1984
Opening. See Stranger Suggests. A new adaptation of the Orwell novel. Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $10-$35. Preview performances Fri-Sat Jan 23-24 at 8 pm, Mon-Tues Jan 26-27 at 7:30 pm. Opens Wed Jan 28 at 7:30 pm. Through Feb 28.
BASH
Opening. A performance "triptych" of American stories by Neil LaBute. New City Warehouse, 2110 Airport Way S, 271-4430. $12. Opening Fri Jan 23 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm. Through Jan 31.
CARMEN
Bizet's Carmen is a Spanish Gypsy who speaks--or rather, sings--the language of love (le Franÿais, mais oui!). Seattle Opera at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, Seattle Center, 389-7676. $43-$103. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm, Mon at 7:30 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Jan 30.
CHICAGO
Opening. You've seen the show, you've seen the movie, now see the show again. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 292-2787. Opening Tues Jan 27 at 7:30 pm. Wed-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through Feb 1.
CINDERELLA
Opening. The classic tale of class warfare and fairy intervention. StoryBook Theater at Carco Theatre, 1717 Maple Valley Highway, Renton, 1-877-827-1100. $7.50. Sat Jan 24 at 11 am and 1 pm, Sun Jan 25 at 1 and 3 pm. Through Feb 8.
THE COUNTESS
See review this issue. Scandal in the Victorian aristocracy, care of Theatre Babylon. Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $10-$15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Feb 7.
DREAM OF ZEUS
Final week. Despite its omnipresence, ancient Greek drama is so foreign to contemporary tastes that it demands a de-familiarizing approach. The Fisher Ensemble's new opera, assisted by dance, masks, and Japanese drumming, promises to deliver that necessary strangeness. Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave N, 325-6500. $13-$20. Thurs and Sat-Sun at 8 pm. Through Jan 25.
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
Sondheim's aqueduct musical is spiked with local straight theater favorites like R. Hamilton Wright and Timothy Piggee. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. $18-$64. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 1 and 7 pm, Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Feb 1.
GRAPE EXPECTATIONS
Young Slop is the leading boy in this round of Dickensian theater-cum-winetasting. Breeder Theater at E. B. Foote Winery, 127 B SW 153rd St, Burien, 242-3852. $20. Fri-Sat at 7 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Feb 1.
KING LEAR
Opening. ACT's artistic director, Kurt Beattie, takes the lead role in Shakespeare's anti-aging drama. Seattle Shakespeare Company at Center House Theatre, 305 Harrison St, Seattle Center, 733-8222. $18-$24. Opening Thurs Jan 22 at 7:30 pm. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Feb 15.
LIVING OUT
See review this issue. An illegal immigrant and the lawyer who employs her stumble across some common ground. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Second Ave and Mercer St, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $10-$46. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm, Tues at 7:30 pm, Wed at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through Jan 31.
LOVE, EXCITING LOVE
Love, Exciting Love finds the ladies of the Typing Explosion consorting with Super-8 film and slides, original music and dance, special "love experts," and an Icelandic-saga puppet show, all under the able conflict-of-interest direction of Stranger writer Bret Fetzer. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 568-8585. No advance tickets, $12 at the door. Tues at 8 pm, 21 and over with ID required. Through Feb 10.
MINEOLA TWINS
Opening. Just in time for election season: Paula Vogel's satire on American politics. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $15. Preview performance Thurs Jan 22 at 8 pm. Opening Fri Jan 23 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm. Through Feb 21.
MOMOTARO (PEACH BOY)
Opening. Bunraku puppet theater at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave S, 524-3388. $7-$9. Opening Sat Jan 24 at 1 pm. Through Feb 29.
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
See review this issue. The late-Georgian period was great for sexy repartee. Book-It Repertory Theatre at ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 216-0833. $15-$26. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Feb 15.
THE PRODIGAL
Opening. The Bible is always a great source for musical comedy. Highline Performing Arts Center, 401 S 152nd St, Burien, 244-3513. $20-$35. Opening Fri Jan 23 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm, Tues-Wed at 8 pm. Through Feb 8.
THE RAINMAKER
Opening. It's going to be a stretch, but for this play you have to imagine that you haven't seen precipitation in a long, long time. Harlequin Productions at State Theater, 202 Fourth Ave E, Olympia, 360-786-0151. $10-$24. Opens Thurs Jan 22 at 8 pm. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm, Wed at 8 pm. Through Feb 14.
SEA HORSE
Final week. Tacoma Actors Guild presents an autumn romance between a barmaid and a sailor. Theatre on the Square, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, 253-272-2145. $12.50-$28. Thurs at 7 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Jan 25.
SCOTAPALOOZA
See review this issue. Life's mysteries explained, thanks to humble playwright Scot Bastian. Bombast Productions at Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 372-0971. $10. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm. Through Jan 31.
A THOUSAND CLOWNS
Opening. A rarely seen 1962 musical. SecondStory Repertory, 16587 NE 74th St, Redmond, 425-881-6777. $14-$18. Preview performance Thurs Jan 22 at 8:15 pm. Opening Fri Jan 23 at 8:15 pm. Sat at 8:15 pm. Through Feb 14.
THE TRAVELS OF BABAR
Opening. The French elephant goes on honeymoon in this puppet show. Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave NE, 523-2579. $7.50-$9.50. Opening Fri Jan 23 at 7:30 pm. Sat-Sun at 1 and 3 pm. Through Feb 15.
VILNA'S GOT A GOLEM
A Jewish theater troupe faces off with a government censor in czarist Russia. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $10-$24. Wed-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 3 pm. Through Feb 7.
WRECK OF THE ST. NIKOLAI
Opening. An original opera based on 19th-century Washington State history, from the Hinterland Theater Association and members of the Black Cat Orchestra. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $18. Opening Thurs Jan 22 at 8 pm. Fri-Sun at 8 pm. Through Feb 1.
DANCE
ALL FOURS
One weekend only. The Mark Morris Dance Group performs a new work to the music of Béla Bartók. Meany Hall, University of Washington campus, 543-4880. $40. Thurs-Sat Jan 22-24 at 8 pm.
AXOLOTL
Opening. An experimental, interactive performance with Amii LeGendre and others, directed by Karl Frost. Dance Underground, 340 15th Ave E, 790-1645. $10-$20. Opens Sun Jan 25 at 7:30 pm. Through Feb 8.
THE BRIDGE PROJECT
One weekend only. The fifth annual event challenges three choreographers--Alice de Muizon, Alianna Jaqua, and Ricki Mason--to create a brand-new work in the space of three weeks. Velocity MainSpace Theater, 915 E Pine St, second floor, 325-8773 ext 2. $13-$15. Fri-Sun Jan 23-25 at 8 pm.
ENOUGH
One weekend only. Dance as a statement in favor of peace. Next Stage Dance Theater and guest choreographers at Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway Ave E, 325-6500. $12-$16. Thurs-Sat Jan 22-24 at 8 pm.
SIGN OF THE TIMES: HISTORY REPEATING
Opening. A celebration of Westlake Dance Center's 10th annual Sign of the Times retrospective. Shorecrest Performing Arts Center, 15345 25th Ave NE, 621-7378. $12-$15. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Jan 31.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
THE CABARET OF DR. CALIGARI
One night only. Magic, mayhem, and mirth at Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 853-7336. $8-$10. Sun Jan 25 at 7 pm.
CAGE MATCH
Eight improv teams are competing to win performance slots at the Seattle Festival of Improv. This week: Fool's Play vs. Bearded Face of Death. Historic University Theatre, 5510 University Way. $5, tickets available at the door only. Sun at 7 pm. Through Feb 22.
LES COMEDIENNES
Final week. Glamazon Follies and the Swedish Housewife provide a post-holiday dose of Parisian glamour. Cabaret on the Hill at Thumper's Restaurant and Bar, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $10. Fri-Sat at 9:30 pm. Through Jan 24.
JIM GAFFIGAN, BABY JAY, YOSHI
One weekend only. Standup comedy at Giggles Comedy Club, 5220 Roosevelt Way NE, 526-5653. $15. Fri-Sat Jan 23-24 at 8 and 10 pm.
HOW TO SHAKE A BABY
One night only. ñHello, this is a real event." Standup and improv comedy at SS Marie Antoinette, 1235 Westlake Ave N. $2, tickets available at the door only. Sun Jan 25 at 8 pm.
TERE JOYCE
One weekend only. Standup comedy at Comedy Underground, 222 S Main St, 628-0303. $6-$12. Thurs at 8:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8:30 and 10:30 pm.
SATURDAY MORNING CARTOON SHOW
Improv and live reenactments of classic Saturday-morning cartoons. Wing-It Productions at Historic University Theatre, 5510 University Way NE, 781-3879. $8-$10. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm. Through Feb 13.
SEARCHING FOR LIFE AFTER RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN
Final week. Forward-looking nostalgia at Cabaret on the Hill. Thumper's Restaurant and Bar, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $10. Sun at 8:30 pm. Through Jan 25.
SEATTLE NEUTRINO PROJECT
Dedicated to the art of live, improvised movies. Market Theatre, 1421 Post Alley, 781-9273. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Feb 21.
STUDIO SERIES
Freehold Studio Theatre/Lab presents its 10th annual festival of student and faculty work. Freehold's East Hall Theatre, 1525 10th Ave, second floor, 323-7499. Donation. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Play reading Sat at 10:30 pm. Through Feb 1
LILY TOMLIN
One weekend only. Famous and venerable standup comedy at Benaroya Hall, 200 University St, 215-4747. $16-$60. Fri-Sat Jan 23-24 at 8 pm.
LATE NIGHT
SCATTERBRAINS
One night only. Improv comedy at ArtsWest Theater, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $7. Sat Jan 24 at 10:30 pm.
PROSTITUTING GENIUS
One night only. A ñvoodoo"-themed comedy cabaret at Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave. $8, tickets available at the door only. Fri Jan 23 at 11 pm.
LONG RUNS
BIG WHEEL BINGO at Rendezvous, 441-5823.
BUBBA AND THE BITCH at Bar, 322-1788.
* THE HOKUM HALL VARIETY SHOW at Hokum Hall, 937-3613.
JET CITY IMPROV at Historic University Theatre, 352-8291.
LATE NIGHT CATECHISM from Seattle Theatre Project at ACT, 292-7676.
TEATRO ZINZANNI 2301 Sixth Ave, 802-0015.
THEATRESPORTS at the Market Theater, 781-9273.
