OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS
THE ACCRINGTON PALS
Opening. A play about British men in the trenches and the women they left at home during World War I. Exchange Theatre at Seattle Public Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 425-254-0090. $18–$20. Previewing Thurs Nov 3 at 7:30 pm. Opening Fri Nov 4 at 7:30 pm. Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Nov 27.
A DAY IN DIG NATION
Opening. A solo show by Michael McQuilken (of Collaborator) concerning an automobile accident, a feuding pop band, and loneliness. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, www.brownpapertickets.com. $13–$15. Previewing Thurs Nov 3 at 8. Opening Fri Nov 4 at 8 pm. Sat–Sun at 8 pm. Through Nov 20.
B-MOVIE
Mad doctors, giant insects, improv. Wing-It Productions at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, www.wingitpresents.com. $8–$10. Thurs–Fri at 8 pm. Through Nov 18.
BASH: LATTERDAY PLAYS
Opening. Three one-acts by misanthropist Neil LaBute. Paper Trail Productions at Northwest Actor's Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 303-9080. $10–$12. Opening Fri Nov 4 at 8 pm. Sat–Sun at 8 pm. Through Nov 20.
BLACK TO MY ROOTS
Opening. A play about the cultural significance and metaphorical fecundity of African hair. Brownbox Theatre at Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 South Alaska Street, 325-6500. $12–$15. Previewing Thurs Nov 3 at 7:30 pm. Opening Sat Nov 5 at 7:30 pm. Sun at 3 pm. Through Nov 27.
CAMINO REAL
Opening. Kilroy, the American everyman, stumbles through a seedy foreign port, running into Don Quixote, Lord Byron, Casanova, and others. By Tennessee Williams. Theater simple at Freehold East Hall Theater, 1525 10th Ave, 325-6500. $12 adv./$15 DOS. Opening Fri Nov 4 at 7:30 pm. Sat at 7:30 pm. Through Dec 3.
CAMPFIRE
Final week. Creepy stories, improv. Unexpected Productions at Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley in Pike Place Market, 781-9273. $10. Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 5.
CATS
Opening. The first local, professional production of the popular—and critically dismissed—Broadway hit. Village Theatre, 303 Front St N, 425-392-2202. $24–$48. Opening Wed Nov 9 at 8 pm. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm. Through Dec 31.
COMMITTEE
The biblical canon of Nicea in 323 A.D. recast as Glengarry Glenn Ross in 2005. A 13-minute "opening act" for CHAC's 8 pm show. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave. Free. Thurs–Fri at 7 pm. Through Nov 11.
THE COMPENDIUM OF NASTINESS
Extended. "Splicing boilerplate Gothic romance with topical political references, Compendium is a mess of sexuality and revenge: a virgin lusting after a junkie-monk, a wicked uncle slavering over his niece, and a hypersexual demon queen. The the symbolic passages are a little purple, but for a big Gothic romance in a small garage, Compendium is on the right track." (Brendan Kiley) The Womb (AKA Ki Gottberg's Garage), 1526 32nd Ave, tickets and directions available through www.brownpapertickets.com. $15. Fri–Sat at 8:30 pm. Through Dec 3.
DEATH OF A SALESMAN
Final week. "A story as timeless as Death of a Salesman resonates, whatever the setting. This all-black version is no twist, no experiment—it is a test of the play's gospel. By that standard, this production is a consonant success." (Larry Mizell Jr.) Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave S, 684-4758. $10–$18. Thurs–Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through Nov 6.
DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN
Ongoing. A mid-'90s relic about the supposed prehistoric propensities of the two sexes. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $39.50–$45. Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 3 pm. Tickets available through Nov 27.
DINNER & DREAMS
Ongoing. The dinner theater extravaganza, with European-style cirque performances as garnish. Teatro ZinZanni, 2301 Sixth Ave, 802-0015. $99. Thurs–Sat at 6:30 pm, Sun at 5:30 pm (some additional Wed shows).
FLIGHT
"The year is 1858; the setting is the edge of a plantation near Savannah, Georgia; the characters are five black slaves. All rush onto the stage looking for a missing boy whose mother was sold that day by her owner as punishment for teaching the boy how to read. The five slaves find him in a pecan tree. Attempts at convincing the traumatized boy that it's safe to come down propel the plot." (Charles Mudede) ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $10–$54, Sun by donation. 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 Nov 13.
THE GRAPES OF WRATH
"This Tony Award–winning adaptation by Frank Galati balances Steinbeck's journalistic tone with the tragic power of the Joad family's iconic journey from a foreclosed Dust Bowl farm to California. Hartzell's less-is-more direction lets the Oakies' unwavering dignity take center stage without seeming patronizing or propagandistic." (Brendan Kiley) Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, Seattle Center, 269-1900. $27–$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 2 and 7:30 pm. Through Nov 13.
H. P. LOVECRAFT: ARKHAM
"There were one or two rusty links in the ensemble chain, but Open Circle has its spooky technicals down cold—the set and lights and special effects are extra-specially spooky. Horror fans shouldn't miss it, and non–horror fans probably shouldn't, either." (Adrian Ryan) Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $13. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 4 pm. Through Nov 12.
THE IKEA CYCLE: TINY DOMESTIC DRAMAS
Final week. Watch short plays in the IKEA showrooms. Written and directed by Keri Healey. Printer's Devil Theater at IKEA, 600 SW 43rd St, Renton. Free, no reservations. Mon and Wed at 7 pm. Through Nov 9.
LATE NITE CATECHISM
Ongoing. "The real point is not the adult-catechism monologue, but the script's gaps, in which Sister (Aubrey Manning) dispenses tissues to cover salacious displays of flesh and kitschy prizes to reward the dumbstruck targets of her improvisations. What distinguishes Late Nite from the walking cartoons at Disneyland is that your name, your background, and your behavior become the crux of the performance." (Annie Wagner) Cloud 9 Productions at ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $24.50–$29.50. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm.
LITTLE WOMEN
Final week. Louisa May Alcott's story about Civil War–era tweens, Broadway-style. Paramount, 911 Pine St, 292-2787. $20–$65. Wed–Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 1 and 6:30 pm. Through Nov 6.
LOLA TAROT
"Audience members come up to the stage with questions for the tarot cards. After an assistant draws three cards, the cast acts them out." (Annie Wagner) Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $15 (21+ w/ID required). Fri–Sat at 7:30 pm. Through Nov 12.
LONELY PLANET
Opening. Steven Dietz's play about friendship and AIDS with a "fresh" approach using kabuki, sword fighting, and contemporary dance. Absurd Reality Productions at Northwest Actor's Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 253-241-4407. $12. Opening Fri Nov 4 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 19.
MAN OF LA MANCHA
Cervantes in prison. Fri–Sat at 8:15 pm. Through Nov 26.
THE MEMORY OF WATER
A bittersweet comedy about three sisters reuniting on the eve of their mother's funeral. Live Girls! 2220 NW Market St, 325-6500. $8–$10. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 13.
MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL™
Final week. "What makes this toweringly formulaic and very demographic-specific crap about dusty uteruses even moderately bearable? The consummate cast was ferocious and fast—ninety tight minutes of an insane, colorful, and sometimes actually laugh-worthy little train wreck that stops just before it starts to hurt." (Adrian Ryan) ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $45. Thurs–Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 4 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm, Tues–Wed at 8 pm. Through Nov 6.
N*GGER WETB*CK CH*NK
One week only. A three-man show about racial stereotypes and the healing power of asterisks. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, 425-893-9900. $12–$24. Fri–Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 5.
NOTHING IS THE SAME
"Nothing Is the Same is a story about four 11-year-olds of Japanese, Korean, and Filipino descent in Hawaii and how their friendships change after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The script, written in pidgin, balances giggly children's entertainment with difficult subject matter without being condescending and the acting is spot on." (Taysa Charnell) Honolulu Theatre for Youth at Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $15–$30. Fri at 7 pm, Sat–Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through Nov 20.
PULP VIXENS DOUBLE FEATURE
See review this issue. Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $15. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 4 pm. Through Nov 13.
PURGATORIO
A riff on Jason and Medea's afterlife, in modern dress and a white room. David Esbjornson directs. Seattle Repertory, Second Ave and Mercer St, 443-2224. $10–$46. Thurs–Sat at 7:30 pm, Tues–Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Nov 26.
THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND
See review this issue. Stone Soup, 4035 Stone Way N, 325-6500. $7.50. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 19.
ROMEO AND JULIET
See review this issue. Seattle Shakespeare Company at Center House Theatre, Seattle Center, 783-8222. $18–$30. Thurs–Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Nov 20.
SEUSSICAL
A Dr. Seuss tribute musical. $30. Thurs–Fri at 7 pm, Sat–Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through Nov 18.
SEX IN SEATTLE
Episode 12 in the lives and loves of four Asian-American women. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 323-9443. $8–$12. Fri–Sat at 8 and 10:30 pm. Through Nov 19.
SHOPPERS CARRIED BY ESCALATORS INTO THE FLAMES
Opening. The second of Denis Johnson's trilogy about the "dysfunctional and dysphoric" residents of the American West. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $18. Previewing Thurs Nov 3 at 8 pm. Opening Fri Nov 4 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm. Through Dec 10.
STIMULUS
They call it long-form improv and, according to the press release, "We will not get audience suggestions, we will not do improv games, we will not wear funny wigs." Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $10. Sat at 10:30 pm. Through Nov 12.
SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET"Everything I do as a director springs from seeing Sweeney Todd on Broadway in 1989. The leads in this worthy production sing well but shrink from the full-throated evil of Mr. Todd and Mrs. Lovett. Luckily, the supporting cast is fantastic. Dashing Ivan Hernandez plays the sailor Anthony as a hero rather than a rube, and Tobias (Benjamin Schrader) stuns the audience with his liquid countertenor. Best of all, the chorus nails every shriek and whisper, reawakening the bodily joy that transfixed my 12-year-old self and taught me everything I know about art." (Matt Fontaine) 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. $19–$71. Thurs–Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 1:30 and 7 pm, Tues–Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Nov 13.
VERBATIM VERBOTEN
Ongoing. "This succession of minimally staged scenes brings dirty voice mails, court transcripts, and other modes of celebrity embarrassment to life. Hilarity abounds, but just as often the actors don't interpret the transcripts so much as read them aloud." (Mariesa Bus) Clove Productions and Quade Productions at Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave, 624-4455. $10–$12. Thurs at 8 pm.
VIRTUAL SOLITAIRE
"Spastic, vulnerable techno-junkie Nathan (who can no longer differentiate between virtual reality and real life) is hired to calibrate 'emotional response' in a new virtual reality game. As he leads us through the game's inner workings, its supposedly "slaved," or pre-programmed, characters begin to absorb Nathan's memories, obsessions, and insecurities, exhibiting them in fantastical, hallucinatory, and often poetic tangents. Virtual Solitaire is brilliant but exhausting, a deft exploration of the isolating and addictive effects of technology." (Lindy West) CHAC Lower Level, 1621 12th Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $10. Thurs–Sat at 7:30 pm. Through Nov 26.
WRECKAGE
One week only. See Stranger Suggests, page 25. Erickson Theatre Off Broadway, 1524 Harvard Ave, 587-4184. $5–$15. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm.
DANCE
PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
Opening. Balanchine's Concerto Barocco (Bach), Marco Goecke's Mopey (the Cramps), and Nacho Duato's Jardà Tancat, based on Catalan folk tales collected and sung by Maria del Mar Bonet. Pacific Northwest Ballet at McCaw Hall, 305 Harrison St, 441-2424. $20–$149. Opening Thurs Nov 3 at 7:30 pm. Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through Nov 12.
CABARET
12 MINUTES MAX
One week only. Comic actor Troy Miszkleviz, LAUNCH dance theater, country songs by Gaelan Hanson, and more. On the Boards, 100 West Roy St, 217-9888. $7. Sun–Mon at 7 pm.
ANYWHERE BUT HERE
Impressionistic cabaret. Thumper's, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $10. Sat at 10 pm. Through Nov 26.
THE ATOMIC BOMBSHELLS BURLESQUE
Tits, ass, and sassafras. Mirabeau Room, 529 Queen Anne Ave N, www.ticketswest.com. $12 adv/$15 DOS. Thurs at 8 pm. Through Dec 15.
IMPROV & COMEDY
GABRIEL RUTLEDGE at Comedy Underground, 222 Main St, 800-325-7328. $15 (21+ w/ID required). Fri–Sat at 8:30 and 10:30 pm. ORNY ADAMS at Giggles Comedy Club, 5220 Roosevelt Way NE, 526-5653. $12. Fri–Sat at 8:30 and 10 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. Fri–Sat at 8:30 and 10 pm. THEATRESPORTS at Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $8–$12. Sun at 7 pm. UNHINGED at Mirabeau Room, 529 Queen Anne Ave N. $6. Wed at 8 pm.26th ANNUAL SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL STANDUP COMEDY COMPETITION
With 23 shows over 26 days in 18 locations, www.seattlecomedycompetion.com. Through Nov 28.
UPRIGHT CITIZENS BRIGADE
One night only. The famous sketch group. Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $16 adv/$18 DOS. Sun Nov 6 at 7 and 9 pm.
LATE NIGHT
SPIN THE BOTTLE
One night only. Over 40 acts under one minute, including Bhama Roget, Keri Healey, Bret Fetzer, and more. Annex Theatre at Freehold's East Hall, 915 E Pine St, second floor, 728-0933. $7. Fri Nov 4 at 11 pm.