BIGSMÖRGÅSBØRDWÜNDERWERK

This week only. Circus contraptions and otherworldly spectacle comprise the universe of the Squonk Opera, the newest mess of grating, self-consciously oddball theater weirdoes making a pretty penny in touring companies across the nation. Squonk Opera at Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave, 467-5510. $26-$36. Fri-Sun Sept 13-15 at 8 pm.

FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE/WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF

Opening. Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates directs Ntozake Shange's evergreen tribute to the power of poetry in the face of oppression and stuff. Bathhouse Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 524-1300. $10-$18. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun matinee at 3 pm. Through Sept 29.

FULLY COMMITTED

Solo show about an unemployed actor taking reservations for an ultra-chic restaurant. Now with Daniel J. Chercover. 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.

* LIPSTICK TRACES: A SECRET HISTORY OF THE 20TH CENTURY

Opening. See Stranger Suggests. Foundry Theatre at On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9886. $25. Wed-Sat Sept 18-21 at 8 pm, with additional performances on Fri-Sat Sept 20-21 at 10:30 pm. Through Sept 21.

OIL CITY SYMPHONY

See review this issue. Inside the gymnasium of Oil City High, four former high-school bandmates and their classmates (the audience) come together for a reunion show of less-than-epic proportions. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $18-$26. Wed-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, with additional Sat matinee at 2 pm. Through Oct 5.

SCAPIN

Molière's comic tale of love and vengeance--in song form. Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $27-$42. Tues-Thurs & Sun at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, matinees Sat-Sun at 2 pm. Through Oct 19.

SEASCAPE

See review this issue. Steeplechase at Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 935-8420. $29 with meal, $15 show only. Fri-Sat at 6:30 pm, with Thurs shows at 7:30 pm. Through Sept 28.

SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD

Jason Robert Brown's "musical journey" of loosely related songs and scenes evaporating into one another in what appears to be an aimless flood. Raggedy Z productions at Crêpe de Paris, 1333 Fifth Ave, second floor, 623-4111. $21-$48. Wed-Thurs at 8 pm, Fri-Sat at 8:30 pm. Through Oct 12.

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.

WINTERTIME

Closing. The newest play by Charles Mee, author of last year's ACT smash, Big Love. "The show has amusing moments, and there are some laughs, but wacky underwear, funny accents, and big wet dykes just get laughs. That's no testament to great theater." (Adrian Ryan) ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $10-$44. Sun, Tues-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Matinee performances Sat-Sun Sept 14-15 at 2 pm. Through Sept 15.

FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY

CAMPFIRE

Long-form improvisation, based on audience experiences with unexplained--i.e., spooooooky!--phenomena. Unexpected productions at Market Theatre, Post Alley, 781-9273. $10. Fri-Sat Sept 13-14 at 8 pm. Through Oct 26.

HA! COMEDY IMPROV!

One night only. An improv troupe with people so funny, they couldn't contain their laughter long enough to cleverly name even themselves! The Playhouse, 200 Madison Ave N, Bainbridge Island, 842-8569. $8. Sat Sept 14 at 7:30 pm.

JUST IMPROV

One night only. Do you really need me to walk you through this one? Just Improv at Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave, 441-5823. $5. Tues Sept 17 at 9 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.

DANCE

BEFORE AND AFTER VOLUME

This week only. Dappin' Butoh continues its intimate stage production with the latest work by Brian Baillie and Chris Williams. Dappin' Butoh at a home in Green Lake, 526-5756, call for directions and reservations. $12. Sat Sept 14 at 8 pm, Sun Sept 15 at 7 pm.

d9 DANCE COLLECTIVE TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY DINNER AND BENEFIT

One night only. A d9 fundraiser featuring a first glimpse at the collective's latest show, Rigged, plus an evening of historical d9 performances from days of yore. Dance Collective at Russian Community Center, 704 19th Ave E, 323-3877. $35-$60. Sat Sept 14 at 6:30 pm.

TANGO CABARET

This week only. For the sixth year straight Seattle succumbs to the lusty Tango Cabaret for an evening of sensual dance, dinner, and depravity. Tango Cabaret at Century Ballroom, 915 E Pine St, 325-6500. $20. Fri-Sat Sept 13-14 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 Sept 14 at 8 and 10:30 pm.

EL FUEGO

One night only. The good, the bad, and the combustible unite for this wild-Western explosion of flames and cowboy hats. Thermogenesis at Industrial Arts Factory, 3427 Fourth Ave S, 381-3473. $15-$17.50. Sat Sept 14 at 11:30 pm.

FRICKER'S FOLLIES

One night only. Cabaret... "from Freaks to the Truly Refined." No, I don't know either. Fricker's Follies at Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave, 441-5823. $5. Wed Sept 18 at 10 pm.

LONG RUNS

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

JET CITY IMPROV at ArtsWest, 938-0339; at the Ethnic Cultural Theater, 781-3879.

LATE NIGHT CATECHISM from Seattle Theatre Project at ACT Theatre, 292-7676.

QUEER AS A THREE-DOLLAR BILL at the Comedy Underground, 800-992-8499.

THEATRESPORTS at the Market Theater, 781-9273.