OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

ANNA KARENINA

Previewing. This adaptation (by British playwright Helen Edmundson) of the Tolstoy epic about adultery in the Russian aristocracy is being staged by Open Circle vets Chris Mayse (Orpheus) and José Amador (A Walk in the Dark). Atlas Theatre at Open Circle Theatre, 429 Boren Ave N, 679-1565. $8-$10. Preview performance Wed March 9 at 8 pm. Through April 2.

BAREFOOT IN THE PARK

The early Neil Simon play about a pair of newlyweds attempting to adjust to their shared life in a itty-bitty Manhattan walkup. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $10-$30. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm. Through March 26.

A CHORUS LINE

Two weekends only. The 1975 musical about 25 dancers competing for a measly eight roles on a chorus line. Tits and ass, tights and taps. Westlake Dance Center at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave S, 621-7378. $13-$15. Opening Fri March 4 at 7:30 pm. Sat at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2:30 pm. Through March 12.

THE CHOSEN

Extended. "The 1999 adaptation of Chaim Potok's classic young-adult novel pares the devastating story of a boy's religious and emotional estrangement from his father down to an elemental simplicity. This production at the Rep is packed with smart choices, but it's Gabriel Baron's performance that fuels the pathos and incredible tenderness of the entire show." (Annie Wagner) Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 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 March 12 (original cast), through March 20 (w/ Aaron Posner replacing Aaron Serotsky).

CIRKUS INFERNO

One day only. Slapstick and fiery feats from characters named Lucky and Lady. Daredevil Opera Company at Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, 425-893-9900. $11-$17. Sat March 5 at 2 and 4 pm.

COMMUNICATING DOORS

Two weekends only. The company that brought you No Sex Please, We're British presents another middling comedy from across the Atlantic: Alan Ayckbourn's 1994 play about a lady named Poopay and her adventures in inadvertent time travel. Next Step Theater Group at Theatre 4, Seattle Center House, fourth floor, 325-6500. $8-$10. Opening Thurs March 3 at 7:30 pm. Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through March 12.

DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN

Opening. This mid-'90s relic by comedian Rob Becker is about the supposed prehistoric propensities of the two sexes, and is performed by former Portlander Isaac Lamb. There was no excuse for this show then; there's none now. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $35-$39.50. Opening Wed March 9 at 7:30 pm. Through April 17.

DINNER & DREAMS

Ongoing. The rabidly successful dinner theater/circus hybrid; now featuring Ukranian contortionist Vita Radionova; El Vez, Seattle's own Mexican Elvis; Russian trapeze artists Duo Artemiev; and (through March 20 only) R&B diva Thelma Houston, who remains residually famous for her 1977 hit "Don't Leave Me This Way." Teatro ZinZanni, 2301 Sixth Ave, 802-0015. $89-$109. Thurs-Sat at 6:30 pm, Sun at 5:30 pm.

AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE

Final week. "The action focuses on a scientist, Dr. Stockmann (Terry Edward Moore), who's discovered that the town's healing waters are being poisoned by runoff from a tannery. At first he trusts his revelation will turn him into a hero, but he hasn't considered its economic ramifications. Taproot's production is worthwhile but sometimes tiring--director Scott Nolte hasn't found places to vary the play's righteous intensity. " (Annie Wagner) Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $15-$29. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm. Through March 5.

THE EXORCIST: THE MUSICAL

Extended. "The actors--particularly hackneyed drag queen Em'ma Gawd! (as Regan's nanny)--repeatedly find themselves on the ka-thud! end of jokes that don't work." (Josh Feit) Bad Actor Productions at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St. Tickets at the door only, $12. Fri at 9 pm, Sat at 8 pm. Through March 12.

FLORENCIA EN EL AMAZONAS

An operatic homage to Gabriel García Márquez. Seattle Opera at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, 389-7676. $44-$123 Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through March 12.

FOR LOVE OR MONEY

Two weeks only. The sketch comedy troupe Kazoo! presents a new show. Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave. $10. Fri-Sat March 4-5 at 8 pm. Through March 12.

GLITTRA'S MISSION

SCT partner Speeltheater Holland developed this adaptation of a children's story about an inquisitive six-year-old Swede named Martin and his guardian angel Glittra, who's skilled at getting the kid out of all kind of scrapes. 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 March 26.

HOBSON'S CHOICE

Opening. Exchange Theatre dusts off another European classic, with Keith Dahlgren directing. This early 20th-century comedy by Harold Brighouse is about Henry Horatio Hobson, the self-made owner of a shoe and boot store, and his daughter Maggie, who has a mind to get married, whether the old man likes it or no. Seattle Public Theatre at the Bathhouse, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 425-254-0090. $18-$20. Preview performance Thurs March 3 at 7:30 pm. Opening Fri March 4 at 7:30 pm. Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through March 27.

INFLUENCE

Opening. A week after being kicked out of its venue by the fire department, Theatre Babylon is opening the new "Tom Folger" comedy about a Seattle theater critic who stages his own semi-autobiographical play. John Longenbaugh is actually the author of this play, and for the life of us we can't figure out why he took his name off it. Does it suck or something? Velocity MainSpace Theatre, 915 E Pine St, second floor, brown-paperticket.com. $12-$18. Opening Fri March 4 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm. Through March 26.

LATE NIGHT CATECHISM

Ongoing. Long-running interactive Catholic school comedy, in which a nun tells you everything you need to know about your everlasting soul. Cloud 9 Productions at ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $24.50-$29.50. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm.

THE MAGIC TEAKETTLE

Final week. Puppet theater about a creature with a teakettle for an abdomen. Thistle Theatre at KidsQuest Children's Museum, 4089 Factoria Blvd SE, Bellevue, 524-3388. $7-$9. Sat-Sun March 5-6 at 2 and 4 pm.

MY BOAT TO BAINBRIDGE

"Matt Smith's newest one-man show is an extremely low-key tribute to a middle-aged crisis of heterosexual masculinity. Mainly this tired theme takes the form of a creepy obsession about his pet dog's severed testicles, but there's also a good deal of lame nostalgia for the Seattle of yore ("I don't care what Key Bank did... It's called the Coliseum!"), and frequent mimicking of birdcalls. The only truly funny points in the show are when Smith imitates the expressions of bewildered puppies. But Smith couldn't let these sad dogs fend for their own species; they're swiftly pressed into service as metaphors for the beleaguered state of modern manhood. Needless to say, I felt sorrier for them than for their mopey enslaver." (Annie Wagner) Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $15. Fri at 8 pm. Through April 29.

NEXT TUESDAY

"An intriguing movement play set to metronomes, xylophones, and dopey jazz fusion. Members of the ensemble shuffle past a gray suggestion of a brownstone building, combining and recombining to represent herds of children, partygoers, and all manner of residents and passersby." (Annie Wagner) Washington Ensemble Theatre at the Little Theatre, 608 19th Ave E, 325-5105. $15. Thurs-Mon at 8 pm. Through March 14.

NOTORIOUS WOMEN

Two weeks only. The kickoff performance for an original touring tribute to the lives of famous and infamous women (Billie Holiday, Burmese freedom fighter Aung San Suu Kyi, Cuban ballerina Alicia Alonso, et al). Written and directed by Live Girls! artistic directors Zoe Fitzgerald and Meghan Shalom Arnette, respectively. Live Girls! Theater at Museum of History and Industry, 2700 24th Ave E. Free w/museum admission. Sun March 6 at 2 pm.

REBECCA

See review this issue. Book-It Repertory Theatre at Seattle Center House Theatre, 216-0833. $15-$30. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through March 26.

RED BADGE OF COURAGE

Final week. This new adaptation of Stephen Crane's Civil War novel stars the always energetic Lathrop Walker (last seen in WET's Finer Noble Gases). Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $14-$28. Fri at 7 pm, Sat at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through March 5.

SATURDAY MORNING CARTOON SHOW

Opening. The improvised homage to Scooby and his ilk returns for a new run. Jet City Improv at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 325-66500. $8-$10. Preview performance Thurs March 3 at 8 pm. Opening Fri March 4 at 8 pm. Through May 20.

THE SECRET IN THE WINGS

Visually inventive director Mary Zimmerman (The Notebooks of Leonardo, Metamorphoses) returns with adaptations of Charles Perrault's Beauty and the Beast and four lesser-known European fairy tales. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $10-$46. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm, Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through March 26.

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN

Final week. A stage adaptation of the classic MGM musical, complete with downpour. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. $18-$70. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm. Through March 5.

THREE VIEWINGS

Final week. "In each of these funeral-home monologues, there's a spate of facile allusions, at least two annoying rhetorical questions, and an ultra-convenient O. Henry twist that metes out justice in the end. Rachel Katz Carey's direction allows the precious few crumbs of actual comedy in the writing to slip through the cracks, and the insipid play can't be over soon enough" (Annie Wagner) Theater simple at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 325-6500. $10-$15. Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm. Through March 5.

TWELFTH NIGHT

See review this issue. Final week. Ghost Light Theatricals at Freehold's East Hall Theater, 1529 10th Ave, second floor, 325-6500. $10-$12. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm. Through March 5.

THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES

The long-running vagina chatalotta at Stone Soup Theatre, 4035 Stone Way N, 633-1883. $15-$18. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 19.

WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?

The outdoor theater company comes inside for Edward Albee's 1963 play about mind games and married couples. GreenStage at Sand Point Magnuson Park, Building 30, 748-1551. Free, donations accepted. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm. Through March 19.

THE WOMAN IN BLACK

Final week. David Pichette and Mark Anders stars in this Gothic ghost play, which was adapted from a novel by Susan Hill and has been running in London's West End for 14 scary years. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $10-$35. Thurs at 7 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 1 and 6 pm. Through March 6.

DANCE

CORNISH COLLEGE BFA CONCERTS

One weekend only. Candidates for Cornish College's BFA in dance present thesis concerts. For details, see www.cornish.edu/events. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway Ave, 323-1400 ext. 1018. Free, reservations required. Program 1: Thurs-Fri at 8 pm. Program 2: Sat March 5 at 2 and 8 pm. Program 3: Sun March 6 at 2 and 8 pm.

DANCE TO THE MUSIC

One night only. Greek, Thai, and Indonesian traditional dance ensembles perform at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave, www.ticketweb.com. $15-$20. Sat March 5 at 8 pm.

VESSELS OF VIBE

One night only. Interactive sculptures provide the accompaniment in this dance performance by Lelavision. Shoreline Performing Arts Center, 15343 25th Ave NE, Shoreline, 417-4645. $10-$15. Sat March 5 at 7:30 pm.

UW FACULTY DANCE CONCERT

One weekend only. The 2005 concert features choreography by Rhonda Cinotto, Mark Haim, Jurg Koch, Peter Kyle, and Jennifer Salk. Meany Studio Theatre, UW campus, 543-4880. $8-$10. Thurs-Sat March 3-5 at 7:30 pm, Sun March 6 at 2 pm.

CABARET

2ND ANNUAL WORLD DRAG FEDERATION SMACKDOWN

One night only. A drag and burlesque show featuring the Queen Bees, the Von Foxies, and more. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St. $10 (21+ w/ ID required). Fri March 4 at 8 pm.

MUSICA VITAE! CABARET

Ongoing. A cabaret about the search for a musical holy grail. Century Ballroom, 915 E Pine St, 325-6500. $15 (under 21, cabaret only)-$55 (dinner, cabaret, dancing). Sat at 7:30 pm.

WHEN PIGS FLY

A grab bag of songs, dances, and running gags, directed by Rick Anderson (best known for the excruciating Party). Gaydar Productions at Thumper's, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $15 (21+ w/ ID required). Fri-Sat at 8:30 pm. Through April 9.

LATE NIGHT


EXOTICA

Opening. Burlesque from the Atomic Bombshells. Mirabeau Room, 529 Queen Anne Ave N. $10 (21+ w/ ID required). Opening Wed March 9 at 10 pm. Through May 18.

SPIN THE BOTTLE

One night only. This month's cabaret from Annex Theatre features choreography from Mary Sheldon Scott and musical smut from John Ackerman of the fabulous band Awesome!. Annex Theatre at Freehold's East Hall Theater, 915 E Pine St, second floor. $7. Fri March 4 at 11 pm.

IMPROV & COMEDY

Laurie Kilmartin (standup) at Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, 425-893-9900. $15-$20. Sat March 5 at 8 pm. G.I.A. (improv) at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $8. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. The Improv Faction at Seattle Public Theatre at the Bathhouse, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N. $7. Sat March 5 at 10:30 pm. Jet City Improv at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 325-6500. $8-$10. Fri at 10:30 pm, Sat at 8 and 10:30 pm. D.C. Malone (standup) 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. Taproot Improv Comedy at Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $5. Fri at 10:30 pm. TheatreSports at Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $8-$10. Fri-Sat at 10:30 pm, Sun at 7 pm.

SPECIAL EVENTS

2005 YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL

Staged readings of works by local high-schoolers. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St. $5 per program. Program A: Fri March 4 at 7 pm, Sat March 5 at 1 pm. Program B: Sat March 5 at 7 pm, Sun March 6 at 1 pm. For details, see www.acttheatre.org.

ROSELEE GOLDBERG

See Theater News. The guru of performance art history (and author of the 1979 tome Performance Art: From Futurism to the Present) talks about, well, performance art. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $12. Tues March 8 at 7 pm.