OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

7 STRANGERS: SEASON 2, EPISODE 2
Final week. A "reality theater spoof" of The Real World. EXITheatre at 2012 Franklin Ave E, 851-8105. $10. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm. Through Aug 6.

DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN
Ongoing. This mid-'90s relic by comedian Rob Becker is about the supposed prehistoric propensities of the two sexes. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $39.50–$45. Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 3 pm. Tickets available through Aug 28.

DINNER & DREAMS
Ongoing. See review this issue. Teatro ZinZanni, 2301 Sixth Ave, 802-0015. $99. Thurs–Sat at 6:30 pm, Sun at 5:30 pm (some additional Wed shows, call for details; ticket price good through Aug 31 only).

recommended THE FANTASTICKS
"The Fantasticks is about a parent who pays a middle-aged man to kidnap a 16-year-old girl in order to coerce her into marrying a 20-year-old stranger. While the original musical had the integrity to call a rape a rape, the later version's declawed "abduction" song is all fun and games, and we're expected to chuckle right along. Questionable gender politics aside, though, Kelly Balch is charming, and Jeff Berryman's baritone (velvety!) is simultaneously comforting and sinister." (Lindy West) Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $15–$30. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Aug 20.

HENRY V
Linda Lombardi (Henry IV, Part II) directs the play in which Prince Hal gains the crown and promptly invades a foreign country. GreenStage at Camp Long, 5200 35th Ave SW. Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 3 pm. At various locations through Aug 27.

ID: THE RECKONING
Opening. A comedic monologue by Johanna Buccola about living under the specter of terrorism in NYC. The Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave. Tickets available at the door only, $7. Opening Sat Aug 6 at 8 pm. Through Aug 13.

JOE BEAN: A ROCK FABLE
Opening. A new musical based on the Book of Job. Lola Productions at UW Ethnic Cultural Theatre, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE. www.brownpapertickets.com. $20. Opening Thurs Aug 4 at 8 pm. Fri–Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Aug 21.

CIRQUE DE FLAMBÉ: IN THE SHADOW OF THE GIANT
Final week. Cirque noir, avec les fireballs! Magnuson Park, north main entrance, 7400 Sandpoint Way NE, 770-7602. $10–$20. Fri–Sun at 9:30 pm. Through Aug 7.

LATE-NIGHT CATECHISM
Ongoing. See review this issue. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $24.50–$29.50. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm.

MY BOAT TO BAINBRIDGE
"An extremely low-key tribute to a middle-aged crisis of heterosexual masculinity. Mainly this tired theme takes the form of a creepy obsession about a pet dog's severed testicles, but there's also a good deal of lame nostalgia for the Seattle of yore." (Annie Wagner) Market Theatre, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $15. Fri at 8 pm. Through Aug 19.

THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA
Opening. Jon Jory (Good Boys) directs the Tennessee Williams play about American tourists in Mexico. John Procaccino stars as T. Lawrence Shannon. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $10–$54. Opening Thurs Aug 4 at 7:30 pm. Fri–Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm. Through Aug 28.

PRINCESSES
Opening. A Broadway warm-up run of the new tween meta-musical about a boarding school performance of a musical based on A Little Princess. The 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. $16–$58. Opening Tues Aug 9 at 7:30 pm. Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Aug 28.

recommended THE RING CYCLE
Opening. Seattle Opera presents their signature Richard Wagner opera cycle. It's sold out, but sometimes ticket holders give up their seats for a single show. McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, Seattle Center, 389-7676. Cycle 1: Das Rheingold, Sun Aug 7 at 7 pm. Die Walküre, Mon Aug 8 at 6 pm. Siegfried, Wed Aug 10 at 6 pm. Through Aug 28.

SEX*BUT
Opening. Andrew Tasakos directs the play inspired by the eighth chapter of the 1969 bestseller Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex * But Were Afraid to Ask. Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, www.brownpapertickets.com. $12. Opening Thurs Aug 4 at 8 pm. Fri at 8 pm. Through Aug 27.

THE TEMPEST
"Richard Clairmont made a hoarse and less than commanding Prospero; and Regan deVictoria's Miranda was all isolated sweetness, with barely a hint of feral passion. Brandon Simmons isn't bad as Ariel, though, and Heather Persinger positively tears up the park with her broad, swaggering Trinculo." (Annie Wagner) GreenStage at Camp Long, 5200 35th Ave. Sat at 8 pm. Discovery Park, 3801 W Government Way. Sun at 3 pm. At various locations through Aug 28.

THE THREE MUSKETEERS
Final week. "David Richmond's comic adaptation of the Dumas romance nicely balances the swashbuckling with enough court intrigue to lend emotional stakes to the fight scenes, but director Beth Peterson doesn't seem entirely at home in her outdoor theater." (Brendan Kiley) Theater Schmeater at Volunteer Park, 1247 15th Ave E. Free. Fri at 6:30 pm, Sat at 4 pm. Through Aug 6.

THE TRICKY PART
"With unique insight into the complex aftermath of childhood sexual abuse, Martin Moran charts the relationship between a former Catholic camp counselor and his 12-year-old self. As theater, his monologue is strangely distancing. The Catholic standup routine that opens the show feels queasy, even manipulative—can't audiences be trusted to take scary stories straight up? Once the darker material edges in, Moran's over-composed, actorly persona remains." (Annie Wagner) Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 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–Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Aug 13.

TRUE WEST
Opening. Sam Shepard's 1980 play about sibling rivalry in the American West. Theatre Unlocked at 1541 NW 49th St, 285-0714. $10. Opening Thurs Aug 4 at 8 pm. Fri–Sat at 8 pm. Through Aug 27.

THE VIOLET HOUR
Final week. "The huge chasm between the historical fiction of the first act, when the magical fax machine is mostly ignored, and the science fiction of the second act, when everybody devours its pages, is jarring. But the shift in tone positively rescues the cast, who (with the exception of Emjoy Gavino) were all struggling to make the antiqued dialogue sound convincing." (Annie Wagner) ReAct at the Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 364-3283. $6–$12. Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm. Through Aug 7.

DANCE

OFF THE CUFF
One weekend only. The performance wing of the Seattle Festival of Alternative Dance and Improvisation; performers include Seattle's John Dixon. Freehold's East Hall Theatre, 915 E Pine St. Tickets available at the door only, $7–$12. Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 7 and 9 pm. Through Aug 6.

CABARET

BRUNCH-O-RAMA
Peggy Platt and Michael Oaks give you presents and tell lots of jokes. Thumper's, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $10. Sun at 11 am and 2 pm. Through Aug 28.

LATE NIGHT

JET CITY'S LAST CALL
"Fast-paced, ethanol-fueled comedy." Jet City Improv at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 325-6500. $5. Sat night at 12:30 am. No closing date set.

recommended SPIN THE BOTTLE
One night only. The monthly performance salon, with dance by Gaelen Hanson and Peggy Piacenza. Annex Theatre at Freehold's East Hall Theater, 915 E Pine St. Tickets available at the door only, $7. Fri Aug 5 at 11 pm.

THE TWILIGHT ZONE: LIVE!
Final week. Two new theatrical adaptations of old Twilight Zone episodes. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $10. Thurs–Sat at 11 pm. Through Aug 6.

IMPROV & COMEDY

ARAB AMERICAN COMEDY NIGHTS at the Eve Alvord Theatre at Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, www.brownpapertickets.com. $18–$20. Fri–Sun at 8 pm.

JOHN FOX at Comedy Underground, 222 Main St, 800-325-7328. $6–$12 (21+ w/ID required). Thurs at 8 pm, Fri–Sat at 8:30 and 10:30 pm. HAROLD (that's an improv game, not a person) at Market Theatre, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $10. Sat at 8 pm.

JET CITY IMPROV at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 325-6500. $8–$10. Fri at 10:30 pm, Sat at 8 and 10:30 pm.

THEATRESPORTS at Market Theatre, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $8–$12. Fri–Sat at 10:30 pm, Sun at 7 pm.

SPECIAL EVENTS

CARNIVAL REVERIE
One night only. A cirque noir extravaganza, with Ignis Devoco Industrial Fire Circus, the Bad Things, the Aerialistas, and more. Neumo's, 925 E Pike St. www.brownpapertickets.com. $10 (21+ w/ID required). Sun Aug 7 at 7 pm.

GHOST IN THE MACHINE
One night only. A fundraiser for a Burning Man installation, with performances by the Mutaytor (think a vaudeville Blue Man Group) and Raqs Serpentine (belly dance). Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave. www.brownpapertickets.com. $10–$20 (21+ w/ID required). Sat Aug 6 at 7 pm.

SEATTLE NEUTRINO PROJECT
One weekend only. A "live movie," with improvised performances and on-the-spot editing. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. Tickets available at the door only, $10. Fri–Sat at 8 pm. Through Aug 6.