OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS


ANNA IN THE TROPICS

"Some of the actors can't help looking ridiculous--director Sharon Ott invented their roles and planted them onstage like furniture. Tanya Perez has more to answer for. The implausible language presents a challenge, but Perez barely makes an effort, and her character's leaden flights of fancy weigh down the entire show. " (Annie Wagner) 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 Oct 30.

AUNT DAN AND LEMON

Final week. "Despite the timely source material, this production is wan. " (Annie Wagner) Theater Unlocked at Penny Cafe, 1707 NW Market St, 706-1426. $10 donation. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 23.

BUNNICULA

An adaptation of the fearsome and comedic children's book. Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $14-$28. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through Jan 16.

DUBYA 2000: A POLITICAL HORROR

"With more spectacle, the W side of the play might have been more engaging, but probably not; despite a valiant effort from the cast, the satire wilted into a muddle of shit and dick jokes." (Bret Fetzer) Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 382-4250. $14. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 2.

FAMILY STORIES

See review this issue. Live Girls! Theater, 620 Alaskan Way, second floor, 568-1985, ext. 3. $12 donation. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Oct 30.

FICTION

Previewing. A play about marriage written and directed by Steven Dietz. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $15-$54. Preview performances Fri-Sat Oct 22-23 at 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm, Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Nov 14.

GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS

A Bunraku puppet production of the fairy tale. Sand Point Magnuson Park, Building 47, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, 524-3388. $7-$9. Fri Oct 22 at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun Oct 23-24 at 1 pm.

H. P. LOVECRAFT THEATER OF HORRORS

New adaptations of three Lovecraft stories, directed by Rob Sandahl. Open Circle Theatre, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $13. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through Nov 13.

KENTUCKY GHOSTS

See review this issue. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 Pike St, 325-6500. $10-$14. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 31.

LAURA'S BUSH

"From the crazy First Lady rescue plan to the memorable bit starring Darrick Clayton as Bill Clinton's breakdancing "contingency" ghost, the first three-quarters of this production is brilliant. Then there's the awful finale." (Annie Wagner) Little Theatre, 608 19th Ave E, 325-5105. $10. Thurs-Mon at 8 pm. Through Nov 1.

LOLA TAROT

"Improvisational ritual theater" that incorporates music, dance, improv, and tarot card readings. Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S Alaska St. Tickets available at the door only, $10-$15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Dec 11.

MAGIC CITY

An adaptation of the E. Nesbit novel about a little boy who finds himself in a city of his own making. Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $14-$28. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through Nov 6.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Final week. "Forget the cramped set and tolerate those boring transpositions of time and place--this show is worth seeing for Timothy Hornor's performance alone. " (Annie Wagner) Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $10-$28. Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm. Through Oct 23.

OUR TOWN

See review this issue. 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 2 and 7:30 pm, Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Nov 20.

PROOF

Mathematics, madness, and mystery collide in David Auburn's talky Pulitzer Prize winner. Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W Greenlake Dr N, 524-1300. $10-$20. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Oct 31.

QUILTERS

Opening. The pioneer musical at Studio East, 402 Sixth St S, Kirkland, 425-827-3123. $9-$11. Opening Fri Oct 22 at 7:30 pm. Sat at 2:30 and 7:30 pm. Through Oct 31.

REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT

"Jim Gall is appropriately pathetic and endearing, but the production is riddled with little problems. " (Annie Wagner) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 30.

RHINOCEROS

Eugene Ionesco's story of stampeding townies. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 325-6500. $15-$18. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm. Through Nov 6.

RIGOLETTO

Giuseppe Verdi's opera based on a Victor Hugo play. Seattle Opera at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, Seattle Center, 389-7676. $47-$129. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Oct 31.

ROMANCE/ROMANCE

See review this issue. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $12-$28. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 3 pm. Through Oct 30.

SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE

See review this issue. The songs of Lieber and Stoller are brought to life by Stranger Genius Sarah Rudinoff. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. $22-$72. Opening Thurs Oct 21 at 8 pm. Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 1:30 and 7:30 pm, Tues at 7:30 pm. Through Nov 7.

STOLEN LANDS: BORDER CROSSINGS

Final week. A collectively authored work about immigration across the U.S.-Mexico border. UW Ethnic Cultural Theatre, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE, 325-6500. $10-$15. Thurs at 10 am, Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 23.

STREGA NONA

Final week. A puppet show based on an Italian folk tale about an enormous quantity of pasta. Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave NE, 523-2579. Fri at 7:30 pm. Sat-Sun at 1 and 3 pm. Through Oct 24.

TROJAN WOMEN

Final week. Waiting for Godot meets Cosmo in Euripides' classic play about a bunch of horny widows awaiting enslavement by their new Greek masters. Freehold's East Hall Theatre, 1529 10th Ave, second floor, 325-6500. $10-$12. Fri at 7:30 pm. Through Oct 22.

THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES

Previewing. Sex-neutral tales of anatomical self-love, self-hate, and sentiments in between. Stone Soup Theatre, 4035 Stone Way N, 633-1883. $12.50-$18. Preview performance Wed Oct 27 at 8 pm. Through Nov 20.

WAXWINGS

"Sam Lai, as the eager and rough-edged immigrant Chick, is much more human and appealing, and comes across as a complex, interesting character in half the time it takes to develop Tom. " (Kate Preusser) Seattle Rep's Leo K Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 216-0833. $15-$30. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Oct 31.

DANCE


* ALMOST QUARRY

Opening. The talented LeGendre Performance Group at a wee venue. Aftermath Gallery, 918 12th Ave, 325-6141. $10-$20. Opening Fri Oct 22 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm, Wed at 8 pm. Through Nov 13.

BOLSHOI BALLET AND ORCHESTRA

Two weekends only. Two ballets performed by the Russian company. This week: Alexsey Fadeechev and Declan Donnellan's Romeo & Juliet. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 292-2787. $30-$99. Wed Oct 27 at 7:30 pm. Through Oct 31.

FORBIDDEN BEAUTY: WOMEN'S DANCES OF AFGHANISTAN

One night only. Dance ethnologist Helene Ericksen presents a solo performance. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway Ave, 325-6500. $15-$18. Thurs Oct 21 at 8 pm.

BEBE MILLER

One night only. A performance by workshop participants under NYC's Bebe Miller, with a talk by Miller. Velocity MainSpace Theater, 915 E Pine St, second floor. Tickets available at the door only, $2. Sat Oct 23 at 2:30 pm.

IMPROV, CABARET, & COMEDY


CAMPFIRE

An improvised show based on audience stories about the unexplained. Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 31.

ELECTION SHOW 2004

Final week. "A politically irrelevant show. " (Josh Feit) Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE. Tickets available at the door only, $8-$10. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm. Through Oct 22.

MUSICA VITAE! CABARET

Ongoing. A search for the musical elixir of life, by David Koch and David Scully. Century Ballroom, 915 E Pine St, 325-6500. $20 (cabaret and dancing), $45 (includes dinner). Sat at 6 pm (dinner) or 7:30 pm (cabaret).

SEATTLE COMEDY FESTIVAL

One week only. A comedy bonanza, with performances from big stars and littler ones. Christopher Guest, Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave, Thurs Oct 21 at 8 pm. Last Comic Standing comics, Moore Theatre, Fri Oct 22 at 8 pm. Craig Gass, Crocodile Cafe, 2200 Second Ave, Fri Oct 22 at 9:30 pm. Norm MacDonald, Jon Lovitz, Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, Sat Oct 23 at 8 pm. Bill Maher, Moore Theatre, Sat Oct 23 at 8 pm. Bill Engvall, Benaroya Hall, 200 University St, Sun Oct 24 at 8 pm. Tickets $12.50-$47, 628-0888. For details see www.hob.com/comedy.

SEATTLE NEUTRINO PROJECT

Performers shoot and edit an improvised movie while you watch. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St. Tickets available at the door only, $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 30.

VOODOO MEOW

One night only. Macha Monkey presents a thrill-filled cabaret. Chamber Theatre, 915 E Pine St, fourth floor. Tickets at the door only, $10. Fri Oct 22 at 8 pm.

LATE NIGHT


BOMBSHELTER

A "spontaneous theater project" based on the work of NYC group Burn Manhattan. Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave. Tickets available at the door only, $5-$7. Fri at 10:30 pm. Through Oct 29.

SCATTERBRAINS

One night only. Improv and sketch comedy at ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $5-$7. Sat Oct 23 at 10:30 pm.

THE STAY UP LATE SHOW

One night only. The monthly performance salon features filmmaker Sue Corcoran and comedian Gerard Gravallese. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave. Tickets available at the door only, $10 (21+ w/ID required). Sat Oct 23 at 10 pm.

TWILIGHT ZONE LIVE!

Two new episodes: "The Lonely" and "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street." Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $10. Fri-Sat at 11 pm. Through Oct 30.

SPECIAL EVENTS


JOHN BILLINGSLEY

One day only. Dr. Phlox will talk with Trekkies and those who can tolerate them. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave. Tickets available at the door only, $4-$5. Sat Oct 23 at 4 pm.

NOT SO HAPPILY EVER AFTER... THE VERY REAL STORIES OF SOME AMERICAN JEWISH FAMILIES

One day only. A staged reading of a play by Mira Hirsch. Hillel at the University of Washington, 4745 17th Ave NE, 527-1997. $5. Sun Oct 24 at 4 pm.

THE CHRIS SCHUSSLER INCIDENT

One night only. A reading of a new play by Scot Augustson. Seattle Dramatists at Studio 4, Seattle Center House. Tickets available at the door only, $2. Mon Oct 25 at 7 pm.

* WALK WITH ME WALK WITH ME WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE WALK WITH ME

Final week. See Theater News. UK performance duo Lone Twin performs a one-hour retrospective. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $12-$18. Thurs-Fri Oct 21-22 at 8 pm, Sat Oct 23 at 8 and 10 pm, Sun Oct 24 at 8 pm. Through Oct 24.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE JOE BOLING?

One night only. Voracious theater viewer Joe Boling is back in this benefit for Theater Babylon. Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12-$15. Fri Oct 22 at 8 pm.

LONG RUNS
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 Theater, 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.