OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS
2X4XDEATH
Opening. Fish + chips = murder. Northwest Murder Mysteries at Ivar's Salmon House, 401 NE Northlake Way, 491-6446. $50. Sat at 8 pm (includes dinner and gratuity). Through Aug 24.
ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF AN ANARCHIST
Recent graduates of the UW drama department tackle Dario Fo's farce as part of the University of Washington's Summer Arts Festival. Directed by Chuck Harper. Penthouse Theatre, UW near the north entrance at NE 45th St and 17th Ave NE, 543-4880. $10-$12. Thurs July 18 at 7:30 pm, Fri July 19 at 12:45 pm, Sat July 20 at 12:45 pm and 7:30 pm.
A WALK IN THE DARK
Open Circle Theater presents company member José Amador's darkly humorous one-man show exploring "racial identity and race homogeneity within the United States," through the eyes of an array of mixed-ethnicity characters, all played by Mr. Amador himself. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren N., 382-4250. $10. Thurs-Sat at 8pm. Through Aug 3.
* THE CONVENTION OF CARTOGRAPHY
Closing this week. A fictional story about a fictional exhibition of fictional artifacts. Written by W. David Hancock. Empty Space Theatre in an abandoned warehouse, 912 Maynard Ave S, 547-7500. $12. Thurs-Sun at 8 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm, additional 10 pm show Fri July 19. Through July 21. See review this issue.
FULLY COMMITTED
Solo show about an unemployed actor taking reservations for an ultra-chic restaurant. Now with David Scully. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $24.50-$29.50. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Open run.
HENRY IV, PART 2
Coming of age, by way of flowery language. GreenStage theater company. Call for locations, dates, and times, 748-1551, www.greenstage.org. Free. Through Aug 11.
THE HOBBIT
Opening. Caped boys of the world, brace yourself for a production that finally combines your two greatest loves: theater girls and trolls. Summer Youth Drama Program at Bathhouse Theater, 325-6500. July 19, 26, 27, 28 at 3 pm, July 20 at 4 pm, July 21 at 7 pm. Through July 28.
I'M GETTING MY ACT TOGETHER AND TAKING IT ON THE ROAD
The hit 1978 feminist musical showcases Heather Jones' disgust with her '50s childhood, her failed relationships, and ever-present showbiz chauvinism. Her male manager tries to convince her to take the act apart and keep it off the road. "The surprisingly relevant content is undermined by inexcusably slow pacing and boring songs." (Lindsay Marsak) Steeplechase Productions at Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 935-8420. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, $15. Fri & Sat dinner plus show, $29. Through Aug 3.
MAAFA SUITE
This week only. Dramatic reflections on Africa's plight in the transatlantic slave trade. St. Paul Community Baptist Church at the Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave, 682-1414. $15-$20. Thurs-Sat at 7 pm, matinee Fri at 10:30 am. Through July 20.
MONEY & RUN EPISODE 6
Opening. Wayne S. Rawley's serial returns, with original cast in tow, for its newest debacle: The Eyepatch of the Tiger. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $12-$15, under 18 free. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, matinee performances Aug 4 and 18 at 2 pm. Through Aug 24.
QUICKIES, VOLUME III
As the titular double entendre suggests, Quickies is an evening of short plays, which all happened to be authored by members of the fairer sex. Live Girls! Theater, 620 Alaska Way, second floor. $10 suggested donation. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm through July 27, and again on Aug 2 and 3.
SEX IN SEATTLE EPISODE 5: INTIMATE SECRETS
Sassy Asian American women discuss sex over a Chinese New Year celebration. No doubt funnier than Sex and the City. SIS Productions at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 325-6500. $8-$12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm and 10:30 pm. Through Aug 3.
TEATRO ZINZANNI: DINNER & DREAMS
The most expensive dinner theater of all time--three hours of gluttony, lust, and eye candy. Featuring the effervescent yet earthy Kevin Kent. "Dinner & Dreams isn't a disaster. The food is great, and a handful of the performers are dazzling. But for every bit that dazzles, a half-dozen fall flat." (David Schmader) Teatro ZinZanni, Sixth & Battery, 805-0015. $89 Wed-Fri & Sun, $99 Sat (includes dinner, but not beverages or gratuity). Wed-Sat at 6:30 pm, Sun at 5:30 pm. Open run.
WE ARE NOT GOOD GIRLS
Closing this week. It's back! Behind and in front of the scenes on an all-women blues tour. Play and music by Kate Hart, directed by Lilli Harwood. Seattle Public Theater at Bathhouse Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Drive N, 524-1300 or 325-6500. $16-$18. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun matinees at 2 pm. Through July 21.
WONDERFUL TENNESSEE
Three couples embark on a birthday trip to an island of mystery off the coast of Ireland. Upon arrival, they talk a lot. Written by Brian Friel. Taproot Theatre Company at Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $18-$26. Wed-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, matinee Sat at 2 pm, no show July 24. Through Aug 10.
* YELLOWMAN
Racial prejudice in a small Southern town. Written by and starring Dael Orlandersmith, Yellowman was a finalist for the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $32.50-$44. Sun-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, matinees July 18, 21, 27, 28, Aug 3, 4 at 2 pm. See review this issue.
DANCE
DREAMING OF BABYLON
This week only. Poetry in motion... err, and motion--with dancers lowcrawlershighflying and poets David Thornbrugh, Erynn Rowan Laurie, and Diann Rose. Dappin' Butoh, 2353 N 64th St, 526-5756. $12. Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm.
UPBEAT
The Chamber Dance Company is joined by Pamela Cohen, Rob Kitso, and Peter Kyle as part of the University of Washington's jazz-heavy Summer Arts Festival. Meany Studio Theatre, UW Campus, 543-4880. $10-$12. Thurs July 18 at 12:45 pm, Fri July 19 at 7:30 pm, Sat July 20 at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
14/48 (x2)
Closing this week. One World Theatre tempts fate once again with the latest installment of 14/48. Same basic premise: 48 hours + a whole mess of talented theater folks = 14 plays completed from conception to performance. This time around, they've decided to throw yet another variable into the equation: They're assembling two complete teams to perform separate works on two consecutive weekends. One World Theatre at Consolidated Works, 1100 Republican St, 381-3218. $14.48. Fri-Sat at 8 pm and 10:30 pm. Through July 20.
A... MY NAME IS ALICE
Closing this week. Musical skits about contemporary women. RipTide Theatre at ArtsWest Playhouse, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-9793. $26 includes dinner and dessert. Fri-Sat at 7 pm. Through July 20.
WAYNE BRADY
One night only. One of only two black men in America (just behind Big Willie Styles) that my grandmother condescendingly refers to as "so talented." Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 682-1414. $37.50-$47.50. Fri July 19, 8 pm.
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF IMPROVISATION
This week only. The press release doesn't exactly make it clear how international this festival is ("Hey, Canada's a nation!"), but it promises performers from "the far reaches of the world" (Saskatchewan) participating in this weekly improv series. Unexpected Productions at Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $10. Thurs at 8 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 and 10:30 pm.
KAFTAN!
A charmingly ramshackle kitsch cabaret with It's Mark Mitchell, Kurt B. Reighley, Paula!, and guests. "A nice-enough dose of free entertainment." (Josh Feit) Swedish Housewife at ING, 1530 Bellevue Ave, 329-5388. Free. Sun at 9 pm. Ongoing.
LA MOME PIAF: THE LIFE AND SONGS OF A FRENCH LEGEND
The life and work of Edith Piaf, with dinner, unless you say, "Je ne mange rien." Cabaret at Crêpe de Paris, 1333 Fifth Ave, second floor, 623-4111. $20. Wed at 8 pm. Through Aug 28.
MAE WEST FEST VI
This weekend only. Twenty-six productions in four days, all lovingly soaked in estrogen. See www.maewestfest.org for individual showtimes and full details. The Empty Space & Fremont UnConventional Center (3509 Fremont Ave N & 160 N Canal St, respectively), 860-2970. $5-$10, depending on the show; $20-$40 for a festival pass. Through July 21.
SEATTLE OUTDOOR THEATER FESTIVAL
This weekend only. More a glorified double feature than a festival, day one features Henry IV, Part 2, followed by The Two Gentlemen of Verona, with an encore of Henry IV, Part 2 (in case you couldn't follow it the first time). Day two inverts the lineup. GreenStage and Wooden O Theatre at Volunteer Park, 226-2086 or 931-3516, www.greenstage.org or www.woodeno.org. Free. Sat-Sun at noon.
THE STUNTMEN
Birthed from the successes of last year's hi, D and A Very Reggie X-Mas comes the latest musically inclined sketch implosion, The Stuntmen. Featuring Reggie Watts, Tommy Smith, Jason Webley, and Michael McQuilken, among others. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 323-0388. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, 21 and over. Through July 27.
TIERRA del FUEGO
This week only. Bi-lingual (Spanish and English) performance based on the works of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda--starring, um, puppets. Cry of the Rooster at Seattle Public Theatre, Green Lake Bathhouse, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 524-1300. $7 for adults, $5 for children. Sat July 20 at noon and 2 pm.
EVENTS
DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES PAJAMA PARTY
One night only. A benefit for the Industrial Arts Factory, if they don't burn the fucking place down in the process. Ignis Devoco Industrial Fire Circus & Thermogenesis at Industrial Arts Factory, 3421 Fourth Ave S, 819-5684. $10 with costume, $15 without. Sat July 20 at 8 pm.
LATE NIGHT
COMEDY COURT
Improv comedy... in a courtroom setting! HA! Comedy Court at Odd Duck Studios, 1214 10th Ave, 442-2044. $10. Sat at 10:30 pm. Through July 27.
NIGHTCAP COMEDY IMPROV
Guffaw! Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $5. Fri at 10:15 pm. Through Aug 9.
PEGGY PLATT
One night only. Platt is joined by radio host Dave Wingert in this performance honoring the history of radio sketch comedy. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $8-$10. Fri June 21, 10:30 pm.