CHEATIN'
Opening. "Goings-on" in a small town in Texas. Edge of the World Theatre, 9673 Firdale Ave, Edmonds, 542-7529. $17-$20. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm. Through Aug 2.
CINDERELLA
One night only. From the creators of Das Barbecu comes a wacky new musical take on the fairy tale that refuses to leave the stage. Town Hall, Eighth and Seneca, 524-1300. $10. Mon July 14 at 7:30 pm.
* CLAUDIA KELLY'S 500 HATS
Final week. See review this issue. The return of Donna Rae Davidson's (Women with Balls) Fringe Fest crowd-pleaser (hell, even Adrian Ryan liked it) about a woman with an obsessive compulsion to purchase, own, and wear hats. Bathhouse Theatre, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 325-6500. $16-$22. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. Through July 12.
THE COUNTRY WIFE
Opening. Theater Schmeater makes a desperate bid for sunstroke with an outdoor staging of this William Wycherley classic. Volunteer Park. Free. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. Through Aug 2.
THE COVER OF LIFE
Following the World War II enlistment of three brothers, the Cliffert wives move in with Mama Cliffert--a true story that inspired a Life magazine article, an article that inspired a play. This play, in fact. The Driftwood Players at Wade James Theatre, 950 Main St, Edmonds, 425-774-9600. $14-$16. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through July 28.
THE FROG PRINCE
David Mamet's adaptation of the classic fairy tale--without all of its usually crass vernacular. The Driftwood Players at Wade James Theatre, 950 Main St, Edmonds, 425-774-9600. $10. Sun at 7 pm, Mon at 8 pm. Through July 21.
* THE GAS MAN
"Sometimes The Gas Man is just a scenester's delight, with theater hipsters and oft-seens hee-hawing at comrades singing above or below their registers. With a giant rotating cast, every performance is a cameo. Once you shoulder past the self-consciously knowing chuckles, however, The Gas Man is a scattered, bizarre, stylized, and confusing delight. " (Brendan Kiley) Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 860-7163. $5-$10. Fri-Sat at 11 pm. Through July 19.
* IN FLAGRANTE GOTHICTO
"Simultaneous satire and tribute, In Flagrante is a Frankenstein's comedy of Gothic romance novels, performed with a clinical eye for accuracy and timing. While the story is an amusing mishmash of romantic clichés, watching the shtick-rich cast charge through the plot is most of the fun. Balancing ironic ribaldry with Victorian chastity, the well-directed production turned what might have been a tedious evening of Brontë-dork in-jokes into a great evening for everyone. " (Brendan Kiley) Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $25-$40. Tues-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm. Through July 20.
* LEFTOVER FUTURE
Final week. See review this issue. Written by W. David Hancock, New City Theater presents a play under the premise of an archeological find. New City Warehouse, 2110 Airport Way S, 328-4683. $8. Fri-Sat July 11-12 at 8 pm.
* THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA
"Transporting Elizabeth Spencer's meticulously witty novella to the musical stage would be a risky venture for anyone, but Intiman (with production help from Chicago's Goodman Theatre) has pulled it off beautifully, thanks to Adam Guettel's lovely score, an elegantly canny book by Craig Lucas, and some brilliant casting, particularly Victoria Clark, who should end her journey as Piazza's Margaret Johnson with a Tony in her hand. " (David Schmader) Intiman, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $35.50-$45. Tues-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through July 19.
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
Opening. In his "most contemporary comedy" (?!?!), Big Willie Styles breaks off another wack jam--and this time, it's in the park. GreenStage Theater Company. Call 748-1551 for locations, dates, and times, or see www.greenstage.org. Free. Through Aug 11.
MURDER AT CRAGGY ROCK
A Wild West musical-mystery-comedy set to steak, featuring characters with names like Slappy, Hap Hazard, El Gatito, and Fifi. Northwest Murder Mysteries at Crepe de Paris, 1333 Fifth Ave, 623-4111. $45-$47. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Aug 2.
NINE HOLES RISES FROM THE ASHES
Nine Holes returns with a clump of short plays on the oft-tread theme of Phoenix Rising. Theatre Babylon at Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Aug 9.
A ROOMFUL OF STRANGERS
A pact for greatness ends in Arles as two washed-up painters try to rekindle their careers in Portland playwright Ted Hurliman's latest. Burnt Studio Productions at Live Girls Theatre, 620 Alaskan Way, second floor. $14. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through July 19.
SEX IN SEATTLE, EPISODE 7: GRAPHIC IMAGES
The popular episodic soap opera about the absurdly tangled love affairs of four sassy Asian American chicks returns. SIS Productions at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 323-9443. $8-$12. Fri-Sat at 8 and 10:30 pm. Through Aug 2.
THE SPITFIRE GRILL
Based on Lee David Zlotoff's sap-city film of the same name, Taproot presents its latest production--in musical form--about a small town, a small woman, and a "mysterious past." Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $10-$26. Wed-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2, 8 pm. Through Aug 9.
* STARBALL
Final week. See review this issue. Solo performer John Kaufmann returns with his stab at combining Jungian theory, astronomy, and dramatic performance in this act of planetary spectacle. Pacific Science Center's Smith Planetarium, Seattle Center, 634-9018. $8-$12. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 8 and 10 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through July 13.
WHO AM I NOW?
Ellen Hastings world premiere musical about a college reunion--like The Big Chill, but with more singing, and less naked Glenn Close. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 783-5559. $15. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through July 26.
DANCE
CHAMBER DANCE COMPANY
Opening. Dancing in circles. Lots of circles. Meany Studio Theatre, University of Washington, 685-6696. $10-$12. Wed at 7:30 pm.
DANCE THIS
One night only. The wide world of dance--from Irish step to contemporary "urban"--with the help of Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn director Jamel Gaines. The Paramount, 911 Pine St, 467-5510. $10-$15. Sat July 12 at 7 pm.
LUNE
Opening. The sneak preview of Peter Kyle's new dance work, as scored by the great Lori Goldston. Meany Studio Theatre, University of Washington, 685-6696. Free. Wed at 6 pm.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
* 14/48
I've consulted my calculator, and the math is still a little off: 48 hours + a whole mess of talented theater folks = 14 plays completed from conception to performance. Times two. It's just a mathematical impossibility. (But it sells out every time, so get there early.) One World Theatre at Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave N, 264-1735. $14.48. Fri-Sat at 8 and 10:30 pm. Through July 19.
CABARET ATOMIQUE
One night only. Burlesque, through the ages. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 233-9873. $7. Wed July 16 at 8 pm.
MARK TWAIN'S FINAL TOUR
The return of Stan Gill's seasonal solo turn as the titular satirist. SecondStory Repertory, 16587 74th St, Redmond, 425-881-6777. $12-$22. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2:30 pm.
THE TEMPS
One night only. Comprised of members of the Habit, Up in Your Grill, and Some Kind of Cult, the Temps offer improv for hire--with little chance of long-term employment. ArtsWest Playhouse, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0963. $5-$7. Sat at 10 pm.
THEATERSCHWARTZ
Classical improvists the Spolin Players present improv the way it's meant to be... you know, without scripts. The Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 425-417-5667. $8-$10. Sat at 10 pm. Through Aug 30.
LONG RUNS
BROADVILLE CARNIVAL at Cafe Venus, 624-4516.
BUBBA AND BITCH at the Bar, 322-1788.
CABARET: THE ResERECTION at Coffee Messiah, 861-8233.
* THE HOKUM SHOW at Hokum Hall, 937-3613.
JET CITY IMPROV at Ethnic Cultural Theatre, 781-3879.
LATE NIGHT CATECHISM from Seattle Theatre Project at ACT, 292-7676.
QUEER AS A THREE-DOLLAR BILL at the Comedy Underground, 800-992-8499.
TEATRO ZINZANNI 2301 Sixth Ave, 802-0015.
