OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

recommended CIRQUE DU SOLEIL’S VAREKAI

“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, but his 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 11.

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. Through June 24.

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.

recommended FAUN FABLES, DEGENERATE ART ENSEMBLE

One night only. Experimental circus jazz! Faun Fables (with Nils of Sleepytime Gorilla Museum) will perform The Transit Rider, their theatrical song cycle. Triple Door, 216 Union St, www.tripledoor.com. $12. Mon June 5 at 7:30 pm.

THE FOREIGNER

See review. 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

Final week. Featuring an all-female cast. “Frailty, thy name is woman!” Animus Theater Project at East Hall Theatre, 1529 10th Ave, www.brownpapertickets.com. $12. Thurs–Sat at 7:30 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 2 and 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

See review. 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

Final week. 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

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. Thurs–Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3 and 7:30 pm, Sun at 3 pm. Through June 10.

recommended KING JOHN

Final week. “The action in King John is violent but the dialogue is swollen with politics—how a single town frustrated two warring kingdoms, how a marriage reconciled them, and how the pope set them fighting again. This all-female production is packed with good actors and a smart director—points for obscurity and all-around awesomeness.” (Brendan Kiley) 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.

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.

recommended LES MISÉRABLES

Final week. See review. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. $19–$75. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 1:30 and 7 pm. Through June 4.

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 June 25.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Opening. Fact: In Shakespeare’s time, “nothing” was slang for the female bits.Seattle Shakespeare Company at Center House Theatre, Seattle Center, 733-8222. $18–$30. Preview performance Thurs June 1 at 7:30 pm. Opening Fri June 2 at 7:30 pm. Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through June 25.

NATIVE OTHELLO

One week only. “Your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.” Featuring an all Native youth cast. Red Eagle Soaring Native American Theater Group at Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S Alaska St, no reservations required. $6–$25 suggested donation. Sat–Sun at 7:30 pm. Through June 4.

OEDIPUS

Opening. Seneca’s version of the story about the most famous mother fucker in history. (For the theater nerds: This company works in the tradition of Jerzy Grotowski and the “poor theater ethos.”) Akropolis Performance Lab at Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs, 2336 15th Ave S, www.brownpapertickets.com. $10–$15. Opening Fri June 2 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm. Through June 17.

recommended PASSPORT

“With a threadbare set, no props but suitcases, and a youthful eight-person ensemble, watching this series of 10-minute plays by Bret Fetzer is like watching kids playing out fantasies about adult love up in the attic—where the wonder lives. And the monsters.” (Brendan Kiley) 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.

POSTCARD PLAYS

One week only. Six performances based on original postcards. Participants include WET, Crispin Spaeth, Ki Gottberg, and others.Empty Space Theatre at Lee Center for the Arts, 901 12th Ave, 547-7500. $12. Wed June 7 at 7:30 pm. Through June 8.

SEX IN SEATTLE, EPISODE 13: RISKING IT ALL FOR LOVE?

Opening. The live soap opera continues, with a kidnapping, old flames, a wedding, and lots and lots of dating. SIS Productions at Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 323-9443. $8–$12. Opening Fri June 2 at 8 and 10:30 pm. Sat at 8 and 10:30 pm. Through June 24.

recommended 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.

THE TEMPEST

Final week. Guest artists from Circus Contraption transpose Shakespeare’s play from an island to a circus ring. Seattle Central Community College at Erickson Theatre, 1524 Harvard Ave, 325-6500. $5–$12 (Thurs by donation). Thurs–Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through June 4.

DANCE

GALA OPENING

One week only. Pffft! presents Pendulum and Pathology—and plates of Pacific Northwest provisions!Pffft! Dance Theatre Company at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW, www.dnda.org. Performance by donation, gala $75. Free performances, Thurs–Fri at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Gala opening, Sat June 3 at 7 pm.

JEWELS

Opening. Emeralds, Rubies, and Diamonds, featuring music by Fauré, Stravinsky, and Tchaikovsky and choreography by (gasp!) George Balanchine.Pacific Northwest Ballet at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, 441-2424. $20–$134. Opening Thurs June 1 at 7:30 pm. Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 pm. Through June 11.

CABARET

BURLESQUE BEHIND THE PINK DOOR

Ongoing. Novelty acts, puppets, singin’, and old-fashioned burlesque.With Paula the Swedish Housewife. Pink Door, 1919 Post Alley. No reservations required. $10. (21+ w/ID.) Sat at 10:30 pm.

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 SEVEN DEADLY SINS

Opening. Songs and sketches on everyone’s favorite vices. SecondStory Repertory at Redmond Town Center, 16587 NE 74th St, Redmond, 425-881-6777. $20–$26. “Pay what you can” preview Thurs June 1 at 8:15 pm. Opening Fri June 2 at 8:15. Sat at 8:15. Through June 24.

IMPROV & COMEDY

Arlo Stone 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. 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

Final week. 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.

THEM!

Opening. Really, really dark sketch comedy that aims to offend. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $10. Opening Fri June 2 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm. Through June 24.

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 midnight. 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.

SPIN THE BOTTLE

One night only. With opera singin’, tale-tellin’, and fancy-dancin’. Annex Theatre at Freehold’s East Hall Theater, 915 E Pine St, no reservations required. $7. Fri June 2 at 11 pm.

SPECIAL EVENTS

THE BAKERY: SPRING READINGS

One week only. Readings of news plays by women, one by a teen, one by an adult.Live Girls! Theater, 2220 NW Market St, www.brownpapertickets.com. $5. Thurs–Sat at 7:30 pm.

BLACK TIE BINGO

One night only. With Ron Sims, Nancy Pearl, and other local celebs. Lifelong AIDS Alliance at the W Hotel, 1112 Fourth Ave, www.llaa.org. $20 (21+ w/ID). Sat June 3 at 6 pm.

MEET CARLOS SAURA NIGHT FUNDRAISING EVENT

One night only. Paella and flamenco performance with the Spanish filmmaker who directed the dance interpretation of Lorca’s Bodas de Sangre back in the day. He has a new movie in this year’s SIFF but it’s not nearly as interesting.Spain Association of the Pacific Northwest at Center on Contemporary Art, 410 Dexter Ave N, www.spainassociation.org. $50–$100. Fri June 2 at 7 pm.