THEATER


OPENING THIS WEEK

HOKUM'S RAGTIME NICKELODEON REVUE 路 Hokum Hall

KISS ME, KATE 路 University of Washington

RUN LO BLO RUN 路 Lo Blo

SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL CHILDRENS FESTIVAL 路 Seattle Center

SOME KIND OF CULT 路 Odd Duck Studio

UMBRELLA, LIGHT, LANDSCAPE, SKY 路 Lelavision

WATUSI 路 Hyperion Theatre


ONE WEEK ONLY

A CABARET EVENING 路 Seattle University

EPISODES FROM CHEKOV 路 Freehold

ERIC IDLE EXPLOITS MONTY PYTHON 路 Paramount Theatre

HEDGEBROOK WOMEN PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL 路 A Contemporary Theatre

JET LAG 路 On the Boards

THE LITTLE GUY AND HIS BLUEGRASS BUDDIES 路 Taproot Theatre Company

TREAT HER LIKE A LADY 路 5th Ave Theatre


CLOSING THIS WEEK

BIG BOSS OR THE INNER LIFE OF EVERYTHING 路 New City Theatre

HANGING LORD HAW-HAW 路 Empty Space Theatre

PIECES OF THE FIRST 路 Seattle Mime Theatre

RETURN TO THE GARDEN OF ALLAH 路 Open Circle Theatre


OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS


AS YOU LIKE IT

Shakespeare tackles gender dysphoria. Kind of like Boys Don't Cry, but with a happy ending. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun matinees at 2, through May 25. $10-$42.


*BIG BOSS OR THE INNER LIFE OF EVERYTHING

Billed as "a play with music," writer/director Ki Gottberg's new work concerns the tangled lives of two sisters, one an obsessive, the other a cynic -- accompanied by live percussion. "An embrace of poetic language and energetic performances over naturalistic acting and narrative... [but] unlike many stylized plays, Big Boss has an easily discernible story." (Tom Spurgeon) First Christian Church, 1632 Broadway, 328-4683. Thurs-Sat at 8, through May 13. $10-$12.


THE COLLABORATORS

Any press release that starts, "In one zany mix-up after another..." sends chills down my spine. "An ordinary insulation company is mistaken for a weapons supplier..." doesn't bolster my confidence. And "cockamamie collision of characters will cause giggles and guffaws..." confirms my worst fears. ArtsWest Theatre Company, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. Thurs-Sun at 8, through May 20, matinees on May 14 and 20. $19, $16 students/seniors.


EPISODES FROM CHEKHOV

These students sweat and burn for a ridiculous amount of time to bring you these scenes from The Cherry Orchard and Three Sisters -- the least you can do is watch. Freehold, 1525 10th Ave, 323-7499. Thurs-Sat May 11-13 at 8, with a Sat matinee at 2. Donation requested.


FOREVER PLAID

A bit of a phenomenon in some circles (it's in the sixth year of its run in Chicago), writer/choreographer/director Stuart Ross' Plaid is a lighthearted celebration of those four-part-harmony boy groups from the late '50s and early '60s. Squeaky-clean renditions of "Three Coins in the Fountain" and other pop fare sung by "teen angels." Much gayer than it knows. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. Tues-Fri at 8, Sat at 8:30, Sun at 2, Sat matinees at 5, Sun matinees at 2, through June 25. $37-$42.


HANGING LORD HAW-HAW

Jeffrey Hatcher, who wrote the wonderful Shaw adaptation Smash, returns with a specially commissioned world premiere exploring the motives of William Joyce, a Nazi propagandist in World War II who also happened to be a staunch patriot of the British Empire. "[Hatcher] has a tendency to be a trifle cavalier, resulting in lines like, 'Darling, I do hope you become dictator soon.'" (Steve Wiecking) Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, Sat-Sun matinees at 2, through May 13. $18-$26.


HEDGEBROOK WOMEN PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL

Staged readings of new works by four rising women playwrights: Las Meni帽as by Lynn Nottage, Fri May 12 at 8; Ajax by Alice Tuan, Sat May 13 at 8; Rain Expected by Michele Lowe, Sun May 14 at 2 (tea to follow); and Helen by Ellen McLaughlin, Sun May 14 at 7:30. A Contemporary Theatre, corner of Seventh and Union, 292-7676. $5 (to include the afternoon tea, $15).


JET LAG

More smarty-pants, highly touted performance art from New York. See Stranger Suggests. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. Thurs-Sun May 11-14 at 8. $18-$20.


KISS ME, KATE

Cole Porter's backstage view of The Taming of the Shrew, performed by the fresh-scrubbed faces of UW students. Meany Theatre, UW campus, 543-4880. Through May 20 at 7:30; no performance on Mon May 15, 3 pm matinee on Sun May 14 (Mother's Day). $10-$15.


Late Night Catechism

An evening of audience participation and interactive improv theater: Think Sister Windy crossed with Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You. A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, extended for eternity. $24.50-$29.50.


LIGHT SHINING IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

If there's anyone who can condense the religious and political awakening in medieval England into an engaging play, it's Caryl Churchill, one of the finest playwrights alive. A Theatre Under the Influence, at the Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave between Pike and Union, 720-1942. Thurs-Sat at 8, through June 3. $12: Thurs is pay-what-you-will.


PIECES OF THE FIRST

A "provocative deconstruction of U.S. Supreme Court cases" may sound a bit dry, but the press release promises nudity and adult content (lots of free speech fights are about smut, after all), and the cast is an impressively talented crew. "Director Neel and a talented cast fail to maintain [a rigorous] level of analysis throughout, despite an admirably complex and demanding approach to language and movement." (Tom Spurgeon) Seattle Mime Theatre, 915 E Pine St, Fourth Floor (in the Oddfellows Hall), 324-8788. Thurs-Sun at 8, through May 14. $15; Thurs is pay-what-you-can.


THE REAL THING

This Tom Stoppard play got hailed to the heavens when it opened on Broadway, but now it looks like a modest trifle. Still, Stoppard's always smart and witty. Have someone under 25 buy your ticket so you can see it for $10. Intiman Theatre, Seattle Center, 269-1900. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun-Wed at 7, no shows on Mon and on May 27-28, through June 3. $10-$42.


RETURN TO THE GARDEN OF ALLAH

A great cast (including Andrew Tasakos, Wade Madsen, and Jennifer Jasper) tackles Ian Bell's adaptation of the history of one of the first gay-owned clubs in the country. "The musical numbers carry the evening... there is a great deal of pleasure to be derived from watching the accomplished performers. The backstage drama, however, seems like another evocation of period performance and keeps a highly entertaining show from being a great one." (Tom Spurgeon) Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 323-0388. Thurs-Sun at 8, extended through May 14. $15.


THE LITTLE GUY AND HIS BLUEGRASS BUDDIES

A solo theater piece called The Little Guy -- probably not about what it sounds like -- followed by local bluegrass musicians. A benefit for Taproot. Taproot Theatre Company, Greenwood Masonic Center, 7910 Greenwood Ave N, 781-9707. Sat May 13 at 8. $20.


TREAT HER LIKE A LADY

A gospel musical about a woman who loses her legs in a tragic car accident and whose husband begins to physically abuse her as a result, but in the end her faith in God is renewed. Starring CeCe Peniston, Alyson Williams, and Hawthorne "Big Red" James. Outrageously melodramatic gospel musicals are a true American subculture; they transcend scorn and mockery through intense sincerity and gorgeous tunes. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 772-2955. Sat May 13 at 8; Sun May 14 at 4. Two shows only. $30, $28 for groups.


UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT

A solo play about a man and his autistic son, written and performed by the father himself, Anthony Curry. "When Curry focuses on the details of his child's development... and his own incremental sense of dread, UFO fascinates... [but] a compelling one-act show may be lost in the unwieldy universe Curry brings to the stage." (Tom Spurgeon) Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, through May 20. $10 ($8 students/seniors).


WATUSI

The latest from top-notch Seattle playwright S. P. Miskowski. See Stranger Suggests. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 781-0022. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, through June 4. $12.50.


WHEN I GROW UP I'M GONNA GET SOME BIG WORDS

Seattle Children's Theatre closes out its season with a world premiere exploring the inspirational give-and-take between activists in the Civil Rights Movement and their courageous leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. An ambitious work culled from letters, essays, speeches, and diary entries. Charlotte Martin Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. Fri at 7, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30, through June 11. $13.50-$20.50.


DANCE


UMBRELLA, LIGHT, LANDSCAPE, SKY

Kinetic musical sculpture, dance, and physical theater -- a combination of vague, wonky themes and precise, imaginative theatrics. Ela Lamblin's instruments (which double as props, costumes -- you name it) can create some gorgeous, breathtaking sounds. Lela Studio, 701 34th Ave, 329-3724. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, matinee on Sun May 21 at 2, through May 21. $12. Seating is limited, reservations are advisable.


FESTIVALS, CABARETS, & COMEDY


A CABARET EVENING

Buncha stuff, including Harlequin's Lesson in Love by Marivaux, directed by Ki Gottberg (playwright/director of Big Boss). Seattle University, Vachon Room, Dept of Fine Arts, 900 Broadway, 296-5360. Through Sat May 13 at 7:30, with 2:30 matinee on Sun May 14. $8 general, $5 student/seniors.


A-FEST 2000

A wide-ranging mix of Asian/Pacific Islander theater, dance, music, and performance art. This weekend: Traces, an international multi-media collaboration. Northwest Asian American Theatre, Theatre off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 340-1049. Traces is Thurs-Sun at 8; dates and times vary for upcoming performances. A-Fest 2000 runs through May 28. $9-$15.


ERIC IDLE EXPLOITS MONTY PYTHON

Eric Idle created a whole bunch of funny material and doesn't he have a right to flog it as long as he can squeeze a buck out of it? Who are you to say the title of this show is all too sad and true? Back off, buddy. Just back off. Paramount Theatre, Ninth and Pine, 292-ARTS. Mon-Tues May 15-16 at 8. $39-$50.


HOKUM'S RAGTIME NICKELODEON REVUE

Professor Hokum W. Jeebs returns with an evening of ragtime, silent cinema, classic vaudeville, and the big sounds of the mighty 1929 WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ. An experience like no other. Hokum Hall, 7904 35th Ave SW, 937-3613. Fri-Sat at 8, open-ended engagement. $12 general, $10 student/seniors. Discounts available. See Bio Box.


Julie Cascioppo Experience

Songs and characters you may grow to love. Or not. The Pink Door, Pike Place Market, 1919 Post Alley, 443-3241. Tues at 8:30 & 11. No cover.


PRINTER'S DEVIL 2000 BONANZA

The workshop/reading series continues with Normal by Duke Novak, Mara Hesed, and Adam Greenfield. A great opportunity to see plays as they grow. Consolidated Works, 410 Terry Ave N, 328-2690. Mon-Tues May 15-16 at 7:30. No reservation needed, pay what you will.


RUN LO BLO RUN

Seattle's most self-congratulatorily vulgar sketch comedy troupe returns. Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave between Pike and Union. Fri-Sat at 11, through May 27. If it costs more than $5, they're scamming you. There are standards, after all.


*SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL

For sheer stunning variety and richness of quality and spectacle, only the Film Festival can compare. See Stranger Suggests. Seattle Center and other venues, 684-7346 for info. Mon-Sat May 15-20. Times and prices vary.


SOME KIND OF CULT

Two weekends of sketch comedy by yet another sketch comedy troupe. My God, how many sketch comedy troupes can one town sustain? Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 524-5858. Fri-Sat at 8, through May 20. $6.


*THREE DOLLAR BILL

Seattle's original gay/lesbian/bisexual stand-up comedy night is still standing in its third year. Comedy Underground, 222 S Main St, 628-0303. 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. $7, $5 with student ID.


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.


UP IN YOUR GRILL

This fresh, four-person comedy troupe is supposed to be pretty damn funny, so, as with other talented folks, we must overlook its current association with the painfully unfunny John Keister (they're all appearing on KIRO TV's The John Report with Bob). The Grill folks are tearing it up weekly with fast and furious comic sketches. Speakeasy, 2304 Second Ave, 444-4336. Sat at 11 (opening acts at 10:30). $7.


CALLS


PLAYBACK THEATER NW

Seeking musicians and male improvisers. People of color and "those over 30 with heart" are encouraged to audition on Tues May 23. Call 726-1415 for information.


RAINIER VALLEY YOUTH THEATRE

Auditions for youth ages 12 and up for the SummerSTAGE 2000 musical adaptation of the Greek myth Orpheus; on Sat June 10 at the Rainier Valley Cultural Center. Call 725-7169 for an appointment.