ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR
ACT kicks off its latest season with Alan Ayckbourn's uplifting look at three couples wasting away in suburban mediocrity. Featuring Julie Briskman, Liz McCarthy, Marianne Owen, and Larry Paulsen. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $45. Tues-Thurs and Sun at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. Through Aug 3.
ART
Art, friendship, and stupidity: Yasmina Reza's Tony Award-winning play charting the "what is art?" tail chase. Centerstage Theatre at the Knutzen Theatre, 3200 SW Dash Point Rd, Federal Way, 253-661-1444. $20-$12. Fri July 18 through Aug 9.
CHEATIN'
"Goings-on" in a small town in Texas. Edge of the World Theatre, 9673 Firdale Ave, Edmonds, 542-7529. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm. $17-$20. Through Aug 2.
THE COUNTRY WIFE
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. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. $14-$16. Through July 28.
THE FROG PRINCE
Final week. 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
Final week. "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.
HANSEL AND GRETEL
Reprehensible gluttony matched only by the horrors of backwoods cannibalism in the most frightening story ever told. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 233-9873. $10. Sun at 7 pm. Through Aug 17.
* IN FLAGRANTE GOTHICTO
Final week. "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.
LEND ME A TENOR
The Cleveland Grand Opera has a problem on its hands--a big, dead, Italian problem--and the solution? MADCAP COMEDY! SecondStory Repertory, 16587 74th St, Redmond, 425-881-6777. $14-$18. Fri-Sat at 8:15 pm. Through Aug 9.
* THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA
Final week. "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
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.
NINEHOLES RISES FROM THE ASHES
See review this issue. NineHoles returns with a clump of short plays on the oft-tread theme of Phoenix Rising. Theatre Babylon at Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Aug 9.
A ROOMFUL OF STRANGERS
Final week. See review this issue. 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
See review this issue. 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 and 8 pm. Through Aug 9.
THREE DAYS OF RAIN
This week only. The University of Washington Summer Art's festival presents Richard Greenberg's Pulitzer-nominated drama about two siblings attempting to reconcile their shitty childhood. Directed by Chuck Harper. Hughes Penthouse Theatre, UW Seattle Campus, 543-4880. $10-$12. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, with matinees Fri at 2:30 pm and Sat at 12:45 pm.
WHO AM I NOW?
See review this issue. 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
BILL EVANS DANCE COMPANY
This week only. Albuquerque-based choreographer Bill Evans performs original works with Seattle's Light Motion, a dance company composed in part by disabled dancers. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, 325-6500. $12.50-$17. Fri-Sat July 18-19 at 8 pm.
CHAMBER DANCE COMPANY
Final week. Dancing in circles. Lots of circles. Meany Studio Theatre, University of Washington, 685-6696. $10-$12. Thurs at 12:30 pm, Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 12:30 and 3:45 pm.
LUNE
Final week. 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. Thurs at 6:30 pm, Fri at 4 pm.
EVENTS
WONDER OF THE WORLD
The final production in ReAct's fourth annual play reading series, David Lindsay-Abaire's recent comedy (whose Broadway production starred Sarah Jessica Parker and Amy Sedaris) as read by local actors Kathy Hsieh, Leslie Jean Warner, Gordon Hendrickson, and more. ReAct at Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600. $5. Sun July 20 at 2 pm.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
* 14/48
See Stranger Suggests. 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.
MADONNA? A CULTURAL INQUIRY
One night only. A multifaceted view of the holy virgin--Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone--in a symposium on the career and mythos of our former national treasure. Featuring a look-alike contest, readings, and other attractions. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030. $5. Sun July 20 at 7 pm.
STORY SLAM
One night only. Theatrical storytelling featuring "the stories that you search for at dinner parties," whatever that means. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $5. Mon July 21 at 7 pm.
THEATERSCHWARTZ
Classical improvisers the Spolin Players present improv the way it's meant to be... you know, without scripts. 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 HALL VARIETY 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.
