OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL'S VAREKAI
"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.

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

HAMLET
An all-female version. Animus Theater Project at East Hall Theatre, 1529 10th Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $12. Thurs–Sat at 7:30 pm. Through June 3.

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
A robot, a Russian scientist, a Mormon, and a shut-in. Seattle Public Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 524-1300. $12–$20. Thurs–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.

JUST SO
A family-friendly musical based on the Just So Stories by literary genius and unabashed imperialist Rudyard Kipling. ArtsWest Playhouse, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $10–$15. Thurs–Sat at 7:30, Sun at 3 pm. Through June 10.

KING JOHN
See review this issue. upstart crow at Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 800-838-3006. $15 suggested donation. Thurs–Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through June 4.

LES MISERABLES
Opening. This production will feature over 1,000 costume pieces. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. $19–$75. Previewing Thurs May 25 at 2 pm. Opening Thurs May 25 at 8 pm. Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 1:30 and 7 pm, Tues–Wed at 7:30 pm. Through June 4.

MISS WITHERSPOON
Final week. "Miss Witherspoon is a liberal battle cry disguised as comedy, which would be fine, if only it were funnier." (Brendan Kiley) ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $10–$54. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri–Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through May 28.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Previewing. Seattle Shakespeare Company at Center House Theatre, Seattle Center, 733-8222. By donation. Preview performance Wed May 31 at 7:30 pm. Through June 25.

PASSPORT
See review this issue. 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.

ROT
Final week. See review this issue. Macha Monkey Productions with Tricklock Theatre Co. at Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $15 (21+ w/ID). Fri–Sat at 8 pm. Sun at 6 pm. Through May 28.

STONES IN HIS POCKETS
"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 June 30.

SWING VOTE
One night only. A "hiphop flavored political debate, game show, and cocktail party" featuring Jim Melton (federal defense analyst) and our own Erica C. Barnett. Seattle School at Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, no reservation required. $5. Thurs May 25 at 8 pm.

TALK ABOUT THE PASSION
Final week. 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.

WHAT IS SEXY?
Final week. "A series of tableaux and scenes playing out different people's notions of sexy, from the inevitable plumber-housewife scenario to 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.

SPIRITUS: PSYCHIC THEATER
One night only. Master Medium Faye invites you to chat with the dead. Bring a nosegay. Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $15 (21+ w/ID). Thurs May 25 at 7:30 pm.

DANCE

JEWELS
Previewing. Featuring music by Fauré, Stravinsky, and Tchaikovsky and choreography by (gasp!) George Balanchine. Pacific Northwest Ballet at Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave. By donation. Tues May 30 at noon.

CABARET

BURLESQUE BEHIND THE PINK DOOR
Final week. 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.

THE CONTABELLAS
See Stranger Suggests, page 15. Can Can Kitchen and Cabaret, 94 Pike St, 652-0832. No cover. Fri at 7 pm.

IMPROV & COMEDY

Lamont Ferguson 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. Rod Long 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.

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.

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 June 24.

SPECIAL EVENTS

P.A.N./CROSSPOLLINATION FUNDRAISER
One night only. A preview of Crosspollination, a dance/film/music thing that will tour Korea and Japan, featuring butoh wizard dk pan and others. Tashiro Kaplan Lofts, 115 Prefontaine Place S, no reservation required. By donation. Thurs May 25 at 8 pm.

THE SCARLET F: A BENEFIT SHOW FOR "THE F WORD"
One night only. A benefit show for a documentary project about queer femme identity. It's a good bet there will be some spoken word. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, www.ladyking.org. $12. Sat May 27 at 8 pm.