THEATER

OPENING THIS WEEKLITTLE MURDERS * Northwest Actors Studio

STUDIO SERIES 2000 * Freehold Theatre Lab StudioSTUFF & NONSENSE * THEATRE BABYLON

TEXARKANA WALTZ * EMPTY SPACE

ONE WEEK ONLY*14/48 * CONSOLIDATED WORKS

48 HOURS* Union Garage

OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS48 HOURSCelebrated local improv wackos Up in Your Grill present a show so dangerous they named it after a Nick Nolte movie. On Jan 5, the troupe will lock themselves in a room to write, stage, and rehearse a brand new full-length show. Two days later they will emerge to present the show to the masses. God only knows what 48 Hours will be about -- find out for yourself this weekend at the Union Garage Theater. Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 444-4336. Fri Jan 7 at 10, Sat Jan 8 at 10 and midnight. Pay what you want.ALIENS IN AMERICASandra Tsing Loh's one woman family comedy Seattle Rep's Leo K. Theater, Seattle Center, 443-2222. Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat & Sun matinees at 2, through Jan 15. $29/$39.THE COMPLETE MILLENNIUM MUSICAL (ABRIDGED)"Bad Boys of Abridgement," the Reduced Shakespeare Company take a red pen to 1,000 years of history, handling subjects like the Black Plague with a whimsical musical treatment. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Second Ave & Mercer St, 443-2222. Tues-Sun at 7:30; Sat & Sun 2 pm matinees, through Jan 22. $10-$39.Late Night CatechismAnd the nun goes on. ACT, 700 Union St, 292-7676. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, extended for eternity. $24.50-$29.50.LITTLE MURDERSNorthwest Actors Studio presents Jules Feiffer's dark satire. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike, 324-6328. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, through Jan 29. $10/$8.STUDIO SERIES 2000Freehold students, alumnae, and faculty let loose in this series featuring 18 different performing events -- each week will feature a new lineup of staged readings, dance, and original plays. Jan 6-9 features Cathryn Pisarski's A Friendly Lunch, Marjean Perry's A Trap Is a Small Place, Ayzha Wolf's Sisters, and Angelique Little's Royal Garden Blues. Freehold's East Hall Theatre, 1525 10th Ave, Second Floor, 323-7499. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, through Jan 30. Donation.STUFF & NONSENSETheater Babylon presents this one-man show about the Victorian painter, traveler, and limerick writer Edward Lear. Theater Babylon, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. Preview Thurs Jan 6, Opens Fri Jan 7 and runs Thurs-Sat at 8, through Jan 29. $9.99 (Thurs pay-what-you-will.)

TEXARKANA WALTZ

The Empty Space presents Seattle playwright Louis Broome's award-winning, highly imaginative comic drama of a Southern family coming to terms with its horribly violent past. Directed by Allison Narver, and featuring the formidable acting talents of Burton Curtis, Jena Cane, and Lauren Weedman. Empty Space Theater, 3509 Fremont Ave, 547-7500. Previews: Fri-Tues Jan 7-11, $16. Opens Wed Jan 12 and runs through Feb 13. Call for showtimes. $18-$26.

FESTIVALS,

CABARETS, & COMEDY*14/48Consolidated Works plays host to "the world's shortest theater festival," which promises 18 plays conceived, written, rehearsed, and performed over 48 hours. Gimmicky, yes, but with the corps of talented writers, directors, performers, and visual artists ConWorks has assembled -- a veritable who's who of Seattle fringe and experimental theater, with too many "names" to name here -- the results should be something to see. Consolidated Works, 410 Terry Ave N, 860-5245. Fri & Sat, Jan 7 & 8, at 8:00 pm and 10:30 pm. Tickets $10, available at the door only.IMPROSIA: COMEDY OF THE GODSPerforming character-driven scenes based on audience suggestions. Wit's End, 770 N 34th St, 547-2330. Sat at 9:30. $7.Julie Cascioppo ExperienceSongs 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.*THREE DOLLAR BILLSeattle's original gay/lesbian/ bisexual stand-up comedy night is still standing in its second year. Comedy Underground, 222 S Main St, 324-8025. Tues at 8. $6.

LATE NIGHTTHE A.M. CABARETAmoral 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 ImprovImprov comedy and music based on audience suggestions. Ethnic Cultural Theater, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE, 781-3879. Fri-Sat at 10:30.Theater SportsImprov 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.

CALLSARTSWESTThe ArtsWest Theatre Company will hold auditions Jan 22-26 for The Collaborators, a world premiere comedy by local playwright Stephen Price. Show will run from late April to the end of May. Six men (ages 25 to 55) and two women (ages 25 to 50) are needed. Actors should prepare a brief contemporary comedic monologue and bring headshot and resume. Call 938-0933, ext. 165 to set up an audition.CINEMA SEATTLECinema Seattle is now accepting entries to the 26th Seattle International Film Festival, scheduled for May 18-June 11. Feature length filmmakers may submit their work at a reduced fee of $35 by Dec 31; the regular deadline, at a $50 entry fee, is March 1. Entry forms can be downloaded directly from www.seattlefilm.com, or obtained by mail from SIFF, fax 206-264-7919, phone 464-5830, or e-mail mail@seattlefilm.com.SEATTLE POETRY FESTIVALThe Third Annual Seattle Poetry Festival seeks submissions for individual or group literary performance, literary film or video, multi-media installations, or community-based programs. The event will be held May 2-7 at On the Boards and other venues. For an application, send an SASE to Eleventh Hour Productions, P.O. Box 329, Seattle, WA 98111. Deadline is Jan 12

SEATTLE SYMPHONY CHORALE

Mid-season auditions will be held on Sat Jan 8 and Sun Jan 9 from 10 am to 6:30 pm at Cornish College of the Arts, 710 E Roy St, on Capitol Hill in Seattle. Auditions are by appointment only and will consist of a prepared piece and a sight-singing test. To set up an appointment, call Seattle Symphony Chorale Coordinator Bryan Stratton at 206-215-4734.STEPPING STONE PRODUCTIONSStepping Stone is seeking the following positions for their production of Amadeus, by Peter Schaffer: Stage Manager, House Manager, Stitchers. Please contact stepstone@hotmail.com or Dawn at 841-2521.