BABY: THE MUSICAL
Opening. It's spreading! The terrifying threat of parasitic invasion haunts three couples faced with potential fetal infestation. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0963. $10-$28. Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Nov 1.
CANDIDA
See review this issue. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $18-$26. Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Oct 25.
DAD FOUGHT HITLER, THE BOTTLE, AND ME
Opening. Mick Berry's one-man show about a father who apparently beat the living shit out everything in his wake. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 26.
ESCAPE FROM HAPPINESS
Opening. George F. Walker's dark comedy about the struggle against the forces of happiness we face every day. Sight Nine Theatre at Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 325-6500. $14. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 1.
FALSETTOS
One night only. A well-meaning theater group mounts a one-night performance of William Finn's early AIDS-inspired musical--with proceeds benefiting the Lifelong AIDS Alliance. Acting Out Against AIDS at Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 425-226-5802. $30 suggested donation. Mon Oct 13 at 7:30 pm.
FATAL PERIL
Final week. "A cycle of surreal sketches loosely threaded around a marriage careening toward murder, Fatal Peril tightropes impressively between mockery and mawkishness." (Brenden Kiley) UMO Ensemble at Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, 325-6500. $17.50-$19.75. Thurs-Sun at 8 pm. Through Oct 12.
FLOWER DRUM SONG
A revival of the Rodgers & Hammerstein production, 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.
GINGERBREAD MAN
Opening. A group of cleverly personified kitchen utensils face a molasses-infused threat to their secure way of life. Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $12-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through Dec 21.
HOMEBODY/KABUL
Final week. A bored English housewife travels to Afghanistan and disappears. "Broad in scope, and maddeningly discursive--Shakespeare, in contrast, seems miserly." (Bret Fetzer) 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
See review this issue. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $13. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through Nov 8.
THE JANUARY BOOK
See review this issue. Seattle Public Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 524-1300. $10-$18. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Oct 26.
LADY FROM THE SEA
Opening. Scandinavian dramatic powerhouse Henrik Ibsen's tale of a middle-class wife who gets all antsy-pants for some thick sailor. Ghost Light Theatricals at Seattle Center House, 305 Harrison St, 325-6500. $10-$12. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm. Through Oct 25.
O SAY A SUNSET
This week only. Seattle singer and composer Robin Holcomb premieres a new multimedia performance and "song cycle" based on the life of biologist Rachel Carson. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $22. Fri-Sat Oct 10-11 at 8 pm.
MEASURE FOR MEASURE
Final week. 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
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. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Nov 9.
MISALLIANCE
Opening. Sharon Ott-directed production of George Bernard Shaw's comedy of an upper-class brat and her escapades. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Second Ave and Mercer St, 443-2222. $15-$40. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through Nov 1.
OUR LADY OF SLIGO
Sebastian Barry's reflective look at the tumultuous life of an Irish mother on her deathbed. Gael Force Theatre at Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $7-$14. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 25.
PILEDRIVER!
Final week. A comedy about sexually confused pro wrestlers. "This loud, frantically energetic production is fun and smart, waxes surprisingly touching, boasts a flawless cast, and the hottest simulated stage sodomy I've ever seen. " (Adrian Ryan) Bald Faced Lie at Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 323-0388. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 11.
TINO DOES TIME
Opening. Fiona J. Torres' Hugo House-award-winning comedy finally finds its way to the stage, about a family coping with the arrest of one of its members. Live Girls! Theater, 620 Alaskan Way, second floor, 568-1985. $12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Oct 26.
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 like "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.
UNCLE TOM: DE-CONSTRUCTED
Final week. Directed by Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Uncle Tom is a collaborative drama reflecting different visions of Ol' Whitey's lapdog. Conciliation Project at Ethnic Cultural Theatre, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE, 549-7661. $10-$15. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 3 pm. Through Oct 12.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
* 12 MINUTES MAX
This week only. On the Boards' longstanding, much-loved performance cabaret featuring Corrie Befort, Cha Davis, MovEnt, and Amy O'Neal. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $7. Sun-Mon Oct 12-13 at 7 pm.
CABARET FOR CHOICE
One night only. A benefit for the Community Abortion and Information Resource Project (CAIR), with performances by Bret Fetzer, Pyrosutra, Karen Finneyfrock, and more. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 297-0953. $13. Mon Oct 13 at 8 pm.
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
Final week. 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
Final week. 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.
GO TO HELL
One night only. As part of the "Prostituting Genius" performance art series, Go to Hell presents the no doubt devilish talents of Fuzzy Monkeys, Dan Dembiczak, Claudette Hatcher, and more. Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $8. Fri Oct 10 at 10:30 pm.
A GUIDE TO VISITORS
One night only. "Real life stories" performed in an "engaging narrative"--about ghosts. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $5. Mon Oct 13 at 7:30 pm.
THE HOBBIT
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.
DANCE
ON THE SIDE
Opening. Rockhopper's annual showcase of short works, featuring new pieces by BetterBiscuitDance, Wade Madsen, and more. Rockhopper Dance at Freehold's East Hall, 1529 10th Ave, second floor, 325-6500. $10-$14. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 18.
