THEATERby Zac Penningtonzac@thestranger.com

OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS


* 21 SHOTS

Final week. The time-honored unwanted-houseguest routine serves as the groundwork for this world-premiere production, penned by Deron Bos. "Bos has written a classic farce, but a farce about creativity rather than the usual romance. An interesting take on why people want to make things--interesting and even, in its own boisterous way, inspiring. All ends well, as in any proper farce, but not as you may think." (Barley Blair) Printer's Devil Theatre at Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 860-7163. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 26.

AMERICAN VOICES: BUKOWSKI, MICHELINE, AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT

Final week. "Vincent Balestri's new one-man show, American Voices, examines writers Jack Micheline and Charles Bukowski, Bukowski's column "Notes from a Dirty Old Man" in the San Francisco magazine Open City, and the 1968 obscenity charges that closed the publication. It is an unsettling show, a rough-hewn work about gritty writers whose subject matter is equally raw. Drunkenness, loneliness, and disgust are their refrains. Balestri manages the transition between the erratic Micheline and the shuffling Bukowski well, and he puts an earnest punch into the peculiar genre of 1960s poetry and prose." (Brendan Kiley) Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12-$14. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 26.

THE BIG FRIENDLY GIANT

A kind vegan suffering from a crippling speech impediment and an extraordinary case of acromegaly befriends an orphan, meets the Queen of England, and saves the continent. Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 443-0807. $12-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through Dec 22.

CHARLEY'S AUNT

Final week. Three turn-of-the-century drag queens run amok--but with a comic twist: The trio is trying to get all up under the bustle cage of the same... woman? ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $10-$26. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sat matinee Oct 26. Through Oct 26.

COPENHAGEN

Final week. Michael Frayn's fictionalized account of two atomic physicists, former colleagues who meet as opponents during World War II, then talk about a whole bunch of stuff for a long time. "The heavy tone of Copenhagen and the operatic set are much different than what you'd expect from Michael Frayn's more comedic works (like the now-classic farce Noises Off). While freeing the characters to spin around in nothing but theories and time, the ambiguity of the stage may at the same time be working against the actual actors on stage who attempt to ground the conversations for the audience." (Gregory Zura) Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $15-$40. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sat matinee at 2 pm. Through Oct 26.

THE EDUCATION OF RANDY NEWMAN

See preview this issue. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $37.50-$50. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun-Thurs at 7:30 pm, matinees Oct 26, 27, 31, Nov 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, Dec 1 at 2 pm. Through Dec 1.

EUGENE ONEGIN

The Seattle Opera debuts its 2002/03 season with Tchaikovsky's aristocratic romance. Seattle Opera at Mercer Arts Arena, Seattle Center, 389-7676. $15-$109. Oct 25, 26, 30, Nov 1, 2 at 7:30 pm. Through Nov 2.

GENOCIDE TRAIL: A HOLOCAUST OF UN-SPOKEN

Final week. The Conciliation Project, "working toward harmony and unity through recognition," presents this cheery little ditty that purports to "expose the cultural genocide of the American Indians." The Conciliation Project at Bathhouse Theater, 7312 W Greenlake Dr N, 325-6500. $10-$15. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 26.

THE GHOST DETECTIVE IN GOTH NOIR

Blood rites, ritual sacrifice, and big laughs over coleslaw. Mwahahahah! Northwest Murder Mysteries at Ivar's Salmon House, 401 NE Northlake Way, 491-6446. $50 with dinner. Sat Oct 26 and Thurs Oct 31 at 7:30 pm. Through Oct 31.

HOTHOUSE ROSE

The story of a young girl raised in a whorehouse in the 1930s. "Yet another offering from a playwright/director who clearly scoffs at the basic tenets of drama but who lacks either the commitment or the talent necessary to overcome their absence. In other words, this is a tremendously looooong play that takes itself far too seriously. Every single character wanders around aimlessly in search of a plot, and they all sound as if they're reading their blogs aloud." (Tamara Paris) Live Girls! Theater, 620 Alaskan Way, second floor, 568-1985. $10. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 26.

KNEE DESIRES THE DIRT

Opening. Mirror Stage Company debuts with the comfortable territory of maternal struggle in the South, in a play the Village Voice calls "curious," "spirited," and "irreverent." Mirror Stage Company at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 325-6500. $10-$25. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm and 7 pm. Through Nov 10.

LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES

Cruel Intentions, only in fancier pants. Marquise Productions at Nippon Kan Theatre, 628 S Washington St, 325-6500. $12-$15. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through Nov 10.

LOOT

Craig Lucas directs Joe Orton's classic black comedy concerning two bank robbers forced to hide their take in the casket of their recently deceased mother. Featuring the worship-worthy acting talents of Nick "Hedwig" Garrison. Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $27-$42. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm, 7:30 pm. Matinee Nov 12 at 2 pm. Through Nov 12.

* MATCHSTALK MAN

Final week. "Matchstalk Man is Billy Woods' near-farcical play set in London's South End, dealing with four small-time criminal punks who manage, out of sheer luck, to score big on a crack deal. They also manage, out of sheer bad luck, to lose the money. Hiding from the police in a warehouse, the group spends the entire time accusing each other of stealing the money. Everyone thinks the other is lying. The problem is, they all are." (Gregory Zura) New City Theater Zero & Strike Anywhere Productions at South End Warehouse, 2110 S Airport Way, 328-4683. $8. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 26.

OIL CITY SYMPHONY

Final week. "Heavy on faded '80s ambiance and light on story, revelation, or thought-provoking material, Symphony is charmingly lighthearted, sometimes funny, and sometimes musically interesting, in a novelty-show kind of way." (Brendan Kiley) Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $18-$26. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, with additional Sat matinee at 2 pm. Extended through Oct 26.

OLEANNA

Final week. See review this issue. He said, she said, he loses his tenure. Vagabond Alley, 1518 First Ave S, fifth floor, 280-6854. $12. Fri-Sat at 9 pm. Through Oct 26.

ONE MAN

Final week. Two guys (Philip D. Clarke and David Nochimson), two plays (Savage/Love and Can't Help But Think)... too much! A Theatre Under the Influence at Union Garage Performance Space, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12-$14. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 26.

OUR ONLY MAY AMELIA

Final week. Based on the works of Jennifer L. Holm, Our Only May Amelia is the tale of an outspoken young girl finding her way in the wilderness of 19th-century Oregon Territory. Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $12-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat at 2 pm and 5:30 pm. Through Oct 26.

* RASH

Opening. Lauren Weedman returns to the Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $10-$35, opening night $40. Tues-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm, Sat and Sun matinees at 2 pm. Through Nov 24.

THE SEAGULL

Opening. Chekhov, unrequited love, water fowl. UW School of Drama at Penthouse Theatre, University of Washington Campus, 543-5140. $5-$12. Wed-Thurs at 7 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm, Through Nov 10.

* THE TROJAN WOMEN

Playwright Charles Mee's "adaptation" of the creepy old Greek tragedy, complete with "modern survivor stories" and show tunes. "This production is pulled off with such grace and thoughtful consideration, the monologues from Holocaust and 9/11 survivors are almost indistinguishable from the original, hair-raising story. The inclusion of Britney Spears' teeny-bob pop and Broadway numbers was a clever move that worked far better than I imagined. The resulting show is arty, unnerving, and completely salient. It's enough to give you nightmares AND make you vote Democrat." (Adrian Ryan) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $12-$15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun matinee Oct 27 at 2 pm. Through Nov 2.

* TO YOU, THE BIRDIE!

Opening. See Stranger Suggests. One of the world's premier experimental theater troupes, the Wooster Group, returns to Seattle with To You, The Birdie!, an interpretation of Racine's Phèdre--but, you know, with badminton and enemas. The Wooster Group at On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $12-$30. Fri-Thurs at 8 pm, no show Mon. Through Oct 31.

TWO FOR THE SEESAW

Opening. IN-G Productions' maiden voyage carries on the sail of William Gibson's mid-'50s two-person debacle concerning the "timeless" affair of a New York couple coming together amid the "distractions of the human condition." IN-G Productions at Freehold's East Hall Theatre, 1529 10th Ave, second floor, 325-6500. $12. Oct 25, 26, 27, 31, Nov 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 at 8 pm. Through Nov 8.

WHEN GRACE COMES IN

See review this issue. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $10-$46. Sat-Sun at 2 pm and 7:30 pm, Tues-Fri at 7:30 pm. Through Nov 10.

* WHEN WE DEAD AWAKEN

A curried-goat-enhanced performance of Henrik Isben's final play. "Director Frances Hearn and her talented cast have taken Ibsen's melodrama and turned it into a nearly comical story about the struggle of artistic inspiration. With an expressionistic flair, the six actors move around on the tiny stage as if performing a modern dance--and I mean that in a good way. These playful elements, of a sort one rarely associates with Ibsen, succeed in creating a thoroughly satisfying evening of theater." (Gregory Zura) Steeplechase Productions at Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 935-8420. $29 with dinner and show, $15 show only. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, no dinner Thurs. Through Nov 9.

FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY


CAMPFIRE

Final week. Long-form improvisation, based on audience experiences with unexplained--i.e., spooooooky!--phenomena. Unexpected Productions at Market Theater, Post Alley, 781-9273. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 26.

ELLEN CLEGHORNE

This week only. Falling into the ranks of such undeniable early- to mid-'90s talents as Melanie Hutsell and Victoria Jackson, former Saturday Night Live cast member and sitcom star (Cleghorne--cancelled midseason) Ellen Cleghorne slums with the little people for an evening of stand-up. Giggles Comedy Club, 5220 Roosevelt Way NE, 526-5653. $12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm and 10:30 pm.

* JANEANE GAROFALO

One night only. Despite a library of potentially stultifying roles in entirely mediocre films, Garofalo, with her consistently razor-sharp presence, still seems to maintain a cultlike following--due in no small part to the stability of her stand-up. Refresh your personal affections with an evening of what she does best. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 467-5510. $27-$77. Sat Oct 26 at 7:30 pm.

MACABARET

A self-proclaimed hit at this year's Fringe Festival, Macabaret revives its weary corpse for the holiday season with a song set that playfully tickles morbid fascination. Straight-Edge Theatrics at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, third floor, 632-9800. $8. Daily at 8 pm. Through Nov 9.

DANCE


DANCING WHEN FOUND

One night only. The Lost Youth of Sudan (all of them) have escaped armies, lions, hyenas, suffering, starvation, and disease--and now all they want to do is dance, dance, dance! The Lost Youth of Sudan at Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave, 935-3665. $20. Sat Oct 26 at 7 pm.

LEFT-OUT

Opening. Reflections, duality, and Picasso fuel Locust's latest production, which features the talents of Amy O'Neal, Zeke Keeble, Wade Madsen, and Reggie Watts, among others. Locust at Velocity Mainspace Theater, 915 E Pine, second floor, 621-9178. $12-$15. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 2.

EVENTS


OCTOBER PUPPETFEST

One day only. Middle-aged men with their hands up the asses of felt friends. Recommended! Puppeteers of Puget Sound at Langston Hughes Cultural Center, 104 17th Ave S, 684-4757. $6-$8. Sat Oct 26, 9 am-7 pm.

LATE NIGHT


COMEDY COURT

Final week. Improv comedy... in a courtroom setting. Motion denied. Odd Duck Studios, 1214 10th Ave, 442-2044. $7-$10. Sat at 10:30 pm. Through Oct 26.

MONEY & RUN HALLOWEEN SPECIAL

See review this issue. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $10. Thurs-Sat at 11 pm. Through Nov 2.