THE ADVENTURES OF SINBAD
Final week. A puppet restaging of the Arabian Nights story about a merchant sailor. Oregon Shadow Theatre at Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave NE, 523-2579. $7.50-$9.50. Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 1 and 3 pm. Through March 14.
ALLADEEN
See Stranger Suggests. One week only. A multimedia performance piece about call centers in India where customer service representatives are trained to pass as Americans on the phone. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $22. Thurs-Sun March 11-14 at 8 pm.
* ARIADNE AUF NAXOS
See review this issue. Final week. Postmodern avant la lettre, Richard Strauss' Ariadne is an opera about opera. Seattle Opera at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, 389-7676. $37-$118. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm. Through March 13.
* BLASTED
See Theater News. Extended. "Spectacular, crass, and funny in a genital-mutilation kind of way. Director Matt Fontaine has got the visual horror down, but I would've liked the very capable actors pushed even further into the nasty and brutish world playwright Sarah Kane wants us to face up to. " (Brendan Kiley) A Theater Under the Influence at Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, Seattle Center, 720-1942. $10-$15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Wed at 8 pm. Through March 20.
CRY, THE BELOVED COUNTRY
Opening. Book-It Repertory's adaptation of the Alan Paton book set in 1940s South Africa. Center House Theatre, 305 Harrison St, Seattle Center, 216-0833. $15-$26. Preview performance Thurs March 11 at 7:30 pm. Opening Fri March 12 at 7:30 pm. Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through April 10.
* DARK RIDE
Final week. "The trick is to figure out, even as the play continues to deceive you, how all the pieces fit together. You can't, really, but the cast is so on it and so convincing and so fun to watch--and funny--that it hardly matters. " (Christopher Frizzelle) Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 13.
DRAWER BOY
Opening. A Canadian playwright goes to work on a farm in order to gather material for his next project. Tacoma Actors Guild, 901 Broadway, Suite 600, Tacoma, 253-272-2145. Preview performance Wed March 17 at 8 pm. Through April 4.
ELEPHANTS ARE CONTAGIOUS
"As texts, the seven playlets of Elephants Are Contagious are a mixed bag; each script has appealing moments or a startling turn, but a little surreality goes a long way. Undaunted, the exuberant cast and the spare but inventive direction of Sherrine Azab keep things fresh and engaging. " (Bret Fetzer) Strike Anywhere Productions at JEM Arts Center, 6012 12th Ave S, 763-5830. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 28.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
"If I were a rich man, ya ha deedle deedle...." SecondStory Repertory, 16587 NE 74th St, Redmond, 425-881-6777. $18-$22. Fri-Sat at 8:15 pm. Through April 3.
(FOUR)PLAY
One night only. A performance sampler with the Typing Explosion, humorous tales about natural disasters, and more. Bellevue Arts Commission at Meydenbauer Center, 11100 NE Sixth St, 425-450-3810. $10. Thurs March 11 at 7:30 pm.
IDIOT WIND
One weekend only. The non-curated performance forum is back after a decade-long hiatus. Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave N, 381-3218. $5-$7. Fri-Sat March 12-13 at 8 pm.
KARMIC CHIA PETS
Opening. Three one-acts that promise to cleanse your sins. Outsider's Inn at Deep Down Lounge, Temple Billiards, 126 S Jackson St, 547-9716. $6. Opening Thurs March 11 at 6:30 pm. Fri-Sat at 6:30 pm. Through March 20.
LADYHOUSE BLUES
See review this issue. The angels in a working-class St. Louis house, circa 1919. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $10-$24. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 3 and 7:30 pm, Sun at 3 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through March 20.
LIFE, A GUIDE FOR THE PERPLEXED
"One hell of an under-impressive night of moderately regrettable theater. " (Adrian Ryan) ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $20-$36. Thurs-Fri at 7 pm, Sat at 2 and 7 pm, Sun at 1 and 4 pm. Through March 21.
(L)IMITATIONS OF LIFE
Opening. Loosely based on the Douglas Sirk film Imitation of Life, this play explores the envy and secret desires harbored by the actors playing opposite the radiant Lana Turner. Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $10-$35. Preview performances Fri-Sat March 12-13 at 8 pm and Mon-Tues March 15-16 at 7:30 pm. Opening Wed March 17 at 7:30 pm. Through April 17.
MACBETH
Final week. "The English is still Shakespeare's, but the world is our world of global telecommunication systems. Obviously, there are similarities, both political and technological, between this Macbeth and Empty Space Theatre's recent production of 1984. But where 1984 succeeded on both accounts, Macbeth fails. " (Charles Mudede) Ghost Light Theatricals at Freehold's East Hall Theatre, 1529 10th Ave, second floor, 325-6500. $10-$12. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm. Through March 13.
THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER
Final week. "Poorly staged, poorly paced, the production was loud and flailing when it needed to be controlled and precise." (Bret Fetzer) GreenStage at Sand Point Magnuson Park, Building 406, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, 748-1551. Free, donations accepted. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through March 14.
NO SEX PLEASE, WE'RE BRITISH
Final week. A newlywed couple is deluged with mail-order porn! Next Step Theater Group at Center House Theater, 305 Harrison St, Seattle Center, 325-6500. $8-$10. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through March 13.
NOTORIOUS WOMEN
Opening. A tribute to women with historical import, from Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Zora Neale Hurston (all important women have three names). Live Girls! Theater, 620 Alaskan Way, second floor, 568-1985 ext. 3. $12. Opening Fri March 12 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm, Mon at 8 pm. Through March 20.
THE O'CONNER GIRLS
Opening. A comedic family drama from local playwright Katie Forgette. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $10-$29. Preview performances Sat-Tues March 13-16 at 7:30 pm. Opening Wed March 17 at 7:30 pm. Through April 10.
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST
Final week. Ken Kesey's psych-ward nightmare at Shoreline Community College Lobby Theater, 16101 Greenwood Ave N, 546-4606. $6-$8. Thurs-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through March 17.
THE PICKLE
A comedy about two best friends and the therapist and boyfriend they unknowingly share. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $8-$10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 27.
THE SHAPE OF A GIRL
See review this issue. A one-woman show about the malice of teenage girls. Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $14-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through April 4.
* TIBET THROUGH THE RED BOX
See review this issue. Final week. Based on a true story, this play recounts the travels of a Czech filmmaker in Tibet. Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $12-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through March 14.
THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE
Opening. A musical set in Manhattan at the height of the Jazz Age. 5th Avenue Theater,1308 5th Ave, 292-2787. Opening Wed March 17 at 7:30 pm. Through April 4.
DANCE
DECA DANCE
One night only. Israel's Batsheva Dance Company performs works by choreographer Ohad Naharin. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 292-2787. $19-$42. Wed March 17 at 7:30 pm.
BOBBY McFERRIN & SAVON GLOVER
One night only. Tap dance accompanied by Bobby McFerrin. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 292-2787. $35-$75. Sat March 13 at 8 pm.
HOT RODS & FAST CHICKS
One night only. The ladies of BurningHearts Burlesque in a new, automobile-themed performance, complemented by rock bands and go-go dancers. The Catwalk, 172 S Washington St, www.seattleburlesque.com. $10-$15. Sat March 13 at 9 pm.
OPEN REHEARSAL
One night only. A rehearsal of new work from Laura Curry, Stephen Hando, and more. Oddfellows Hall, 915 E Pine St, fourth floor. No reservations available, free. Mon March 15 at 6 pm.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
JAN BARRETT, MARGARET SMITH
One weekend only. Standup comedy at Giggles Comedy Club, 5220 Roosevelt Way NE, 526-5653. $12. Fri-Sat March 12-13 at 8 and 10 pm.
ILLUSIONARY
Opening. A comedy cabaret featuring Quint Eby, Amazing Grace, and others. Glamazon Follies at Vesper Lounge, 212 Fifth Ave, 223-0593. $8. Sat at 10 pm. Through March 20.
LOUIS C. K., KERMIT HOLIDAY
One week 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.
LOUNGE LIZARDS 2: THE CHARITY TELETHON
A cabaret revue about an amateur telethon. Crepe de Paris, 133 Fifth Ave, 623-4111. $16 (show only)-$42 (dinner included). Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through April 10.
SATURDAY MORNING CARTOON SHOW
Improv and live reenactments of classic Saturday-morning cartoons. Wing-It Productions at Historic University Theatre, 5510 University Way NE, 325-6500. $8-$10. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm. Through March 19.
* STIFFED: FRINGE ARTISTS GETTING IT UP AGAIN
Fringe Artists Task Force presents a fundraiser cabaret, part of an effort to pay Seattle Fringe Festival artists and venues who've been left in the lurch. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave. $10, tickets available at the door only, 21+, ID required. Tues at 8 pm. Through March 30.
TORCH
One night only. Cabaret performances from Sylvia O'Stayformore, Tamara the Trapeze Lady, and more. Patti Summers Lounge, 94 Pike St, 621-8555. $8. Fri March 12 at 8 and 10 pm.
LATE NIGHT
KARAOKE CABARET 6: POTPOURRI
One night only. Performances from "the finest karaoke singers in the area." And coming up next... the world's tallest midget! ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $8-$10. Fri March 12 at 10:30 pm.
THE STAY UP LATE SHOW
One night only. A monthly variety show, this edition featuring gender-bending burlesque act the Queen Bees. Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave N, 381-3218. Tickets available at the door only, $10, 21+, ID required. Sat March 13 at 11 pm.
THE TEMPS
One night only. Improv comedy at ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $5-$7. Sat March 13 at 10:30 pm.
SPECIAL EVENTS
KAMIKAZE! 2004
Opening. Guerrilla music and performance from Open Music Workshop. Thurs March 11 at 7:15 pm at On the Boards, 100 W Roy St. Fri March 12 at 7:15 pm at Benaroya Hall, 200 University St. Sat March 13 at 7:15 pm at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St. For more information, see www.openmusicworkshop.org. Through March 22.
PAPAYAS
One night only. A staged reading of a play by Oliver Cyrus about a dysfunctional family. Shoreline Center, 18560 First Ave NE, Shoreline, 417-4645. Free. Mon March 15 at 7 pm.
PRIZEFIGHTER!
One night only. A monthly performance forum, this edition featuring a short play that delves into the legacy of colonialism. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, www.capitolhillarts.com. Tickets available at the door only, $5. Sun March 14 at 8:30 pm.
LONG RUNS
BIG WHEEL BINGO at Rendezvous, 441-5823.
DON'T TELL MOMMA at Thumper's, 328-3800.
* 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 at 2301 Sixth Ave, 802-0015.
