OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS
ALL MY SONS
Power, corruption, and lies: the weight of Arthur Miller’s 1947 breakthrough. “Director Karen Lund has a firm grasp on the timeliness of the piece and, for the first two acts, manages to keep the melodrama under control. The cramped playing space bubbles with Miller’s secrets and lies, and though the staging can get a bit busy, Lund’s pacing is masterful. It’s only at the end of the second act and into the third that the production boils over. If not for actor Robert Gallaher’s controlled performance, they might have lost the theatrical soup.” (Jeff Meyers) Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $18-$26. Wed-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sat matinees at 2 pm. Through March 1.
ALL THE GREAT BOOKS (abridged)
See review this issue. Reduced Shakespeare Company at ACT, 700 Union Street, 292-7676. Tues-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through March 2.
ARMS AND THE MAN
Opening. The famous play about love and war by George Bernard Shaw. You should remember it from junior high school. University of Washington Ethnic Cultural Theater, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE, 283-9760. $8. Fri-Sat at 7 pm. Through March 1.
* BALLYHOO
Final week. “A little bit Brazil, a little bit Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and a little bit King Crimson, Ballyhoo is the brainchild of music/theater duo Player King, also known as Michael McQuilken and John Osebold (who is also a member of sketch comedy troupe the Habit). The impossible-to-summarize story describes a far-distant future in which Earth has been transplanted to a new solar system, all culture is advertising, and government agents called Friendly Joes duke it out with renegade terrorists called Bellboys.” (Bret Fetzer) Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 323-0388. $12. Fri and Sun at 8 pm. 21 and over. Through Feb 23.
BOY GETS GIRL
The work of smarty-pants playwright Rebecca Gilman (Spinning into Butter) returns to Seattle, in the form of a play Time has called “One of the finest, most disturbing American plays in years.” Let’s just hope that the Rep can hold it together this time. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $10-$46. Tues-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through March 23.
* THE CHANGELING
See review this issue. Directed by Carys Kresny. Annex Theatre at Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 728-0933. $12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 22.
ESCAPE FROM HAPPINESS
Opening. I just never get tired of madcap comedies about familial dysfunction. No, really–I’m serious. Why are you laughing?!?! Theatre Babylon at Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 15.
FAR EAST
“The gist: Spoiled, smarmy Navy dude goes to Indochina, not much happens. I get more dramatic tension flossing.” (Adrian Ryan) Mirror Stage Company at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030. Through Feb 23.
GO, DOG. GO!
… and that pretty much says it all. Seattle Children’s Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. DATES TK. Through May 4.
* INKBLOT
One night only. See Stranger Suggests. Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave N. Wed Feb 26 at 8:00 pm. Free.
JEKYLL AND HYDE
A musical rendition of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic–astonishing audiences with its 13 different rhymes for “dichotomy.” Civic Light Opera at Jane Addams Summit School Auditorium, 11051 34th Ave NE, 363-2809. $20-$30. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2:30 pm. Through March 8.
JOURNEY’S END
Opening. R. C. Sherriff’s antiwar riff, set in WWI France. Exchange Theatre at Meydenbauer Center, 11100 NE Sixth St, Bellevue, 325-6500. $10-$25. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through March 1.
THE LEITMOTIF LIVES OF NERO AND SAMDI
This weekend only. A list of materials for filmmaker dECO dAWSON’s new play: 100 feet of garden hose, 90 feet of rope, seven rolls of duct tape, five hydro valves, four pulleys, one hanging mirror, two pendulums, two treasure maps, seven hard-boiled eggs, and one Canadian laughing and pointing at his American audience. Little Theatre, 610 19th Ave E, 329-2629. Thurs-Sun at 8 pm.
A LIE OF THE MIND
Final week. “I’m hereby wielding the awesome power afforded to me by my position as occasional theater critic at this paper and issuing a moratorium on any further productions of Sam Shepard’s work anywhere in the Northwest.” (Tamara Paris) Rebound One Productions at ACT, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $10-$25. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Feb 23.
LILIA!
This week only. Actress and playwright Libby Skala composes a thank-you note to Grandma–who in this case happens to be Academy Award-nominated actress Lilia Skala. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm.
LITTLE BEAR AND THE ENCHANTED WOOD
This week only. Just like children’s television, but in real life! Wait–what? Maurice Sendak’s Little Bear hits the stage in an excuse to bleed weekend-custody parents of their patience and bank accounts. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 467-5510. $15.50-$24.50. Sat at 2 pm.
MONSTER
Final week. “Brandon Whitehead gives Dr. Frankenstein the perfect degree of measured Victorian self-involvement. And MJ Sieber, as the Creature, with his massive, sweaty (and most of the time, nude) body, is exceptionally intimidating, but never quite captures the refined sensitivity that the monster experiences later in the story. Together, they do well to keep this confounding play from popping its stitches.” (Gregory Zura) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $12-$15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Feb 22.
MURDER AT CRAGGY ROCK
A Wild West musical-mystery-comedy set to steak, featuring characters with names like Slappy, Hap Hazard, El Gatito, and Fifi. Northwest Murder Mysteries at Rock Salt Steak House, 1232 Westlake Ave N, 706-7575. $50, includes meal. Sat at 8 pm. Through March 29.
MY FAIR LADY
I’m really uncomfortable with the word “cockney.” It’s sort of like “moist”–it just sounds dirty. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 625-1900. $15-$58. Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm, Thurs-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2, 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm. Through March 16.
THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA
Southern drawl, questions of faith, and perhaps even some funny hats in Tennessee Williams’ award-winning masterpiece. GreenStage at Sand Point Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way, Building 406, 748-1551. Free. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 1.
R (THE SWASHBUCKLING TALE OF ANNE BONNY AND MARY READ)
Opening. Kristina Sutherland and Desiree Prewitt snarl lips and bow legs as they hobble through their tale of the two infamous sea maidens, in a two-woman play with what is perhaps the funniest title I’ve seen all morning. Macha Monkey at Chamber Theatre, 915 E Pine St, fourth floor, 860-2970. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 8.
THE STRONGER/PARIAH
One night only. Two one-acts by influential Swede August Strindberg. Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 NW 67th St, 789-5707. $2-$8. Sun Feb 23 at 4 pm.
THIS IS OUR YOUTH
This week only. 48 hours of self-importance with three unsullied adolescents on the cusp of adulthood. Cornish College North Campus, CoNo Studio 200, 1501 10th Ave E, 726-5151. Free. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Feb 23.
VIC: SPIRIT MADE FLESH
“Ultimately, the strange, forgotten story of Victoria Woodhull exposes the limits not of the actors (who all do a fine job), or the writer (ditto), but the space of the theater itself.” (Charles Mudede) Open Circle Theatre, 429 Boren Ave N, 325-6500. $15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through March 1.
WOUNDS TO THE FACE
Opening. If the press release is to be believed, Howard Barker’s Wounds to the Face throws darts at a map that charts everything from the emotional bonds of vanity to the dangers of diametric thought processes–and touches on patriotism versus terrorism, just for kicks. Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 15.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
ANANSI THE SPIDER
See review this issue. Final week. Carter Family Puppet Theater at Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave NE, 523-2579. $7.50-$9.50. Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 1, 3 pm. Through Feb 23.
CITY LIFE
Improvised theater about the Jet City. Unexpected Productions at Market Theatre, Post Alley, 781-9273. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 15.
* FRANKENOCCHIO
Final week. “A dark, absurdist story of a little blue-haired head named Frankenocchio and his struggle to become reunited with his body. The story line is completely twisted, but the real attraction of this performance–along with the Circus Contraption band–is the puppetry.” (Jennifer Maerz) Monkey Wrench Puppet Lab at Nippon Kan Theatre, 628 S Washington St, 340-1445. $13-$15. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm. Through Feb 21.
CYNTHIA HOPKINS
One night only. In town with Big Dance Theater’s production of Antigone, the Gloria Deluxe frontwoman performs a special cabaret set of her own. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $8. Tues Feb 25 at 9 pm.
IMPROV! COMEDY AND MORE!
It’s not clear what the “and more!” portion of the evening holds, but I hope it has something to do with Reddi-wip. Ain’t nothin’ funny like Reddi-wip. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, third floor, 425-417-5667. $10. Sat at 10 pm. Through March 29.
LOUNGE LIZARDS
If life is a cabaret, please kill me. The Velveteens, a lounge trio and their pianist, gut the standards for your entertainment. Straight-Edge Theatrics at Thumpers Restaurant, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $15. Fri-Sat at 8:30 pm. Through March 1.
TEN MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL
Opening. Sneeze and you’ll miss ’em: UW’s second annual festival of brevity, featuring works by Steven Dietz, Tracey Wilson, and Cynthia Cooper, to name a few. University of Washington, Penthouse Theatre, 543-4880. $7-$12. Wed-Thurs at 7 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through March 2.
DANCE
ANTIGONE
This week only. New York’s award-winning performance troupe the Big Dance Theater takes up a three-day residence with their latest, a multifarious exploration of Sophoclean legend. Big Dance Theater at On the Boards Mainstage Theater, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $12-$25. Thurs-Sun at 8 pm. Through Feb 23.
WHEEL OF LIFE
One night only. The deep, beautiful history of the Shaolin Monks is exploited for Western spectacle in a theatrical production aimed at “physics-defying” stunts and ass-kicking. Shaolin Monks at Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 728-4121. $27-$37. Thurs Feb 20 at 8 pm.
LATE NIGHT
THE TWILIGHT ZONE
Final week. The cash cow returns… and it’s thirsty for blood! Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $10. Fri-Sat at 11 pm. Through Feb 22.
LONG RUNS
BROADVILLE CARNIVAL at Cafe Venus, 624-4516.
CABARET: THE ResERECTION at Coffee Messiah, 861-8233.
* THE HOKUM SHOW at Hokum Hall, 937-3613.
JET CITY IMPROV at ArtsWest, 938-0339; at the Ethnic Cultural Theater, 781-3879.
LATE NIGHT CATECHISM from Seattle Theatre Project at ACT, 292-7676.
QUEER AS A THREE-DOLLAR BILL at the Comedy Underground, 800-992-8499.
THEATRESPORTS at the Market Theater, 781-9273.