OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

ANYTHING GOES

Final week. "In olden days a glimpse of stocking was looked on as something shocking."Civic Light Opera, 7400 Sand Point Way, 363–2809. $25–$35. Fri–Sat at 8 pm. Sun at 2 pm. Through May 21.

CHICAGO

Final week. Fact: Bob Fosse started balding at age 17, which is why he was so fond of using hats onstage. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 292-2787. $10–$60. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 1 and 6:30 pm. Through May 21.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL'S VAREKAI

"Varekai is a bright and beautiful spectacle: The lush dreamscape conjures both tropical forest and coral reef, a gilt contortionist bends herself in half while standing on one hand, and the crowd-favorite Russian swings are back, with flame-colored acrobats flying between them. Plus juggling, magic, popcorn, and everything else you'd expect to find under Cirque du Soleil's sophisticated big top. Be prepared for traffic and parking snarls. This show is worth the hassle." (Amy Kate Horn) Marymoor Park, 6046 West Lake Sammamish Parkway NE, Redmond, www.cirquedusoleil.com. $24.50–$185. Thurs–Sat at 4 and 8 pm, Sun at 1 and 5 pm, Tues–Wed at 4 and 8 pm. Through June 4.

CROSSING OVER

Final week. Characters from the 1930s wander around modern-day Seattle. Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences at Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 676-6895. $6–$10. Thurs–Sat at 7 pm. Through May 20.

DEBUTANTE BALLS

Final week. See Theater News.Pat Graney Company and National Performance Network at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $10–$15. Fri at 7 and 10 pm. Through May 19.

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 May 28.

DINNER & DREAMS

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

FIRST CLASS

One week only. A one-man show about the great, flawed American poet Theodore Roethke, who wrote "The Far Field" and "My Papa's Waltz" and drowned in a swimming pool on Bainbridge Island in 1963. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $5–$7. Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm.

THE FOREIGNER

Opening. A comedy about a Brit in rural Georgia. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $15–$30. Previewing Thurs May 18 at 7:30 pm. Opening Fri May 19 at 8 pm. Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through June 17.

GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS

Final week.For the children.Sprouts Children's Theatre at SecondStory Repertory, 16587 NE 74th St, Redmond, 425-881-6777. Fri at 7 pm, Sat–Sun at 1 and 3 pm. Through May 21.

HAMLET

Opening. "Frailty, thy name is woman!" (With an all-female cast.) Animus Theater Project at East Hall Theatre, 1529 10th Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $12. Opening Thurs May 18 at 7:30 pm. Fri–Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through June 3.

HELLO, DOLLY!

Goin' bonkers in Yonkers. Village Theatre, 303 Front St N, Issaquah, 425-392-2202. $24–$48. Thurs–Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sunday at 7 pm, Wed at 8 pm. Through June 25.

HONUS AND ME

A tale of self-confidence and baseball, featuring Stranger Genius Award–winner Gabriel Baron. Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $16–$31. Fri at 7 pm, Sat–Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through June 11.

THE INTELLIGENT DESIGN OF JENNY CHOW

Opening. A play about androids, missiles, agoraphobia, and a birth mother in China (and one of the three finalists dissed by this year's Pulitzer panel). Seattle Public Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 524-1300. $12–$20. Previewing Thurs May 18 at 7:30. Opening Fri May 19 at 7:30 pm. Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through June 11.

JACK AND JILL

A play about modern love (circa 1997) by "Jane Martin" (Keely and Du, Talking With…, Good Boys, etc.). Paper Trail Productions at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 303-9080. $8–$10. Fri–Sun at 8 pm. Through June 4.

JUNIE B. JONES AND A LITTLE MONKEY BUSINESS

It sounds like a Belle and Sebastian song, but it's actually a bright musical about a feisty kindergartner. Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441–3322. $16–$31. Fri at 7 pm, Sat–Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through June 18.

JUST SO

Opening. A family-friendly musical based on the Just So Stories by the literary genius, muse of Boy Scout founder Baden-Powell, anti-Semite, anti-Irish, and unabashed imperialist Rudyard Kipling. ArtsWest Playhouse, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $10–$15. Opening Thurs May 18 at 7:30 pm. Fri–Sat at 7:30. Through June 10.

KING HENRY

Final week. "The action of Henry V would be impossible to follow just from this production, but the smorgasbord of conceptual tics wisely highlights the important themes. Aaron Wagner's Henry is visually terrific: Although he sometimes plows through the Elizabethan, his body language broadcasts both hobo and your majesty. The show stealer is Viktoria Marton as the delusionally self-satisfied Welsh Captain Fluellen, who speaks like the kid from Dexter's Laboratory and went to the Don Knotts School of Kung Fu. When Fluellen beats up another character with a leek, you remember the unsinkable Bardic truth: The material is so strong that it can survive almost any amount of experimentation and come out grinning." (Paul Constant)Ghost Light Theatricals at Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $10–$12. Fri–Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through May 21.

KING JOHN

Opening. "Women and fools, break off your conference." With an all-female cast (featuring Kate Wisniewski, Aimee Bruneau, Tracey Repep, Peggy Gannon, Amy Thone, and others) and a set by Jennifer Zeyl. upstart crow at Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 800-838-3006. $15 suggested donation. Previewing Thurs May 18 at 7:30 pm. Opening Fri May 19 at 7:30 pm. Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through June 4.

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." (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 Aug 27.

LES MISERABLES

Opening. Victor Hugo is one of the few great artists who married political agenda with aesthetic achievement; this production will feature over 1,000 costume pieces. Just in case you were wondering. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. $19–$75. Previewing Wed May 24 at 7:30 pm. Through June 4.

MACBETH

Final week. "I know, I know—the opera is doing Verdi's Macbeth and not Shakespeare's Macbeth and Verdi himself never read the original play until after he'd written his version. But as an operagoer more steeped in Shakespeare than Verdi (as I suspect many operagoers are), it's hard to watch Macbeth without wishing it had taken better advantage of the dramatic banquet offered by its source material. As for the music: The chorus soars to harrowing pathos in the lament for King Duncan, and Andrea Gruber (Lady Macbeth), Joseph Calleja (Macduff), and Burak Bilgili (Banquo) sing like demons, especially Bilgili, who has a gut-stirring low end. The original Macbeth belongs to the ambitious Lady Macbeth and Gruber does right by stealing our attention with her muscular voice and vicious energy." (Brendan Kiley) Seattle Opera at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, 389-7676. $41–$135. Fri–Sat at 7:30 pm.

MAE WEST FEST IX

One week only. Seattle's festival dedicated to promoting the work of female theater artists. Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW, www.brownpapertickets.com. Day passes $18–$28, fest passes $42. For complete listings of plays and events, visit www.maewestfest.org. Through May 21.

MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL™

Ongoing. "What makes this toweringly formulaic crap about dusty uteruses even moderately bearable? The consummate cast was ferocious and fast." (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 May 28.

MISS AMERICA: A FUGUE BORN IN 1969

Final week. "Miss America opens with a Dostoyevskian pile of loose threads—the characters are all friends, spouses, or acquaintances—and we watch them weave together, their individual crises coming to a head in the concussion grenades and broken glass of the Battle in Seattle." (Brendan Kiley) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $18, under 18 free, Thurs by donation. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm. Through May 20.

MISS WITHERSPOON

"Miss Witherspoon is a liberal battle cry disguised as comedy, which would be fine, if only it were funnier. A grumpy 20th-century suicide with a ‘tweedy aura,' Miss Witherspoon (Anne Allgood) is stuck in the afterlife, refusing to be reincarnated—she just wants to rest and begs Maryamma to tuck her into Jewish heaven (since the Jews don't believe in an afterlife, Maryamma says it's ‘like prolonged general anesthesia'). The play has a few surprises (Witherspoon commits suicide at two weeks old by throwing herself at a vicious dog), but at its worst, it feels like The Life and Opinions of Christopher Durang, Awkwardly Stuffed Into the Mouths of His Characters." (Brendan Kiley) ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $10–$54. Thurs at 2 and 7:30 pm, Fri–Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm, Tues–Wed at 7:30 pm. Through May 28.

NICHOLAS NICKLEBY

A new Charles Dickens musical. Centerstage at Knutzen Family Theatre, 3200 Dash Point Rd, Federal Way, 253-661-1444. $7–$20. Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm. Sun at 2 pm. Through May 28.

NIGHTSTORIES: BEGINNINGS

Final week. Short stories read by actors. SecondStory Repertory, 16587 NE 74th St, Redmond, 425-881-6777. $8. Fri–Sat at 8:30 pm.

PASSPORT

Eight 10-minute plays about love and lust and miscommunication, each set on a different continent, by Bret Fetzer. Annex Theatre at Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 1-800-838-3006. $5–$10. Tues–Wed at 7:30 pm. Through June 14.

PIPPIN

Final week. The story of Pippin the Hunchback, son of Charlemagne. 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. Through May 21.

REDUCED SHAKESPEARE: COMPLETE HISTORY OF AMERICA (ABRIDGED)

Final week. The "bad boys of abridgement" do the USA. Seattle Theatre Group at the Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave, 292-2787. $31. Thurs at 7:30 pm. Through May 18.

ROT

Opening. A new comedy about monsters, romance, and Mary Shelley, by Juli Etheridge (Uppity Women and the Dumb Shit They Do). Macha Monkey Productions with Tricklock Theatre Co. at Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $15 (21+ w/ID). Opening Thurs May 18 at 8 pm. Fri at 8 pm. Through May 28.

RUMPLESTILTSKIN

One day only. For the kids. StoryBook Theater at Museum of History and Industry, 2700 24th Ave E, 1-877-827-1100. $8. Sat May 20 at 11 am and 1 pm.

SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL

Final week. Some of the world's finest entertainers, from Polish hardcore folk to Belgian clowns to African jazz, all culled for Seattle young'uns. Seattle Center, see www.seattleinternational.org for details. Through May 22.

SET UP TO FAIL

One night only. "A 30-minute dramatic production about barriers to success for people caught up in the criminal justice system." Hub Auditorium, UW Campus, no reservations required. Free. Mon May 22 at 6 pm.

STONES IN HIS POCKETS

Extended. "This two-man show about Irish extras in a Hollywood movie is like a well-made sandwich—warm, charming, and full of cheese." (Brendan Kiley) Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 388-0569. $18–$20. Thurs–Sat at 7:30 pm. Through May 27.

TALK ABOUT THE PASSION

A story about publishers making money off human tragedy. Outsiders Inn at Studio-Current, 1417 10th Ave, www.outsiders-inn.com. $8–$12. Fri–Sat at 8 pm. Through May 27.

THIRST, A MASQUE OPERA

One week only. Quoth the press release: "Nothing is quite as magic as live theater." Soma Theatre at Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $10–$15. Thurs–Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 3 pm. Through May 21.

WHAT IS SEXY?

"A series of tableaux and scenes playing out different people's notions of sexy, from the inevitable plumber-housewife scenario to the cowboy swinger to the boss's wife to the pro dommes. It's not WET's best work, but it's still pretty durned good." (Brendan Kiley) Washington Ensemble Theatre at Little Theatre, 608 19th Ave E, www.brownpapertickets.com. $10–$15. Thurs–Mon at 8 pm. Through May 29.

DANCE

OTHER JELLO

One weekend only. Two actors, a ballerina, and three modern dancers. Plus set design by Etta Lilienthal. Maureen Whiting Company at Lee Center for the Arts, Seattle University, 323-9405. $6–$10 (students free). Fri–Sat at 7:30 pm.

CHRISTIAN RIZZO: AUTANT VOULOIR LE BLEU DU CIEL ET M'EN ALLER SUR UN ÂNE (OR: I MIGHT AS WELL WANT THE BLUE OF THE SKY AND RIDE AWAY ON A DONKEY)

One weekend only. "Rizzo begins autant vouloir by doing something indeterminate in the dark. There are intermittent lights, a table, a metal box, panting and mewling into a microphone. A DJ remixes live sounds from the stage, looping and layering them into a miasma of noise. Rizzo bends slowly to pick up an animal hide, drops it, and bends slowly for it again. He rubs his face in glitter and grease, he screams into a microphone. It looks a little ridiculous and a little profound. (It's hard to tell which, since I saw autant vouloir on videotape. From Ian McKellen doing Macbeth to Kiki and Herb doing drugs, theater never, ever looks good on film.)" (Brendan Kiley) On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $22. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm.

LADIES LUBE WRESTLING

One night only. The ladies of Mudhen engage in that highly rarified form of contemporary dance known as "contact improvisation," a postmodern mode founded by Steve Paxton (the man who once said: "When an apple fell on his head, Newton was inspired to describe the three laws of motion, that carry his name… In his attempt to be objective, Newton overlooked the question of how it feels to be the apple"). Plus: a giant puddle of lube!Mudhen Rugby at Kangaroo & Kiwi, 7305 Aurora Ave N, www.mudhenrugby.com. $10 adv/$12 DOS. Sat May 20 at 7 pm.

TORQUE: ENERTIA'S SEVENTH ANNUAL SPRING CONCERT

One weekend only. A modern and hiphop dance concert, featuring work by Paige Barnes, Robert Luu, and others. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, ticketwindowonline.com. $13. Fri–Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 3 pm.

CABARET

THE ATOMIC BOMBSHELLS IN FAIRY TAILS

One night only. Burlesque.Triple Door, 216 Union St, 838-4333. $15 adv/$18 DOS. Sun May 21 at 7 and 10 pm.

BURLESQUE BEHIND THE PINK DOOR

With Paula the Swedish Housewife. Pink Door, 1919 Post Alley. No reservations required. $10. (21+ w/ID.) Sat at 10:30 pm. Through May 27.

COLUMBIA CITY CABARET

Ongoing.A "saucy" cabaret, hosted by Tamara the Trapeze lady. Columbia City Theatre, 4916 Rainier Ave S, no reservations required. $15 (21+ w/ID). Fri at 9 pm.

IMPROV & COMEDY

Gabriel Rutledge 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. Derrick Cameron at Giggles Comedy Club, 5220 Roosevelt Way NE, 526-5653. $12. Fri–Sat at 8 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. Theatresports at Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $8–$12. Fri–Sat at 10:30 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Comedy Night at Mirabeau Room, 529 Queen Anne Ave N, www.prokomedy.com. $5. Wed at 8 pm.

86'D

Final week. Improv actors from Jet City, Seattle goga, Live Girls, etc., in an improv "jam." Jerk Alert Productions at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $3. Sun at 8:30 pm. Through May 21.

IMPROVISED SHAKESPEARE

Unexpected Productions at Market Theatre, 1428 Post Alley, www.unexpectedproductions.org. $10. Fri–Sat at 8 pm. Through June 2.

REALITY WORLD: SEASON 2

A reality show that's actually improvised. Wing-It Productions at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, www.wingitpresents.com. $10. Thurs–Fri at 8 pm. Through June 23.

STIMULUS

Final week. Improv that "elicits a physiological or psychological response." Jerk Alert Productions at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $10. Sat at 10:30 pm. Through May 20.

LATE NIGHT

BURNING BRIDGES

A multimedia sketch comedy show about the Ave.Wing-It Productions at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, www.wingitpresents.com. $5. Fri at 12:30 am. Through June 30.

CUPCAKE

Extended. A dirty, drinky improv where two fellas enact the audience's "wildest dreams." Wing-It Productions at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, www.wingitpresents.com. $5. Sat at midnight. Through May 28.

THE TWILIGHT ZONE: LIVE!

Final week. The late-night hit returns with "Third from the Sun" and "A Short Drink from a Certain Fountain." Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $12. Fri–Sat at 11 pm. Through May 20.

SPECIAL EVENTS

2006 GREGORY A. FALLS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD LUNCHEON

One day only.The folks at GAF honor longtime theater pioneer Todd Jefferson Moore. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 770-0370. $30. Mon May 22 at 11:30 am.

BARE BONES

One night only. A fundraiser featuring work by Amelia Reeber, Tonya Lockyer, Mark Haim, Amii LeGendre, and others.Velocity Mainspace Theater, 915 E Pine St, 686-7323. $10–$30. Sun May 21 at 7 pm.

CRUMBS ARE ALSO BREAD

One night only. A reading of a new Stephanie Timm play. Seattle Dramatists at Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, no reservations required. $2. Mon May 22 at 7 pm.

DEATH BEHIND THE TABLOIDS

One night only. A reading of a murder mystery comedy. Green Theatre Productions at Seattle Center House, 305 Harrison St, 325-6500. $7. Wed May 24 at 7 pm.

HULA BOWL-O-RAMA

One day only. A fundraiser for ReAct, the philanthropic theater company that, weirdly, keeps getting robbed.ReAct at Garage, 1134 Broadway Ave, www.reacttheatre.org/bowl.html. $30 (21+ w/ID). Sun May 21 at 4 pm.

AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH ANNETTE BENING

One night only. Ms. Bening is an actress. She will be interviewed by Marcie Sillman. This is a benefit for an educational program. The Australian flag was chosen in 1901 from entries in a nationwide design competition. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $50–$75. Wed May 24 at 8 pm.

PLAY A PART

One night only. A fundraising party thingy with an auction featuring this item: "costumed tea party for 10 children in Victorian style."Seattle Public Theater, 7312 W. Green Lake Dr N, www.seattlepublictheater.org. $30–$100 (food/beverage incl.). Sun May 21 at 5:30 pm.

RICHARD RHODES: LOUIS SLOTIN AND THE MAKING OF THE ATOMIC BOMB

One night only. A lecture by the Pulitzer Award–winning The Making of the Atomic Bomb.Seattle Science Lectures at Town Hall Seattle, 1119 Eighth Ave, no reservations required. $5. Sun May 21 at 7:30 pm.

f the Atomic Bomb.Seattle Science Lectures at Town Hall Seattle, 1119 Eighth Ave, no reservations required. $5. Sun May 21 at 7:30 pm.