OPENING THIS WEEK

DOUBLE CLIMAX · Zebra Productions & Seattle Mime Theatre

DOUBLE INDEMNITY · Book-It

FREE WILL AND WANTON LUST · Consolidated Works

POLAROID STORIES · University of Washington

MARTIN GUERRE · 5th Avenue

ONE WEEK ONLY

AILEY II · Moore Theatre

ANYONE CAN WHISTLE · Town Hall

JIGGY WARD WIGGLE: YO' MIME-A · Seattle Repertory Theatre

RE-BAR CABARET · Re-bar

CLOSING THIS WEEK

THE COMPLETE MILLENNIUM MUSICAL (ABRIDGED) · Seattle Repertory Theatre

TO BE YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK: A PORTRAIT OF LORRAINE HANSBERRY IN HER OWN WORDS · University of Washington Ethnic Cultural Theatre

OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

ANYONE CAN WHISTLE

Showtunes!, a Musicals in Concert theater company, debuts with a star-packed, one-night-only concert staging of the sly, famously underseen Sondheim show (with book by Arthur Laurents), directed by Victor Pappas. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave at Seneca, 322-1777. Sat Jan 22 at 8. $25/$50.

BORIS GODUNOV

Mussorgsky's show about a large Czar who expresses all of his emotions in bone-rattling song, with Russian bass Alexander Anisimov in his Seattle Opera company debut. Seattle Center Opera House, 389-7676. Jan 21, 22, 26, 28, and 29 at 7:30. $30-$103.

CABARET

Joely Fisher's coming to town! As Fräulein Sally Bowles in this touring production of Cabaret, Ellen's red-haired sidekick promises to dance on some Third Reich ass. A big, sprawling dance-a-thon production. Paramount Theater, 911 Pine St, 292-2787. Tues-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun 2 pm matinees, Sun at 7:30, through Jan 30. $21-$50.

THE COMPLETE MILLENNIUM MUSICAL (ABRIDGED)

"Bad Boys of Abridgement," the Reduced Shakespeare Company take a red pen to 1,000 years of history. "The evening is cheery, but cringing and forced, with fake improv and a cozy, bottled irreverence meant to make your grandmother think she's having a wild time at the theater." (Steve Wiecking) Seattle Repertory Theatre, Second Ave & Mercer St, 443-2222. Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun 2 pm matinees, through Jan 22. $10-$39.

DOUBLE CLIMAX

Promising "a noir film on stage," talented solo performer K. Brian Neel throws himself headfirst into a complicated whodunit, playing all the suspects in a breezy piece that won "Best of Fest" at North America's largest fringe festival in Edmonton. Seattle Mime Theatre, 915 East Pine Street, Fourth Floor, 324-8788. Thurs-Sat at 8, through Jan 29. $15.

DOUBLE INDEMNITY

It's a dark, dark night in the city of angels. One drop of fear -- one drop -- and love curdles into hate. James M. Cain's hard-boiled Roman noir graces the stage at On the Boards, performed by Book-It Repertory. On the Boards, 100 W Roy, 216-0833. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, some additional performances, through Feb 12. $15.

FREE WILL AND WANTON LUST

Consolidated Works presents a remount of the acclaimed Printer's Devil production of Nicky Silver's dark farce, which won a 1996 Stranger SPIT award for Best Comedy the first time around. A wild ride featuring the fabulous Stephen Hando and extraordinary Cathy Sutherland, among others. Consolidated Works, 410 Terry Ave N. Thurs-Sun at 8, Fri Jan 21 through Feb 6. $14. Two-for-one Thurs.

JIGGY WARD WIGGLE: YO' MIME-A

Working with Seattle Repertory Theatre teaching artist Carrie Nath, 24 Chief Sealth High School drama students spent 10 weeks creating a spoofy, tumbling, juggling comedy free-for-all, which may or may not be as dubious as it sounds. Chief Sealth High School Little Theatre, Thurs-Fri Jan 20-21 at 7:30, $4; and Seattle Repertory Theatre's PONCHO Forum, Sun Jan 23 at 2, free.

Late Night Catechism

And the nun goes on. This is 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.

LITTLE MURDERS

Northwest Actors Studio presents Jules Feiffer's dark satire, with its commentary on violence in American society. "Bereft of even one grace note, Faye B. Summers' staging displays not the slightest notion of what is really going on in Feiffer's play, or in any play, for that matter." (Steve Wiecking) Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike, 324-6328. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, through Jan 29. $10/$8.

L'UNIVERSE

The Flying Karamazov Brothers continue their hands-on exploration of science, juggling, music, comedy, and the cosmology of the universe, in this performance which takes advantage of new technologies created by MIT's MediaLab. Directed by Gordon Edelstein. A Contem-porary Theatre (ACT), Seventh Ave & Union St, 292-7676. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 7:30, some matinees, through Jan 30. $20-$45.

MARTIN GUERRE

Mystery, deception, mistaken identity, secret ambition, hidden desire, religious persecution -- c'est Martin Guerre, set against the squalor of 16th-century France. But in this pre-Broadway debut, produced by Cameron Mackintosh, love rules the day. 5th Avenue Theater, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. Tues-Sat at 8, Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun matinees at 2, through Feb 12. $14-$60.

POLAROID STORIES

In Naomi Iizuka's take on Ovid's The Metamorpheses, a bunch of street kids reach some kind of epiphany about humanity, presumably without asking you for beer money. Meany Studio Theatre, University of Washington, 543-4880. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, Wed Jan 26 through Feb 6. $7-$10.

RE-BAR CABARET

A whole lotta talent from illustrious past Re-bar cabarets converges for a night celebrating 10 years in fringe showbiz. A few of the slated guests include (hold your jaw shut) Kevin Kent, Tamara Paris, David Schmader, Mark Murphy, Bret Fetzer, Jennifer Jasper, Riz Rollins, and hosts Everett Mall Jr. and Mark Mitchell. As if that were not enough, the Guest of Honor will be Miss Dina Martina! If you love the Re-bar, and we know you do, don't miss this party event. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St at Boren, 323-0388. Fri Jan 21 at 7. $15.

STUDIO SERIES 2000

Freehold 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. Call for scheduling info. Freehold's East Hall Theatre, 1525 10th Ave, Second Floor, 323-7499. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, through Jan 30. Donation.

STUFF & NONSENSE

Theater Babylon presents this one-man show about the Victorian painter, traveler, and limerick writer Edward Lear, written and performed by Eric Newman. "Newman makes a game, affectionate attempt, but the artist remains indistinct; Lear's poems and reflections need to be hung on something grander than Newman's studious research." (Steve Wiecking) Theater Babylon, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. 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. Through Feb 13. Call for showtimes. $18-$26. See review this issue.

TO BE YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK: A PORTRAIT OF LORRAINE HANSBERRY IN HER OWN WORDS

Student, community, and professional artists come together at the UW's Ethnic Cultural Theatre to celebrate Lorraine Hansberry, author of A Raisin in the Sun, via this "divine journey" of a play, once the longest-running off-Broadway. University of Washington Ethnic Cultural Theatre, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE, 543-4635. Tues-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2, through Jan 23. $7/$10.

DANCE

AILEY II

The repertory company of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is presenting a free sampling of their celebrated repertoire, performed by scholarship students from the Ailey School. Worth a look, and you can't beat the price. Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave, one day only: Sat Jan 22 at 10:30 am, admission free at the door.

FESTIVALS, CABARETS, & COMEDY

BRILLIANT TRACES

Eat a gourmet buffet dinner while watching melodrama unfold in Cindy Lou Johnson's Brilliant Traces, in which a sweat-stained bride and a curmudgeon are trapped in an Alaskan snowstorm. Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 405-8433. Fri-Sat at 6:30, through Feb 5. $22.

IMPROSIA: COMEDY OF THE GODS

Performing character-driven scenes based on audience suggestions. Wit's End, 770 N 34th St, 547-2330. Sat at 9:30. $7.

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.

*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.

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

ARTSWEST

ArtsWest Theatre Company will hold auditions Jan 22-26 for its world premiere production of the comedy The Collaborators, by local playwright Stephen Price. Directed by John Vreeke, performances will begin in late April and run through the end of May. Actors are paid. The script calls for six men, ages 25-55, and two women, ages 25-50. Please prepare one brief contemporary comedic monologue, and bring headshot and resume.

KING LEAR

Consolidated Works is auditioning actors on Jan 22 and 23 for an enormous, newly commissioned adaptation of the Shakespeare tragedy from director Derek Horton. All ages, ethnicities, races, and experience levels encouraged. Prepare a 2-3 minute monologue from King Lear and call 381-3218 for a reservation slot. Production is scheduled to open March 17 and run through April 2.

VIKKI GADGET SAVES THE WORLD

Looking for musician/sound effects person for a rock musical about female superheroes that will be performing at the Re-bar starting Feb 4. Please call Linda Santiman at 329-3583.