4:48 PSYCHOSIS
Final week. A workshop presentation of the Sarah Kane play. Implied Violence Productions at Vertebrae Theater, 321 Third Ave S, 526-8093. Free. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through May 15.
* BEAUTY OF THE FATHER
Final week. "The characters are so carefully drawn, their interactions so carefully observed--and the play's tone floats so effortlessly between humor and sorrow--that their world becomes a living, breathing place that's deeply enjoyable to visit. " (Bret Fetzer) Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $10-$29. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through May 15.
BIRDS IN WINTER
Two weekends only. See Stranger Suggests. Herbert Bergel's hybrid production combines a silent film about a weekend in the life of Capitol Hill resident Michael Seiwerath with a libretto penned by Bergel and the Typing Explosion and sung by a live choir. Little Theatre, 610 19th Ave E, 219-3167. $5-$7. Opening Thurs May 13 at 8 pm. Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 8 and 9:30 pm, Sun at 8 pm. Through May 22.
CROWNS
A new gospel musical by Regina Taylor exploring the religious and cultural importance of hats. Intiman Playhouse, 201 Mercer St, Seattle Center, 269-1900. $10-$46. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm, Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through May 28.
DRAGON OF WANTLEY
Two weekends only. The Carter Family Marionettes reprise a comedic opera parody from 1737. Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave NE, 523-2579. $18-$22. Opening Fri May 14 at 8 pm. Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through May 23.
IN-SITE: INDUSTRIAL PERFORMANCE PROJECT
Two weekends only. A festival of site-specific performances by Collaborator (of Extropia fame), Degenerate Art Ensemble, Sgt. Rigsby and His Amazing Silhouettes, and others. Sand Point Bldg. 67, 7400 Sand Point Way, 800-838-3006. $15. Opening Thurs May 13 at 8 pm. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through May 22.
* HAMLET: MORE HONOUR'D IN THE BREACH THAN THE OBSERVANCE
Final week. "Not only blessedly free of pretension and sterile respect, this restaging of Hamlet takes remarkable chances with the play, some whimsical (Polonius, an elderly windbag, dispenses his advice on Post-it notes) and some strikingly illuminating (Ophelia, not Hamlet, recites the famous 'To be or not to be' speech, which makes her character a more compelling partner to the philosophical prince). " (Bret Fetzer) Straight-Edge Theatrics at Chamber Theatre, 915 E Pine St, 632-9800. $8-$12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through May 16.
* INTO THE WOODS
See review this issue. Stephen Sondheim's fairy-tale musical. Repertory Actors Theatre at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave S, 364-3283. $15-$18. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through May 30.
* MELANCHOLY PLAY
See review this issue. A contemporary farce by playwright Sarah Ruhl. Macha Monkey Productions at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 860-2970. $12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through May 22.
MRS. PIGGLE-WIGGLE
A musical adaptation of the children's books by Betty MacDonald. (Stoner alert: Set features a completely upside-down house!) 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.
NIGHTSTORIES: SECRETS
Two weekends only. Short stories, read aloud for grownups. SecondStory Repertory, 16587 NE 74th St, Redmond, 425-881-6777. $8. Opening Fri May 14 at 8:30 pm. Through May 22.
ON THE TOWN
Leonard Bernstein's musical about three sailors searching for a sexy model named Miss Turnstiles. Shoreline Conference Center, 18560 First Ave NE, Shoreline, 363-2809. $20-$30. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2:30 pm. Through May 23.
SHADOWLANDS
Opening. C. S. Lewis, Oxford don and creator of veiled Christian propaganda for children, falls in love with the American poet Joy Gresham in this William Nicholson play. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $10-$28. Preview performance Wed May 19 at 7:30 pm. Through June 19.
SQUATTERS
This new play by Bryan LaPorte asks how you would react if your home were taken over by total strangers. Troupe du Jour at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, second floor, 595-5565. $10. Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through May 30.
THE TAVERN
"It's hard to imagine a time when this flat, clumsy, repetitive script--about a mysterious vagabond in an isolated alehouse on a stormy night--could have held an audience rapt. But then, if this production had taken place at a junior high school, it would have tested the tolerance of the actors' own parents. " (Bret Fetzer) Seattle Public Theatre at the Bathhouse Theatre, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 325-6500. $10-$18. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through May 23.
UBU
See review this issue. Ki Gottberg's world premiere adaptation of Ubu Roi, featuring comedy, masks, and Sarah Rudinoff. Empty Space and Seattle University at Empty Space, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $10-$35. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through June 6.
YANKEE DOODLE DANDY!
Final week. "The skeletal, cliché-ridden script never persuades us to care about George Cohan, the ostensible father of that bastard art form, the musical. If you want to see energetic singing, dancing, and flag-waving, the cast is certainly capable (particularly Judith Blazer as Cohan's first wife, Ethel). But there's not much beyond that. " (Bret Fetzer) 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 May 16.
DANCE
CORNISH JUNIOR DANCE COMPANY SPRING CONCERT
One night only. Classical-ballet students perform works choreographed by Pat Hon, Christine Juarez, and more. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway Ave, 325-6500. $7-$10. Sun May 16 at 2 and 7 pm.
FLOOR OF THE FOREST
Cornish and UW dance students perform a 1970 dance by Trisha Brown in conjunction with Brown's Henry Art Gallery exhibition. Henry Art Gallery, 15th Ave and NE 41st St, 543-2280. Free with museum admission ($6-$8). Thurs at 6:15 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through July 18.
* OUR LITTLE SUNBEAM
See Stranger Suggests. One weekend only. The newest work by 33 Fainting Spells draws inspiration from both NASA and Chekhov's tragedy Ivanov. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $12-$22. Thurs-Sun May 13-16 at 8 pm.
WHAT REMAINS
Opening. Two weekends only. A new dance work about solitude by choreographer Corrie Befort and composer Tom Baker. Dancers include John Dixon and Beth Graczyk. Velocity MainSpace Theater, 915 E Pine St, second floor, 324-6780. $10-$14. Opening Fri May 14 at 8 pm. Sat-Sun at 8 pm. Through May 23.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
CAPTAIN SMARTY PANTS, JET CITY IMPROV
One night only. This comedy show is a benefit for the U-District's Sanctuary Art Center. Bathhouse Theatre, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 325-6500. $20. Wed May 19 at 8 pm.
* DINA MARTINA BRUNCH
Spend your blurry Sundays with chanteuse/raconteur/freak Dina Martina at the appropriately ratty Thumper's, every inch of which is as meticulously clean and well maintained as Ms. Martina's makeup. Perfectly brilliant--don't miss it. Thumper's, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $10 (plus the price of victuals). Sun at 11 am and 2 pm. Through May 30.
CATHY SORBO
One weekend only. Standup comedy at Comedy Underground, 222 S Main St, 628-0303. $10-$15. Fri-Sat at 8:30 and 10:30 pm.
PERFORMANCE 101: (NOT YOUR STANDARD) CLASS RECITAL
One night only. Cabaret with special guests the Queen Bees and Tamara the Trapeze Lady. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $8. Sat May 15 at 7:30 and 9 pm.
PROSTITUTING GENIUS
One night only. A monthly, themed variety show, this edition featuring K. Brian Neel and John Longenbaugh. Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave. Tickets available at the door only, $8. Fri May 14 at 8 pm.
RED, PORK, AND BLUE: THE POLITICS OF THE OTHER WHITE MEAT
The Asian-American sketch comedy group Pork-Filled Players presents a show about a variety of issues germane to the upcoming presidential election. Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 850-7882. $9-$12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through May 22.
* SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
One week only. The adult branch of the Seattle International Children's festival presents Children of the Beast, an Israeli/German coproduction about the impact of the Holocaust on the children of survivors. Center House Theater, 305 Harrison St, Seattle Center. Thurs-Fri May 13-14. And for one night only, see Jamie Adkins and Co. in Typo, a circus fantasia at Bagley Wright Theatre, 155 Mercer St, Seattle Center. Fri May 14 at 7 pm. Each show $12-$15. For more information see www.seattleinternational.org.
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.
LATE NIGHT
* CARLOTTA'S LATE NITE WING-DING
See review this issue. Carlotta's back for four weeks of shenanigans, with guests from Seattle's fringe scene. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 325-6500. $8-$12. Fri-Sat at 10:30 pm. Through May 22.
ROUGHHOUSING
Opening. An hour-long sketch comedy show from FURIOSO!, plus performances by Flaming Box of Stuff and more. Freehold's East Hall Theater, 1525 10th Ave. Tickets available at the door only, $5. Opening Sat May 15 at 10:30 pm. Through June 12.
STANDUP COMICS SHOWCASE
One night only. Standup at ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0963. $5-$7. Sat May 15 at 10:30 pm.
TRAIN OF THOUGHT > NEW YORK
Sketch comedy based on a Big Apple theme. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St. Tickets available at the door only, $8-$10. Fri-Sat at 10 pm. Through June 12.
SPECIAL EVENTS
ART OF RESISTANCE
One weekend only. This activism conference features three theater performances. The kickoff event includes the one-woman show The Accidental Activist (Fri May 14 at 7 pm) and a political cabaret (Fri May 14 at 9 pm). Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 781-5674. $8. Then, an outdoor art and performance event called Shadows of Exile is scheduled for Fri May 15 at 7 pm. The Arts Brewery, 3100 Airport Way S, 633-1086. Free. See www.artofresistance-seattle.net for details and additional events.
D.A.M.N.!'S FINEST II: THE FRINGE BENEFITS
One night only. Staged readings of works by Chris Bailey, Scot Bastian, and more, to benefit the Fringe Artists Task Force. Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave. Donation. Tues May 18 at 7 pm.
* DANGEROUS CURVES: BIG GIRLS BEHAVING BADLY
One night only. A benefit for a variety of fat-positive organizations, with performances by the Queen Bees, Sylvia O'Stayformore, and more. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway Ave, 325-6500. $10. Fri May 14 at 8 pm.
TWO-BUCK TUESDAYS: MY LAST LIKE YEAR
One night only. This new play-reading series launches with a monologue by an anonymous local author. Theatre Babylon at Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave. Tickets available at the door only, $2 donation. Tues May 18 at 8 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 at 2301 Sixth Ave, 802-0015.
THEATRESPORTS at the Market Theater, 781-9273.
