THEATER


OPENING THIS WEEK

BLUE'S CLUES LIVE 路 Paramount Theatre

CIRCLE 路 Eddie Izzard

CORPSE 路 UW Ethnic Cultural Center

UNDER THE GASLIGHT 路 Empty Space Theatre


ONE WEEK ONLY

12 MINUTES MAX 路 On the Boards

HEIDIPAT DANCE COLLECTIVE 路 Dance on Capitol Hill

HOTHOUSE 2000 路 Annex Theatre

RETRATOS LINDOS 路 Seattle Teatro Latino

OMNISCIENCE 路 Odd Duck Studio


CLOSING THIS WEEK

AS YOU LIKE IT 路 Seattle Repertory Theatre

RUN LO BLO RUN 路 Lo Blo


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 27. $10-$42.


BLUE'S CLUES LIVE

The popular children's show--presented live--so that they can burrow into your child's cerebral cortex before your very eyes. Paramount Theatre, Ninth and Pine, call the evil Ticketmaster at 292-ARTS. Wed-Sun May 31-June 4, times vary. $11.50-$25.50.


CORPSE

A new translation of a controversial 1953 play by Brazilian writer Nelson Rodrigues, updated to contemporary Rio de Janeiro. A student production. Ethnic Cultural Theater, UW campus, 3931 Brooklyn Ave NE. Wed-Sun May 31-June 4 at 8, Sat-Sun matinees at 2.


FOREVER PLAID

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 matinee at 5, Sun matinee at 2, through June 25. $37-$42.


GOOSEFLESH & PALLOR

Subtitled A Journey through Fear, this is a workshop presentation of a gumbo of techniques (dance, music, comedy, aerial work) used to explore what makes our flesh creep. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. Thurs-Sat at 8, through June 3. $7. Reviewed this issue.


*HOTHOUSE 2000

Annex's annual two weeks of chaos, with the results displayed on stage for your entertainment. See Stranger Suggests. Annex Theatre, 1916 Fourth Ave, 728-0933. Thurs-Sat May 25-27 at 8, Sat matinee at 2. $12.


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. "Those seeking dramatic tension or a straightforward psychological conflict between characters best steer clear.... Strongest is a long, creepy final scene depicting a group of radical religious/hedonistic church dissenters." (Stacey Levine) 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. Fri-Sat $12, Thurs pay-what-you-will.


A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

Everyone's favorite sex comedy, performed by clear, smooth faces and taut, young bodies. Playhouse Theatre, 4045 University Way NE, 543-4880. Through June 4, dates and times vary. $7-$10.


MOTORCADE

A biting social satire, written by the guy who provided the voice of "Crow" on Mystery Science Theater 3000, Bill Corbett. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. Thurs-Sat at 8, matinees on Sun June 4 & 18 at 2, through June 24. Thurs are pay-what-you-will, $12 otherwise. And if you're under 18, it's free! free! free! Reviewed this issue.


OMNISCIENCE

A staged reading of a new farce by Emeric Plumb, presented by Dramatists and Actors Meeting Now (a tortured name for the sake of a cutesy acronym). Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave. Tues May 30 only, at 7. Pay-what-you-can.


RETRATOS LINDOS

Two Latin American children's stories presented with cheer, verve, and bilinguality by Teatro Latino. Touring around to libraries and community centers. Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave N, 783-2244. Sun May 28 at 1. Only one performance, and it's free.


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, Tues, & Wed at 7, through June 3. $10-$42.


TALLEY'S FOLLY

One of those two-character dramas that have entrenched themselves in regional American theater for reasons more economic than aesthetic. I'm sure this one is lovely and earnest. A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. Through June 11, times vary. $23-$42, $10 for patrons 25 or under.


UNDER THE GASLIGHT

A 19th-century melodrama, souped up a bit, but it sounds like Eddie Levi Lee is forgoing the usual chainsaws and smoke machines. Includes variety acts between scenes. Empty Space, 3509 Fremont Ave, 547-7500. Opens Wed May 31, times vary, through July 9. $18-$26. See Bio Box.


WAIT UNTIL DARK

Taproot promises this is a "gritty contemporary mounting" of this creeeeeaky stage thriller about a blind girl and a doll full of heroin. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. Times vary, through June 17. $14-$24, $10 for anyone 25 or under.


WATUSI

The latest from top-notch Seattle playwright S. P. Miskowski. "For those willing to wait for it, there's a great comedic sequence deep in the second act.... Miskowski has trapped a memorable character in a less-than-memorable play." (Tom Spurgeon) 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


HEIDIPAT DANCE COLLECTIVE

The shortest press release I've ever seen: "HDC will perform their dark humor physical dances." Dance on Capitol Hill, 340 15th Ave E, 325-6697. Sat May 27 at 8, Sun May 28 at 7:30. $8


FESTIVALS, CABARETS, & COMEDY


*12 MINUTES MAX

The regular art smorgasbord, this time featuring medical advice from Mark Boeker, "scissor-clad gal group choreography" (?) from Alex Martin, and personal revelations from Jeannette AlL茅e. On the Boards, 100 W Roy, 217-9888. Sun-Mon May 28-29 at 7. $7.


*A-FEST 2000

A wide-ranging mix of Asian/Pacific Islander theater, dance, music, and performance art. This weekend: comedy from Pork Filled Players, puppetry from Cry of the Rooster and Andrew Kim, and dance from Michael Sakamoto, Ku'ulei Miura, and Cheronne Wong. See Stranger Suggests. Northwest Asian American Theatre, Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 340-1049. A-Fest 2000 runs through May 28; dates and times for individual shows vary, call for information. $6-$12.


*CIRCLE

Originally famous for wearing a dress, Brit stand-up Eddie Izzard is now better known for wildly free-associative comedy. High and low subjects are treated with equal frivolity. A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. Tues-Sat May 30-June 3, Tues-Thurs & Sun at 7:30, $35; Fri-Sat at 8, $40. Reviewed this issue.


*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. "I felt somehow like we were fireflies raising our tiny lights into a shimmering chorus, sharing our voices before descending into the inevitable darkness." (Tamara Paris) Hokum Hall, 7904 35th Ave SW, 937-3613. Fri-Sat at 8, open-ended engagement. $12 general, $10 student/senior. Discounts available.


Julie Cascioppo Experience

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


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. $5.


*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


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

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.