* BLASTED
Extended. Final week. "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 Playhouse, 201 Mercer St, Seattle Center, 325-6500. $10-$15. Thurs at 8 pm, Sat at 8 pm. Through March 20.
CORPUS CHRISTI
Opening. The company behind last year's naked Party tackles Terrence McNally's tale of a big gay Jesus and his 12 gay apostles. Gaydar Productions at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 267-2750. $19. Opening Fri March 19 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through April 25.
CRY, THE BELOVED COUNTRY
See review this issue. 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. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through April 10.
DAISY IN THE DREAMTIME
Opening. The West Coast premiere of a new play about the historical figure Daisy Bates and her fight to protect the interests of Australian Aborigines. Golden Fish Theatre at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 800-838-3006. $15-$20. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm. Through April 3.
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 performances Thurs March 18 at 7 pm, Fri March 19 at 8 pm, Sat March 20 at 2 pm. Opening Sat March 20 at 8 pm. Sun at 2 and 7 pm, Tues at 7 pm, Wed at 2 and 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.
KARMIC CHIA PETS
Final week. Three one-acts that promise to cleanse your sins. Outsider's Inn at Zeitgeist Coffee, 171 S Jackson St, 547-9716. $6. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm. Through March 20.
LADYHOUSE BLUES
Final week. "Set in 1919, the play contains not one dramatic action. The five women speak of things they will do or want to do or have done, but they do not do a single significant thing onstage. The cast and direction, though earnest, do not help matters. " (Bret Fetzer) ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $10-$24. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 3 and 7:30 pm. Through March 20.
LIFE, A GUIDE FOR THE PERPLEXED
Final week. "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
Loosely based on the Douglas Sirk film Imitation of Life, Susan Finque's latest 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. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm, Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through April 17.
MACBETH
Opening. A youth performance of the Scottish play, cross-cast with the wise exception of Lady Macbeth (nobody likes to hear a prepubescent boy claim to have given suck). Stone Soup Theatre, 4053 Stone Way N, 633-1883. $8. Opening Fri March 19 at 7:30 pm. Sat at 3:30 and 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 and 5 pm. Through March 28.
MYSTERY OF ATTRACTION
Opening. Passion, obsession, and the rather more mundane matter of personal debt. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $12-$15. Preview performance Thurs March 18 at 8 pm. Opening Fri March 19 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm. Through April 21.
NOTORIOUS WOMEN
Final week. See review this issue. 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. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm, Mon at 8 pm. Through March 20.
THE O'CONNER GIRLS
A comedic family drama from local playwright Katie Forgette. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $10-$29. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm, Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through April 10.
THE PICKLE
See review this issue. 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
"Throughout the one-woman show, it's impossible to forget that Carol Roscoe isn't 15 and doesn't really have any idea how to approximate being 15. It's embarrassing, like Gabrielle Carteris on 90210 was embarrassing, and Carteris never spent 90 solid minutes frolicking around on a fake beach, giggling and flirting and over-enunciating at everyone. Can you imagine being a teenaged girl and getting dragged to see this thing by your parents?" (Meg van Huygen) 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.
STOLEN LANDS: BORDER CROSSINGS
Opening. A collectively authored play about immigration, prejudice, and fear. Seattle Central Community College Atrium, 1701 Broadway Ave, 325-6500. $10-$15. Preview performance Sun March 21 at 3 pm. Opening Mon March 22 at 7:30 pm. Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through March 26.
THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE
A musical set in Manhattan at the height of the Jazz Age. 5th Avenue Theater, 1308 5th Ave, 292-2787. $18-$67. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 1 and 7 pm, Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through April 4.
DANCE
ARC DANCE PRODUCTIONS
One weekend only. A dance adaptation of the Ul de Rico tale The Rainbow Goblins, plus mixed repertory. Meany Hall, University of Washington campus, 352-0798. $15-$25. Opening Fri March 19 at 7:30 pm. Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm.
COMPOSER/CHOREOGRAPHER 7
One weekend only. Collaborative works between Seattle composers and choreographers, with match-ups like Gust Burns and Maureen Whiting. Velocity MainSpace Theater, 915 E Pine St, second floor, 545-8848. $10-$15. Fri-Sun March 19-21 at 8 pm.
TADASHI ENDO
One weekend only. The Chinese-born German dancer synthesizes a wide array of performance styles into a new genre he terms "Butoh-MA." Intimate Stage at Dappin' Butoh, 2353 N 64th St, 526-5756. $7-$10. Fri March 19-Sat March 20 at 8 pm.
FLOOR OF THE FOREST
Opening. Cornish and UW dance students perform Trisha Brown's 1970 dance Floor of the Forest in conjunction with the Henry Art Gallery exhibition of Brown's collaborations with visual artists. Stroum Galleries at Henry Art Gallery, 543-2280. Free with museum admission ($6-$8). Opening Sun March 21 at 2 pm. Through July 18.
THE ROMANTICS
One week only. Choreography by Nicolo Fonte, Kent Stowell, and Paul Taylor, set to music by Wagner, Chopin, and more. Pacific Northwest Ballet at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, 441-2424. $16-$125. Opening Thurs March 18 at 7:30 pm. Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm, Sun at 1 and 6:30 pm.
WITHOUT A NET
Two weekends only. Elevated choreography from local aerialist performers, presented--as promised--without a safety net. Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave N, 325-6500. $12-$15. Fri-Sat at 8 and 10:30 pm. Through March 27.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY LATE NIGHT
BEST OF COMEDY UNDERGROUND
One night only. Standup comedy showcase from Comedy Underground at Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, 425-893-9900. $15-$20. Sat March 20 at 8 pm.
CANCER!
One night only. A benefit to raise money for Darren Johnson, with performances by Stranger Genius Award-winner Chris Jeffries and more. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 233-9873. Tickets available at the door only, $10. Wed March 24 at 8 pm.
ILLUSIONARY
Final week. 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.
DON FRIESEN, LEE LEVINE
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.
GEOFF LOTT, ANDREW NORELLI
One weekend only. Standup comedy at Giggles Comedy Club, 5220 Roosevelt Way NE, 526-5653. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 and 10 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
See review this issue. Final week. 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.
SUNDAY MATINEE
One night only. The monthly performance showcase features comedy from Brandon Ivey, Kevin Clarke, and Travis Vogt, plus bands, movies, and more. SS Marie Antoinette, 1235 Westlake Ave N. Tickets available at the door only, $1.99. Sun March 21 at 7 pm.
* 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.
STANDUP COMICS SHOWCASE
One night only. Standup comedy with Art Ponzer, JeanAnn O'Brien, and more. ArtsWest Gallery, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $5-$7. Sat March 20 at 10:30 pm.
SPECIAL EVENTS
HUNG
One night only. A "suspended concerto" with audience participation. Seattle School at Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave N, 381-3218. $3-$5, 21+ w/ID required. Thurs March 18 at 8 pm.
IMAGINATION THEATRE
One night only. Two original radio plays are being recorded before a live audience at Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, 425-893-9900. $8. Mon March 22 at 7:30 pm.
KAMIKAZE! 2004
Final week. Guerrilla music and performance from Open Music Workshop. Seattle Center Community College (on the grass), 1701 Broadway Ave. For more information, see www.openmusicworkshop.org. Mon March 22 at noon.
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.
