ALL MY SONS
Power, corruption, and lies: the weight of Arthur Miller's 1947 breakthrough. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $18-26. Wed-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sat matinees at 2 pm. Through March 1.
* BALLYHOO
A little bit Brazil, a little bit Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and a little bit King Crimson, Ballyhoo is the brainchild of music/theater duo Player King, also known as Michael McQuilken and John Osebold (who is also a member of sketch comedy troupe the Habit). The impossible-to-summarize story describes a far-distant future in which the Earth has been transplanted to a new solar system, all culture is advertising, and government agents called Friendly Joes duke it out with renegade terrorists called the Bellboys. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 323-0388. $12. Jan 24-26, Feb 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 16, 21, and 23 at 8 pm. 21 and over.
A CHORUS LINE
Hopes and dreams, triumphs and failures, tits and ass. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 625-1418. $15-$58. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun-Wed (no performances Mon) at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun matinees at 2 pm. Through Feb 16.
DRIVING MISS DAISY
Yes'm. Village Theater at Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front Street N, Issaquah, 425-392-2202. $26-$42. Wed-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Feb 23.
THE JOY LUCK CLUB
I can't think of anything to say that I don't personally find offensive, and I think that makes me a bad person. "Director David Hsieh should be applauded not only for his fluid adaptation of the novel without being influenced by Wayne Wang's popular film version, but also for managing the enormous cast of over 20 (!). While the actors vary in talent, the sheer volume of people on stage gives dramatic moments an epic quality and celebratory moments a genuine joy." (Gregory Zura) ReAct at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave S, 364-3283. $6-$12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Feb 9.
I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS
See above. Book-It Repertory at Theatre Off Jackson, 409 7th Ave S, 364-3283. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 4 pm. Through Feb 16.
JACK AND JILL
Mars meets Venus, birds meet bees, apples meet oranges, tongues meet--um, other tongues. Oh, the hilarity. Steeplechase Productions at Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 935-8420. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm. Through Feb 15.
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
"Winter doldrums haven't got a chance when StoryBook Theater hits the stage with another of their wacky musical fairytales for very young audiences--great fun for the whole family!" StoryBook Theater at Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, 425-893-9900. Sat-Sun at 8 pm. Through Feb 2.
LOVE'S PAINFUL ITCH
Don't I know it. Breeder's Theater presents the tale of Chastity Bodice in something that I think can be accurately described as a "romp." Breeder's Theater at E. B. Foote Winery, 127-B SW 153rd St, Burien, 242-3852. $20. Jan 24, 25, 31, and Feb 1 at 7 pm; matinee at 2 pm on Jan 26.
MONSTER
Neil Bell's take on Mary Shelley's most eminent creation--here in its West Coast premiere. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun matinees at 2 pm. $12-$15. Through Feb 22.
NEVER SWIM ALONE
Corporate machismo distilled to the point of actual sparring: the Seattle premiere of Daniel MacIvor's satire on the business of--um, being in the business. Blackbird Theatre at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 632-9800. $8-$10. Fri-Sat at 10 pm. Through Feb 8.
THE OUTSIDERS
"Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold." Set to the quintessential teenage riot of... the Red Hot Chili Peppers?!?!? Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $12-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat and Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through Feb 15.
SCOOTER THOMAS MAKES IT TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD
When the looming threat of adulthood is amplified by the sudden death of a childhood friend, Dennis Wright's life is thrown into a comedic spiral of self-examination. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 632-9800. $8-$10. Fri and Sat at 8 pm. Through Feb 8.
STRANGE ATTRACTORS
See review this issue. Empty Space hosts the world premiere of David Adjmi's totally twisted new play, directed by the ever-reliable Chay Yew and starring the ever-brilliant Heidi Schreck and Ian Bell. Empty Space Theater, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $25-$40. Tues-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through Feb 16.
TAKING SIDES
Art and politics and world war: the dramatic account of the clash between a U.S. Army major and the conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic post-WWII. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $10-26. Wed-Sat 7:30 pm, Sat matinees Jan 25 and Feb 8 at 3 pm, Sun matinee Feb 2 at 3 pm. Through Feb 8.
THIS ROOM AND THIS GIN AND THESE SANDWICHES
See review this issue. Edmund Wilson's 1937 look at the art/commerce yarn, as filtered through the scope of the influential Provincetown Players. Theatre Under the Influence at Union Garage Performance Center, 1416/1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $14. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 6 pm. Through Feb 8.
THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE
See review this issue. It's all class wars and cross-dressing in Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux's 18th-century romantic comedy, directed by Stephen Wadsworth. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $15-$40. Tues-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through Feb 15.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
MEOW
This week only. Seasonal affective disorder dissolves in a cruel hoax of the senses, as Macha Monkey presents its latest installment of Meow--this time as A Beach Blanket Bingo Cabaret. Chamber Theatre, 915 E Pine, fourth floor, 617-8014. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm.
IMPROV! COMEDY AND MORE!
It's not clear what the "and more!" portion of the evening holds, but I hope it has something to do with Reddi-wip. Ain't nothin' funny like Reddi-wip. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 N Pike, 417-5667. $10 suggested donation. Sat at 10 pm. Through Jan 25.
YIDDISH EROTICA CABARET
This week only. The evils of the Jewish conspiracy explored in the form of Hasidic harlots and scantily clad Jewesses. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave in Belltown, 441-5823. $10. Wed Jan 29 at 10 pm.
DANCE
THE BRIDGE PROJECT 2003
This week only. The latest effort by the folks at Velocity to promote creative solutions to questions of stagnation, uniting choreographers Alethea Adsitt, Scott Phillips, and Cheronne Wong with unfamiliar casts in a performance only three weeks in the making. Velocity MainSpace Theater, 915 E Pine St, second floor, 325-877. $12 advance, $14 at door, $10 students. Fri Jan 24-Sun Jan 26 at 8 pm.
PSALM
This week only. With a program composed of both contemporary and enduring works, Limón Dance Company twinkle their toes through some jibber-jabber about "the indomitability of the human spirit," or some bullshit. Limón Dance Company at Meany Theater, University of Washington, 543-4880. $32. Thurs Jan 23-Sat Jan 25 at 8 pm.
EVENTS
DEAF KIDS DRAMA FESTIVAL
This week only. God, I'm going to hell. Featuring four short plays in ASL with a cast of over 60 deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $6-$9. Sat Jan 25 at 2:30 and 5:30 pm.
STUDIO SERIES 2003
Freehold students, alumni, and faculty let loose in this series featuring 18 different performance events; each week will feature a new lineup of staged readings, dance, and original plays. Call for scheduling info. Freehold's East Hall Theatre, 1525 10th Ave, second floor, 323-7499. Donation. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Jan 30.
LONG RUNS
BROADVILLE CARNIVAL at Cafe Venus, 624-4516.
CABARET: THE ResERECTION at Coffee Messiah, 861-8233.
* THE HOKUM SHOW at Hokum Hall, 937-3613.
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.
