CLOSING THIS WEEK

BLACK NATIVITY · Intiman

A CHRISTMAS CAROL · ACT

CITIZEN SCROOGE · Unexpected Productions

THE HOLIDAY SURVIVAL GAME SHOW '99: MILLENNIUM, SHLUMENNIUM · Broadway Performance Hall

MISS SAIGON · Paramount

NUTCRACKER · Pacific Northwest Ballet

*OWEN MEANY'S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT ·

Book-It

SANDERS FAMILY CHRISTMAS · Taproot

SOAPBOX · Northwest Actors Studio

OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

*ALIENS IN AMERICA

As a monologuist, Sandra Tsing Loh has the advantage of having found both an extremely funny and likeable persona and the kind of family-interaction material that is so poignantly hilarious that it nearly makes you cry. Much of this material, including the segment wherein her elderly father searches for a Chinese mail-order bride, has been performed on NPR. Seattle Rep's Leo K. Theater, Seattle Center, 443-2222. Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat & Sun matinees at 2, through Jan 15. $29/$39.

BLACK NATIVITY

A gospel play that powers up Langston Hughes' poetry with narration and gospel songs. Back for a second season of popular acclaim, if Black Nativity doesn't get you in the holiday spirit, you might as well end it all now. "The discrepancy between singing and performing has never been more apparent, but when this show sings, it soars; there are moments of ecstatic, tearful joy." (Steve Wiecking) Intiman Theater, 269-19000. Thurs-Sat at 8; Sat-Sun matinees at 2; Sun, Tues, Wed at 7, through Dec 26. $10-$38.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

ACT's yearly production of Charles Dickens' celebration of top-down management returns, with David Pichette and Peter Silbert alternating as Ebenezer Scrooge. "You don't need to see this show, but if you do, it won't hurt too much." (Steve Wiecking) A Contemporary Theater, 700 Union St, 292-7676. Times and days vary, through Dec 26. $12.50-$35.

CITIZEN SCROOGE

Unexpected Productions promises a holiday twist in this production described as "a cross between Orson Welles' film Citizen Kane and Charles Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol." With Steven Grenley as Ebenezer Scrooge. Market Theatre, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, through Dec 23. $10.

THE COMPLETE MILLENNIUM MUSICAL (ABRIDGED)

"Bad Boys of Abridgement," the Reduced Shakespeare Company take a red pen to 1,000 years of history, treating subjects like the Black Plague to a whimsical musical retelling. With Reed Martin, John David Pohlhammer, and Taylor Young. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Second Ave & Mercer St, 443-2222. Tues-Sun at 7:30; Sat & Sun 2 pm matinees, through Jan 22. $10-$39.

Late Night Catechism

And the nun goes on. This is an evening of audience participation and interactive improv theater: think Sister Windy crossed with Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You. ACT, 700 Union St, 292-7676. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, extended for eternity. $24.50-$29.50.

MISS SAIGON

The helicopters throb, the interracial romance throbs, and the music throbs in this melodrama set in Saigon in 1975; a big-budget touring production that's graced our city once before and now returns to draw more fat wallets. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 292-2787. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun matinees at 2, through Dec 26. $15-$65.

*OWEN MEANY'S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

This John Irving-approved (he actually attended last year's performance) adaptation of A Prayer for Owen Meany returns, bringing to life all the characters from Gravesend, New Hampshire for yet another all-thumbs pageant reenactment. With Stephen Hando as Owen Meany! "Stephen Hando does a perfect job in the difficult title role. The rest of the production is ultimately a mixed bag that is nevertheless a pleasant celebration of Irving's unique heart and language." (Steve Wiecking) Stage One Theatre, on the campus of North Seattle Community College, College Way N & N 92nd St, 216-0833. Thurs-Fri at 8, ends Dec 23. $10-$15.

A PICNIC AT THE EARTH'S MOLTEN CORE

Tamara Paris is Pamela, "a big girl from a small town," who discovers that her artistic self is made up of a number of selves after she slides down a rabbit hole into the dirty worlds of Philly, San Diego, Ohio, and beyond. "Director Burton Curtis and his co-writer Paris respond well to one another, but at times they've muddled their own material. Paris, who is certainly funny, needs an even clearer sense of where her lines pay off -- there's a slight fuzziness between which laughs should be hit and which are funnier when tossed away -- and Curtis has obscured some punchlines with bits of business. But when the two of them are in the same groove, the result is wickedly subtle." (Steve Wiecking) Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 323-0388. Mon at 8, open ended run. $10.

SANDERS FAMILY CHRISTMAS

The sentimental Sanders family (Smoke on the Mountain) returns to Mount Pleasant Baptist Church on Christmas Eve, 1941, to send son Dennis off to war armed with a round of festive bluegrass gospel music. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. Wed-Sat at 8, through Dec 23. $16-$24.

THE SNOW QUEEN

Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale features talking crows, arrogant flowers, guardian angels, and pesky devils in this holiday adaptation by theater simple. "Full of true theatrical invention, The Snow Queen unfortunately squanders a marvelously game and capable cast on a chilly, metaphorical reading of this engaging children's tale." (Steve Wiecking) UW Ethnic Cultural Theater, 3931 Brooklyn Ave E, 784-8647. Call for dates & times, through Dec 30. $10/$7.

DANCE

NUTCRACKER

Pacific Northwest Ballet's annual tribute to the decorated food preparation tool, replete with the famous Maurice Sendak sets. Seattle Center Opera House, 292-2787. Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 5:30, Sat 2 pm matinee, Sun 1 pm matinee, through Dec 28. $16-$77.

FESTIVALS, CABARETS, & COMEDY

THE HOLIDAY SURVIVAL GAME SHOW '99:

MILLENNIUM, SHLUMENNIUM

Sketch comedy with audience-member participation in a "real" game show (for prizes worth tens of dollars!), with comedian Peggy Platt and others. "The evening is surprisingly tame, with a smirkingly liberal comic tone aimed safely down the middle of the road; it's cabaret dinner theater with dreams of grandeur." (Steve Wiecking) Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, 709-7994. Tues-Sat at 8; Sat & Sun 2 pm matinees, through Dec 26 (no show Dec 25). $17-$19.99.

IMPROSIA: COMEDY OF THE GODS

Performing character-driven scenes based on audience suggestions. Wit's End, 770 N 34th St, 547-2330. Sat at 9:30. $7.

Julie Cascioppo Experience

Songs and characters you may grow to love. The Pink Door, Pike Place Market, 1919 Post Alley, 443-3241. Tues at 8:30 & 11. No cover.

TEATRO ZINZANNI

Five months ago, this show was a true delight, boasting an array of highly accomplished and charming performers and surprisingly decent food. Now, it's a grating mess, with several key performers replaced by charmless, baby-talking howler monkeys and a little less decent food. However, the show still features the utterly amazing Kevin Kent, as well as Ann Wilson and that cute Russian juggler. Seattle Center, 222 Mercer St, 281-7788 ext 700 or 292-ARTS. Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 6:30, extended through Dec 30. $95.

*THREE DOLLAR BILL

Seattle's original gay/lesbian/bisexual stand-up comedy night is still standing in its second year. Comedy Underground, 222 S Main St, 324-8025. Tues at 8. $6.

LATE NIGHT

THE A.M. CABARET

Amoral entertainment for insomniacs; promising naked poetry, music, strippers, and drag queens. You may think you're dreaming. Coffee Messiah, 1554 E Olive Way, 860-7377. Sat from 2-4 am. $5.

Jet City Improv

Improv comedy and music based on audience suggestions. Ethnic Cultural Theater, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE, 781-3879. Fri-Sat at 10:30.

SOAPBOX

Late night improv that promises sketch comedy, local musicians, a full bar, AND free food. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike, 324-6328. Sat at 11, through Dec 25. $5.

Theater Sports

Improv comedy with a competitive edge, brought to you by Unexpected Productions. Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. Fri-Sat at 10:30, $9. Sun at 7. $5.

CALLS

CINEMA SEATTLE

Cinema Seattle is now accepting entries to the 26th Seattle International Film Festival, scheduled for May 18-June 11, 2000. Feature length filmmakers may submit their work at a reduced fee of $35 by Dec 31; the regular deadline, at a $50 entry fee, is March 1. Entry forms can be downloaded directly from www.seattlefilm.com, or by mail at SIFF, fax 206-264-7919, phone 464-5830, or e-mail mail@seattlefilm.com.

SEATTLE POETRY FESTIVAL

The Third Annual Seattle Poetry Festival seeks submissions for individual or group literary performance, literary film or video, multi-media installations, or community-based programs. The event will be held May 2-7 at On the Boards and other venues. For an application, send an SASE to Eleventh Hour Productions, P.O. Box 329, Seattle, WA 98111. Deadline is Jan 12.

SEATTLE SYMPHONY CHORALE

Mid-season auditions will be held on Sat Jan 8 and Sun Jan 9 from 10 am to 6:30 pm at Cornish College of the Arts, 710 E Roy St, on Capitol Hill in Seattle. Auditions are by appointment only and will consist of a prepared piece and a sight singing test. To set up an appointment, call Seattle Symphony Chorale Coordinator Bryan Stratton at 206-215-4734.

STEPPING STONE PRODUCTIONS

Stepping Stone is seeking the following positions for their production of Amadeus, by Peter Schaffer: Stage Manager, House Manager, Stitchers. Please contact stepstone@hotmail.com or Dawn at 841-2521.

THEATER PUGET SOUND GENERAL AUDITIONS

To schedule an audition time, please send a current photo, resume, and SASE to: TPS Auditions, P.O. Box 85824, Seattle, WA 98145. Requests must be postmarked by Dec 31. Please indicate if you wish to sing so you can be scheduled with an accompanist. Auditions will be held Jan 10-13 at Studio 4, Fourth Floor, Seattle Center. For information, call 985-9157.