OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS
B-MOVIE
Mad doctors, giant insects, improv. Wing-It Productions at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, www.wingitpresents.com. $8–$10. Thurs–Fri at 8 pm. Through Nov 18.
BLOOD BROTHERS
A musical hit from London examining social and class issues vis-à-vis twins separated at birth. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $12–$28. Thurs–Sat at 7:30 pm (occasional matinees). Through Oct 29.
CAMPFIRE
Creepy audience stories spun into campfire tales by improv performers. Unexpected Productions at Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley in Pike Place Market, 781-9273. $10. Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 5.
COMMITTEE
The biblical canon of Nicea in 323 A.D. recast as Glengarry Glenn Ross in 2005. It's like a 13-minute "opening act" for CHAC's 8 pm show. By Seattle School member Korby Sears. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave. Free. Fri at 7 pm. Through Nov 11.
THE COMPENDIUM OF NASTINESS
Extended. See Theater News. The Womb (AKA Ki Gottberg's Garage), 1526 32nd Ave, tickets and directions available through www.brownpapertickets.com. $15. Fri–Sat at 8:30 pm. Through Nov 26.
DEATH OF A SALESMAN
"A story as timeless as Death of a Salesman resonates, whatever the setting. This all black version is no twist, no experiment—it is a test of the play's gospel. By that standard, this production is a consonant success." (Larry Mizell Jr.) Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave S, 684-4758. $10–$18. Thurs–Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through Nov 6.
DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN
Ongoing. A mid-'90s relic 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 Oct 30.
DELAWARE: A SUBTLE SPECTACULAR
See Theater News. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 706-4789. $14. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 29.
DINNER & DREAMS
Ongoing. The dinner theater extravaganza, with European-style cirque performances as garnish. Teatro ZinZanni, 2301 Sixth Ave, 802-0015. $99. Thurs–Sat at 6:30 pm, Sun at 5:30 pm (some additional Wed shows).
THE END OF THE AFFAIR
See Theater News. Seattle Opera at McCaw Hall, 1020 John St, 389-7676. $41–$135. Sat Oct 22 at 7:30 pm. Sun Oct 23 at 2 pm. Wed Oct 26 at 7:30 pm. Through Oct 29.
FLIGHT
Opening. Charlayne Woodard's play about six slaves at a secret meeting place in the woods who rescue a child from catastrophe by telling stories. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $10–$54, Sun by donation. Opening Thurs Oct 20 at 7:30 pm. Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Tues–Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Nov 13.
THE FRONT PAGE
Final week. "As a piece of comic theater, The Front Page is middling—the show bears the stamp of an overwhelmed director. But the set! It looks like a fantasy of a 1920s Chicago pressroom—the floors, the desks, the big windows, the old wire wastepaper baskets, the old candlestick phones." (Brendan Kiley) Annex Theatre at Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $10–$15. Thurs–Sat at 7:30 pm. Through Oct 22.
FROZEN
Final week. "Frozen follows three characters linked by the disappearance of 10-year-old Rhona: her mother, her male abductor, and the psychologist sent to study him. Chaw Yew's direction is tight, the visual design is evocative, and two of the three performances are mindbendingly great." (Brendan Kiley) Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $10–$30. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri–Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through Oct 23.
THE GRAPES OF WRATH
"Linda Hartzell (of Seattle Children's Theatre) has directed a spare but emotionally intense version of Steinbeck's Great Depression saga, and Frank Galati's adaptation successfully splices the Joad family narrative with Steinbeck's short interludes of ethnography and reportage. The audience accompanied the famous final moment, when Rose of Sharon breastfeeds a starving stranger with the milk meant for her stillborn baby, with audible weeping." (Brendan Kiley) Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, Seattle Center, 269-1900. $27–$46. Thurs at 7:40 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 13.
THE HAINT
See review this issue. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, www.brownpapertickets.com. $13. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 30.
A HAND OF BRIDGE
One week only. A one-act chamber opera by Samuel Barber (soon to be a film directed by Curtis Taylor). Magnuson Auditorium at Magnuson Park, 7110 62nd Ave NE, www.brownpapertickets.com. $7–$18. Wed–Sun Oct 19–23 at 8 pm.
HELIUM
Matt Smith's solo show about Japan, sex, and STIs. Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273 or www.unexpectedproductions.org. $15. Fri at 8 pm. Through Nov 4.
H. P. LOVECRAFT: ARKHAM
See review this issue. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $13. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 4 pm. Through Nov 12.
THE IKEA CYCLE: TINY DOMESTIC DRAMAS
Short plays in the IKEA showrooms. Written and directed by Keri Healey. Printer's Devil Theater at IKEA, 600 SW 43rd St, Renton. Free, no reservations. Mon and Wed at 7 pm. Through Nov 9.
THE KING STAG
Final week. "The King Stag is vintage 18th-century commedia. Locals Charles Leggett and Sarah Rudinoff are endearingly funny, while R. Hamilton Wright is appropriately nauseating as the bilious prime minister. The King Stag occasionally drags ass, but is packed with theatrical spectacle. The king emerges in an enormous white cone topped by his head and the finale—if you can't enjoy 'Sweet Caroline' and a veritable weather system of bubbles, you're made of metal." (Brendan Kiley) Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $10–$46. Thurs–Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through Oct 22.
LATE NITE CATECHISM
Ongoing. "The real point is not the adult-catechism monologue, but the script's gaps, in which Sister (Aubrey Manning) dispenses tissues to cover salacious displays of flesh and kitschy prizes to reward the dumbstruck targets of her improvisations. What distinguishes Late Nite from the walking cartoons at Disneyland is that your name, your background, and your behavior become the crux of the performance." (Annie Wagner) Cloud 9 Productions at ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $24.50–$29.50. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm.
LAST TRAIN TO NIBROC
"This small but surprisingly entertaining play offers us the pleasure of watching two well-drawn characters on a mostly bare stage as they navigate the eternal mystery of courtship. It's the darnedest joy to watch." (Tamara Paris) Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $15–$29. Fri at 8 pm. Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Wed–Thurs at 7:30 pm. Through Oct 29.
LOLA TAROT
"Audience members come up to the stage with questions for the tarot cards. After an assistant draws three cards, the cast acts them out. There is nothing remotely interesting about the process." (Annie Wagner) Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $15 (21+ w/ID required). Fri–Sat at 7:30 pm. Through Nov 12.
MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL™
"What makes this toweringly formulaic and very demographic-specific crap about dusty uteruses even moderately bearable? The consummate cast was ferocious and fast—they rush in, slap you around with jokes about memory lapses and no sex and saggy boobs and then they rush out. Ninety tight minutes of an insane, colorful, and sometimes actually laugh-worthy little train wreck that stops just before it starts to hurt." (Adrian Ryan)
NIGHTSTORIES: THE OTHERS
Final week. Evocative readings of scary stories, including Poppa Poe. SecondStory Repertory, 16587 NE 74th St, www.secondstoryrep.org. $8. Fri Oct 21 at 8:30 pm.
NOTHING IS THE SAME
The lives and friendships of four 11-year-olds living in Hawaii just after the Pearl Harbor bombing. Performed in Hawaiian Pidgin. Honolulu Theatre for Youth at Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $15–$30. Fri at 7 pm, Sat–Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through Nov 20.
PULP VIXENS DOUBLE FEATURE
Hung by the Chimney and A Fistful of Lesbians by local playwright Scot Augustson (The Chris Schussler Incident). Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave,www.brownpapertickets.com. $15. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 4 pm. Through Nov 13.
THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND
Previewing. Tom Stoppard's one-act about two theater critics who fall into a whodunit play-within-a-play. Stone Soup, 4035 Stone Way N, 325-6500. $7.50. Preview performance Wed Oct 26 at 8 pm. Through Nov 19.
ROMEO AND JULIET
Opening. "Love moderately; long love doth so." Seattle Shakespeare Company at Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, 425-893-9900. $10–$24. Opening Thurs Oct 20 at 7:30 pm. Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm. Through Oct 22 at KPC, through Nov 20 at Center House Theatre (733-8222).
THE ROVER
See review this issue. Ghost Light Theatricals at Freehold's East Hall Theatre, 1529 10th Ave, 325-6500. $10–$12. Thurs--Sat at 7:30 pm. Through Oct 29.
SEUSSICAL
A Dr. Seuss tribute musical by Ahrens and Flaherty, who created the score for Ragtime. Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $15–$30. Thurs–Fri at 7 pm, Sat–Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through Nov 18.
STARBALL
Final week. "Starball, which John Kaufmann and Dan Dennis have performed in planetariums from Chicago to Spain, is a sparkling goulash of astronomy, music, and choreographed chaos." (Brendan Kiley) Smith Planetarium, Pacific Science Center, 200 Second Ave N, 352-1777. $12–$17. Thurs at 8 pm, Fri at 10 pm, Sat–Sun at 8 pm. Through Oct 23.
STIMULUS
They call it long-form improv. According to the press release, "We will not get audience suggestions, we will not do improv games, we will not wear funny wigs." Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $10. Sat at 10:30 pm. Through Nov 12.
SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET
Previewing. Sondheim's 1979 "penny dreadful" about a Victorian barber/serial killer. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. $19–$71. Previewing Tues Oct 25 at 7:30 pm and Wed Oct 26 at 7:30 pm. Through Nov 13.
THE TOASTER
Opening. Bickering, eccentric siblings, a magical suitcase, and a death in the family. By Stranger Genius Award–winner Rebecca Brown. New City Theater at On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. Opening Thurs Oct 20 at 8 pm. Fri–Sun at 8 pm. Through Oct 30.
VERBATIM VERBOTEN
Ongoing. "Verbatim Verboten is a succession of minimally staged scenes bringing dirty voice mails, court transcripts, and other modes of celebrity embarrassment to life. Hilarity abounds, but just as often the actors don't interpret the transcripts so much as read them aloud." (Mariesa Bus) Clove Productions and Quade Productions at Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave, 624-4455. $10–$12. Thurs at 8 pm.
VIRTUAL SOLITAIRE
Opening. The award-winning solo show about a hacker who gets lost in a virtual murder mystery. CHAC Lower Level, 1621 12th Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $10. Opening Thurs Oct 20 at 7:30 pm. Fri–Sat at 7:30 pm. Through Nov 26.
WIT
Final week. A 1999 Pulitzer-winning play about a literature professor battling cancer and "changing lives along the way." Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 524-1300. $12–$20. Thurs–Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Oct 23.
DANCE
ASHES/ASHES
Opening. A 12-person piece by Mary Sheldon Scott/Jarrad Powell Performance. Velocity MainSpace Theater, 915 E Pine St, 760-2555. $10–$15. Opening Fri Oct 21 at 8 pm. Fri–Sun at 8 pm. Through Oct 30.
CABARET
THE ATOMIC BOMBSHELLS BURLESQUE
Tits, ass, and sassafras. Mirabeau Room, 529 Queen Anne Ave N, www.ticketswest.com. $12 adv/$15 DOS. Thurs at 8 pm. Through Dec 15.
ROOM FOR CREAM?
One night only. Seattle's baristas perform! Featuring Sarah Rudinoff, Kate Czajkowski, puppets by Scot Augustson, and more. Baba Yaga Productions at Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, no reservations. $10. Mon Oct 24 at 7:30 pm.
SANDRA LOCKLEAR
One night only. A tribute to Nina Simone. Thumper's, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $7. Sun Oct 23 at 8:30 pm.
THERE'S A LADY ON THE STAGE
Why, it's drag chanteuse Arnaldo! Thumper's, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $15. Fri–Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 29.
IMPROV & COMEDY
CLINTON JACKSON at Comedy Underground, 222 Main St, 800-325-7328. $15 (21+ w/ID required). Thurs at 8:30 pm, Fri–Sat at 8:30 and 10:30 pm. BRAD UPTON at Giggles Comedy Club, 5220 Roosevelt Way NE, 526-5653. $12. Fri–Sat Oct 14–15 at 8:30 and 10 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. Fri–Sat at 8:30 and 10 pm. THEATRESPORTS at Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $8–$12. Sun at 7 pm. UNHINGED at Mirabeau Room, 529 Queen Anne Ave N. $6. Wed at 8 pm.SEATTLE COMEDY FESTIVAL
Final week. Charlie Murphy, Greg Giraldo, and more. Paramount Theatre and Moore Theatre, www.ticketmaster.com or www.theparamount.com for tickets and details, respectively. Through Oct 28.
TWILIGHT EXIT COMEDY NIGHT
One night only. Joe Fischer, Emmett Montgomery, and other comedians in a benefit for the Bad Fruit Foundation (for uninsured artists). Twilight Exit, 2020 E Madison St, 324-7462. $6 (includes two pints of PBR!). Thurs Oct 20 at 9 pm.
LATE NIGHT
PSYCHOPOMP PRESENTS
"A Grand Guignol for the soul." Three world-premiere shorts by Paul Mullin, Louis Broome, and Stephanie Timm. Psychopomp Cooperative at Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $10 (21+ w/ID required). Thurs–Sat at 11 pm. Through Oct 31.
XTL: XTREME THEATER LEAGUE
One night only. Songwriters, fight choreographers, burlesquers, and actors go mano a mano in a benefit for Flaming Box of Stuff. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, www.flamingboxofstuff.com. $10. Sat Oct 22 at 11 pm.
SPECIAL EVENTS
ITALIAN DINNER & PLAYWRIGHTS ON THE BLOCK
One night only. Playwrights Scot Augustson, Allison Gregory, and Stephanie Timm auctioned off to write a play during dinner for performance during dessert. Seattle Dramatists at Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 720-0083. $25. Fri Oct 21 at 6 pm.
PLAYWRITING LAB
One week only. Readings of six new plays. Live Girls! Theater, 2220 NW Market St, www.brownpapertickets.com. $5–$12. Thurs–Fri at 8 pm. Sat at 4 and 8 pm. Through Oct 22.
SEATTLE THEATRE CONFERENCE
One week only. Discussions and lectures on theater and community. Theatre Puget Sound at Center House Theatre, 305 Harrison St, Seattle Center, www.tpsonline.org. $35–$50. Sat Oct 22 from 10 am–7pm, Sun Oct 23 from 11:30 am–6:30 pm.
SHORT STORIES LIVE!: WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS
One night only. Kurt Beattie directs an evening devoted to the Irish writer and his fascination with mysticism and mythology. Town Hall at ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $13–$18. Sun Oct 23 at 4 pm.
