* AN AMERICAN BOOK OF THE DEAD (THE GAME SHOW!)
"An American Book of the Dead (The Game Show!) is a weird cocktail of Tibetan death mythology, game show kitsch, and the rich freakiness embedded in American history. It's also one of those rare performances that has a hundred tiny flaws, but so much breadth, wit, and imaginative force, it kicks your ass anyway. In this Buddhist game show, three newly dead contestants are repeatedly reincarnated throughout American history, trying to achieve their "soul goals"--in this case, finding true love, smashing American hypocrisy, and fighting at Gettysburg. That premise kicks off a wonderful meander through small, fascinating American moments: cannibalism at Jamestown, the evolution of corporate law, and a social history of New York's #7 train. Between lives, the contestants wander through surreal shadow realms called bardos. These are the play's best moments, as writer Paul Mullin reimagines new and bizarrely appropriate historical tableaux. " (Brendan Kiley) Annex Theatre at Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 728-0933. $14. Fri-Sun at 8 pm. Through July 24.
THE COMPLEAT WRKS OF WLLM SHKSP (ABRIDGED)
One weekend only. The Bard, sans Ritalin. Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W Greenlake Dr N. Free, reservations not required. Thurs-Fri July 8-9 at 8 pm, Sat July 10 at 11 pm, Sun July 11 at 8 pm.
* EXTROPIA
Opening. See Stranger Suggests. A reworking of the 2003 hit "non-musical" that Stranger critic Adrian Ryan praised as "amazing." Raisbeck Performance Hall, 2015 Boren Ave. $12-$18. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through July 31.
EPIC PROPORTIONS
Opening. A comedy about the filming of a '30s biblical epic, with a cast of thousands played by a cast of eight. SecondStory Repertory, 16587 NE 74 St, Redmond, 425-881-6777. $14-$18. Preview performance Thurs July 8 at 8:15 pm. Fri-Sat at 8:15 pm. Through July 31.
* HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH
"Now all I got is a Barbie-doll crotch!" singeth performance powerhouse Nick Garrison, in the return of the only rock 'n' roll musical that matters. Miss it at your peril. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 325-6500. $16-$18. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through July 31.
HMS PINAFORE/PINEAPPLE POLL
Opening. The Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society celebrates its 50th season with the 125-year-old maritime musical and a related ballet performed by Spectrum Dance Theater. Bagley Wright Theater, 155 Mercer St, Seattle Center, 341-9612. $29. Opening Fri July 9 at 7:30 pm. Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm.
LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES
Final week. "Last night I attended the dramatization of a certain notorious epistolary novel, concerning the salacious skullduggery of debauched pre-Revolutionary French nobility. All boded well: The adaptation, by a Mr. Christopher Hampton, is renowned for its arch wit; the cast--including the bawdy and robust Ms. Peggy Gannon, the willowy and austere Ms. Shawn Yates, the petite and delectable Ms. Jennifer Perrault, and that raffish bounder Mr. Roy Stanton--have comported themselves admirably in numerous productions about town; the costumes and furnishings pleased the eye... why, then, did I find myself pining for the program's long-overdue conclusion? I blame the director. He wisely spared us the usual mélange of accents, but his staging consisted of little more than unmotivated pacing, while his sluggish rhythms exacerbated the weaknesses of Hampton's dangerously static script. " (Brendan Kiley) Exchange Theatre at Theatre 4, 305 Harrison St, Seattle Center, 325-6500. $15-$18. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through July 10.
THE PLAY'S THE THING
Final week. "This production of The Play's the Thing doesn't effervesce with the fizz it deserves, but it's still pretty damn funny. " (Bret Fetzer) Intiman Playhouse, 201 Mercer St, Seattle Center, 269-1900. $27-$46. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through July 11.
PSYCHO BEACH PARTY
Opening. This spoof of '60s beach movies will not feature rolling yellow eyes, as the movie adaptation does, so the multiple personalities will have to suffice. Northwest Actor's Studio, 1100 E Pike St, second floor, 324-6328. $8-$10. Opening Fri July 9 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm. Through July 31.
SHOCK BRIGADES: WOMEN IN COMBAT
Opening. Documentary theater featuring violence-wreaking women from across the globe. JEM Arts Center, 6012 12 Ave S, 568-5411. Preview performance Thurs July 8 at 8 pm. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through July 25.
VOLPONE
Ben Jonson's crafty aristocrat launches the theater-in-the-park season. Theater Schmeater at Volunteer Park, 1247 15th Ave E, 324-5801. Donation. Fri at 7 pm, Sat at 4 pm. Through July 25.
YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN
Opening. Revised and buffed to a spit shine, the 1999 version of the classic musical may have added two more songs, but it didn't make the actors' arms any shorter. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $10-$28. Preview performance Thurs July 8 at 7:30 pm. Opening Fri July 9 at 8 pm. Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Aug 7.
DANCE
DANCE THIS
One night only. A performance by current and former Seattle dancers and choreographers, including Pat Graney, Donald Byrd, and special guests the Joffrey Ballet. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 315-8015. $10-$15. Sat July 10 at 7:30 pm.
FLOOR OF THE FOREST
Cornish and UW dance students perform a 1970 dance by Trisha Brown in conjunction with Brown's Henry Art Gallery exhibition. Henry Art Gallery, 15th Ave NE and NE 41st St, 543-2280. Free with museum admission ($6-$8). Thurs at 6:15 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through July 18.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY LATE NIGHT
* 14/48
Two weekends only. See Stranger Suggests p. 25. The world's quickest theater festival returns with 14 new plays and the usual oodles of talent. Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave N, 325-6500. $14.48. Fri-Sat July 9-10 at 8 and 10:30 pm. Through July 17.
* DINA MARTINA BRUNCH
Extended. Spend your blurry Sundays with chanteuse/raconteur/freak Dina Martina at the appropriately ratty Thumper's, every inch of which is as meticulously clean and well maintained as Ms. Martina's makeup. Perfectly brilliant--don't miss it. Thumper's, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $10 (plus the price of victuals). Sun at 11 am and 2 pm. Through July 25.
IMPROVIMPROVE
One night only. A multi-genre improv performance directed by Lynn Christianson. Gasworks Park, 2101 N Northlake Way. Free. Sun July 11 at 1 pm.
I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU... DEAD
Interactive murder mystery at Cr*pe de Paris Restaurant & Cabaret, 1333 Fifth Ave, 623-4111. $42 (includes dinner). Wed-Thurs at 8 pm. Through Sept 1.
JULY SUMMER NIGHTS WITH ARNALDO! DRAG CHANTEUSE
A tribute to the music of Shirley Bassey and Burt Bacharach. Thumper's, 1500 E Madison, 328-3800. $15. Fri-Sat at 9:30 pm. Through July 24.
LINCOLN MONKEY
Extended. Final week. Sketch comedy from Unexpected Productions. Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through July 10.
MUSICAL ON 55TH STREET
An improvised musical. Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 325-6500. $8-$10. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm. Through July 23.
TOO DARN HOT! THE MANY MOODS OF SUMMER
A comic cabaret revue with a seasonal theme. Cr*pe de Paris Restaurant & Cabaret, 1333 Fifth Ave, 623-4111. $15 (show only) to $42 (dinner included). Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through July 24.
PRINCIPIA DISCORDIA--LIVE!
"Based on the 'magnum opiate of Malaclypse the Younger,' Principia is a goofy, pun-filled tour of yet another ironic anti-religion of the SubGenius genus. The Discordians trace their roots to the Greek goddess Eris (played with hilariously bitchy asides by Betsy Morris), who crafted the golden apple that eventually precipitated the Trojan War. The religion is a gleeful mishmash of pop Nietzsche, cafe pedantry, and Merry Pranksterism, and its evangelists make liberal use of bicycle horns and citations from the Book of Uterus. Principia has lots of shouting and a little wit, but its precious nonsense gets repetitive and dull pretty quickly. There's only so much you can do with a mock religious tract that's best read while stoned, sitting on some commune crapper in southern Oregon. " (Brendan Kiley) Annex Theatre at Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 728-0933. $7. Fri at 11 pm. Through July 23.
SISTERS OF SAL
One night only. Long-form improv comedy at ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $7. Sat July 10 at 10:30 pm.
WINNEBAGO
Opening. Sketch comedy from a new troupe. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $8-$10. Opening Fri July 9 at 10:30 pm. Sat at 10:30 pm. Through July 31.
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 Theater, 352-8291.
LATE NIGHT CATECHISM from Seattle Theatre Project at ACT, 292-7676.
TEATRO ZINZANNI at 2301 Sixth Ave, 802-0015.
