OPENING THIS WEEK
FREE TO BE... YOU AND ME · Open Circle Theater
RAISE A RUCKUS · Country Village
WEST SIDE STORY · Everett Performing Arts Center
ONE WEEK ONLY
FLAMENCO DANZARTE · On the Boards
MALAYSIA TRULY ASIA · Sheraton Seattle
NATIVE VOICES ON THE WIND · Theater Off Jackson
SPIN THE BOTTLE · Velocity MainSpace
CLOSING THIS WEEK
I HATE HAMLET · Driftwood Players
LET MY ENEMY LIVE LONG! · A Contemporary Theatre
R. BUCKMINSTER FULLER: THE HISTORY (AND MYSTERY) OF THE UNIVERSE · Intiman Theatre
WHY? WHY? WHY? · Consolidated Works
OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS
COTTON PATCH GOSPEL
A retelling of the story of Jesus set in rural Georgia, in which Jesus gets stuck on a tar baby and begs Brer Fox not to throw him in that briar patch. Featuring songs by Harry Chapin. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $17-$25, student/senior discount available. Wed-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat at 2. EXTENDED through July 14.
FREE TO BE... YOU AND ME
A live stage presentation of the 1970s children's special starring Marlo Thomas, which strove to smash stereotypes with painful sincerity. I suspect this production will be not so sincere. See Stranger Suggests. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $20 general, $15 ages 18 and under. Thurs-Sun at 7, Sat at 10, Sun at 3. Through Aug 12.
FULL BLOWN
Caustic satire of three gay men in Hollywood. Claims to be politically incorrect, which usually means it's trying too hard to be controversial--but hey, maybe they're just being honest. Outcast Productions at the Paradise Garage, 10th & Pike, 325-2080. $10. Thurs & Sat at 8, Fri at 7. (No show July 7.) Through July 14.
GREAT MEN OF SCIENCE, Nos. 21 & 22
"The show's pacing is deadly, flogging any expectation of a comedic payoff right out of the audience.... It may take a scientist to explain how a play about a robot duck and frogs in silky pants can be made this excruciating to watch." (Tom Spurgeon) Empty Space, 3509 Fremont N, 547-7500. $20-$28. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2, Sun at 7. Through July 15.
LET MY ENEMY LIVE LONG!
Tanya Shaffer tells the tale of her 12-week trip up the Niger River on her way to Timbuktu. Reviewed this issue. A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $16.50-$19.50 ($10 for anyone 25 or under). Wed-Thurs/Sun at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, matinee on July 8 at 2. Through July 8.
NATIVE VOICES ON THE WIND
Contemporary Native American performance art, featuring Diane Benson, Robert Owens, and Red Eagle Soaring Youth Theatre. Theater Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave, 340-1049. Donations requested. Sat at 7. This weekend only.
* R. BUCKMINSTER FULLER: THE HISTORY (AND MYSTERY) OF THE UNIVERSE
"Even when he was in his eighties, Fuller would deliver five-hour lectures; this is something of a greatest-hits collection, skillfully sewn together by writer-director D.W. Jacobs.... The second act lacks the crystalline progression of the first, but it's still sustained by [actor Ron] Campbell's indefatigable energy....When it's all over, you may not be able to remember all of Fuller's ideas, but your mind will have been stimulated just moving through them." (Bret Fetzer) Intiman Theatre, Seattle Center, 269-1900. $30-$42 ($10 for anyone under 25). Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2, Sun at 7:30. Through July 7.
REQUIEM AT THE PINK FLAMINGO BAR
A new play by Bill Ratcliffe, about a guy who inherits a gay bar and wants to convert it to a sports bar. The patrons object. Reviewed this issue. Theatre Babylon, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. Thurs pay-what-you-will, Fri-Sat $12. Thurs-Sat at 8. Through July 14.
TARTUFFE
Theater-in-the-park season begins with Moliere's satire of religious hypocrisy. (Featuring one of the Schmee's founding fathers, Tim Moore.) Theater Schmeater at Volunteer Park, on the lawn between the Amphitheater and the Conservatory. Free. Fri at 7, Sat-Sun at 2. Through July 22.
WE ARE NOT GOOD GIRLS
A blues musical about the conclusion of a band's grueling tour. "I kept wishing they'd skipped the first act altogether, had better mics, and sung more sweaty blues." (Rebecca Brown) Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki SW, 935-8420. $22 in advance, $25 at the door. Fri-Sat, dinner at 6:30, show to follow. EXTENDED through July 14.
* WHY? WHY? WHY?
"If anyone doubted it, Why? Why? Why? proves that [playwright-director-puppeteer Scot] Augustson has found his niche in the peculiar jibe between outrageous humor and faceless shadows." (Traci Vogel) Consolidated Works, 410 Terry Ave N, 381-3218. $14 general, $12 members. Fri-Sat at 8 & 10:30 pm. EXTENDED through July 8.
DANCE
FLAMENCO DANZARTE
Hot, steamy flamenco. See Stranger Suggests. Ana Montes at On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $12. Sat at 8, Sun at 7. This week only.
MALAYSIA TRULY ASIA
The first U.S. performance of Malaysian ethnic dance, featuring elaborate costumes and headdresses. Ballrooms B & C of the Sheraton Seattle, 1400 Sixth Ave, 621-9000. Free. Thurs at 7. This week only.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
BROADWAY'S GREATEST MALADIES!!!
Yes, they put three exclamation points in their title. Songs from flop musicals and songs that were cut from hit musicals. Cabaret in Crepe de Paris, Rainier Square, 1531 Fifth Ave, 623-4111. Dinner & show, $45; show only, $16. Wed-Thurs at 8, Fri-Sat at 8:30. Through July 14.
COMEDY COURT
Improv comedy. University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE, 442-2044. $7 general, $5 students. First and third Friday of the month at 7:30. Through August.
LATE NIGHT
SPIN THE BOTTLE
Annex moves its monthly late-night smorgasbord to Capitol Hill, with the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players, Richard LeFebvre, Sky Darwin, smut, and more. See Bio Box. Velocity MainSpace, 915 Pine St, Second Floor, 728-0933. $5. Fri at 11. This week only.
LONG RUNS
CABARET: THE RESURRECTION at Coffee Messiah, 861-8233.
JET CITY IMPROV at ArtsWest, 938-0339; at University Heights Center, 781-3879.
LATE NIGHT CATECHISM from Seattle Theatre Project at A Contemporary Theatre, 292-7676.
MYSTERIAN at Illusionz Magical Entertainment Center, Issaquah, 425-427-2444.
QUEER AS A THREE DOLLAR BILL at the Comedy Underground, 800-992-8499.
THEATERSPORTS at the Market Theater, 781-9273.
