CANDIDA
George Bernard Shaw and his broken homes and love triangles. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $18-$26. Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Oct 25.
EVITA
Final week. Andrew Lloyd Webber's paean to the power of a strict hairdo, Eva Perón's éminence grise. Eastside Musical Theatre at Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, 893-9900. $12-$20. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7 pm. Through Oct 5.
FATAL PERIL
See review this issue. UMO Ensemble at Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway Ave, 325-6500. $17.50-$19.75. Thurs-Sun at 8 pm. Through Oct 12.
FLOWER DRUM SONG
Opening. A revamped Broadway revival of the Rodgers & Hammerstein production from the '50s, concerning the schism betwixt first-generation Chinese immigrants and their offspring in San Francisco's Chinatown. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 625-1418. $18-$67. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 1 and 7 pm. Through Oct 26.
THE GAMBLERS
Final week. "Adapted by Tom Ansart and directed by Dennis Kleinsmith, The Gamblers, which is based on Dostoyevsky's novel The Gambler, is a very light affair that manages to hold one's attention as it runs, but fails to leave an impression after it's done. But despite inadequate acting, the play is not boring. (Charles Mudede) Steeplechase Productions at Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 935-8420. $14. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 4.
* HOMEBODY/KABUL
See review this issue. Intiman Playhouse, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $27-$42. Thurs-Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 1 and 7 pm, Tues-Wed at 7 pm. Through Oct 11.
THE HORROR IN THE THEATER: AN H. P. LOVECRAFT TRIPTYCH OF TERROR
Opening. In a theatrical trinity of tribute to the inspiration for way too many earnest student films, Open Circle revisits the author behind its recent cash cow Re-Animator with three different Lovecraft stories: The Haunter of the Dark, The Dunwich Horror, and the Matt Fontaine-directed From Beyond. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $13. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Though Nov 8.
KISS ME KATE
Final week. Civic Light Opera begins its 26th season in a new venue and with an old-ass musical, Cole Porter's circular love-hate story about a backstage romance. Civic Light Opera at Shoreline Conference Center, NE 185th St and First Ave NE, 363-2809. $20-$30. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2:30 pm. Through Oct 4.
MEASURE FOR MEASURE
One of Big Willie's early B-sides, Measure for Measure brings the bard to Vienna for a dark comedy of desires. Seattle Shakespeare Company at Seattle Center House Theater, Seattle Center, 733-8222. $12-$24. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Oct 12.
MING THE RUDE
Opening. Empty Space exhumes a mess of old playwrights for a new, family-friendly science-fiction comedy. Empty Space Theater, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $10-$40. Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Nov 9.
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Final week. Andrew Lloyd Webber and the man with the prosthetic face return to Seattle for another round of elaborately orchestrated schlock. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 628-1414. $29-$71.50. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm, Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Oct 5.
PILEDRIVER!
See review this issue. Bald Faced Lie at Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 323-0388. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 11.
TAKING STEPS
Opening. Very English Englishman Alan Ayckbourn's very English farce about the residents of a haunted Victorian manor. In England. Exchange Theater at Meydenbauer Center, 11100 NE Sixth St, Bellevue, 325-6500. $10-$25. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Oct 11.
THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF CHARLOTTE DOYLE
On a ship bound for the United States in the 1800s, a lone British girl learns a series of invaluable life lessons, including such fun facts as "racism is bad," "squealing is bad," and "attacking the captain is bad." Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $12-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through Oct 24.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
* 13TH ANNUAL SEATTLE FRINGE FESTIVAL
Final week. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 322-2018. For specific shows, venues, and performance times, see www.seattlefringe.org. Through Oct 1.
ARNALDO! IN THE WITCHING HOUR
Opening. Drag chanteuse Arnaldo! (note exclamation point) performs songs of the Halloween season and threatens to simultaneously "tickle your funny bones and tug your heartstrings." Color me terrified. Arnaldo! at Thumper's, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. Fri at 8:30 pm, Sat at 8 pm. Through October 18.
CAMPFIRE
Long-form improvisation, based on audience experiences with unexplained--i.e., spooooooky!--phenomena. Unexpected Productions at Market Theater, Post Alley, 781-9273. $5. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 1.
COMEDY COURT
Opening. Improv comedy in a courtroom setting. Motion denied. Odd Duck Studios, 1214 10th Ave, 442-2044. $7. Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 11.
GLAMAZON FOLLIES
Opening. Another familiar round of pancake makeup and strategic duct tape from the terrifying spectacle of female impersonation. Double Header, 427 Second Ave, 464-9918. $9. Fri-Sat at 9 and 11 pm. Through Oct 11.
THE HOBBIT
Fancy dolls and Tolkien--a match made in heaven? The Northwest Puppet Center presents a puppet performance with the newly reinvigorated residents of Middle-earth. Carter Family Marionettes at Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave NE, 523-2579. $7.50. Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 1 and 3 pm. Through Oct 26.
IMPROV CABARET
One night only. You mean they don't even write it down? What a joke. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $5. Sun Oct 5 at 8 pm.
LATE NIGHT CLUB
One night only. See Stranger Suggests. New City Warehouse, 2110 Airport Way S, 328-4683, $5. Fri Oct 3 at 10:15 pm.
BURNINGHEARTS BURLESQUE
One night only. BurningHearts presents its latest evening of smut, with a fetish-fueled burlesque tribute to the impending season, ever-subtly titled Things That Go Bump and Grind in the Night. BurningHearts Burlesque at Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $10. Sat Oct 4 at 9 and 10 pm. 21+.
DANCE
DELUXE JOY PILOT
Final week. Berlin-based choreographer Felix Ruckert sprinkles the audience over chairs and beds scattered about the space, with each audience member playing a vital role in the creation of each evening's dance. If this sounds fascinating, go. If it sounds like torture, trust your gut. Felix Ruckert at On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $12-$22. Wed-Sun at 8 pm. Through Oct 5.
GAMES IN MOTION
This week only. As part of this year's Games inquiry at Richard Hugo House, three separate dance performers present thematic works at three different venues. With Sheri Cohen, Maureen Whiting, and Foot in Mouth. Various venues, 322-7030. See www.hugohouse.org for full details. $6-$14. Through Oct 5.
SWAN LAKE
Final week. The Pacific Northwest Ballet premieres in their new digs with the only ballet you've ever seen in your life. No, not the one with the fighting mice. The other one. Pacific Northwest Ballet at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, 292-ARTS. $16-$125. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through Oct 5.
LATE NIGHT
SPIN THE BOTTLE
One night only. Annex Theatre continues its tradition of omnibus monthly shows, this month featuring Matt Fontaine, Cha Davis, Susy Schneider, and Richard LeFebvre, among others. Annex Theatre at Freehold's East Hall Theater, 915 E Pine St, 728-0933. $7. Fri Oct 3 at 11 pm.
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 Historic University Theater, 352-8291.
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.
