Opening and Current Runs

ALL SHOOK UP
One week only. A love story set to famous Elvis songs. Paramount Theatre, 911 E Pine St, 292-2787. $22-$70. Tues-Thurs, 7:30 pm. Through Dec 17.

ANTAGONISM
An evening of two plays: Harold Pinter's The Dumb Waiter and the world premiere of Beau Prichard's Interrogation. Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 323-7412. $6-$10. Thurs-Sat, 7:30 pm. Through Dec 23.

recommended ARE WE SCARED?
See review this issue. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $6-$12. Fri, Sat, 8 pm and Sat, Sun, 3 pm. Through Dec 16.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER
Poorly-behaved children learn the true meaning of Christmas. Seattle Public Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 524-1300. $14-$24. Thurs-Sat, 7 pm and Sun, 2 pm. Through Dec 24.

recommended BLACK NATIVITY
The annual gospel song play by Langston Hughes that makes atheists wish they believed. With Reverend Dr. Samuel B. McKinney and Pastor Patrinell Wright, directed by Jacqueline Moscou. Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $10-$42. Thurs, 7:30 pm, Fri, 8 pm, Sat 2 and 8 pm, Sun, 2 and 7:30 pm, Tues, Wed, 7:30 pm.

THE BOOK OF NATHAN
"Its little web of stories orbits around Nathan Burrell, an African-American Vietnam veteran and chaplain, visiting his estranged son (Jermaine) on death row. Both father and son are murderers—their respective crimes unfold intermittently, via flashback, on the periphery of the stage." (Lindy West) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $18. Thurs-Sat, 8 pm. Through Dec 9.

BUD, NOT BUDDY
Based on the children's book about a Depression-era boy who sets out to find bandleader Herman E. Calloway, who may or may not be the boy's father. Adapted by Reginald Andre Jackson. Book-It Theater at Center House Theatre, Seattle Center, 216-0833. $15-$32. Wed-Sat, 7:30 pm and Sat, Sun, 2 pm. Through Dec 23.

BYE BYE BIRDIE
A 1960 musical about a 1950s Elvis-ish rocker and teens furiously trying to pick the locks on their chastity belts. Village Theatre, 303 Front St N, Issaquah, 425-392-2202. $25-$49. Wed-Sat, 8 pm, Sat, Sun, 2 pm, Sun, 7 pm and Tues, 7:30 pm. Through Dec 31.

A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN WALES
The Dylan Thomas narrative poem, adapted for the stage. Stone Soup Theatre, 4035 Stone Way N, 633-1883. $14. Fri, Sat, 7:30 pm and Sat, Sun, 3:30 pm. Through Dec 23.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
A viciously insensitive comedy about a schizophrenic old man. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $15-$44. Thurs-Fri at 6 and 8:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7 pm, Sun at 1 and 4 pm, Tues-Wed at 6 and 8:30 pm. Through Dec 24.

recommended THE CODY RIVERS SHOW - TANGLE
See review this issue. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 877-278-4842. $10. Fri, Sat, 8 pm. Through Dec 23.

THE COMPENDIUM OF NASTINESS
"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.

recommended THE DINA MARTINA CHRISTMAS SHOW
The psycho-drag sweetheart sticks her finger in your sugarplum. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 233-9873. $20. Thurs-Sun, 8 pm. Through Dec 30.

recommended THE EXCURSIONISTS
"The play begins from a single wild premise: England has sunk and two 19th-century explorers travel the world in an undersea train to find the new Britannia." (Brendan Kiley) Theater Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 340-1049. $12. Tues, Wed, 7:30 pm. Through Dec 20.

THE GREAT GATSBY
"It's a hell of a task, adapting a well-known piece of literature for the stage, especially a piece of literature as pleasurable and complex as F. Scott Fitzgerald's third novel, but playwright Simon Levy and director David Esbjornson have made something you'd never expect: a boring disaster." (Christopher Frizzelle) Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $10-$34. Thurs-Sun, 7:30 pm and Sat, Sun, 2 pm. Through Dec 10.

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY
Five actors play 50 characters in this 1940s-style radio broadcast. Directed by Karen Lund. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $15-$30. Fri, Sat, 8 pm, Thurs, 7:30 pm and Sat, 2 pm. Through Dec 30.

THE MARTINI BROTHER'S HOLIDAY SHOWCASE
A holiday showcase for people sick of holiday showcases, combining dozens of Christmas songs, stories, and entertainments into one steaming, slightly sarcastic, mess. Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 352-8291. $10. Thurs, Fri, 8 pm and Sat, Sun, 2 pm. Through Dec 23.

recommended MEMORY HOUSE
"A play, in real time, about a petulant girl trying to finish a college entrance essay while her frustrated mother tries to bake a pie." (Brendan Kiley) Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $10-$40. Thurs-Sat, 7:30 pm, Sat, Sun, 2 pm and Tues, Wed, 7:30 pm. Through Dec 17.

recommended NEVER SWIM ALONE
"The set, by Rodney Cuellar, evokes a game show, which is exactly what the play demands—a forum for the two men (Lathrop Walker and Michael Place), childhood best friends turned adult archrivals, to figure out who is alpha and who is beta. As the referee (Mikano Fukaya) keeps reminding us, one of the twain is the better man and one of them has a gun in his briefcase." (Brendan Kiley) Washington Ensemble Theatre, 608 19th Ave E, 800-838-3006. $10—$18. Thurs-Mon at 8 pm. Through Dec 18.

THE SANTALAND DIARIES
The David Sedaris monologues, performed by Craig Doescher. Seattle Public Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 524-1300. $14-$24. Thurs-Sat, 9 pm and Sun, 7:30 pm. Through Dec 24.

SNOW WHITE AND THE THREE DWARVES
British panto plays are a Christmas tradition and involve song, slapstick, audience participation and mild sexual innuendo that goes right over the kiddies' heads. This is one of those. With only three dwarves. Hale's Palladium, 4301 Leary Way NW, 800-838-3600. $5-$10. Fri, 8 pm, Sun, 4 pm and Sat, Dec 9, 8 pm. Through Dec 10.

THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE
An ancient Greek story filtered through jazzy mind of playwright OyamO—featuring a live four-piece band. Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $16-$32. Fri, 7 pm and Sat, Sun, 2 and 5:30 pm. Through Jan 27.

recommended A TERRIBLE PRICE FOR WHIMSY
See review this issue. Theater Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 800-838-3006. $14. Thurs-Sat, 8 pm. Through Dec 23.

VOICES OF CHRISTMAS
ArtsWest's annual mix of Christmas stories and songs. Always "straight from the heart." Forewarned is forearmed. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. Wed-Sat, 7:30 pm and Sun, 1 and 5 pm. Through Dec 24.

WHIRLIGIG! THE MUSICAL
A new musical about the heart of darkness known as the holiday-season department store. LiveGirls!, 2220 NW Market St, 800-838-3006. $10-$15. Thurs-Sat, 8 pm and Sat, 4 and 8 pm. Through Dec 16.

A WHITE CHRISTMAS
See review this issue. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 625-1900. $20-$75. Sat, 2 and 8 pm, Sun, 1:30 and 7 pm, Tues, Wed, 7:30 pm and Thurs, Fri, 8 pm. Through Dec 20.

Dance

THE NUTCRACKER
Music by Tchaikovsky, sets and costumes by Maurice Sendak, choreography by Kent Stowell. McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, 684-7200. $18-$108. Fri, Sat, 7:30 pm, Sat, 2 pm and Sun, 1 and 5:30 pm. Through Dec 28.

SUB-ROSA: A PREVIEW
One weekend only. Choreographer Cheronne Wong, composer Amy Denio, and artist Dave Stevenson collaborate on a piece about secrets and codes. (This Thursday is a dress rehearsal, by donation.) Open Flight Studio, 4205 University Way NE. $8-$10. Thurs-Sat, 8 pm. Through Dec 9.

Cabaret

THE BEDROOM CLUB Burning Hearts Burlesque at Last Supper Club, 124 S Washington St, 748-9975. $10 BURLESQUE BEHIND THE PINK DOOR Pink Door, 1919 Post Alley, 443-3241. $10. Sat, 10:30 pm. COLUMBIA CITY CABARET Columbia City Theatre, 4916 Rainier Ave S, 723-0088. $20. Fri, 8 pm. Through Dec 29. DIVINITEASE BURLESQUE TROUPE Columbia City Theatre, 4916 Rainier Ave S, 723-0088. Fri, Dec 8, 9 pm. LAND OF SWEETS: THE BURLESQUE NUTCRACKER Triple Door, 216 Union St., 838-4333. $20. LIVE BURLESQUE SeaMonster Lounge, 2202 N 45th St, 633-1824. Free. Tues, 11 pm.

LOVE LESSONS
Exploring the progress of a relationship through dance, from salsa (hot!) to tap (not so hot). Century Ballroom, 915 E Pine St, second floor, 324-7263. $25-$60. Fri, Sat, 6 pm. Through Dec 16.

WICKED CHRISTMAS
A wacky dinner cabaret including guest appearances by Ethel Merman and Adolf Hitler. Crepe de Paris, 1333 Fifth Ave, 623-4111. $55. Wed-Sun, 6:30 pm. Through Dec 26.

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. GIGGLES COMEDY CLUB 5220 Roosevelt Way NE, 526-5653. $12. Fri, Sat, 8:30 and 10:30 pm. FUH-GEDDABOUDIT: AN INTERACTIVE MAFIA MUSICAL Julia's Restaurant, 300 Broadway E, 860-1818. $44.90. Sun, 6:30 pm. 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.

recommended MICHAEL IAN BLACK AND MICHAEL SHOWALTER
One night only. The comedians from The State, Stella, and Wet Hot American Summer. Neumo's, 925 East Pike St, 709-9442. $20. Thurs, Dec 7, 8 pm.

recommended TODD BARRY
One night only. The comedian from Adult Swim and Comedy Central. Chop Suey, 1325 E Madison St, 324-8000. $5.

Late Night

THE JUDY GARLAND CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
A camped-up stage version of the notorious 1963 TV special wherein the tragic diva convinced America that she was a boozehound. Featuring Andrew Tasakos as Judy. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $10. Fri, Sat, 10 pm. Through Dec 16.

THE TWILIGHT ZONE
The late-night live-stage Twilight Zone episodes are back, this time featuring "A Most Unusual Camera" and "What You Need." (Free preview Nov 23 at 11 pm.) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $12. Fri, Sat, 11 pm. Through Dec 16.

Special Events

recommended MAGICSNOW
See Theater News. Pacific Place, 600 Pine St, 652-2404. Free. Daily at 6 pm. Through Dec 24.

THE PHILADELPHIA STORY
One night only. A staged reading of the Katherine Hepburn vehicle. Our American Theater at Theater Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 340-1049. by donation. Mon, Dec 11, 7 pm.