OPENING THIS WEEK

PIKE STREET STUDIO PLAYERS · Northwest Actors Studio

THE VELVET RUT · Annex Theatre

ONE WEEK ONLY

STUDIO REHEARSAL · Spectrum Dance Theater

ROMEO & JULIET · Young Shakespeare Workshop

TRUE WEST · Elliott Bay Book Company

CLOSING THIS WEEK

THE DYING GAUL · Intiman Theatre

JACKIE MASON: MUCH ADO ABOUT EVERYTHING · A Contemporary Theatre

MONEY & RUN GO HAWAIIAN · Theater Schmeater

TWILIGHT ZONES LIVE ON STAGE · Theater Schmeater

OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

BALMORAL

A farce about a Communist revolution in Britain, which presumably doesn't include Stalinist purges. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $17-$25. Wed-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat at 2. Through Sept 1. (NightCap improvisational comedy on Fri nights at 10:15, starting Aug 10.)

* THE DYING GAUL

The latest from Craig Lucas (Blue Window, Prelude to a Kiss) about a film producer seducing a young screenwriter over to the dark side. "It's been a long time since I've been so held by a production that I feared if I let my mind wander I'd miss some subtle twist." (Bret Fetzer) Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $27-$42 ($10 for anyone 25 or under). Tues-Thurs/Sun at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2 (matinee on Wed Aug 15, 2 pm). Through Aug 18.

* FAT GIRL FOLLIES

Part autobiographical tale, part standup comedy about living fat. From Peggy Platt, part of Dos Fallopia and a comedian in her own right. "The Platt you'll see in this show is different than the million-gags-a-minute satirist to which fans are accustomed; this show is really a kind of stage essay about female body image, injustice, despair, and loving oneself. It takes an exceedingly vulnerable turn as Platt, at the most open we've seen her onstage, puts questions out to the world, both straightforward and veiled." (Stacey Levine) On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $13 Thurs/Sun, $15 Fri-Sat. Thurs-Sat at 9, Sun at 3 & 8. Through Aug 26.

THE FLYING KARAMAZOV BROTHERS

Sort of a greatest hits show, with much audience interaction. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $15. Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2. Through Aug 19.

* GATE 17

"There's no complicating plot development here, which is well and good; the piece does well to rely solely upon the performers, physical comedy, and strong sketch concepts.... After a hilarious opening movement/dance number, the goofy sequence of skits begins to unspool, set in a Sea-Tac airport that's familiar but turned on its head.... Gate 17 isn't deeply meaningful, but its parody and performances are dead-on." (Stacey Levine) Disgruntled Bit Players at the Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 729-4839. $10. Thurs-Sat at 8. Through Aug 18.

MACBETH

A dark, moody tragedy, being produced in our sunny parks. GreenStage at various parks; call 748-1551 or go to www.greenstage.org for info. Free. Mostly Fri-Sat at 8; call or go to the website for exceptions. Through Sept 9.

MISS GOLDEN DREAMS

Joyce Carol Oates' new play, based on her novel Blonde, about the woeful life of Marilyn Monroe. Reviewed this issue. A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $16.50 ($19.50 online), $10 for anyone 25 or under. Wed, Thurs, Sun at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8. Through Aug 26.

* MONEY & RUN GO HAWAIIAN

Featuring the Great Thumbless Volcano God Oki. More'80s-television-inspired madness from Wayne Rawley, evil genius. "It's like re-discovering poetry through a well-told fart joke. [This] latest caper only aspires to be sturdy fun, but at least it has the strength of its own convictions. May its white trash heroes stay ahead of the bad guys forever." (Tom Spurgeon) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7. Through Aug 18.

ROMEO & JULIET

Shakespeare's torrid teen romance, performed (appropriately enough) by torrid teens. Young Shakespeare Workshop at Northwest Asian American Theatre, 409 7th Ave S, no reservation required. Free. Sat at 7, Sun at 4, this weekend only.

PIKE STREET STUDIO PLAYERS

Improvisational comedy & audience interaction. Northwest Actors Studio, 3rd Floor Cabaret, 1100 E Pike, 324-6328. $5 suggested donation. Fri-Sat at 8. Through Aug 25.

TROILUS & CRESSIDA

Possibly Shakespeare's crabbiest play, in which everyone is petty, snide, and manipulative. Which is a good thing. GreenStage at various parks; call 748-1551 or go to www.greenstage.org for info. Free. Mostly Sat-Sun at 3; call or go to the website for exceptions. Through Sept 2.

TRUE WEST

A staged reading of Sam Shepard's paean to blustering macho sibling rivalry, with a multi-ethnic cast. Repertory Actors Theatre at the Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, no reservation needed. $5 suggested donation. Sun at noon, this weekend only.

UNDO

An exploration of creation myths from around the world. Reviewed this issue. EXITheatre at Sand Point Naval Base, Hanger 30, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, 851-6730. $10. Thurs-Sat at 8. Through Aug 25.

THE VELVET RUT

Backyard wrestling, lo-fi noise distortion, white suburban rappers, and a potato-cannon-wielding art destroyer vie for attention in this Slacker-esque look at the DIY aesthetic. Annex Theatre at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 728-0933. $12 general, $7 students. Thurs-Sat at 8. Through Sept 15. (Special post-show performance by Batum Schrag on Sat, this weekend only.)

DANCE

STUDIO REHEARSAL

An open rehearsal of works by Claire Bataille and Lou Conte of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Bataille herself will be present. Spectrum Dance Theater at the Madrona Dance Studio, 800 Lake Washington Blvd, 325-4161. Free. Sat at 4, this weekend only.

FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY

7 BLONDES

A tribute to blond icons, ranging from Marilyn Monroe to Britney Spears, all performed by singer, actress, and female impersonator Sunny. "It was tragically apparent that this entire show and perhaps poor Sunny herself are merely three-dimensional advertisements for the vacuous schlock that Greg Thompson parades upon the slick stages of casinos and cruise ships." (Tamara Paris) Greg Thompson Productions at the Crepe de Paris, Rainier Square, 1531 Fifth Ave, 623-4111. $20 for the show alone, $49 with dinner. Thurs-Sun at 9. Through Sept 30.

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.

JACKIE MASON: MUCH ADO ABOUT EVERYTHING

Humor guaranteed to offend everyone. A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-ARTS. $36-$41. Mon-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Through Aug 18.

LATE NIGHT

* THE HABIT

Reviewed this issue. All-new sketch comedy at a new location. The Bathhouse Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, www.thehabit.org. $7 general, $5 students. Fri-Sat at 11. Through Aug 25.

TWILIGHT ZONES LIVE ON STAGE

They're hauling 'em out again. This time around: The Chaser, about a love potion that's perhaps too successful, and The Obsolete Man, about a librarian sentenced to death. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $8. Fri-Sat at 11. Through Aug 18.

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.

ELSEWHERE

ANYTHING COLE/THE PUBLIC EYE

A revue of the music of Cole Porter, in repertory with Peter Shaffer's comedy of infidelity, but the press release doesn't say which show is on what night. Better call ahead. Second-Story Repertory, Redmond Town Center, next to Borders, 425-881-6777. $19-$22. Fri-Sat at 8:15. Through Sept 15.

GREASE

All about bobby socks, drive-ins, and necking in the back seat. Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 SE 40th, Mercer Island, 232-2202. $12 (group discounts available). Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2. Through Aug 26.