Seattle Shakespeare Company at Center House Theatre, 305 Harrison St, Seattle Center, 733-8222. $18-$24. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through May 8.
MRS. PIGGLE-WIGGLE
A musical adaptation of the children's books by Betty MacDonald. Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $14-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through June 13.
* THE MYSTERY OF ATTRACTION
Final week. "A stellar piece of theater." (Brendan Kiley) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $12-$15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through April 24.
* PAPER AIRPLANE
See Stranger Suggests. Final week. A workshop run of Collaborator's new work about a bored and neglected child. Collaborator Loft, 89 Yesler Way. Tickets available at the door only, $8. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through April 24.
PROOF
Mathematics and madness and mystery, oh my! SecondStory Repertory, 16587 NE 74th St, Redmond, 425-881-6777. $14-$18. Fri-Sat at 8:15 pm. Through May 8.
* THE RICH GRANDEUR OF BOXING
One weekend only. An interdisciplinary production by Run/Remain's beloved Megan Murphy, encompassing dance, text, visual arts, music, and film, and featuring the always entrancing Sarah Harlett. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $18. Thurs-Sat April 22-24 at 8 pm.
SAUCY JACK AND THE SPACE VIXENS
Opening. The West Coast premiere of a disco/techno musical based on the book by Charlotte Mann. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 323-0388. $10-$12. Opening Thurs April 22 at 8 pm. Fri-Sun at 8 pm. Through May 8.
SING-A-LONG WIZARD OF OZ
One weekend only. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 292-2787. $20-$30. Fri April 23 at 8 pm, Sat April 24 at 2 pm.
YANKEE DOODLE DANDY
Opening. The world premiere of a musical about George Cohan, the inventor of that quintessentially American theatrical form. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. $18-$64. Preview performances April 24-28: Sat at 2 pm, Sun at 1 pm, Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through May 16.
DANCE
CARMINA BURANA, SERENADE
Final week. PNB pairs a work by artistic director Kent Stowell with one of George Balanchine's most popular ballets. McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, 441-2424. $16-$125. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through April 24.
F.E.A.T.H.E.R. BRANES
Two nights only. A dance/visual arts installation. Intimate stage at Dappin' Butoh, 2353 N 64th St, 526-5756. Fri-Sat April 23-24 at 8 pm.
FLOOR OF THE FOREST
A 1970 dance by Trisha Brown. Henry Art Gallery, 15th Ave & NE 41st St, 543-2280. Free with museum admission. Thurs at 6:15 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through July 18.
TERPSICHORE'S LANDING
One night only. New dance works by Cornish students. PONCHO Concert Hall, 710 E Roy St. Free, reservations not required. Sun April 25 at 2 and 8 pm.
VAPOR TRAILS
One weekend only. Butoh dance at Chamber Theater, 915 E Pine St, fourth floor, 723-2315. $10-$12. Fri-Sat April 23-24 at 8 pm, Sun April 25 at 7 pm.
WALRUS
One weekend only. Dance/film about stairwells and dance theater inspired by Ovid, all under the direction of Andre Bouchard. Freehold's East Hall Theater, 1525 10th Ave, second floor, 276-0717. $12-$15. Thurs-Sat April 22-24 at 8 pm.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
ANNOYANCE PRODUCTIONS
One weekend only. Improv and sketch comedy. Historic University Theatre, 5510 University Way NE, 325-6500. Thurs-Fri April 22-23 at 8 pm. Market Theatre, 1438 Post Alley, 325-6500. Sat April 24 at 10:30 pm.
BOOK 'EM
One night only. A night of standup comedy to benefit the King County Library System's jail library. Comedy Underground, 222 S Main St, 628-0303. $10. Wed April 28 at 8:30 pm.
THE CABARET OF DR. CALIGARI
One night only. Magic, mayhem, and mirth at Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave. $10, tickets available at the door only. Sun April 25 at 7 pm.
LOUNGE LIZARDS 2: THE CHARITY TELETHON
Final week. A cabaret revue about an amateur telethon. Crepe de Paris, 133 Fifth Ave, 623-4111. $16 (show only)-$42 (dinner included). Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through April 24.
MOISTURE FESTIVAL
One week only. The inaugural Fremont festival features a plethora of comedy and variety. Big Top Tent, N 35th St and Phinney Ave N, 938-1513. $5-$10. Thurs April 22-Sun April 25. See www.moisturefestival.com for more information.
SEATTLE NEUTRINO PROJECT
Dedicated to the art of live, improvised movies. Historic University Theatre, 5510 University Way NE, 325-6500. $10. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm. Through May 21.
VINCE VALENZUELA PRO COMEDY SHOWCASE
One night only. Standup comedy at Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $5. Mon April 26 at 8 pm.
LATE NIGHT
* FLAMING BOX OF STUFF
Final week. See review this issue. An all-new show exploring the dark side of the American frontier. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N. Tickets available at the door only, $7. Fri-Sat at 11 pm. Through April 24.
TAPROOT IMPROV COMEDY
Christian improv! Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $5. Fri-Sat at 10:15 pm. Through April 30.
SCATTERBRAINS
One night only. Improv comedy at ArtsWest Playhouse, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $5-$7. Sat April 24 at 10:30 pm.
* THE TWILIGHT ZONE: LIVE!
Final week. "A curious pleasure. " (Bret Fetzer) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $10. Thurs-Sat at 11 pm. Through April 24.
SPECIAL EVENTS
ISO: IN SEARCH OF
One night only. A staged reading of a new "queer dramedy" by Martin Valenzuela. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. Wed April 28 at 7 pm.
THE ONE NIGHT STAND
One night only. This party, hosted by Kate Jaeger, is a benefit for Live Girls! Theater. ToST Lounge, 513 N 36th St. $5 (if you come in pajamas)-$10, tickets available at the door only, 21+ w/ID required. Sun April 25, 7-10 pm.
TRAVEL A"BROAD"
One night only. This party/burlesque performance kicks off the Atomic Bombshells' 32-city tour. Mirabeau Room, 529 Queen Anne Ave N. Tickets available at the door only, $10. Thurs April 22 at 10 pm.
LONG RUNS
BIG WHEEL BINGO at Rendezvous, 441-5823.
DON'T TELL MOMMA at Thumper's, 328-3800.
* THE HOKUM HALL VARIETY SHOW, 937-3613.
JET CITY IMPROV at Historic University Theatre, 352-8291.
LATE NIGHT CATECHISM at ACT, 292-7676.
TEATRO ZINZANNI at 2301 Sixth Ave, 802-0015.
