BAD DATES
"Adequately directed by Allison Narver, Bad Dates is a whisper-thin, intermittently funny one-woman show about disastrous dating experiences." (Annie Wagner) Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $10-$46. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm, Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Dec 18.
THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER
Raucous kids impersonate the divine at Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W Green Lake Drive N, 524-1300. $18. Thurs-Fri at 7 pm, Sat at 2 and 7 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Dec 24.
BLACK NATIVITY: A GOSPEL SONG PLAY
Jacqueline Moscou directs the holiday gospel musical. Intiman Playhouse, 201 Mercer St, Seattle Center, 269-1900. $10-$42. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm, Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Dec 26.
BUNNICULA
"The song-and-dance numbers mostly get in the way of the compelling plot." (Amy Kate Horn) Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $14-$28. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through Jan 16.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
The Ghosts of Christmas take up residence at ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $14-$28. Thurs-Fri at 6 and 8:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7 pm, Sun at 1 and 4 pm, Tues-Wed at 6 and 8:30 pm. Through Dec 26.
CHRISTMAS SURPRISE
Final week. A holiday grab bag at Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $6. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Dec 11.
* THE DESIGNATED MOURNER
Extended. Final week. "Director John Kazanjian has honored the simplicity of Shawn's design, and the result is an almost meditative state, in which the torrent of language is given ultimate priority. " (Sean Nelson) New City Warehouse, 2110 Airport Way S, 271-4430. $15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Dec 11.
A EULOGY FOR CITIZEN
"The script is full of portentous half-sentences about predestination and wisdom and authority, but Rob West's production tempers the play's excesses. " (Annie Wagner) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Dec 18.
FELLOW PASSENGERS
Opening. In case you can't get enough Dickens, here's a funereal adaptation of A Christmas Carol. Strawberry Theatre Workshop at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 800-838-3006. $15. Preview performance Thurs Dec 9 at 7:30 pm. Opening Fri Dec 10 at 7:30 pm. Sat-Sun at 7:30 pm. Through Dec 23.
FINER NOBLE GASES
Opening. Adam Rapp's play about East Village slackers distressed by the untimely demise of their television set. Washington Ensemble Theatre at Little Theatre, 608 Ninth Ave E, 325-5105. $10-$15. Opening Fri Dec 10 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 and 11 pm, Sun-Wed at 8 pm. Through Dec 23.
HOLIDAY XXX
See review this issue. Final week. Live Girls! Theater, 620 Alaskan Way, second floor, 568-1985. $12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Dec 11.
HOW?!
See review this issue. Strike Anywhere Productions at JEM Arts Center, 6012 12th Ave S, 763-5830. $10. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Dec 18.
IF JESUS HAD A RUMSFELD
Final week. Short comic plays. Waffle Theater at Stone Soup Theater, 4035 Stone Way N, 666-7674. $3-$15. Sun-Mon at 8 pm. Through Dec 13.
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
"The show is weak on almost every front." (Christopher Frizzelle) Theater Babylon at Union Playhouse, 1408 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12-$30. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm (w/guest Herod Troy Mink). Through Dec 18.
THE LAST STATE
Opening. See Theater News. Stranger Genius Sarah Rudinoff premieres a new solo show about growing up in Hawaii. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. Opening Thurs Dec 9 at 8 pm. Fri-Sun at 8 pm. Through Dec 19.
* THE LION KING
See review this issue. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 292-2787. $22.50-$125. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 1 and 6:30 pm, Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Jan 16.
LOLA TAROT
Final week. "The performances are feeble and the scenarios totally devoid of imagination." (Annie Wagner) Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S Alaska St. Tickets available at the door only, $10-$15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Dec 11.
MERRY CHRIS MOUSE
Final week. Puppet theater at Sand Point Magnuson Park, Building 47, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, 524-3388. $7-$9. Fri Dec 10 at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun Dec 11-12 at 1 pm.
NOISES OFF
Opening. The slapstick Michael Frayn farce at Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $10-$46. Preview performances Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm, Tues at 7:30 pm. Opening Wed Dec 15 at 7:30 pm. Through Jan 15.
PETER PAN
Cathy Rigby plays the ageless flying boy for the last time. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. $18-$70. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 1:30 and 7 pm, Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Dec 19.
THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN
Rats, rats, and more rats. SecondStory Repertory, 16587 NE 74 St, Redmond, 425-881-6777. $18-$22. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2:30 pm. Through Dec 19.
A RADIOLAND CHRISTMAS
"A couple of Christian platitudes are smuggled into the dialogue of a fourth-grader, but mostly the playwright seems to think that the holiday spirit is best communicated through slapstick, product placement, and idiotic peroxide blondes." (Annie Wagner) Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $17-$29. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Dec 30.
RED RANGER CAME CALLING
Stephen Hando returns in the Berkeley Breathed musical adaptation. Book-It Repertory Theatre at Seattle Center House Theatre, Seattle Center, 216-0833. $15-$30. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Dec 26.
THE SANTALAND DIARIES
David Sedaris' monologue, performed by Shawn Law. Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W Green Lake Drive N, 524-1300. $12-$20. Thurs-Sat at 9 pm. Through Dec 24.
THE SECRET GARDEN
"The first few scenes, pitting obstinate little Mary Lennox against the dank, dark, Gothic habit of shutting fears and passions up in closet and cloisters, were wonderfully sinister. But the secrets are disappointing. " (Annie Wagner) Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $14-$28. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through Jan 8.
* SHOWGIRLS
See Stranger Suggests. Three nights only. The Brown Derby Series takes on the venerable Joe Eszterhas script. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St. Tickets available at the door only, $10. Mon-Wed Dec 13-15 at 8 pm.
VOICES OF CHRISTMAS
A celebratory, multicultural message of dread--err, hope. ArtsWest Theater, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $12-$30. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 3 and 7:30 pm, Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Dec 26.
VOICES OF SILENCE
One night only. A one-woman show about a Holocaust survivor. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030. $5. Tues Dec 14 at 8 pm.
DANCE
* FLUX
Final week. A performance installation fusing dance and video, featuring Ellie Sandstrom, Beth Graczyk, and more. SOM Performance at Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave N, 625-0500. $12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Dec 11.
NEW MOVES CONCERT 2004
One weekend only. Student-choreographed work from Cornish. Velocity MainSpace Theater, 915 E Pine St, second floor, 325-6500. $3-$5. Fri-Sun Dec 10-12 at 8 pm.
NUTCRACKER
The perennial Stowell/Sendak production. Pacific Northwest Ballet at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, Seattle Center, 441-2424. $19-$96. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm, Sun at 1 and 5:30 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Dec 28.
NUTCRACKER
International Ballet Theatre at Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, 425-822-7694. $10-$24. Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm.
A TAP DANCE CHRISTMAS CAROL
Opening. For those who really, really can't get enough Dickens. Broadway Performance Hall, Seattle Central Community College, 1625 Broadway, 325-6500. $16-$24. Opening Fri Dec 10 at 8 pm. Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Dec 19.
IMPROV, CABARET, & COMEDY
BED, BOYS, AND BEYOND
Extended. A musical revue about Seattle's gay scene. Thumper's, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $12.50. Fri-Sat at 9 pm. Through Dec 18.
* THE DINA MARTINA CHRISTMAS SHOW
The demented divine at Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 323-0388. $18. Thurs-Sun at 8 pm. Through Dec 31.
JIMMY HOARD
Standards and stories at Thumper's, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $10. Sun at 8:30 pm. Through Dec 19.
THE LOST FOLIO: SHAKESPEARE'S MEN
Extended. Final week. An "improvised play of Shakespearian proportions." Wing-It Productions at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 524-7677. $8-$10. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm. Through Dec 10.
SMORGASPORK: THE BEST OF HAM FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Sketch comedy from Peggy Plat and Lisa Koch. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17 Ave S, 325-6500. $20-$22. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Dec 26.
LATE NIGHT
APRIL'S SUBJECT
"The funny moments just aren't funny enough." (Annie Wagner) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $10. Thurs-Sat at 11 pm. Through Dec 18.
CARLOTTA'S LATE NITE WING DING
A fresh batch of wonder from Troy Mink. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 325-6500. $8-$12. Fri-Sat at 10:30 pm. Through Dec 18.
MAELSTROM
One night only. Long-form improv comedy. Sisters of Sal at ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $5-$7. Sat Dec 11 at 10:30 pm.
SPECIAL EVENTS
A VERY CARNIE CHRISTMAS
One night only. An Empty Space benefit party, with a performance by Circus Contraption and other one-ring delights. Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N. $10 cover. Fri Dec 10 at 9 pm.
THE GOLDEN FLEECE
One night only. A reading of a new play by Bret Fetzer. Seattle Center House, Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St, fourth floor, 720-0083. $2. Mon Dec 13 at 7 pm.
FUNDRAISER FOR "THE EXORCIST: THE MUSICAL"
Featuring eight bazillion major celebrity appearances. Bad Actor Productions at Cuff Complex, 1533 13th Ave E. $5. Weds Dec 15 at 8 pm.
MY MOTHER MY FATHER
A theater installation by dk pan, with selected performance nights incorporating butoh, dance, theater, and poetry. SOIL Art Gallery, 112 Third Ave S, 264-8061. Butoh, Fri Dec 10 at 8 pm. Through Dec 26.
LONG RUNS
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.
MUSICA VITAE! CABARET at Century Ballroom, 325-6500.
TEATRO ZINZANNI at 2301 Sixth Ave, 802-0015.
