OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS



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

New dates added. "If you're stoned there are moments of high, weird comedy, like when Sarah Rudinoff, as a cupcake-scarfing schoolgirl, enters and screams wildly, 'I LOVE THESE CUPCAKES!'" (Christopher Frizzelle) Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $14-$28. Fri at 7 pm, Sat at 11 am, 2, and 5:30 pm, Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through June 12.

ARTHUR: THE HUNT

Previewing. The second part in Jeff Berryman's King Arthur Cycle, set in 490 AD, premieres in Seattle. The cast includes Terry Edward Moore and Candace Vance. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $15-$29. Preview performance Wed May 18 at 7:30 pm. Through June 18.

BACH AT LEIPZIG

See review this issue. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $10-$54. Thurs at 2 and 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm, Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through May 29.

DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN

This mid-'90s relic by comedian Rob Becker is about the supposed prehistoric propensities of the two sexes. 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 host. Teatro ZinZanni, 2301 Sixth Ave, 802-0015. $89-$109. Thurs-Sat at 6:30 pm, Sun at 5:30 pm.

GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES

One weekend only. A concert staging of the musical, with Lucy Lawless and Faith Prince. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. $27-$77. Fri May 13 at 8 pm, Sat May 14 at 2 and 8 pm, Sun May 15 at 2 and 7:30 pm.

GREASE

One weekend only. A touring performance of the '50s musical, with Frankie Avalon as Teen Angel. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 292-2787. $20-$55. Fri May 13 at 8 pm, Sat May 14 at 2 and 8 pm, Sun May 15 at 1 pm.

HANDCUFF GIRL SAVES THE WORLD

See review this issue. WET at Little Theater, 608 19th Ave E, 325-5105. $10-$15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm, Mon at 8 pm. Through May 30.

HYPNAGOGIA!

Josh Knisely wrote this sketch-comedy show inspired by semi-wakefulness. Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through May 28.

KIMBERLY AKIMBO

See review this issue. ReAct Theatre at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave S, 364-3283. $9-$12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through May 29.

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.

MEATHOOK: A MELODRAMA

"Meathook: A Melodrama isn't all brilliant genre pastiche. The first act starts slowly, as one after another artlessly painted bed sheet skids by in a rather sad substitute for scenic design. But once the blood starts spurting, and such breathless lines as 'Debbie, do the biodynamic feedback!' get rolling, you couldn't ask for a more entertaining evening. " (Annie Wagner) Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 4 pm. Through May 21.

MY BOAT TO BAINBRIDGE

"An extremely low-key, one-man show about a 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." (Annie Wagner) Market Theatre, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $15. Fri at 8 pm. Through June 2.

THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP

"Irma Vep is about a vampire, but Intiman's production makes it clear that Charles Ludlam's play is far from immortal." (Annie Wagner) Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 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, Tues at 7:30 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through May 22.

RAGTIME: THE MUSICAL

A musical based on E. L. Doctorow's novel. Civic Light Opera at Magnuson Recreation Center, 7400 Sand Point Wy, Building #47, 363-2809. $20-$30. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through May 22.

SATURDAY MORNING CARTOON SHOW

Get your Scooby Snacks in the evening, thanks to this cartoon-themed improv show. Jet City Improv at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 325-6500. $8-$10. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 pm. Through May 20.

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." (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.

SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL

A smorgasbord of matinees appropriate for children, plus Seattle International Nights, in which Children's Festival artists perform for adult audiences. Most events take place at Seattle Center, 684-7346. $15. SIN begin with Tiny Ninja Theater's Hamlet, Wed May 18 at 8 pm at Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N. See www.seattleinternational.org for details.

THREE TALL WOMEN

"A tour-de-force Act I performance by Betty Campbell in the role of an imperious, self-pitying old woman is almost enough to lead me to endorse the show. But there's also incredibly inept costuming in the second act, when Campbell's character splits in three. The dresses bear no trace of the era each woman belongs to, making the initial minutes of the act incredibly confusing. (Annie Wagner) Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 524-1300. $10-$20. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through May 22.

XTL: THE EXTREME THEATRE LEAGUE!

One night only. This competitive theater event that "borrows heavily from the worlds of wrestling and boxing" benefits Flaming Box of Stuff's upcoming trip to New York. Includes matches between Nick Garrison and Stranger Genius Sarah Rudinoff (singing) and Brendan Kiley and Bret Fetzer (criticism). Woo. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N. Tickets available at the door only, $10. Sat May 14 at 11 pm.

A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD

A musical based on the books by Arnold Lobel. 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 5.

DANCE



ENVISION

One weekend only. A concert mixing hiphop and modern choreography, with work by Amy O'Neal and more. Enertia Dance at Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway Ave, 325-6500. $13. Fri-Sat May 13-14 at 8 pm, Sun May 15 at 3 pm.

FOREVER TANGO

Opening. The touring tango spectacular, directed by Luis Bravo, lands in Seattle for one week only. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. $20-$65. Opening Tues May 17 at 7:30 pm. Wed at 7:30 pm. Through May 22.

GRAVITY

Opening. A dance-theater revision of Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard, incorporating aerial performance and trap doors. Steve Pearson (Next Tuesday) directs. Pacific Performance Project at Playhouse Theater, 4045 University Way NE, 632-1319. $10-$14. Opening Thurs May 18 at 7:30 pm. Through May 22.

LINESCAPE

Opening. A multidisciplinary event including art and performance. Center on Contemporary Art, 410 Dexter Ave N, 728-1980. $5-$8. Opening Sat May 14 at 8 pm. Through June 4.

MERGE

One night only. A mélange of dance from different eras and traditions, from classical Indian dance to hiphop. Ethnic Cultural Theater, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE. Free. Sat May 14 at 7 pm.

RELATIVELY REAL

See Stranger Suggests. One week only. Lingo dancetheater at On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $18. Thurs-Sat May 12-14 at 8 pm.

SPIRIT UNDER THE INFLUENCE

Two weeks only. This solo project by Dayna Hanson explores, among other subjects, alternative fuels, Bruce Lee, and the films of John Cassavetes. With a full video score by Linas Phillips. 33 Fainting Spells at Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $12.50-$15. Opening Thurs May 12 at 8 pm. Fri-Sun at 8 pm. Through May 21.

WITH OR WITHOUT

Final week. A dance performed on wheels, plus a performance by Philadelphia's 7 Dance Company. 6th Day Dance at Freehold's East Hall Theater, 1525 10th Ave. Tickets available at the door only, $15. Thurs-Sat May 12-14 at 8 pm. Through May 14.

CABARET



BRUNCH WITH DINA MARTINA

Final week. 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.

LIVE GIRLS!

One night only. A cabaret opening for Live Girls!'s brand-new Ballard location. Live Girls! Theater, 2220 NW Market St. Donation. Sat May 14 at 8 and 9:30 pm.

RISQUE BIZNESS!

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

THE TALES OF HOFFMANN

See review this issue. Seattle Opera at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, 389-7676. $42-$129. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through May 22.

THE VERY BEST OF DINA MARTINA

One weekend only. Dina is going to be gone all summer long, so this is a dose of the strong stuff to get you through. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 448-8464. $12. Thurs-Sat May 12-14 at 8 pm.

LATE NIGHT



EXOTICA

Final week. 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 at Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $8-$10. Fri-Sat at 10:30 pm, Sun at 7 pm. BARRY WEINTRAUB at Comedy Underground, 222 S Main St, 628-0303. $12. Fri-Sat at 8:30 and 10:30 pm.

SPECIAL EVENTS



36 VIEWS

One night only. A staged reading of the Naomi Iizuka play about the discovery of an ancient Japanese pillow book. Mirror Stage Company at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 686-3729. Donation. Mon May 16 at 7 pm.

BARE BONES BENEFIT

One night only. A fundraiser for the dance company, with a silent auction, raffle, and performances by John Dixon, Beth Graczyk, and Gaelen Hanson. Velocity MainSpace Theater, 915 E Pine, second floor, 686-7323. $10-$20. Sat May 14 at 8 pm.

D.A.M.N. READINGS

Dramatists & Actors Meeting Now! presents staged readings of new plays. Readings take place at Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave. Free. Soup Opera, Episode 1, Sun May 15 at 7 pm.

SEXYSEXYDISCODANCEY

One night only. Okay, this time it's really happening: a disco fundraiser to benefit a production of The Ritz. Open Circle Theater at Bus Stop, 508 E Pine St. Free. Sun May 15 at 7 pm.