ANOTHER ELEKTRA · One World Theatre

*DANTE'S INFERNO · Black Cat Orchestra

FALLING LEAVES · Seattle Public Theater

ONCE UPON A MATTRESS · ArtsWest Theatre

TRADITION AND INNOVATION · Pacific Northwest Ballet

ONE WEEK ONLY

CELEBRATION · Dance Theatre Northwest

JOURNEY OF THE SOUL · Musical Mystics

*NEW DANCE CINEMA · The Little Theatre

RAIN CITY PROJECTS READING · Elliott Bay Books

STORIES WITHOUT ROBES: AN EVENING OF

SKETCH COMEDY · Some Kind of Cult

CLOSING THIS WEEK

BARTLEBY · Annex Theater

MAN OF MODE · Meany Studio Theater

THE MIKADO · Meydenbauer Center

RANCHO GRANDE · Theater Off Jackson

OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

ANOTHER ELEKTRA

A modern twist on a Greek classic (how clever!); Elektra is forced to scrub the driveway (wait, isn't that Cinderella?) as her failed socialite mother, "Clytamenstra," drinks away her sorrows. Revenge, promises the playwright, is only "a Lysol can away." Speakeasy Backroom, 2801 Second Ave, 781-7081. Thurs-Sun at 8, through Nov 14. $10.

BARTLEBY

Melville's pivotal story, in which a young man finds that he serves only as a symbol. "In his reverence for the original text and the trust he shows his actors, Paul Budraitis shows promise as a playwright and director. Unfortunately, his clunky staging ends up greatly detracting from the show's narrative momentum and keeps Melville's strident ambiguity from being grounded in a compelling context. Bartleby rests squarely in the gap between good intentions and effective art." (Tom Spurgeon) Annex Theatre, 1916 Fourth Ave, 728-0933. Thurs-Sat at 8; Sun at 7, through Nov 6. $10.

COMMUNICATING DOORS

A time-travel farce, in which a jaded prostitute discovers that the doors connecting two hotel suites allow her to pass back and forth in time. When a murder occurs she tries to alter the outcome. By the English dramatist Alan Ayckbourn. A Contemporary Theatre (ACT), Seventh Ave & Union St, 292-7676. Tues-Thurs at 7:30; Fri-Sat at 8; Sun at 2 & 7, through Nov 21. $10-$40. See review this issue.

*DANTE'S INFERNO

Who better to provide the music for Guiseppi De Liguoro's ethereal 1911 silent film, Dante's Inferno, than the Black Cat Orchestra? With various-voiced instruments tilted towards atmospheric scene-setting, the 8-piece orchestra is sure to lead you down a spiraling road on a trip you won't soon forget. On the Boards, Studio Theater, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. Thurs-Sun at 8, through Nov 14. $10/$12. See also Stranger Suggests.

DEAR LIAR

Sally Smythe and the fabulous Laurence Ballard star in Jerome Kilty's play documenting the saucy correspondence and hot romance between George Bernard Shaw and some lady. Intiman Playhouse, Seattle Center, 269-1900. Tues-Sun through Nov 20. $10-$39. Call for showtimes.

*DEFLOWERED IN THE ATTIC

Those perverts at Re-bar molest V. C. Andrews in this world premiere parody of everyone's favorite incestuous adolescent fiction. "This winning spoof directed by Ed Hawkins begins in High Camp gear and goes gamboling over the top again and again for the rest of the night. Some foreknowledge of the Flowers in the Attic series is ideal, but there is plenty here to cause your spleen bodily harm even without it." (Steve Wiecking) Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 323-0388. Fri-Sun at 8, through Nov 21. $12.

FALLING LEAVES

A contemporary opera centering on AIDS and based on O. Henry's short story "The Last Leaf," by Seattle librettist Lauren Marshall and Boston composer Michael Wartofsky. The performance will be followed by an open forum on caring for a loved one who is ill, and being cared for. Seattle Chamber Theater, 915 E Pine, Fourth Floor, 328-4848. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, through Nov 14. $12/$8 (Nov 7 is pay what you can).

HAPPY?

Seattle's finest experimental performance troupe, the Compound, presents their latest work, written and directed by Kristin Newbom and John Holyoke, commissioned by and performed at Consolidated Works. "The production, rich as it is in sensory possibilities, chooses to overwhelm these quiet narrative moments by crowding the production with coy non-sequiturs and clever props. As much as co-writer and co-director Kristin Newbom says she enjoys things 'you can feel in your gut,' the production doesn't travel far enough below the head to get there. Nothing seems to be driving this narrative, much less the gut. As a result, much of the two hours feels incomplete and stubbornly incommunicative, like communing with a beautiful corpse." (Tonia Steed) Consolidated Works, 410 Terry Ave N, 860-5245. Thurs-Sun at 8, through Nov 28. $16.

*JANE EYRE

Brainy Book-It Theater presents Charlotte Brontë's classic tale of a young girl's spooky journey to womanhood. "Brontë's gothic tale of a strong-willed orphan and her love for the brooding Lord Rochester is here treated to a staging that lovingly enlarges its source novel. When director Beckman smartly turns Brontë's descriptions into revelations of character or sleek illustrations of regret, she is celebrating both the power of theater and the joys of a great book." (Steve Wiecking) ACT's Bullitt Theatre, Kreielsheimer Place, Seventh Ave & Union St, 216-0833. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, extended through Nov 13. $10-$15.

JOURNEY OF THE SOUL

An ambitious and slightly hokey-sounding multimedia exploration of "man's search for creative outlets," from a reading of "The Serpent's Path," an ancient Egyptian invocation, to dance, to on-site painting, to video -- with all-digital audio surround sound. The Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave, 628-0888. Fri-Sat Nov 5-6 at 8 pm. $23.50.

KRAKEN

How do you beat a housing crunch? You live where you work, as the artists in Kraken do in this serial dramedy that promises soap operatic tension -- if they can make the rent. Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. Fri-Sat at 10:30, through Nov 12. $5.

Late Night Catechism

And the nun goes on. An evening of audience participation and interactive improv theater: think Sister Windy crossed with Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You. ACT, 700 Union St, 292-7676. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, extended for eternity. $24.50-$29.50.

LES MISÉRABLES

The musical based on Victor Hugo's saga sweeps into Seattle, bringing the fugitive Jean Valjean and his little band of miserables. The $4.2 million production promises even bigger piles of junk! 5th Avenue Theater, 1326 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. Times and prices vary, through Nov 13.

MAN OF MODE

A British comedy in which social grace, snobbery, and gossip are made fun of -- imagine! Come for the fop. Meany Studio Theater, 15th NE & 41st NE in Meany Hall, UW Campus, 543-4880. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, through Nov 7. $7-$10.

THE MIKADO

Gilbert & Sullivan's most popular operetta, in which characters with names like Yum-Yum, Pooh-Bah, Pish-Tush, Pitti-Sing, and Nanki-Poo demonstrate love and loss in an Englishman's version of Japan. The Meydenbauer Center, 11100 NE Sixth St, Bellevue, 800-992-8499. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 3 (Nov 7 only), through Nov 7. $8-$20.

ONCE UPON A MATTRESS

A fairy tale bewitched by postmodernism, Once Upon A Mattress tells the story of Princess Fred Winnefred, who is determined to marry the desirable Prince Dauntless, and will attempt to pass any test the Queen may devise. ArtsWest Playhouse, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. Days? Jesus Christ!!!! Through Dec 3. $12-$25.

THE PSYCHIC LIFE OF SAVAGES

A parody of poets of the mid-20th century (aww, what an easy target!) -- Sylvia, Ted, Anne and Robert -- written by Amy Freed. When the four mighty minds come together, their passions and addictions create chaos. Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont N, 547-7500. Tues-Thurs at 7:30; Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2 & 7, through Dec 5. $18-$26. See review this issue.

RAIN CITY PROJECTS READING

Three local playwrights read from current work: Jan Maher, Keri Healey, and Edward Mast. Elliott Bay Books, 101 S Main St, 325-3113. Mon Nov 8 at 8 pm. Free.

RANCHO GRANDE

The ambitious Northwest Asian American Theater presents Eugenie Chan's dark comedy blending Chinese mythology and American Wild West iconography to tell the tale of a Chinese American girl's sexual awakening. "Chan's play shows some promise in its vividly theatrical depiction of the torments of cross-cultural adolescence, but her overarching words begin to defeat each other as surely as her characters do, and in a way in which this production cannot overcome." (Steve Wiecking) Theater Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave 340-1049, Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, through Nov 7. $10-$12.

*THE ROYAL FAMILY

A stage family from Broadway's golden age brings nostalgic fun to the Intiman, in this revival of George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber's theatrical classic. Intiman Playhouse, Seattle Center, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. Sun, Tues, & Wed at 7; Thurs-Sat at 8; Sat-Sun 2 pm matinees, through Nov 14. $10-$39.

THE SEA HORSE

Siren Theatre Company wants to seduce you with its production of Edward J. Moore's The Sea Horse, a play named after that beneficent creature whose males raise the young. Other than that, I know nothing about it. Odd Duck Studios, 1214 10th Ave, 364-1421. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, through Nov 20. $10.

SHORT BUT NOT SWEET

Seven plays under 20 minutes twinkle across the stage in Theater Babylon's showcase of local talent. The plays range thematically from dwarf-tossing to poker, and none of them are long enough to be all that bad, right? Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 860-7726. Thurs-Sat at 8, through Nov 13. $9.99 (Thurs pay what you will).

TIMES THREE

Three middle-aged singers find their tickets to fame becoming more and more wrinkled as the seasons pass in this original musical comedy featuring Carolyn Maia, Barbara Coffin, and Karen Oleson. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike, 324-6328. Fri-Sat at 8; Sun at 7, through Nov 20. $10/$8.

A TRILOGY OF FANTASIES

Stone Soup Theatre presents three short one-acts that explore the terrain of urban fantasy, including The Loveliest Afternoon of the Year, by John Guare, The Ugly Duckling, by A.A. Milne, and Home Free! by Lanford Wilson. Stone Soup Theatre, 4035 Stone Way N, 633-1883. Thur-Sat at 8, through Nov 20. $5-$10.

*WIT

A Donne scholar who has spent her life dissecting poetry suddenly finds herself on the other end of the 'scope when she is diagnosed with cancer. "The great triumph of Wit, Margaret Edson's gorgeous, Pulitzer Prize-winning play now on imperfect but wrenching display at the Seattle Repertory Theatre, is the way in which it almost tangibly sinks through the layers of intellectual defense and arrives with shining immediacy at the language of a fearful human heart. In a heady, often vividly funny work that bemoans our prideful use of language as surely as it celebrates the beauty of every word, Edson provides deliverance with a heartbreaking definition of what it means to be free." (Steve Wiecking) Seattle Repertory Theatre, Second St & Mercer, 443-2222. Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun matinees at 2, through Nov 20. $29-$42.

DANCE

CELEBRATION

The young dancers at Dance Theatre Northwest celebrate holiday humor with the eponymous featured work, as well as a spoof on The Nutcracker called NUTZ. Tacoma Community College, Auditorium Bldg 3, 253-565-5149. Sat Nov 6 at 2:30 & 7; Sun Nov 7 at 2. $12/$6.

*NEW DANCE CINEMA

This film series curated by 33 Fainting Spells' co-directors Dayna Hanson and Gaelen Hanson, alongside independent choreographer Sheri Cohen, brings pieces of contemporary dance, film, and video to lucky Seattle audiences that we would otherwise never see. Featured pieces will include work from celebrated choreographers Anne Terese de Keersmaeker and Victoria Marks. WigglyWorld Studios hosts this super duper exhibition. The Little Theatre, 608 19th Ave E, 675-2055. Thurs Nov 4 at 8 (with reception); Fri-Sun Nov 5-7 at 6, 8, & 10. See also Stranger Suggests.

TRADITION AND INNOVATION

Two Seattle premieres and two Balanchine classics round out this evening of yin and yang at Pacific Northwest Ballet. The premieres, Eliot Feld's Intermezzo and Donald Byrd's Subtext Rage, have been received by enthusiastic audiences in New York. Seattle Center Opera House, 301 Mercer St, 292-ARTS. Thurs-Fri at 7:30, Sat at 2 & 7:30, through Nov 13. $16.50-$100.

FESTIVALS, CABARETS, & COMEDY

THE CARPENTERS: UNCOMFORTABLY CLOSE TO YOU

Real-life brother and sister comedy team David and Lisa Koch take on everyone's favorite bulimic drummer in this "uncomfortably close" parody, complete with note-perfect songs. Cabaret de Paris, 1333 Fifth Ave, 623-4111. Thurs at 8, Fri-Sat at 8:30, through Nov 20. $16. Dinner is also available; call for times and prices.

Julie Cascioppo Experience

Songs and characters you may grow to love. The Pink Door, Pike Place Market, 1919 Post Alley, 443-3241. Tues at 8:30 & 11. No cover.

PIANOMANIA EIGHT

A tickling good time: Professor Hokum W. Jeebs, Louis Magor, and more offer an old-fashioned night of piano. Hokum Hall, 7904 35th Ave, 937-3613. Fri-Sat at 8, through Nov 20. $12/$10.

STORIES WITHOUT ROBES: AN EVENING OF SKETCH COMEDY

Seattle's newest sketch comedy troupe, Some Kind of Cult, presents an evening of sketches, songs, and monologues bounding from the satirical to the absurd. Meany Middle School Auditorium, 301 21st Ave E, 729-5896. Nov 4-5 at 8. $5.

*TEATRO ZINZANNI

Three hours of fancy food and thrilling spectacle from the world over, presented in an antique European dance hall imported from Belgium for the occasion. Now featuring body-juggling brothers from France and the jaw-dropping Kevin Kent. Seattle Center, 222 Mercer St, 281-7788 ext 700 or 292-ARTS. Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 6:30, extended through Dec 30. $95.

*THREE DOLLAR BILL

Seattle's original gay/lesbian/bisexual stand-up comedy night is still standing in its second year. Comedy Under-ground, 222 S Main St, 324-8025. Tues at 8. $6.

LATE NIGHT

THE A.M. CABARET

Amoral entertainment for insomniacs; promising naked poetry, music, strippers, and drag queens. You may think you're dreaming. Coffee Messiah, 1554 E Olive Way, 860-7377. Sat from 2-4 am. $5.

Jet City Improv

Improv comedy and music based on audience suggestions. Ethnic Cultural Theater, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE, 781-3879. Fri-Sat at 10:30.

SPIN THE BOTTLE

The newest version of Bret Fetzer's rotating cabaret features music with Jason Trachtenburg and Rick Miller, sketch comedy from Several Canadian Husbands, solo work from Todd Moore and Susanna Burney, smut from Keri Healey, and the fabulous shadow puppetry of Sgt. Rigsby and his Amazing Silhouettes. Annex Theater, 1916 Fourth Ave, 729-0933. First Fri of every month. No reservations. $5.

Theater Sports

Improv comedy with a competitive edge, brought to you by Unexpected Productions. Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. Fri-Sat at 10:30, $9. Sun at 7, $5.

CALLS

LIVE GIRLS!

Now seeking submissions for women's 10-minute play festival. Please submit no more than two 10-page plays per writer. All manuscripts must be typed and include a cover page with all of your contact information. Send to Live Girls! 418 E Loretta Pl #101, Seattle, WA 98102. Deadline Dec 15.

PATCH THEATRE COMPANY

Looking for artists of all kinds with acts 10 minutes or less, for an evening of entertainment and fun called Common Room. Call 253-858-8550.

35 CENT FILMS

Now holding auditions for people of all ages. Auditions will be held at The Little Theatre, 608 19th Ave, North Capitol Hill, Sun Nov 7 from 11 am-4 pm and Mon Nov 8 from 4 pm-9 pm. E-mail KC35FILMS@aol.com for more information.