ALKI
Final week. "The production never latches on to a style that can encompass the mix of fantastic and prosaic realities. Presumably director Kurt Beattie was drawn to the play's potential for theatrical spectacle--and vivid moments arise, particularly a star-speckled sky at the end. But it's a long wade through a lot of muck to get there. " (Bret Fetzer) ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $15-$54. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through June 27.
AN AMERICAN BOOK OF THE DEAD (THE GAME SHOW!)
Opening. Three lucky contestants compete in scenarios that span the entire history of the United States. Annex Theatre at Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 728-0933. $14. Preview performance Thurs June 24 at 8 pm. Opening Fri June 24 at 8 pm. Sat-Sun at 8 pm. Through July 24.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
See review this issue. Final week. Shakespeare's East-West passion play, directed and adapted by Stranger Genius Award short-lister John Kaufmann. Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave N, 325-6500. $12-$15. Fri-Sun at 8 pm. Through June 27.
* ARE WE SCARED: AN EXPERIMENT IN CHILD'S PLAY
Final week. "The cumulative effect is indescribable delight. " (Bret Fetzer) Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave, 382-4250. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through June 26.
CAMELOT
Final week. A musical based on T. H. White's The Once and Future King. Tacoma Little Theatre, 210 N I St, Tacoma, 253-272-2281. $16-$20. Thurs at 8 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through June 26.
THE CASE OF THE VANISHING CROWN JEWELS: A ZIPLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY
The Magical Mr. Fuzzy is in a bind, and a detective named after a plastic bag helps him out. The Baggy Pants at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $10. Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 7 pm. Through July 3.
* CIRCUS CONTRAPTION'S GRAND AMERICAN TRAVELING DIME MUSEUM
Final week. "You will want to run away from your everyday world and join the circus. " (Bret Fetzer) Workshop 30, Sand Point Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, 800-838-3006. $15. Fri-Sat at 8 pm (21+ w/ID required), Sun at 8 pm (all ages). Through June 27.
* HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH
"Now all I got is a Barbie-doll crotch!" singeth performance powerhouse Nick Garrison, in the return of the only rock 'n' roll musical that matters. Miss it at your peril. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 325-6500. $16-$18. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through July 31.
* KIKI & HERB
See Stranger Suggests and Theater News. Only a fool would miss this violently cracked drag cabaret act from NYC, starring Justin Bond and Kenny Mellman. Don't be a fool. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $18-$22. Thurs-Fri June 24-25 at 9 pm. Additional gala performance (also featuring Sarah Rudinoff, Nick Garrison, and Chris Jeffries) Sat June 26 at 8 pm. $75 (single)-$100 (couple).
LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES
An adaptation of the Choderlos de Laclos novel about decadence and cynicism in the French aristocracy. Exchange Theatre at Theatre 4, 305 Harrison St, Seattle Center, 325-6500. $15-$18. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through July 10.
* LIFE X 3
"An almost surgical examination of the subtle social brutality adults can inflict upon each other. It's a sneaky and slippery play, flush with sardonic humor and capably acted by the cast--particularly Terry Edward Moore as the vain older academic." (Bret Fetzer) Steeplechase Productions at Seattle Public Theater, 7312 W Greenlake Dr N, 325-6500. $18. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through July 3.
* PAPER AIRPLANE
Final week. "The storyline is just a thread on which to string a mélange of pratfalls, oversized props, animation sequences, mime, and dance. None of this features a single word; instead, the three actors create their world by interacting with a soundscape of music and ambient noise. " (Bret Fetzer) Collaborator at Raisbeck Hall, 2015 Boren Ave, 877-278-4842. $8-$12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through June 26.
THE PLAY'S THE THING
See review this issue. Comedic meta-theater, care of Ferenc Molnar and P. G. Wodehouse, directed by comedy superstar John Michael Higgins. Intiman Playhouse, 201 Mercer St, Seattle Center, 269-1900. $27-$46. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm, Tues at 7:30 pm. Wed at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through July 11.
* R: THE SWASHBUCKLING TALE OF ANNE BONNY AND MARY READ
See Stranger Suggests. One night only. A fast-paced tale of lady pirates and their plundered booty. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 860-2970. $12. Wed June 30 at 8 pm.
SEX IN SEATTLE EPISODE 9: LITTLE WHITE LIES
Final week. The saga revolving around Asian-American women Tess, Jenna, Shari, and Elizabeth continues with this story of Internet dating and mistaken identities. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 323-9443. $8-$12. Fri-Sat at 8 and 10:30 pm. Through June 26.
TRAVELS WITH CHARLEY
See review this issue. An adaptation of John Steinbeck's novel, set during the fall of 1960. Book-It Repertory Theatre, 305 Harrison St, Seattle Center, 216-0833. $15-$26. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through July 3.
TWELFTH NIGHT
Final week. Shipwrecks and gender subterfuge, care of William Shakespeare. SecondStory Repertory, 16587 NE 74th St, Redmond, 425-881-6777. $16-$20. Fri-Sat at 8:15 pm. Through June 26.
* WRECKAGE
"Lauren Weedman explores her own obsessive, needy, self-destructive behavior with blistering honesty. Wreckage is perhaps the best work yet from this powerhouse performer." Theatre Babylon at Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $15-$18. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through July 3.
DANCE
CARMONA FLAMENCO
One night only. Marcos and Rubina Carmona perform with guest Ana Montes. Porta Greek Taverna, 2245 Eastlake Ave E, 860-0284. $10. Sat June 26 at 8 and 9:30 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 NE and NE 41st St, 543-2280. Free with museum admission ($6-$8). Thurs at 6:15 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through July 18.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
ARTS PRIDE
Final week. A queer performing arts showcase. Both events at ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. My Big Fat Gay Wedding, Fri June 25 at 7:30 pm, $15. Tony Cea, Fri June 25 at 10:30 pm.
* AWESOME
Two nights only. It's a band.... It's a theater troupe.... It's Awesome! John Osebold and musical friends follow a series of smashing cabaret appearances with a night all their own. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave. Tickets available at the venue only, $5. Wed June 30 at 8 pm. Through July 1.
THE CABARET OF DR. CALIGARI
One night only. Magic, mayhem, and mirth at Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $5. Sun June 27 at 7 pm.
DAN CUMMINS, BEKA BARRY
One weekend only. Standup comedy at Comedy Underground, 222 S Main St, 628-0303. $6-$12. Thurs June 24 at 8:30 pm, Fri-Sat June 25-26 at 8:30 and 10:30 pm.
* DINA MARTINA BRUNCH
Extended. 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 July 25.
DARIUS DE HAAS
One night only. Cabaret from a Broadway star. Timberline Spirits, 1828 Yale Ave, 883-0242. Free. Thurs June 24 at 9 pm.
LADYFEST
One weekend only. Cabaret-style performances from a wide swath of local performers, including Sarah Rudinoff, BetterBiscuitDance, Cha Davis, the Degenerate Art Ensemble, and more. For details, see www.ladyfestseattle.org. All events at Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 388-0500. Ladyfest Big O-pening, Thurs June 24 at 7:30 pm, $15. Performance Art Showcase #1, Fri June 25 at 7:30 pm, $12. Performance Art Showcase #2, Sat June 26 at 7:30 pm, $12.
LINCOLN MONKEY
Opening. Sketch comedy from Unexpected Productions. Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $10. Opening Fri June 26 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm. Through July 3.
PEEPSHOW
Final week. The newest entry in CHAC's Residencies series, this show features new work by local sketch-comedy groups. This Tuesday it's Bald Faced Lie and Pork Filled Players. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 388-0521. $10. Tues at 8 pm. Through June 29.
PRO COMEDY SHOWCASE
One night only. Standup comedy at Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $7. Mon June 28 at 8 pm.
TOO DARN HOT! THE MANY MOODS OF SUMMER
A comic cabaret revue with a seasonal theme. Cr*pe de Paris Restaurant & Cabaret, 1333 Fifth Ave, 623-4111. $15 (show only) to $42 (dinner included). Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through July 24.
LATE NIGHT
PRINCIPIA DISCORDIA--LIVE!
Opening. An undoubtedly zany adaptation of the celebrated sacred book of a '60s joke religion. Annex Theatre at Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 728-0933. $7. Opening Sat June 26 at 11 pm. Through July 23.
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.
