OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS



ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY

"The set is cool and a little dizzying, with a terrific trick of perspective--and if you're stoned there are moments of high, weird comedy, like when Sarah Rudinoff, as a cupcake-scarfing schoolgirl, strides across the stage holding two cupcakes and screams wildly, "I LOVE THESE CUPCAKES!" The rest of the cast is equally strong, and so are all the stereotypes their characters reinforce: Mom's in an apron and Dad's in a suit, the teacher is a woman and the dentist is a man. In other words, the whole thing is retrograde and sexist when you think about it. You see this show stoned and all sorts of injustices occur to you. But the googley-eyed kids loved it." (Christopher Frizzelle) Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $14-$28. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through June 12.

THE ALTOS: LIKE THE SOPRANOS, ONLY LOWER

One night only. Mafia dinner theater. Magical Mystery Troupe at Mia Roma Italian Restaurant, 7614 NE Bothell Way, Bothell, 325-6500. $32. Sat April 30 at 7:30 pm.

BABA YAGA AND THE BAG OF GOLD

Children's puppet theater about the tricky Russian witch Baba Yaga. Thistle Theatre at Sunset Hill Community Club, 3003 NW 66th St, 524-3388. $7-$9. Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 1 and 3 pm.

BEAU JEST

Final week. Live Theater Week discount. "At the center of the dumb story (neurotic Jewess hires male escort to pretend to be her Jewish boyfriend to please her parents, falls in love, despite the fact that--wait for it--he's a goy, oy!) stands the masterfully mannered Charity Parenzini, an actress whose throaty, three-octave voice and elastic energy evoke classic screwball heroines. She and equally deft costar Timothy Hornor gamely elevate the script's tiresome formula into something almost elemental." (Sean Nelson) Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $15-$29. Thurs April 28 at 7:30 pm (followed by a discussion with playwright James Sherman), Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm. Through April 30.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

A musical adaptation of the Charles Perrault fairy tale. StoryBook Theater at Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, 425-893-9900. $7.50. Mon at 11 am, 1 and 3 pm, Wed at 1 and 3 pm. Through May 1.

THE CONSTANT WIFE

"This W. Somerset Maugham comedy about the sexual double standard for adultery is a three-act joke that goes something like this: "Boys will be boys!" "No fair!" This exchange happens about 40 times, and each iteration gets a little broader and a little less funny. With such a dated script, the period details count disproportionately. At the Rep, the set (by Kate Edmunds) is disappointingly flat, and the costumes (by Anna R. Oliver) try to communicate too much about the stereotyped characters inside them. Despite a sympathetic performance by Ellen Karas as Constance and a number of cute dance interludes, The Constant Wife is forgettable entertainment. " (Annie Wagner) 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 May 1.

DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Extended. "It's no secret that Death of a Salesman feeds some of its most pivotal and quasi-poetic lines to a lazy approximation of a lead character. In CHAC's production, Arthur Miller's total disinterest in Willy Loman's wife, Linda, is matched by a correspondingly vague and reedy performance by Sherry Narens. With the help of an actress who doesn't, or can't, restore some semblance of a soul to this hollow character, we see her for exactly what she is: a convenient way to develop the personalities, ethnic background, and the debts of the people who surround her." (Annie Wagner) Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 325-6500. $15-$18. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm. Through May 8.

DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN

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. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 5 and 8 pm, Sun at 3 pm. Tickets available through May 29.

DINNER & DREAMS

Ongoing. A new musical version of the rabidly successful dinner-theater/circus hybrid, with Martha Davis of the Motels as Madame ZinZanni. Ukrainian contortionist Vita Radionova and aerialists Duo Artemiev are still onboard--or in-tent, or whatever. Teatro ZinZanni, 2301 Sixth Ave, 802-0015. $89-$109. Thurs-Sat at 6:30 pm, Sun at 5:30 pm.

FUNNY IMPROV! CASE CLOSED!

One night only. An improv comedy show set in the sober environs of a courtroom. Comedy Court at Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave E, 851-7857. $7-$10. Sat April 30 at 8 pm.

GIANT

Final week. "Originally by Michigan-born Edna Ferber, Giant is a one-generation family romance that is a paean to, and critique of, the peculiar state of Texas. On paper, the plot doesn't sound wildly interesting, but the characters are attractive, the cast is great (and big, at 19 actors plus an onstage musician), and creative staging keeps things visually interesting. For example, the production represents invasion of oil with waist-high derricks littering the stage. Giant goes down smooth--the three acts and two intermissions feel more like an accomplishment than a trial." (Brendan Kiley) Book-It Repertory Theatre at Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 216-0833. $15-$30. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through May 1.

THE GRADUATE

Final week. Television star Morgan Fairchild plays the sexy older woman Anne Bancroft made famous in the 1967 film. Peter Lawrence directs. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 292-2787. $18-$54. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 1 and 6:30 pm. Through May 1.

HEDDA GABLER

One weekend only. Timothy Piggee directs the Henrik Ibsen drama about a brilliant woman trapped in a curdling marriage. Cornish College Theater Department at Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway Ave, 325-6500. $5-$8. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm.

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.

LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT

Final week. "This production of Eugene O'Neill's signature descent into familial hell is just as long as you remembered, but it's even more torturous, due to several inept, mannered performances and more awkward blocking than you can shake a chair at. To make matters worse, the ending--in which the lights behind a series of windows are solemnly extinguished, one after the other--is so annoying that your misery will linger long after you've left the theater. " (Annie Wagner) Chalkdust Productions at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 325-6500. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through May 1.

MEATHOOK: A MELODRAMA

See review this issue. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 4 pm. Through May 21.

MISS SAIGON

Final week. See review this issue. The musical based loosely on Madame Butterfly gets a revival. The producers want you to know that show will incorporate more than 70 individual percussion instruments. Clang! 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. $18-$70. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm. Through April 30.

MY BOAT TO BAINBRIDGE

Extended. Live Theater Week discount. "This one-man show by Matt Smith 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, and frequent mimicking of birdcalls." (Annie Wagner) Market Theatre, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $15. Fri at 8 pm. Through June 2.

THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP

Live Theater Week discount. The Charles Ludlum spoof of Victorian melodrama, directed by California Shakespeare Festival's Jonathan Moscone. Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, Seattle Center, 269-1900. $10-$46. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm, Mon-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through May 22.

THREE TALL WOMEN

Opening. Live Theater Week discount. Edward Albee's play about a dying woman, her longtime companion, and a young woman sent to settle their finances. Betty Campbell (The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui), Erin Day (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?), and Tracy Repep (Delaware) star. Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 524-1300. $10-$20. Preview performance Thurs April 28 at 7:30 pm. Opening Fri April 29 at 7:30 pm. Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through May 22.

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND

A family musical based on the Rosa Guy novel Love, My Love. Directed by Arts West Artistic Director Christopher Zinovitch and Deanna Shaffer. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave NW, 938-0339. $12-$24. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 3 pm. Through May 7.

OTHELLO

Final week. "The first part of the production is steady, and the second part soars. Hans Altwies (the star of the show) pushes his sinister character, Iago, to the limit; William Hall Jr., as Othello, is convincingly noble and naive; and Jennifer Sue Johnson, as Desdemona, is blond, beautiful, and delicate. As with any good production of Othello, sex is made the heart of the matter. The actors are directed to use every opportunity to remind the audience that what's fueling everything, what's burning up the villains, is the hot vision of 'an old black ram… topping [a] white ewe.'" (Charles Mudede) Seattle Shakespeare Company at Center House Theatre, Seattle Center, 733-8222. $18-$30. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through May 1.

SAUCY JACK AND THE SPACE VIXENS

"Despite moments of realizing its campy, innuendo-ridden nature (see especially the number "Glitter Boots Saved My Life"), Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens fails to establish any coherent identity. The middle of the play focuses on developing a formulaic murder-mystery plot. When the Space Vixens report to Saucy Jack's Cabaret to help catch a serial killer, love affairs entangle just about everyone. The characters' motivations become unclear as they make their way to a disappointing climax. Redeeming moments, such as the singing and dancing in the final musical number, are outweighed by the slow and predictable exposition." (Weston Clay) BS Productions at Timberline Spirits, 1828 Yale Ave, 325-6500. $24. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through May 21.

SYLVIA

Final week. The A. R. Gurney play about a Manhattan couple who adopt a stray dog. SecondStory Repertory, 16587 NE 74th St, Redmond Town Center, 425-881-6777. $16-$20. Fri-Sat at 8:15 pm. Through April 30.

THREE TALL WOMEN

Opening. Edward Albee's play about a dying woman, her longtime companion, and a young woman sent to settle their finances. Betty Campbell (The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui), Erin Day (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?), and Tracy Repep (Delaware) star. Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 524-1300. $10-$20. Preview performance Thurs April 28 at 7:30 pm. Opening Fri April 29 at 7:30 pm. Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through May 22.

THE WAITING FOR LEFTY PROJECT

Final week. A student production of the Clifford Odets play recently seen at Capitol Hill Arts Center, plus a modern "extrapolation" on its themes. Cornish College Theater Department at Raisbeck Performance Hall, 2015 Boren Ave. Free. Waiting for Lefty, Thurs at 8 pm, Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 8 pm. Waiting for Lefty: The Plain Truth, Fri at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through May 1.

WHAT YOU WILL (OR TWELFTH NIGHT)

Final week. A student production of the Shakespeare play about cross-dressing and proxy wooing. Cornish College Theater Department at Seattle Center, outdoors near the Mural Amphitheatre. Free. Fri-Sun at 3:30 pm. Through May 1.

A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD

Live Theater Week discount. The Tony Award-nominated musical is based on the children's books by Arnold Lobel, with music by Robert Reale and book and lyrics by Willie Reale. 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 June 5.

DANCE



DOOR STORIES

Final week. See review this issue. threeCompany at Freehold's East Hall Theatre, 1525 10th Ave, second floor, 322-6604. $12-$15. Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm. Through April 30.

FROM RIO TO HAVANA

One night only. Jose Carrion of the Cuban company Ballet Folklorico Cutumba and the Brazilian company Gira Sol perform traditional dances including rumba, son, and samba. Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S Alaska St, 547-0953. $12-$15. Fri April 29 at 7:30 pm.

MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP

One weekend only. The New York-based company returns to present last year's Violet Cavern, set to a jazz score, and the older repertory work Mosaic & United. Meany Hall, UW campus, 543-4880. $43. Thurs-Sat April 28-30 at 8 pm.

CABARET



FALLEN WOMEN FOLLIES 10TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

One weekend only. A variety show with performances from Tamara the Trapeze Lady, Miss Indigo Blue, and more. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St. Tickets available at the door only, $15. Fri-Sat April 29-30 at 7 pm.

BRUNCH WITH DINA MARTINA

Extended. A cabaret pick-me-up from Seattle's own demented diva, Dina Martina (also known, sans makeup and garish dresses, as Grady West). Thumper's, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $10. Sun at noon and 3 pm. Through May 15.

RISQUE BUSINESS

Miss Cheryl Serio (DAMES) and Marcus Wolland (Lounge Lizards) present a cabaret tour ranging from Cole Porter to the Rolling Stones. GirlFriday Productions and Straight-Edge Theatrics at Thumper's, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $10. Fri-Sat at 8:30 pm. Through May 14.

SPRING FLING!: GRADUATES GONE WILD!

One night only. Performances from graduates of Miss Indigo Blue's burlesque classes, including the Von Foxies. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, brownpapertickets.com. $10. Thurs April 28 at 8 pm.

LATE NIGHT



EXOTICA

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

IMPROV & COMEDY

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. THEATRESPORTS (Live Theater Week discount) at Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $8-$10. BRAD UPTON 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.

SPECIAL EVENTS



ICON: A CELEBRATION OF DRAG, ART & LIFE

One night only. A benefit for Seattle Counseling Service, with performances by Mark "Mom" Finley, the Queen Bees, and Arnaldo! Drag Chanteuse. Neumo's, 925 E Pike St, 800-325-7328. $15-$25. Sat April 30 at 8 pm.

JAMES SHERMAN Q & A

One night only. A discussion with the Beau Jest playwright about the Chicago theater scene, the writing process, and more. Taproot Artistic Director Scott Nolte moderates. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. Sat April 30 at 5 pm.

STRIPJOINT II

One night only. A circus/strip club-themed fundraiser to send Circus Contraption to New York City. Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave N, 800-838-3006. $15-$20. Sat April 30 at 9 pm.