OPENING THIS WEEK

BLACK TO MY ROOTS · Rainier Valley Cultural Center

HELLCAB · Union Garage

THE LARAMIE PROJECT · The Empty Space

ORGASMO ADULTO ESCAPES FROM THE ZOO · A Theatre Under the Influence

PETER PAN · Village Theatre

ONE WEEK ONLY

CHILDREN OF THE CORNY · The Washingtonians!

THE FIELD SHOWCASE · R.E.D.

IMPROSIA: COMEDY OF THE GODS · Secluded Alley Works

INTIMATE STAGE · Dappin' Butoh

LEAVE ME INSIDE · Locust

THEATERSPORTS · Everett Performing Arts Center

TRILOGY · On the Boards

UNKNOWN ENGAGEMENT · Lingo dancetheater

CLOSING THIS WEEK

CHINA DOLL · Northwest Asian American Theatre

COMEDY COURT · University Heights Center

CROUCHING TIGER, FISHING MONKEY · Northwest Puppet Center

DON QUIXOTE · Pacific Northwest Ballet

GRAND MAGIC · A Contemporary Theatre

ONCE WHEN I WAS LOST · On the Boards

PROGRESSION · Burnt Studio Productions

REBECCA · Renton Civic Theatre

THE RETURN TO MORALITY · Seattle Theatre Project

SEX IN SEATTLE, EPISODE 3: THE COLORS OF LOVE · SIS Productions

SWINK & SWERVE · A Theater Near You

WAITING FOR GODOT · Stepping Stone Productions

OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

ANNE

An adaptation of Anne of Green Gables. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 325-6500. $10-$24. Wed-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sat at 3 pm on Nov 24, Sun at 3 pm on Nov 18. (No performance on Thanksgiving.) Through Nov 24.

THE BEARD OF AVON

A comedy about the "Was Shakespeare really Shakespeare?" controversy. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Second Ave & Mercer St, 443-2222. $15-$39. Tues-Sun at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. Through Dec 22.

BLACK TO MY ROOTS

Subtitled, African American Tales from the Head... and the Heart. The eternal love-hate relationship between black women and their hair. Brownbox Theater at Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S Alaska St, 381-8708. $15 in advance, $20 at the door, $10 kids 12 and under. Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 3:30 pm. Through Dec 2.

* CHERRY CHERRY LEMON

All about girls and sex, with Keira McDonald's Showerhead as an appetizer. "[Playwright Keri] Healey's script is both forceful and delicate, knowing and curious, wise without arrogance. It's also hilariously frank, but an undergirding sadness makes the laughs empathetic, and therefore all the heartier." (Sean Nelson) Re-bar, 1114 Howell Ave, 323-0388. $12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 24 (no performance on Thanksgiving).

CHINA DOLL

Reviewed this issue. The story of Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American star in Hollywood. Northwest Asian American Theatre, 409 Seventh Ave S, 340-1049. $12. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 4 pm. Through Nov 18.

CROUCHING TIGER, FISHING MONKEY

High-caliber Chinese hand puppetry. Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave NE, 523-2579. Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 1 & 3 pm. Through Nov 18.

THE FIELD SHOWCASE

Works-in-progress are like a box of chocolates: Some will be darn tasty, and some you'll want to spit out of your mouth immediately. R.E.D., 89 Yesler Ave, 3rd floor, 568-6342. $5 suggested donation. Sat at 7:30 pm, this weekend only.

GRAND MAGIC

Reviewed this issue. A wife escapes from her jealous husband by disappearing in a conjuring trick. A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $30-$42 ($10 for anyone 25 and under). Tues-Thurs & Sun at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, some matinees at 2 pm (call for details). Through Nov 18.

HELLCAB

This was a big hit in Chicago, about a cab driver doing a 14-hour shift right before Christmas. Theatre Company No. 3 at Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12 (Thurs pay-what-you-will). Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Dec 15.

THE HOBOKEN CHICKEN EMERGENCY

The conflict between small-town small-mindedness and a giant chicken. A musical. Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $14.50-$22.50. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 & 5:30 pm. Through Jan 5.

THE LARAMIE PROJECT

See Stranger Suggests. A documentary theater piece about the killing of Matthew Shepard. The Empty Space at the Eve Alvord Theatre in the Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Center, 547-7500. $22-$30 ($10 for anyone 25 and under, seniors 1/2 price). Tues-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm (2 pm matinees on Dec 2, 9, & 15). Through Dec 15.

* ONCE WHEN I WAS LOST

The experimental theater troupe Run/Remain--or at least some of them--return with a new piece. "Once has the feeling of an ultra-brainy variety show, or a spastic indie film that has curiously crossed over to the world of live theater." (Adrian Ryan) On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $12 Thurs/Sun, $14 Fri-Sat. Thurs-Sun at 8 pm. Through Nov 18.

ORGASMO ADULTO ESCAPES FROM THE ZOO

Short plays by Dario Fo and Franca Rame. A Theatre Under the Influence at the Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12, Thurs are pay-what-you-will. Opens Nov 17; runs Fri-Sun until Nov 25; runs Thurs-Sat after; 8 pm. Through Dec 15.

THE RETURN TO MORALITY

Reviewed this issue. A liberal writes a satire of the religious right, only to be taken literally and lionized by his targets. Seattle Theatre Project at Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 325-6500. $15 general. $10 students/seniors. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through Nov 18.

SEX IN SEATTLE, EPISODE 3: THE COLORS OF LOVE

The romantic trials of four Asian American women continue. SIS Productions at the Bathhouse Theater, 7312 W Greenlake Dr N, 324-6500. $12 general, $8 students/seniors/actors. Fri-Sat at 8 & 10:30 pm. Through Nov 17.

SHADES OF PARKLAND

A love triangle between a bride, a policeman, and a widow. Vodvil Theater, 1408 18th Ave, 329-9198. $12 (opening and closing nights are $25). Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Dec 1.

SUBTERRANEAN HOMESICK

A new dysfunctional family comedy by John Moe. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm (also Sun at 2 pm on Nov 25 & Dec 9 only). Through Dec 14.

SWINK & SWERVE

Subtitled, "A Corruption of The Miller's Tale" from Chaucer, who's pretty corrupt to begin with. A Theater Near You at Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 726-9814. $10. Thurs-Sun at 8 pm. Through Nov 18.

* WAITING FOR GODOT

An all-female version of Samuel Beckett's tale of two guys standing around. "You'd really have to fuck it up to rob this play of its power, and by the time Didi takes her near-dive into the void, I had existential chills." (Emily Hall) Stepping Stone Productions at Nippon Kan Theatre, 628 S Washington St, 325-6500. $15 general, $12 students. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through Nov 17.

DANCE

DON QUIXOTE

A ballet about an old guy on a beat-up mule who tilts at windmills. Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Center Opera House, 321 Mercer St, 292-ARTS. $15-$115. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 pm, Sun at 1 pm. Through Nov 18.

INTIMATE STAGE

Jesus Christ, these Butoh people just don't stop. This month: Doranne Crable and Joan Laage. Dappin' Butoh at a secret location, call 526-5756 for details. $10. Sat at 8, Sun at 7, this weekend only.

LEAVE ME INSIDE

A dance/music/theater piece, the exact nature of which seems to be beyond the descriptive capacity of their P.R. person. Featuring Reggie Watts and d.k. pan, among others. Locust at the Chamber Theater, 915 E Pine St, 4th floor, 621-9178. $10 at the door, $8 in advance/students. Fri-Sun at 9:30 pm (yes, 9:30). This weekend only.

PROGRESSION

A hit from the 1999 Fringe Festival; a dance-theater piece about a blue boy, a purple girl, and gender politics. Burnt Studio Productions at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 325-6500. $12 general, $10 student/senior. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 17.

TRILOGY

See Stranger Suggests. Wonky high-tech dance from the Random Dance Company. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $18-$20. Thurs-Sun at 8 pm, this weekend only.

UNKNOWN ENGAGEMENT

See Stranger Suggests. "Spontaneous" music & dance. Lingo dancetheater at Velocity MainSpace, 915 E Pine St, 2nd floor, 329-6999. $12 with reservation, $14 at the door, $10 student rush. Fri-Sun at 8, this weekend only.

FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY

CHILDREN OF THE CORNY

In the best possible sense of "corny." The Washingtonians! at the Moore Theater, Second & Virginia, 628-0888. $16. Sat at 8, Sun at 2, this weekend only.

COMEDY COURT

Improv comedy. University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE, 442-2044. $7 general, $5 students. First and third Friday of each month at 7:30 pm. Through Nov 16.

IMPROSIA: COMEDY OF THE GODS

That title smacks of hubris! Maybe someone will put their eyes out. Secluded Alley Works, 113 12th Ave, 839-0880. $8 ($1 off with TPS card). Fri at 9, this weekend only.

LATE NIGHT

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

A staging of the Mel Brooks film. Is it really a good idea to put actors in a position where they'll be compared to Gene Wilder and Madeline Kahn, two of the greatest comic talents of our time? Stepping Stone Productions at Nippon Kan Theatre, 628 S Washington St, 325-6500. $6. Fri-Sat at 11 pm. Through Nov 17.

LONG RUNS

CABARET: THE RESURRECTION at Coffee Messiah, 861-8233.

JET CITY IMPROV at ArtsWest, 938-0339; at the Ethnic Cultural Theater (Note new location), 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

PETER PAN

That Captain Hook sure has a thing for impish boys in tights. Village Theatre, 303 Front St N, Issaquah, (425) 392-2202. $25-$42 (family room tickets $10-$20, discounts for students, seniors, and groups). Tues-Sat at 8 pm, Sun & selected Sat at 2 pm, selected Sun at 7 pm. Through Dec 30. (It will continue at the Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave, Everett, (425) 257-8600. $30-$38, discounts for students/seniors. Wed-Sat at 8 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. Jan 4-20, 2002.)

REBECCA

A stage version of the Daphne du Maurier romantic thriller. Renton Civic Theatre, 507 S Third St, Renton, (425) 226-5529. $20 general, $15 youth/senior. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Nov 18.

THEATERSPORTS

Competitive improv. Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave, Everett, (425) 257-8600. $5. Tues at 7:30 pm, this week only.