OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

ANYTHING GOES

Opening.“In olden days a glimpse of stocking was looked on as something shocking; now, heaven knows, anything goes.”Civic Light Opera, 7400 Sand Point Way, 363–2809. $25–$35. Opening Fri May 5 at 8 pm. Sat–Sun at 8 pm. Sun at 2 pm. Through May 21.

recommended BROWN DERBY PRESENTS: FAME

One week only. Imogen Love, Dusty Warren, Brandon Whitehead, Rebecca Davis, Ian Bell, Nick Garrison, and the rest of the Brown Derby crew wrap up their readings of ’80s dance movies with Fame. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, no reservations. $12. (21+ w/ ID.) Mon–Wed, doors at 7 pm, show at 8 pm.

recommended CHERRY, CHERRY, LEMON

“At a brisk one hour, Cherry, Cherry, Lemon emulates its prime obsession: It is alternately tender, vigorous, and shamelessly funny, leaving us gratified, maybe a little bit raw, and wanting more.” (Brendan Kiley) Theater Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, www.ticketwindowonline.com. $7–$12. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm. Through May 13.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL’S VAREKAI

Opening. Now with added crumping! Marymoor Park, 6046 West Lake Sammamish Parkway NE, Redmond, www.cirquedusoleil.com. $24.50–$185. Opening Thurs May 4 at 8 pm. Fri–Sat at 4 and 8 pm, Sun at 1 and 5 pm. Through June 4.

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 May 28.

A “DEGENERATE” CABARET

Featuring music by Kurt Weill and The Emperor of Atlantis, an opera written by Viktor Ullmann while he was interned at the Terezin concentration camp. Black Box Opera Theater at Columbia City Theatre, 4916 Rainier Ave S, www.brownpapertickets.com. $28. Fri–Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 6:30 pm. Through May 7.

DINNER & DREAMS

Ongoing. The dinner-theater extravaganza, with European-style cirque performances as garnish. Teatro ZinZanni, 2301 Sixth Ave, 802-0015. $99–$125. Wed–Sat at 6:30 pm, Sun at 5:30 pm.

HELLO, DOLLY

Opening. Goin’ bonkers in Yonkers. Village Theatre, 303 Front St N, Issaquah, 425-392-2202. $24–$48. Opening Wed May 10 at 8 pm. Through June 25.

HONUS AND ME

A tale of self-confidence and baseball, featuring Stranger Genius Award–winner Gabriel Baron. Seattle Children’s Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $16–$31. Fri at 7 pm, Sat–Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through June 11.

HOUSE OF MIRTH

Based on the novel by Edith Wharton, the woman who said: “The American landscape has no foreground and the American mind no background.” Book-It at Center House Theater, 305 Harrison St, 216-0833. $15–$30. Thurs–Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through May 13.

HUMOR ME

An ensemble piece generated by MFA drama students about the whys and wherefores of humor. UW School of Drama at Penthouse Theatre, UW, 543-4880. $6–$13. Thurs–Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through May 14.

JUNIE B. JONES AND A LITTLE MONKEY BUSINESS

It sounds like a Belle and Sebastian song, but it’s actually a bright musical about a feisty kindergartner. Seattle Children’s Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441–3322. $16–$31. Fri at 7 pm, Sat–Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through June 18.

KING HENRY

Opening. A condensed version of Shakespeare’s Henry cycle, with clown makeup.Ghost Light Theatricals at Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $10–$12. Opening Fri May 5 at 7:30 pm. Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through May 21.

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.” (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. Tickets available through Aug 27.

recommended MACBETH

Opening. Verdi’s version of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Seattle Opera at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, 389-7676. $41–$135. Opening Sat May 6 at 7:30 pm. Sun at 2 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through May 20.

MARK TWAIN’S FINAL TOUR

Final week. Mr. Twain will touch on his 1879 lecture Some Thoughts on the Science of Onanism, which ended with this chestnut: “If you must gamble your lives sexually, don’t play a lone hand too much.” SecondStory Repertory, 16587 NE 74th Street, Redmond, 425-881-6777. $18–$24. Fri–Sat at 8:15 pm, Sun at 2:15 pm. Through May 7.

MENOPAUSE THE MUSICALℱ

Ongoing. “What makes this toweringly formulaic crap about dusty uteruses even moderately bearable? The consummate cast was ferocious and fast.” (Adrian Ryan) ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $45. Thurs–Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 4 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm, Tues–Wed at 8 pm. Tickets available through May 28.

recommended MISS AMERICA: A FUGUE BORN IN 1969

“Miss America opens with a Dostoyevskian pile of loose threads—the characters are all friends, spouses, or acquaintances—and we watch them weave together, their individual crises coming to a head in the concussion grenades and broken glass of the Battle in Seattle.” (Brendan Kiley) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $18, under 18 free, Thurs by donation. Thurs–Sat at 8. Through May 20.

MISS WITHERSPOON

Opening. The Christopher Durang comedy about the afterlife that got dissed by the Pulitzer committee.A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $10–$54. Opening Thurs May 4 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 May 28.

NICHOLAS NICKLEBY

Opening. A new Charles Dickens musical. Centerstage at Knutzen Family Theatre, 3200 Dash Point Rd, Federal Way, 253-661-1444. $7–$20 ($1 for high-school students w/ID Fri May 5 only). Opening Fri May 5 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm. Sun at 2 pm. Through May 28.

recommended NOSIGNAL

One weekend only. See preview this issue. “Awesome” at On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $18. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm.

PATTY RED PANTS

Final week. Old friends, questioned girlhood, and a murdered child. Live Girls Theatre, 2220 NW Market St, 800-838-3006. $9–$12. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through May 7.

PIPPIN

Opening. The story of Pippin the Hunchback, son of Charlemagne. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. $19–$71. Previews Thurs May 4 at 8 pm. Opening Fri May 5 at 8 pm. Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 1:30 and 7 pm, Tues–Wed at 7:30 pm. Through May 21.

ROMEO & JULIEN

One weekend only. A hiphop-homo version of the old story “with two young men as the lovers, torn apart by a homophobic gangsta society.” Open Circle Youth Ensemble at Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave E, 382-4250. $10. Fri–Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm.

ROUNDING THIRD

“Once you understand Michael and Don are The Odd Couple of Little League dads (a fact established in the first five minutes of the two-act play), there’s nowhere left to go. I didn’t even learn anything new about baseball.” (Brendan Kiley) Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 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 at 7:30 pm, Wed at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through May 14.

THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH

One night only.A reading of Thornton Wilder’s play, featuring David S. Klein, Shellie Shulkin, Gavin Cummings, and others. Our American Theater Company at Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, reservations not required. Free. Mon at 7:30 pm.

recommended STONES IN HIS POCKETS

Extended. “This two-man show about Irish extras in a Hollywood movie is like a well-made sandwich—warm, charming, and full of cheese.” (Brendan Kiley) Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 388-0569. $18–$20. Thurs–Sat at 7:30 pm. Through May 27.

TALK ABOUT THE PASSION

Opening. An impossibly far-fetched story about publishers making money off human tragedy. Outsiders-Inn at Studio-Current, 1417 10th Ave. $8–$12. Opening Fri May 5 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm. Through May 27.

TARTUFFE

Final week. “Though all men believe me godly, the simple truth is, I’m a worthless creature.” Lee Center for the Arts, 901 12th Ave, 296-5360. $6–$10. Thurs–Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2:30 and 7:30 pm, Sun at 2:30 pm. Through May 7.

TOLD YOU ONCE (TOLD YOU A HUNDRED TIMES)

Final week. “The conceits are imaginative—a world where the wealthy hire personal narrators to shore up their conversations and the government subsidizes friends for poor children—but the main characters are drab.” (Brendan Kiley) Poisonous Toy Theater at Chamber Theater, 915 E Pine St, www.brownpapertickets.com. $12–$15. Fri–Sat at 8 pm. Through May 6.

TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE

Final week“Morrie is moving because it’s vacant. The play is unrelentingly generic from start to finish—that’s its trick. Other, better artworks draw us into the lives of complex, fictitious strangers, but Morrie’s characters are vague (easily confused with “universal”), forcing us to fill their gaps with details from our own lives. It is less a play than an echo chamber for our memories of the old people we have loved and neglected and might become.” (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, Sun at 2 pm,

WHAT IS SEXY?

Opening. An exploration of sexiness, including cable-knit sweaters, delicious foods, and fetish role-play. Washington Ensemble Theatre at the Little Theatre, 608 19th Ave E, 800-838-3006. $10–$15. Opening Fri May 5 at 8 pm. Sat–Mon at 8 pm. Through May 29.

WOMAN/GIRL

Final week. A 15-year-old starts dating her mother’s 33-year-old friend. Experimental Theatre Project at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $9–$15. Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 3 and 8 pm.

DANCE

BREAKING GROUND

Opening. Dance in an improv vein by a Christian troupe. 6th Day Dance at East Hall Theater, 1525 10th Ave, 425-284-2624. $15. Opening Fri May 5 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through May 13.

ELEGANT ABSURDITY

Opening. New work by AndrĂ© Bouchard, Sarah Parton, and others. Walrus Dance Company at R.E.D. Performance Loft, 89 Yesler Way, www.brownpapertickets.com. $10–$15. Opening Fri May 5 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm. Through May 13.

recommended MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP

One weekend only. The hometown choreography hero presents Gloria (1981–1984), Cargo (2005), Rock of Ages (2004), and Somebody’s Coming to See Me Tonight (1995). Meany Theater, UW Campus, 543-4880. $45. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm.

MOLT

Opening. A “symbolic autobiography on desire, love, and sexual identity” by Paige Barnes. Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave N, www.brownpapertickets.com. $10–$15. Opening Thurs May 4 at 8 pm, Fri–Sat at 8 pm. Through May 13.

CABARET

BODICE BUSTER MEOW

One night only. Music, film, and “sultry storytelling.” Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave, www.machamonkey.org. $7–$10. (21+ w/ID.) Fri at 8 pm.

BURLESQUE BEHIND THE PINK DOOR

With Paula the Swedish Housewife. Pink Door, 1919 Post Alley. No reservations required. $10. (21+ w/ID.) Sat at 10:30 pm. Through May 27.

CANCAN

Cancan dancers. Can Can Kitchen & Cabaret, 94 Pike St, 652-0832. Free. Thurs–Fri at 7 pm.

CIRKO DE MAYO FIESTA

One night only. PURE Cirkus and Betty X at Fenix Underground, 109 S Washington St, www.ticketmaster.com. $12. Sat at 9 pm.

COME FLY WITH ME

A Rat Pack revue by David Jon Wilson. Thumpers, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $10. Tues at 8 pm. Through May 16.

recommended FELICIA LOUD & THE SOUL

One weekend only. “Look into my eyes, and watch as I say, ‘Felicia Loud is the best female vocalist in the Pacific Northwest.’ Notice how I didn’t blink or flinch when making that bold claim. How could I be so certain? Because to say Felicia Loud is the best is to say these are my fingers or that is the sun or those are trees. If there was a God and the world was fair, then Erykah Badu would be unknown, and Felica Loud would be the queen of soul.” (Charles Mudede) Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave S, www.brownpapertickets.com. $10. Fri–Sat at 7:30 pm.

OPERA AMERICA: 2006 NEW WORKS SAMPLER

One day only. Bits and pieces from new operas based on works by Theodore Dreiser, Colette, Joy Kogoway, and Shakespeare. Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave, no reservations required. Free. Fri at 12:30 pm.

TREY PARKER’S CANNIBAL! THE MUSICAL GAY CABARET EDITION

The infamous slasher spoof by Trey Parker (of South Park) recast as gay cabaret dinner theater. “The most surprising, insane, and ultimately tragic thing about Cannibal! was the actual presence, in the actual audience, of the actual Trey Parker. Quiet, cordial, and extremely focused on whatever he was eating, Parker spent most of the evening not laughing, not smiling, and somehow not openly weeping.” (Lindy West) Thumpers, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $15. Fri–Sat at 7 pm. Through May 13.

IMPROV & COMEDY

Chris Alpine at Comedy Underground, 222 Main St, 800-325-7328. $15 (21+ w/ID required). Thurs–Sat at 8:30 and 10:30 pm. Pete Johansen at Giggles Comedy Club, 5220 Roosevelt Way NE, 526-5653. $12. Fri–Sat at 8 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. Theatresports at Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $8–$12. Fri–Sat at 10:30 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Comedy Night at Mirabeau Room, 529 Queen Anne Ave N, www.prokomedy.com. $5. Wed at 8 pm. Stand Up Comedy Throw Down in Belltown at Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $7. Tues at 8 pm.

86’D

Improv actors from Jet City, Seattle goga, Live Girls, etc., in an improv “jam.” Jerk Alert Productions at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $3. Sun at 8:30 pm. Through May 21.

BORN TO DIE
 WITH A VENGEANCE

One night only. Sketch comedy. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. $5. Mon May 8 at 9 pm.

recommended THE CODY RIVERS SHOW WITH FRESH MEAT

Opening. A sketch comedy double-header with the athletic gents from the Cody Rivers Show and NYC’s Fresh Meat. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, www.brownpapertickets.com. $12. Opening Thurs May 4 at 8 pm. Fri–Sat at 8 pm. Through May 13.

REALITY WORLD: SEASON 2

Opening. A reality show that’s actually improvised. Wing-It Productions at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, www.wingitpresents.com. $10. Previewing Thurs May 4 at 8 pm. Opening Fri May 5 at 8 pm. Through June 23.

STIMULUS

Improv that “elicits a physiological or psychological response.” Jerk Alert Productions at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $10. Sat at 10:30 pm. Through May 20.

LATE NIGHT

BURNING BRIDGES

Opening. A multimedia sketch comedy show about the Ave.Wing-It Productions at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, www.wingitpresents.com. $5. Opens Fri May 5 at 12:30 am. Through June 30.

CUPCAKE

Extended. A dirty, drinky improv where two fellas enact the audience’s “wildest dreams.” Wing-It Productions at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, www.wingitpresents.com. $5. Sat at midnight. Through May 28.

SPIN THE BOTTLE

One night only. The hallowed monthly variety show, featuring dancing, comedy, songs, and smut. Annex Theatre at Freehold’s East Hall Theater, 915 E Pine St, reservations not required. $7. Fri at 11 pm.

THE TWILIGHT ZONE: LIVE!

The late-night hit returns with “Third from the Sun” and “A Short Drink from a Certain Fountain.” Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $12. Fri–Sat at 11 pm. Through May 20.