Opening and Current Runs

THE AIR IS PEOPLED WITH CRUEL AND FEARSOME BIRDS
A dance-theater spectacular featuring dance by Jessie Smith (Dead Bird Movement) and unspecified sonic contributions by Sam Mickens (the Dead Science). Villville, 1534 First Ave S, 340-2703. $5-$15. Fri, Sat, 8 pm. Through Nov 18.

ALIEN
See Stranger Suggests, page 25. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 233-9873. $12. Tues-Thurs, 8 pm. Through Nov 9.

AMATEURS
A "bittersweet and touching" comedy about a community theater group's opening-night party. Next Step Theater at Theater4, Seattle Center House, fourth floor, 1-800-838-3006. $10-$15. Thurs-Sat, 7:30 pm. Through Nov 11.

BEDROOM FARCE
Alan Ayckbourn's comedy about the volcanic relationship of a married couple and how it ruins parties, spoils friendships, and keeps everyone—parents, friends—awake into the small hours of the night. Stone Soup Theatre, 4035 Stone Way N, 633-1883. $10-$22. Thurs-Sat, 7:30 pm and Sat, 3:30 pm. Through Nov 25.

CARLOTTA'S 'REUNION NIGHT' WING DING
Now that the Carlotta's crew have survived Wolf Manor, they're back to their reg'lar wing dingin'. Theater Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 340-1049. $10. Fri, Sat, 8 pm. Through Nov 11.

THE COMPENDIUM OF NASTINESS
Ongoing. "The solo play, written by Ki Gottberg and starring Elizabeth Kenny, is a big romance in a small garage. Splicing boilerplate Gothic romance with topical references, Compendium is a mess of sexuality and revenge: a virgin lusting after a junkie monk, an uncle slavering over his niece, and a sodomy-loving demon queen." (Brendan Kiley) The Womb, call for directions, 800-838-3006. $25. Fri, Sat, 8:15 pm Through Dec 9.

COWBOY VERSUS SAMURAI
A romantic comedy about a Korean-American woman and her dating life. SiS Productions at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030. $8-$12. Fri, 8 pm and Sat, 3 and 8 pm. Through Nov 18.

A DANGEROUS AGE
Opening. The U.S. premiere of a one-man comedy by Godfrey Hamilton, performed by Mark Pinkosh, about a gay Hollywood actor whose lover is sent to fight in Iraq. Balagan Theatre at Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 800-838-3006. Thurs-Sat, 7:30 pm. and Sun, 2 pm.$12—$15.

DINNER & DREAMS
Ongoing. The European-style dinner theater with cirque performers as garnish. Teatro ZinZanni, 2301 Sixth Ave, 802-0015. $99-$125. Wed, 6:30 pm, Thurs-Sat, 6:30 pm and Sun, 5:30 pm.

AN EVENING OF THORNTON WILDER ONE ACTS
Opening. The Long Christmas Dinner, Pullman Car Hiawatha, and The Happy Journey to Trenton and Camden, directed by John Abramson. East Hall Theatre, 1529 10th Avenue, 683-2749. $12-$15. Thurs-Sat, 8 pm. Through Nov 18.

THE GREAT GATSBY
"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." Adapted by Simon Levy. Directed by David Esbjornson. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $10-$34. Thurs-Sun, 7:30 pm, Sat, Sun, 2 pm and Tues, Wed, 7:30 pm. Through Dec 10.

THE HOUSE OF YES
Wendy Macleod's gallows comedy about incest, Jackie O, a hurricane, and a family for whom time stopped when JFK got shot. Absurd Reality Theater at Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 800-838-3006. $12-$15. Fri, Sat, 8 pm. Through Nov 18.

H.P. LOVECRAFT: THE COLOUR OUT OF SPACE
"If you've never enjoyed Lovecraft's pulp-horror pleasures, Colour is not for you. But if, as a pissy teenager, you browsed a copy of the Necronomicon for the playing-with-imaginary-fire fun of it, it's essential viewing." (Paul Constant) Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $13. Thurs-Sat, 8 pm. Through Nov 11.

LATE NITE CATECHISM
Ongoing. "The real point is not the adult-catechism monologue, but the script's gaps, in which Sister dispenses tissues to cover salacious displays of flesh and kitschy prizes to reward the dumbstruck targets of her improvisations." (Annie Wagner) ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $24.50-$29.50. Fri, Sat, 8 pm and Sun, 2 pm.

MENOPAUSE: THE MUSICAL
Ongoing. "What makes this toweringly formulaic and very demographic-specific crap about dusty uteruses even moderately bearable? The consummate cast was ferocious and fast—they don't delude themselves into thinking they're worth two and a half hours of anyone's attention, plus intermission. Bless them." (Adrian Ryan) ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $45. Thurs, Fri, 7:30 pm, Sat, Sun, 2 and 5:30 pm and Wed, 7:30 pm.

NATIVE SON
One weekend only. See Stranger Suggests, page 25. Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $10-$46. Fri, Sat, 8 pm, Sat, Sun, 2 pm, Sun, 7:30 pm and Tues-Thurs, 7:30 pm. Through Nov 18.

PETER BROOK'S THE TRAGEDY OF CARMEN
One night only. Seattle Opera Young Artists' version of Peter Brook's version of Bizet's version of Prosper Mérimée's short story about a doomed gypsy temptress. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, 425-893-9900. $10-$22. Sat, Nov 11, 8 pm.

THE PHAEDRA PROJECT
A combination of the Racine and Euripides versions of the myth of forbidden love, revenge, and the son of an Amazon. Ghost Light Theatricals at Chamber Theater, 915 E Pine St. $10-$12. Fri, Sat, 7:30 pm and Sun, 2 pm. Through Nov 19

SEATTLE NEUTRINO PROJECT
One weekend only. A meld of theater and reality television, wherein teams of improv actors try to film, edit, and project a short movie in real time for a live audience. Ethnic Cultural Theater, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE, 781-3879. $12. Fri, Sat, 8 pm. Through Nov 11.

THE SECRET RUTHS OF ISLAND HOUSE
One night only. An original play based on interviews conducted with seven women named Ruth who live in a retirement home and swim through the thick fog of their commingled memories. Theater Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 340-1049. Wed, 7:30 pm. Through Nov 15.

THE UNDERPANTS
"The first of a six-play cycle called Comedies from the Heroic Life of the Middle Class by German playwright Carl Sternheim, adapted and modernized by Steve Martin. A German bureaucrat (chauvinistic, arrogant, dreary) loses his shit when his wife (dreamy, smart, charming) accidentally loses her underpants in public. She was at a parade for the king, it was before elastic was invented, and her untied knickers drifted down to her ankles, delighting dozens of witnesses. Craziness ensues." (Brendan Kiley) ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $10-$54. Fri, Sat, 8 pm, Sun, 7:30 pm and Tues-Thurs, 7:30 pm. Through Nov 12.

WAITING FOR GODOT
One week only. See Stranger Suggests, page 25. Paramount Theatre, 911 E Pine St, 292-2787. $38.50-$43.50. Thurs-Sun, 7:30 pm. Through Nov 12.

W(H)ACKED: AN IMMORALITY PLAY
"W(h)acked begins with the tale of Lottie Limerick-Peevy, a sweet 19th-century Irish lass charged by God to aid womankind by dispatching of wicked men. Cut to the present, when Lottie's cause is adopted by the Underground Very Secret Hush Hush Ladies' Serial Killer Club (more frequently rattled off as U.V.S.H.H.L.S.K.C.), a group of gals seeking to 'become the victimizer.' The writing is tight, the comic timing impeccable, the denouement satisfying but sad." (Lindy West) LiveGirls!, 2220 NW Market St, 800-838-3006. $10-$15. Thurs, Fri, 8 pm and Sat, 4 and 8 pm. Through Nov 18.

THE WINTER'S TALE
See review this issue. Seattle Shakespeare Company at Center House Theatre, Seattle Center, 684-7200. $18-$32. Thurs-Sat, 7:30 pm and Sat, Sun, 2 pm. Through Nov 19.

Dance

12 MINUTES MAX
One week only. See Stranger Suggests, page 25. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $7. Sun, 7 pm and Mon, 7 pm. Through Nov 13.

ALL PREMIERE
See review this issue. Pacific Northwest Ballet at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, 684-7200. $18-$145. Thurs-Sat, 7:30 pm and Sun, 1 pm. Through Nov 12.

BEYOND THE THRESHOLD: SEATTLE INVITATIONAL
Lotsa dance from (on different days) Phffft!, Collectif Entre Deux, Traduza, and Pablo Cornejo. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, 325-3113. $17. Fri-Sun, 8 pm. Through Nov 12.

INHABIT
One day only. An intimate performance wherein the members of Lingo dancetheater dance, toast, and chat with the small audience. Call for reservation and directions. HaLo, Pike St and Summit Ave, 329-6999. Free. Fri, Nov 10, 4 pm.

LAS CARAS DEL FLAMENCO
One night only. Modern and traditional flamenco in song (Keiko Ooka), dance (Savannah Fuentes), and live music (Carlos Cascante, Julio Jauregui, and others). Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, 325-6500. $21-$24. Thurs, Nov 9, 8 pm.

Cabaret

ALL GAY CABARET! Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $12-$15. Sat, Nov 11, 7:30 pm. THE BEDROOM CLUB Last Supper Club, 124 S Washington St, 748-9975. $10. Wed, 9 pm. BURLESQUE BEHIND THE PINK DOOR Pink Door, 1919 Post Alley, 443-3241. $10. Sat, 10:30 pm. LIVE BURLESQUE SeaMonster Lounge, 2202 N 45th St, 633-1824. Free. Tues, 11 pm.

ALL FOUR LIMBS
One night only. Vaudeville entertainments, including Kevin Joyce (from UMO), Nanda (kung fu acrobats), Brothers From Different Mothers (comedy), and live music. Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S Alaska St. $8-$10. Sat, Nov 11, 7 pm.

Improv & Comedy

THE COMEDY SHOP Columbia City Theatre, 4916 Rainier Ave S, 723-0088. $12 adv/$15 DOS. Sat, 8:30 and 10:30 pm. COMEDY UNDERGROUND 222 S Main St, 800-325-7328. $6-$15. Fri, Sat, 8:30 and 10:30 pm. DE-PANDABLE COMEDY THROWDOWN Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $5. Tues, 7 pm. Through Nov 14. GIGGLES COMEDY CLUB 5220 Roosevelt Way NE, 526-5653. $12. Fri, Sat, 8:30 and 10:30 pm. INTERNATIONAL STANDUP COMEDY COMPETITION Washington Athletic Club, 1325 Sixth Ave, 622-7900. Fri, 8 pm. Through Nov 10. JET CITY IMPROV Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 352-8291. $8-$10. Fri, Sat, 10:30 pm and Sat, 8 pm. THEATRESPORTS Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 587-2414. $8-$12. Fri, Sat, 10:30 pm and Sat, 8 pm.

CLUES
An improvised murder mystery. Wing-It Productions at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 352-8291. $10. Thurs, Fri, 8 pm. Through Nov 17.

THE CORY AND DOUG SHOW
Sketch, standup, and improv, hosted by Cory Nealy and Doug Willott. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 388-0569. $8. Tues, 7:30 pm. Through Nov 28.

Late Night

CUPCAKE
"Cupcake, featuring Ethan Newberry and Justin Sund, isn't adult-naughty; it's kid-naughty. The introductory film sequence gets a lot of excited laughs because one guy wears a black dildo hanging out of his fly, which the other smashes with his face. It's that kind of show—and it has the college freshmen rolling in the aisles." (Brendan Kiley) Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 352-8291. $8. Sat, 12:30 am. Through Nov 17.

THE STAY UP LATE SHOW
One night only. Comedy by the Yomenians, a teaser from Whirligig the Musical, and booze-lightful host, Ms. Rebecca M. Davis. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 388-0569. $12. Sat, Nov 11, 10 pm.

SUAVE
Promises—nay, threatens—to "educate audiences on the sextracurricular arts, using instructional videos as well as some serious sensuous role-playing." Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 352-8291. $8. Sun, 12:30 am. Through Nov 17.