OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

AN INSPECTOR CALLS
Opening. The daughter of a wealthy British family dies unexpectedly and the inspector makes everyone feel very uncomfortable. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $15–$30. Preview performance Thurs Feb 2 at 7:30 pm. Opening Fri Feb 3 at 8 pm. Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through March 4.

AS BEES IN HONEY DROWN
Final week. "Every character in this play is a cliché: struggling writer, struggling painter, small-town girl corrupted by big city, small-town boy corrupted by big city, and gays and gays and gays. It's also about 10 years behind the times—anyone who watches VH1 already knows every angle of the fame-fucks-you-up storyline. What saves Bees from one big 1997 snooze-fest is Hawkins's splendid performance as Vere de Vere. Shirts off to her." (Lindy West) ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave, 938-0339. $10–$24. Thurs–Sat at 7:30 pm. Through Feb 4.

BOSTON MARRIAGE
See review this issue. Seattle Public Theater at Bathhouse Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 524-1300. $12–$20. Opening Thurs–Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Feb 26.

CATCH 22
See Theater News. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $18, Thurs by donation. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm. Through Feb 25.

recommended THE COMPENDIUM OF NASTINESS
Extended. "A twisted Gothic romance with Freudian undertones performed in a velvet-lined garage. Writer/director Ki Gottberg invites the audience into her kitchen for champagne before leading them downstairs, where actor Elizabeth Kenny jumps between a dozen characters (with puppets!), including a sodomy-happy she-devil and a philandering junkie monk." (Brendan Kiley) The Womb, tickets and directions available at 800-838-3006. $20. Fri–Sat at 8:30 pm. Through March 4.

DATE OF BIRTH
John Kaufmann's play about birth and families, culled from real transcripts of the day he was born and the day his sister had her first baby. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $12, Sun by donation. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 4 pm. Through Feb 25.

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 Feb 25.

DINNER & DREAMS
Ongoing. The dinner-theater extravaganza, with European-style cirque performances as garnish. Teatro ZinZanni, 2301 Sixth Ave, 802-0015. $99–$125. Wed–Sun at 6:30 pm, Sun at 5:30 pm.

GOD'S COUNTRY
See Theater News. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 800-838-3006. $18–$35. Thurs–Sat at 7:30 pm. Sun at 2 pm, Mon at 7:30 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Feb 19.

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. 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. Tickets available through April 30.

recommended LEVIATHAN
Opening. The Cody Rivers Show returns with their bizarre and amusing sketch comedy. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 800-838-3006. $12. Opening Thurs Feb 2 at 8 pm. Fri–Sat at 8 pm. Through Feb 11.

MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL™
Ongoing. "What makes this toweringly formulaic 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. Tickets available through Feb 19.

NUNSENSE II: THE SECOND COMING
Final week. A musical with zany nuns—is there any other kind? Civic Light Opera at Magnuson Recreation Center, 7400 Magnuson Park, 363–2809. $25–$35. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri–Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Feb 5.

PETER AND THE WOLF
A kid-friendly adaptation of the Prokofiev symphony with "Buster Keaton–style clowning." Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $15–$22. Fri at 7 pm. Sat at 2 and 5:30 pm, Sun at 5:30 pm. Through March 18.

recommended RADIO GOLF
See review this issue. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $10–$46. Tues–Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Feb 18.

SLEEPING BEAUTY
Final week. "Sleeping Beauty's set is lovely, and the costumes, though fairly standard, are lush and charming. The giant, riddling spider king—a delightfully creepy bit of puppetry—drove the kids totally bonkers. Also, it's a musical, but the songs are unmemorable." (Lindy West) Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $15–$30. Fri at 7 pm, Sat–Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through Feb 4.

STONES IN HIS POCKETS
"This two-man show is like a well-made sandwich—warm, charming, and full of cheese. A self-consciously 'Irish' play performed in a bar, it also oozes pathos and fatalistic humor. There's nothing challenging about its predictable clichés, but watching actors Tim Hyland and Darragh Kennan fall in and out of over a dozen characters—from a Hollywood diva to an old town drunk—is a pleasure." (Brendan Kiley) Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 388-0569. $15 adv/$18 DOS. Thurs–Sat at 7:30 pm. Through March 11.

WALLFLOWERS
A comedy about awkward sixth graders at a school dance and the fantasy worlds they live in. Wing-It Productions at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 325-6500. $8–$10. Thurs–Fri at 8 pm. Through Feb 10.

THE WEDDING SINGER
Previewing. "Have a few drinks and drive home." 5th Ave Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787, $19–$71. Preview performances 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 Feb 19.

DANCE

ECHOES: EIGHTY YEARS OF MODERN DANCE
One week only. A magic carpet ride through dance history, from Ted Shawn to José Limón to Zvi Gotheiner. Chamber Dance Company at Meany Hall, UW Campus, 543-4880. $12–$16. Thurs–Sat at 7:30 pm. Sun at 2 pm.

recommended JA'NEE/RONA
One week only. Renowned South African dancer/choreographer Boyzie Cekwana and his Floating Outfit Project present two works concerning spiritual identity, African history, colonialism, HIV, and other light fare. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217–9888. $24. Thurs–Sun at 8 pm.

RESERVOIR
One weekend only. Dance cinema, live dance, and the Infernal Noise Brigade. Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave N, www.brownpapertickets.com. $12 adv/$15 DOS. Previewing Thurs Feb 2 at 8 pm (by donation). Fri–Sat at 8 pm.

VALENTINE
Opening. Including works by Twyla Tharp, Richard Tanner, and Susan Marshall. Pacific Northwest Ballet at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, 441-2424. $20–$134. Opening Thurs Feb 2 at 7:30 pm, Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through Feb 12.

CABARET

A GROUNDHOG REVIEW
One night only. Queerish burlesque, dance, spoken world, etc. Amazing Grace Revival at Jewelbox Theater, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $7–$10. Thurs Feb 2 at 7 and 8:30 pm.

CANNIBAL! THE MUSICAL
Final week. "You know when you like something soooo much that you want the whole world to know about it? And you think there's no better tribute than to reimagine your number-one favorite thing as gay cabaret dinner theater? We've all been there, but please, don't do it." (Lindy West) G'A Team Players at Thumper's, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $15 (21+ w/ID required). Fri–Sat at 8 pm. Through Feb 4.

COMEDY OF EROS V: HAUNTED HEARTS
Opening. Shorts regarding the romantic macabre. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324–6328. $12. Opening Fri Feb 3 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through Feb 19.

FAIRY TAILS!
The Atomic Bombshells bump 'n' grind their way through the Grimm Brothers' playbook. Triple Door, 216 Union St, 838-4333. $15 adv/$18 DOS. Wed at 7:30 pm (doors at 5:30 pm). Through Feb 22.

IMPROV & COMEDY

Damonde Tschritter at Comedy Underground, 222 Main St, 800-325-7328. $6–$15 (21+ w/ID required). Thurs at 8:30 pm, Fri–Sat at 8:30 and 10:30 pm. Funny stuff at Giggles Comedy Club, 5220 Roosevelt Way NE, 526-5653. $12. Fri at 8 and 10:15 pm, Sat at 6 and 10:15 pm. Jet City Improv at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 325–6500. $8–$10. Fri at 8 and 10:30 pm. Sat at 10:30 pm. Theatresports at Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $8–$12. Fri and Sat at 8 pm.

PAULA POUNDSTONE
One night only. Fact: Poundstone had a column in Mother Jones from 1993 to 1998. Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave, 476-5510. $23.50–$73.50. Fri Feb 3 at 8 pm.

LATE NIGHT

recommended BEDTIME STORIES: NEW FAIRY TALES
Bret Fetzer performs his original fairy tales. Not the cutesy, "fractured" kind, but true fairy tales that edify and entertain. Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $7. Fri–Sat at 10:30 pm. Through Feb 11.

BREAKING UP
Opening. Sketch comedy about love and losing it. Train of Thought at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324–6328. $8–$10. Opening Fri Feb 3 at 10:30 pm. Sat at 10:30 pm. Through Feb 25.

CRESCENDO FALLS, EPISODES ONE AND TWO
Opening. A family soap opera, complete with backstabbing and bed hopping. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324–5801. $12. Fri–Sat at 11 pm. Through Feb 25.

CUPCAKE
Sexual references, mayhem, suggestive dancing, vaudevillian chicanery, and lascivious buffoonery. Allegedly. Wing-It Productions at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 325-6500. $5. Sat at midnight. Through Feb 25.

SPIN THE BOTTLE
A short film by Wayne Rawley, comedy by Scot Augustson, music by Antoinette, and more. Annex Theatre at Freehold's East Hall Theater, 915 E Pike St, 728-0933. $7. Fri Feb 3 at 11 pm.

Special Events

SH!TSTORM III: THE PRESS
One night only. Lane Czaplinski (artistic director of On the Boards) and Steve Wiecking (of Seattle Metropolitan magazine) kick off this quarterly discussion series. Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave, 441-5823. Free, 21+ Tues Feb 7 at 7 pm.