OPENING THIS WEEK

THE BRAZILIAN 路 Annex Theatre

THE CIVIL WAR 路 Paramount

DOOLYMOOG 2001 路 Northwest Asian American Theatre

REFERENCES TO SALVADOR DALI MAKE ME HOT 路 Empty Space

ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD 路 Boomer Classics

TOY STORY ON ICE 路 KeyArena

TURF! 路 On the Boards


ONE WEEK ONLY

BRIDGE PROJECT 2001 路 Velocity Theatre

BUSTER SHORTS 路 Hokum Hall

FIRSTACT 路 A Contemporary Theatre

MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL 路 St. Mark's Cathedral

NATURA ABOLITA 路 On the Boards

BETWEEN THE CONGO AND THE FISH 路 Mwoyo Arts


CLOSING THIS WEEK

A DELICATE BALANCE 路 Seattle Repertory Theatre

AFTER THE FAIR 路 Village Theatre

ALVIN AILEY DANCE THEATER 路 Paramount

BEING INSIDE 路 Inertia Theatre Company

CUPID & PSYCHE 路 Village Theatre's First Stage

FRENCH CABARET ON BROADWAY 路 Atrium B

GOREY STORIES 路 Open Circle Theatre

HI, D 路 Re-bar

IL BALLO DEL BRUTTO 路 XODO Dance Productions

JACK & THE BEANSTALK 路 Youth Theatre Northwest

LET'S FALL IN LOVE 路 Cabaret de Paris

NEVER THE SINNER 路 Driftwood Players

THE PROVOK'D WIFE 路 A Theatre Under The Influence

SHADOW PLAY/THE DUMMY 路 Theater Schmeater

SILVER WATER 路 Book-It

NOTE: Shows with no closing date are now listed in a new category, LONG RUNS.


OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS


21 DOG YEARS: DOING TIME @ AMAZON.COM

Mike Daisey dishes dirt on his experiences at Amazon.com, weaving in other topics as well. "The show, much like the New Economy itself, has wonderful highs but sadly some staggering lows." (Tamara Paris) Speakeasy Backroom, 2304 Second Ave, 444-4336. $10. Fri-Sat at 8. Through March 3.


A DELICATE BALANCE

Upper middle-class family strife from Edward Albee. "Brilliant lighting, brilliant costumes, brilliant set--all ruined by some of the lamest professional acting this theatergoer has ever seen. Blame the director." (Dirk Lacroix) Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $29-$42, $10 for anyone under 25. Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2. Extended through Feb 25.


A KIND OF ALASKA/THE GENERAL OF HOT DESIRE/THE HAPPY JOURNEY

One-acts by Harold Pinter, John Guare, and Thornton Wilder. Stone Soup Theatre, 4035 Stone Way N, 633-1883. Thurs is pay-what-you-can; Fri-Sat $12 general/$7 students & seniors. Thurs-Sat at 8. Through March 10.


*BEING INSIDE

A multi-media piece about son coping with his father sliding into dementia. "Bare, unabashed theater of personal catharsis... this one-act piece is visually captivating and unencumbered by the ego that usually slays these types of things." (Stacey Levine) Inertia Theatre Company at the Green Lake Bathhouse Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Drive N, 860-1897. $15 Thurs/Sun, $19 Fri-Sat, $15 students & seniors. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Through Feb 25.


BETWEEN THE CONGO AND THE FISH

A multi-media show by a Zimbabwean theater group, sort of journey through Southern Africa in songs and slides. Mwoyo Arts, 1125 Pike St, 223-0908. $6. Sat Feb 24, 8 pm only.

THE BLUE MOON CHRONICLES

Three plays about the trials and tribulations of a young gay couple. This weekend: Goodnight, Blue Moon. Next weekend: Once in a Blue Moon on Friday, My Gay Son's Wedding on Saturday, and Goodnight, Blue Moon on Sunday. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $25 for all three shows, $15 for two, $10 apiece/$8 students & seniors. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 7. Through March 4.


CATCH-22

Joseph Heller's satire of military bureaucracy, adapted by the author. Stepping Stone Productions at Nippon Kan Theatre, 628 S Washington St, 781-3905. $12 general/$10 students. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7. Through March 10.


THE CHERRY ORCHARD

I think "Art Theatre" must sound a lot less pretentious in Russian. Anyhow, here's Chekhov's classic, directed by Stanislavski stud Leonid Anisimov, who's been developing a cult following for his classes at Freehold. The Art Theatre of Puget Sound at Cedar Park Studios, 3737 NE 135th St (in glorious Lake City!), 568-5893. $22 advance/$24 door. Thurs-Sun at 8. Through March 11.


THE CIVIL WAR

Larry Gatlin stars in the glossy musical about one of America's most bloody, humiliating wars. He's no Tom Wopat. Opens Tues Feb 27. Paramount Theatre, Ninth & Pine, 292-2787. $21-$50. Tues-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2, Sun at 7:30. Through March 4.


DOOLYMOOG 2001

John Paulsen is wack-o. See Stranger Suggests. Northwest Asian American Theatre, 409 Seventh Ave S, 340-1049. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8. Through March 3.


FIRSTACT

Readings of three new comedies by local playwrights: Greensward by R. Hamilton Wright, Thurs at 7:30; The Bumpy Sutra by Kurt Beattie, Fri at 8; and Tales from the Salt Mines by Mary Lathrop, Sat at 8. A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. A mere $5 apiece. One weekend only.


FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIRE DE LUNE

Terrence McNally's popular play about unattractive people in love, often played by knockout actors who just feel ugly. Gifthorse Entertainment at the Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 219-3310. No price was listed in the press release, so it must be FREE! Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7. Through March 3.


*GOREY STORIES

A musical based on the works of the elegant, macabre Edward Gorey. "An outrageous amount of talent and creativity went into this production--all liberally sprinkled atop Gorey's own genius, always complimenting but never overshadowing." (Adrian Ryan) Open Circle Theatre, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $15. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7. Through Feb 24.


*HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH

The world's greatest botched-sex-change rock musical. "I seriously question the intelligence of anyone who doesn't see this show. Twice." (Adrian Ryan) Re-bar, 1114 Howell (at Boren), 323-0388 or 325-6500. $16. Fri-Sun at 8. EXTENDED through March 11.


MASK OF THE UNICORN WARRIOR

A medieval tale of fantasy and sibling rivalry, by former Seattle playwright Y. York. Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322, www.sct.org. $14.50-$22. Fri at 7, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30. Through March 10.


*THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

A Wild West interpretation of Shakespeare. "David S. Klein spits and snarls his way through a flat-out nasty portrait of Shakespeare's most controversial character, giving the show a toxic through-line. Every mention of Shylock's hardships achieves greater poignancy against that dark backdrop." (Tom Spurgeon) Seattle Shakespeare Company at the Performance Studio, Center House, Seattle Center, 733-8222. $18-$22 general/$10-$12 students & seniors. Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Through March 4.


A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

The most expensively produced Shakespeare in town. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $15-$42 ($10 for anyone under 25). Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2. Through March 17.


MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL

T. S. Eliot's verse drama, performed in a real cathedral. St. Mark's Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave E, 323-1040. $30 reserved/$20 general/$15 students & seniors. Thurs-Sat at 7:30. One weekend only.


THE PROVOK'D WIFE

A Restoration sex farce. "The first and biggest flaw in this production is, well, that it was produced at all." (Adrian Ryan) A Theatre Under the Influence at the Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. Pay-what-you-will Thurs, $12 Fri-Sat, $10 Sun. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Through Feb 25.


REFERENCES TO SALVADOR DALI MAKE ME HOT

A bit of magic realism from Jos茅 Rivera. Adult language and sexual situations, we are warned. See Bio Box. Empty Space, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $20-$28. Previews Fri-Tues Feb 23-27, call for details; Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2, Sun at 7. Through March 24.


*SILVER WATER

"Amy Bloom... is an ideal author to present, for her characters are snappy of tongue and perceptive in sorting through their ordeals; they don't come to easy answers or clich茅d, one-note solutions." (Stacey Levine) Book-It Repertory Theatre at A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 325-6500. $18 general/$14 students & seniors. Wed-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Through Feb 25.


THE SIZEMORE INTERVIEWS

A network news eyewitness telephone report about the invasion of Panama is actually being made by a shill in Indiana. See review this issue. Annex Theatre, 1916 Fourth Ave, 726-0933. $12 general, $7 students. Wed-Sat at 8. Through March 10.


WHERE'S CHARLEY

Ho ho! The only thing funnier than a man in a dress is a singing man in a dress! Civic Light Opera, 11051 34th Ave NE, 363-2809. $18-$22. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2:30. Through March 10. (NOTE: The musicians' strike is still going on, so patrons may have to cross a picket line.)


WINNIE-THE-POOH

Bear gets stuck in honey jar to the delight of vengeful bees. Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $21-$22 adults/$14.50-$15.50 students, seniors, & children. Fri at 7, Sat-Sun at 2 & 5:30. Through May 20.


YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU

The Hart/Kaufmann chestnut about a wacky, wacky family. Oh, they're so wacky. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $17-$25. Wed-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat at 2. Through March 10.


DANCE


ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER

A compilation of old and new works from 40 years of this noted company's life. Paramount, Ninth & Pine, 292-ARTS. $20.50-$43.50. Wed-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2. Through Feb 25.


BRIDGE PROJECT 2001

Three new dance projects from Ecuadorian choreographer Pablo Cornejo and Seattleites Corrina Beffort and Shawn Hove. Velocity Theater, 915 E Pine St, Second Floor, 325-8773 ext. 2. $12. Fri-Sun at 8. One weekend only.


IL BALLO DEL BRUTTO

Or, "The Dance of the Ugly One." XODO Dance Productions at the Chamber Theatre, 915 E Pine, Fourth Floor, 548-9864. $10 general/$8 students & seniors. Thurs-Sat at 8. Through Feb 24.


NATURA ABOLITA

Or "Nature Destroyed." The latest from Mary Sheldon Scott and Jarrad Powell. See Stranger Suggests. On the Boards, 100 W Roy, 217-9888. $12. Fri-Sat at 8. One weekend only.


TOY STORY ON ICE

Like our recent presidential election, this transcends satire. Opens Wed Feb 28. KeyArena, Seattle Center, 628-0888. $12.75 and up. Wed-Sat at 7:30, Sat at 1 & 3:30, Sun at 1 & 4:30. Through March 4.


TURF!

Multi-media, hiphop-influenced dance and spoken word. On the Boards, 100 W Roy, 217-9888. $12-$14. Thurs-Sun at 8. Through March 4.


FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY


DIRTY LAUNDRY: AIRING OUT THE FAMILY HAMPER

Sketch comedy skewering the American family. Pork Filled Players at Northwest Asian American Theatre, 409 Seventh Ave S, 365-0282. $8 general/$6 students & seniors (group discounts). Fri-Sat at 10:30, Sun at 6:30. Through March 4.


FRENCH CABARET ON BROADWAY

Buncha French songs, sung in French by Frenchies. Le Centre Fran莽ais Europ茅en Artistique et Culturel at Atrium B, 623 Broadway under Aoki Restaurant, 726-4843. $10 for Centre members, $15 general (includes a glass of wine). All performances at 8 pm. Sat Feb 24; Tues Feb 27.


HI, D

Hi, D is to sketch comedy as Asia is to '80s rock: a supergroup! Re-bar, 114 Howell (at Boren), 323-0388. $6. Mon-Wed at 8. Through Feb 28.


LET'S FALL IN LOVE

Love songs, nothing but love songs. Cabaret at the Cr锚pe de Paris, second level of Rainier Square, 1333 Fifth Ave, 623-4111. $42 for dinner and show, $16 show only (seating limited). Thurs at 8, Fri-Sat at 8:30. Through Feb 24.


BUSTER SHORTS

The conclusion of Hokum Hall's Euphonic Sounds: A Ragtime Celebration. Buster Keaton short films accompanied by Dan Grinstead on ragtime piano and Hokum W. Jeebs on the Mighty Wurlitzer. Hokum Hall, 7904 35th Ave SW, 937-3613. $12 general/$10 students & seniors; $2 discount with phone reservation (no discount for table seats). Fri-Sat at 8. One weekend only.


LATE NIGHT


THE BRAZILIAN

An affectionate throwback to radio serials from the 1940s, written and directed by Gavin Cummins. Annex Theatre, 1916 Fourth Ave, 728-0933. $5. Fri-Sat at 11. (No show on Fri March 2.) Through March 9.


SHADOW PLAY/THE DUMMY

More Twilight Zone episodes, with the added bonus of the ineffable Miss Intermission. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $8. Fri-Sat at 11. Through Feb 24.


LONG RUNS

LATE NIGHT CATECHISM from Seattle Theatre Project at A Contemporary Theatre, 292-7676.

JET CITY IMPROV at University Heights Center, 781-3879.

MYSTERIAN at Illusionz Magical Entertainment Center, Issaquah, 425-427-2444.

THEATERSPORTS at the Market Theater, 781-9273.


CALLS

Bumbershoot is taking applications. Download an application from www.bumbershoot.org or call 281-8111. Deadline for performing artists is March 1.

The Driftwood Players seek directors for pre-selected productions in their 2001-02 season. Send resumes to: Director Selection Committee, The Driftwood Players, P.O. Box 385, Edmonds, WA 98020. Questions? Call 425-774-9600.

The 5th Avenue Theatre needs kids for Gypsy, age 12 and under, by appointment only. Call Michael at 625-1418.

Live Girls! seeks plays written by women for spring workshops. Contact Meghan Arnette at megspaz@hotbot.com or 568-1985 for details.