OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

ARCHANGELS DON'T PLAY PINBALL
Opening. See Theater News. Dario Fo's early play is a radical farce about a luckless guy, played by Gabriel Baron (Extropia, The Chosen), whose prankster friends try to marry him off to a prostitute. Matthew Kwatinetz directs; the excellent cast also includes Karen Gruber, Emily Chisolm, and Alyssa Keene. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 388-0500. $15–$18. Opening Thurs July 7 at 7:30 pm. Fri–Sat at 7:30 pm. Through July 30.

recommended BORN YESTERDAY
"A perfectly civilized production of a more or less civilized play, Born Yesterday is an amusing middlebrow riff on government corruption. Garson Kanin basically rewrote Pygmalion by way of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and came up with a plot about the political education of a ditzy chorus girl that lets the audience root for the underdog and openly mock her too. You can read contemporary content into the script if you like—the opening-night audience guffawed and whooped at lines like "You've got all the oil, all the lumber, all the coal—what do you want now?" But the satire isn't the skewering kind: Your Republican grandma would probably close her eyes and think of Lincoln." (Annie Wagner) ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $10–$54. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm, Tues–Wed at 7:30 pm. Through July 17.

THE CHERRY ORCHARD
Final week. "Chekhov explicitly labeled The Cherry Orchard a comedy (a word that's given grief to every director from Stanislavsky on), and director Stewart Hawk seems to have decided that means his cast should talk loudly, exaggerate the physical gags, and make every facial tic visible from the back of the house. The actors aren't totally incompetent, but the rest of this production takes its cue from the set—shabby, awkward, and bland." (Annie Wagner) Exchange Theatre at Seattle Public Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 425-254-0090. $18–$20. Thurs–Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through July 10.

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. Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 5 and 8 pm, Sun at 3 pm. Tickets available through July 31.

DESPERATE LIAISONS
Craig Trolli's troupe (The Exorcist: The Musical) parodies Les Liaisons Dangereuses, moving the action from 18th-century France to a gay cruise ship. Bad Actor Productions at Thumper's, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $10. Fri–Sat at 8 pm. Through July 23.

DINNER & DREAMS
Ongoing. The summer edition of the rabidly successful dinner-theater/circus hybrid, with tap dancer Roxanne Butterfly and chanteuse Debbie de Coudreaux. Teatro ZinZanni, 2301 Sixth Ave, 802-0015. $89–$109. Thurs–Sat at 6:30 pm, Sun at 5:30 pm.

DREAMS, OH DREAMS
Final week. An original play written and directed by Caleb Penn, about a man who wakes up in the morning to discover he's lost his faith in reality. Produced by the Backwards Company, a theater group composed of current Cornish students. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 360-990-0320. $6. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm. Through July 9.

recommended CIRCUS CONTRAPTION'S GRAND AMERICAN TRAVELING DIME MUSEUM
"Circus Contraption's new and improved version of Dime Museum shows they've been studying their circus skills, with improved juggling routines and a stable of increasingly impressive acrobats and aerialists. This run is a fundraiser to get Dime Museum to Manhattan." (Brendan Kiley) Magnuson Community Center Auditorium, Magnuson Park, Bldg 47, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, www.brownpapertickets.com. $20. Fri–Sun at 8 pm. Through July 30.

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.

MACBETH
Opening. The Scottish play, performed in the Pacific Northwest. I guess that means you should expect Utilikilts. Sheila Daniels directs. All shows are free—reservations not required. Wooden O Theatre Productions at Issaquah Community Center, 301 Rainier Blvd, Fri–Sat July 8–9 at 7 pm. Lynndale Park, 18927 72nd Ave W, Lynnwood, Wed July 13 at 7 pm. At various locations through July 31.

THE MUSIC MAN
Meredith Willson's musical about a scam man and a very clever librarian. Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave, 425-257-8600. $26–$42. Thurs–Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7 pm, Wed–Thurs at 8 pm. Through July 24.

MY BOAT TO BAINBRIDGE
"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 August 19.

THE NERD
Opening. A comedy by Larry Shue about an architect whose fancy dinner party is interrupted by an obnoxious guest. SecondStory Repertory at Redmond Town Center, 16495 NE 74th St, 425-881-6777. $18–$24. Opening Fri July 8 at 8:15 pm. Sat at 8:15 pm. Through July 30.

ONE FLEA SPARE
Final week. See review this issue. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $11–$14. Fri–Sat at 4 and 8 pm. Through July 9.

THE PEEVISH RECONCILIATION OF CHICKEE AND BOOM-BOOM and SOLO: A TWO PERSON SHOW
Two nights only. Physical theater by Seattle company Ear to the Ground and guests, Brooklyn's Under the Table. Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 390-7207. $10–$12. Thurs–Fri at 8 pm. Through July 8.

REALITY WORLD
An improvised faux-reality show, wherein you get to vote the actors offstage, and there are no shaky handheld cameras. Jet City Improv at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, www.ticketwindowonline.com. $8–$10. Thurs–Fri at 8 pm. Through July 22.

SEATTLE NEUTRINO PROJECT
Two nights only. A "live movie" complete with improvised dialogue, spur-of-the-moment editing, and the discarded Mama's burrito you tripped over on your way to the venue. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $5–$10. Fri–Sat at 8 pm. Through July 9.

THIS IS OUR YOUTH
See review this issue. Direct Flight Productions at The Little Theater, 608 19th Ave E, www.brownpapertickets.com. $10–$15. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm. Through July 16.

THE THREE MUSKETEERS
Opening. Beth Peterson directs this adaptation of the Alexandre Dumas novel. Cast includes Rob Jones, Tim Moore, Marty Mukhalian, Ethan Savaglio, and more. Theater Schmeater at Volunteer Park, 1400 E Galer St, 324-5801. Free. Opening Fri July 8 at 6:30 pm. Sat at 4 pm. Through Aug 6.

recommended THREE SISTERS
Final week. "Three Sisters hangs on to the characters' haughty desperation for urban life, and perhaps even more impressively, the production never loses the undertow of Chekhov's weird, bitter humor. The atmosphere of frozen ambition is first established by the production design, which is at once delicate and austere. The actors who play the three sisters are pulled in completely different directions by their provincial surroundings, but it was Alexandra Tavares who really captured me. Her Irina is rushed and cramped at times, but she's also itchy and fervent. She wants out, she wants up, and it's easy to believe her desire." (Annie Wagner) Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $10–$46. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat 2 and 8 pm. Through July 9.

TWELFTH NIGHT
Opening. A tale of shipwreck and mistaken identity, performed in the great outdoors. Susanna Lapan-Wilson directs. All shows are free—reservations not required. Luther Burbank Park Amphitheater, Mercer Island, Thurs–Sat July 7–9 at 7 pm. At various locations through Aug 3.

DANCE

DANCE THIS
One night only. A performance with tap star Savion Glover and 15 young local dancers. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 292-2787. $12–$20. Sat July 9 at 7:30 pm.

FOUR ELEMENTS
Final week. See review this issue. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, www.ticketwindowonline.com. $16–$19.50. Fri–Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 8 pm. Through July 10.

LATE NIGHT

JET CITY'S LAST CALL
Opening. "Fast-paced, ethanol-fueled comedy." Jet City Improv at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 325-6500. $5. Sat at midnight. No closing date set.

TRAIN OF THOUGHT: LAID OFF
Opening. A sketch comedy show about downsizing and its aftermath. With John Boyle, Ryan Miller, and Matt Owens. Northwest Actor's Studio, 1100 E Pike St. $8–$10, tickets available at the door only. Opening Fri July 8 at 10:30 pm. Sat at 8 pm. Through July 30.

IMPROV & COMEDY

KERMET APIO at Comedy Underground, 222 Main St, 800-325-SEAT. $6–$12 (21+ w/ID required). Thurs at 8:30 pm, Fri–Sat at 8:30 and 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. TINA KIM at Comedy Underground, 222 Main St, www.tinakim.com. $18–$20. Wed July 13 at 8:30 pm. THEATRESPORTS at Market Theatre, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $8–$12. Fri at 10:30 pm, Sun at 7 pm. UNEXPECTED SHAKESPEARE at Market Theatre, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $8–$12. Sat at 8 pm.

SPECIAL EVENTS

GODSPELL
One night only. This concert performance of the Stephen Schwartz musical is an AIDS fundraiser. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 425-643-9671. $35 donation. Mon July 11 at 7:30 pm.

recommended SH!TSTORM
One night only. See In Arts News, page 31. A no-holds-barred discussion of Seattle's art scene, centered on the explosive proposition "All arts organizations in Seattle must be allowed to die with dignity." Will Empty Space come out swinging? Will CoCA break down and cry? It's all the drama you've been craving at Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. Free. Tues July 12 at 7 pm.