OPENING THIS WEEK

A COUPLA WHITE CHICKS SITTING AROUND TALKING · Liberty Deli

BURT (OR WHEN I WAS FIVE I KILLED MYSELF) · Theatre Babylon

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF · Eastside Musical Theatre

MACBETH · Seattle Shakespeare Company

NUTS & CREAMY NOUGAT · Cabaret de Paris

ONCE WHEN I WAS LOST · Run/Remain

THE PRIMARY ENGLISH CLASS · Bridges International Repertory Theatre

SAMUEL BECKETT'S HOUSE OF HORRORS II · Defibrillator/13 Chairs Productions

SHOCKHEADED PETER · The Moore Theatre

WAITING FOR GODOT · Stepping Stone Productions

ONE WEEK ONLY

ALMOST IMPROV · Velocity MainSpace

THE BOUND TRILOGY · Banned in Batavia

KATE CLINTON · Emerald City Arts

ENGINE ANTHEM · Crispin Spaeth Dance Group

EXTENSION · ARC Dance Productions

FOLLIES · Shunpike Arts Collective

INTIMATE STAGE · Dappin' Butoh

SACRED BUDDHIST DANCE PERFORMANCE · Sakya Monastery

THEATRE PUGET SOUND ANNUAL CONFERENCE · Seattle Center House

CLOSING THIS WEEK

CLUE THE MUSICAL · ArtsWest

THE GIN GAME · RipTide Dinner Theatre

POP CULTURE II: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO · Some Kind of Cult

UTILITIES · Northwest Actors Studio

OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

A COUPLA WHITE CHICKS SITTING AROUND TALKING

The title is probably all too descriptive. Continuing a tradition of only producing plays by writers named "Noonan." Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 935-8420. $29 (includes buffet dinner); show only tickets $15 (seating limited). Fri-Sat & selected Sun, dinner starts at 6:30, show follows. Through Nov 10.

ANOTHER AMERICAN: ASKING AND TELLING

Marc Wolf's one-man docudrama culled from interviews on the American military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. "The set and lighting design from the original, Obie-winning Off-Broadway production are effectively crisp and spare. I wish the script and the acting had been as polished." (Rebecca Brown) Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $31-$44 ($10 for anyone under 25). Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2. Through Oct 26.

THE BOUND TRILOGY

The press release tells me nothing except that there are musical interludes by Buzz Grudge. That's it. Nothing about the play(s?). How can I work under these conditions? Banned in Batavia at the MethoDome Theatre inside Frankie J's, 4437 N Broadway, 749-0870. $10. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 6, this week only.

BURT (OR WHEN I WAS FIVE I KILLED MYSELF)

The troubled times of a young boy. One of the standouts from the most recent Fringe Festival, with several new cast members. Theatre Babylon, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. Thurs pay-what-you-will, Fri-Sat $12. Thurs-Sat at 8. Through Nov 10.

* CHERRY CHERRY LEMON

Keri Healey's hit show from the most recent Fringe Festival--all about girls and sex--returns, accompanied by Keira McDonald's Showerhead as an appetizer. Re-bar, 1114 Howell Ave, 323-0388. $12. Thurs-Sun at 8. Through Nov 25 (no performance on Thanksgiving).

CLUE THE MUSICAL

They don't even have the common decency to use a comma. "This could possibly have been the longest 90 minutes of my life." (Adrian Ryan) ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $14-$20, $10 for students under 25 on weekdays and during matinees. Wed-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, 3 pm matinee on Oct 20. Through Oct 20.

THE GIN GAME

"A card game becomes a metaphor for life," says the press release. Back when you were knee-high to a grasshopper, this won the Pulitzer Prize. Features a catered dinner. RipTide Dinner Theatre at ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-9793. $26. Fri-Sat at 7 pm for dinner, 8 pm show. Through Oct 20.

JOHNNY TREMAIN

A young silversmith loses his job and starts throwing tea into Boston Harbor. Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $14.50-$22.50. Fri at 7, Sat-Sun at 2 & 5:30. Through Oct 27.

* JOYFUL NOISE

The creation of Handel's Messiah. Sort of an 18th century episode of Behind the Music. "A fascinating story, though not exactly the most dramatic one...Still, what Joyful Noise lacks in friction it makes up with in froth...it seems impossible for this play to hold together until evening's end--but miraculously, it does." (Tamara Paris) Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St, 781-9707. $17-$25. Wed-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat at 2. Through Oct 27. (NightCap Comedy Improv plays after every Friday show at 10:15. $5.)

THE LABORATORY OF HALLUCINATIONS

All the blood, gore, and ichor you could want. A revival of the Grand Guignol play that launched A Theatre Under the Influence at the Union Garage, 1416 10th Ave, 720-1942. $13 Fri-Sat, pay-what-you-will Thurs. Thurs-Sat at 8:13 (special performance Wed, Oct 31 at 7 pm). Through Nov 3.

* LITTLE MURDERS

Jules Feiffer's darkly comic examination of random violence. "This biting satire about American violence and social decay in the mid-1960s...lacks a single likeable character. What's likeable instead is the satire itself." (Stacey Levine) Seattle Public Theatre, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 325-6500. $14-$19. Wed-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Through Oct 28.

MACBETH

Out, out, damn spot! Seattle Shakespeare Company at the Performance Studio, Seattle Center House, 325-6500. $10-$24. Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Through Nov 11.

ONCE WHEN I WAS LOST

See Stranger Suggests. The experimental theater troupe Run/Remain--or at least some of them--return with a new piece. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $12 Thurs/Sun, $14 Fri-Sat. Thurs-Sun at 8. Through Nov 18.

POP CULTURE II: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO

Last year, Pop Culture poked fun at '70s dreck. This year, they're focusing on the '80s. Ho ho! The Breakfast Club sure is funny now! Some Kind of Cult at Freehold, 1529 10th Ave, 2nd floor, 524-5858. $10. Fri-Sat at 8. Through Oct 20.

THE PRIMARY ENGLISH CLASS

A bunch of foreigners undergo the hell that is learning the English language, or the American one anyway. Bridges International Repertory Theatre at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 325-6500. $25. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2 & 7. Through Nov 11.

PROOF

See Bio:Theater. Even mathematical geniuses fall in love. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $15-$44 ($10 for anyone under 25). Tue-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2 (also Wed at 2 on Nov 7). Through Nov 10.

SAMUEL BECKETT'S HOUSE OF HORRORS

Three Beckett shorts, presented in a Halloween context, which may not be a good idea. Defibrillator Productions & 13 Chairs at the Seattle Public Theatre Black Box, 915 E Pine St, 4th floor, 931-5629. $12 (Thurs Oct 18 is pay-what-you-can). Thurs-Sat at 8 (also Wed Oct 31 at 8). Through Oct 31.

THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS

Reviewed this issue. The classic farce, featuring a knockout cast of local talent. Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $30-$42, $10 for anyone 25 or under. Tues-Thurs & Sun at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2 (additional 2 pm show on Wed Oct 24). Through Oct 27.

UTILITIES

Reviewed this issue. A solo show from San Francisco, in which a landlord interviews a wide variety of applicants for an apartment. TANTA Productions at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8:30. Through Oct 20.

WAITING FOR GODOT

An all-female version of Samuel Beckett's tale of two guys standing around. Stepping Stone Productions at Nippon Kan Theatre, 628 S Washington St, 325-6500. $15 general, $12 students. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7 (Thurs Oct 18 is a preview). Through Nov 17.

DANCE

ALMOST IMPROV

Five choreographers have created four different dance pieces from the same piece of music: William Orbit's Triple Concerto. Participants are Kristin Hapke, Pablo Cornejo, Amelia Reeber, and Richard Ayres & Holly Eckert. ID Productions at Velocity MainSpace, 915 E Pine St, 2nd floor. $8 ($5 with a Velocity class card). Fri-Sat at 8, this weekend only.

ENGINE ANTHEM

See Stranger Suggests. America's love affair with the road, in dance. Crispin Spaeth Dance Group at On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $15. Fri-Sun at 8, this weekend only.

INTIMATE STAGE

Yet another installment of this Butoh series from Dappin' Butoh. Seems to be going well. The location is secret; call 526-5756 to get the scoop. $10. Sat at 8, Sun at 7, this weekend only.

SACRED BUDDHIST DANCE PERFORMANCE

Tantric Buddhist dance. I have no idea what that looks like, but I'll bet it's really hard to do. Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism, 108 NW 83rd St, 789-2573. $15 at the door, $12 in advance, $7 students/seniors. Mon at 7, this week only.

FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY

12 MINUTES MAX

A clutch of short works from dancers, musicians, and theater artists, including she-pirates, Argentinean tango, horror stories, and Arabic music. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $7. Mon-Tues at 7, this week only.

KATE CLINTON

Noted stand-up comedian and political commentator. Presented by Emerald City Arts at Meany Theater, UW Campus, 323-2992. $18-$22. Sat at 8, this weekend only.

FOLLIES

A monthly mix of theater, music, film, etc. Featuring: The Social Studies, Marya Sea Kaminski, Leah Baltus, Elizabeth Knaster, and hosts Lenny & The Gooch. Shunpike Arts Collective at The Raindancer, 4217 University Way NE. $5 at the door. Sat at 10, this week only.

NUTS & CREAMY NOUGAT

The ear-candy of Scott Warrender, Northwest musical parodist extraordinaire. Cabaret de Paris, Rainier Square, 1333 5th Ave, 2nd level, 623-4111. $45 (dinner & show), $18 (show only). The show starts Thurs/Sun at 8, Fri-Sat at 8:30. Through Nov 10.

SHOCKHEADED PETER

See Stranger Suggests. Ghoulish, glorious theatrics. The Moore Theatre, 2nd and Virginia, 292-2787. $25-$45. Tues-Fri at 8, Sat at 5 & 10, Sun at 2 & 7 (no matinee on Sun Oct 28). Through Nov 4.

XXX

Nothing pornographic here, just a trio of works in progress. On Fridays: The Brazilian, episode 3, by Gavin Cummins, a radio-drama pastiche of post-WWII intrigue; and Always In, Always Out, by Mark Nichols and Amy Rider, a sensuous jumble of dance and music. On Saturdays: VIC, by Maria Glanz, about 19th century suffragette Victoria Woodhull. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $6 each show or $10 for any two. Fri-Sat at 8. Through Oct 27.

UNCATEGORIZABLE EVENTS

THEATRE PUGET SOUND ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Last year's rambling, unfocused keynote speech by Hal Holbrook was an embarrassment, but this year TPS has wrangled in George Thorn, co-director of arts consulting group Arts Action Research, and Libby Appel, Artistic Director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, both whom will hopefully do more than wax nostalgic. Some kind of performance will take place on Friday night; a 14/48-style event is rumored but not confirmed. The event will take place at TPS's digs in the Seattle Center House; call 770-0370 or go to www.tpsonline.org for more information. Fri night, all day Saturday, this weekend only.