OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

BARELY LEGAL
The first show at the renovated old Speakeasy in Belltown, featuring free-falling cowboys, lesbian civil servants, and mythic creatures on motorcycles. By Mok Moser of the Pork-Filled Players. Spitfire, 2219 Fourth Ave, 800-838-3006. $14 adv/$16 DOS (21+ w/ID). Fri–Sat at 7:30 pm. Through June 24.

THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
Opening. Harold Pinter's famous absurdist play is considered a classic, but was a commercial failure when it opened in London in 1958. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 800-838-3006. $10–$35. Previewing Thurs June 22 at 7:30 pm. Opening Fri June 23 at 7:30 pm. Gala performance Sat June 24 at 6:30 pm. Sun at 7:30 pm. Through July 8.

BUST
Opening. See Stranger Suggests. Empty Space Theatre, 901 12th Ave, 547-7500. $20–$30. Previewing Fri–Sat at 8 pm, Mon–Tues at 7:30 pm. Opening Wed June 28 at 7:30 pm. Through Aug 5.

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED)
Final week. Titus Andronicus as a cooking show, the histories as a football game, and other spoofs. Absurd Reality Theatre at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 241-4407. $10 adv/$12 DOS. Fri–Sat at 8 pm. Through June 24.

DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN
Final week. 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. 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.

AN EVENING WITH DOROTHY PARKER
Final week. See Theater News. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, no reservation required. $15. Fri–Sat at 8 pm. Through June 24.

FETES DE LA NUIT
Opening. A "theatrical collage" set in Paris by Charles L. Mee (The Trojan Women), with live music, strong language, and partial nudity. Strike Anywhere Productions and the Shunpike at Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 800-838-3006. $10. Opening Fri June 23 at 8 pm. Sat–Sun at 8 pm. Through July 16.

THE FOREIGNER
Final week. A British gent 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. Through June 24.

HELLO, DOLLY!
Final week. 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, Sun at 2. Through June 25.

KUWAIT
A play about the military, the media, and a reporter who un-embeds herself. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $18, Thurs by donation. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm. Through July 22.

THE LAST SUNDAY IN JUNE
"Don't spend your money on The Last Sunday in June. The acting? The staging? I don't want to talk about it. What's worse, the play thinks it's smarter than it is. The surprises are of the unsurprising variety (did you know gay men sometimes cheat on each other?) and the feelings are of the Hallmark variety (greeting-card optimism, greeting-card regret) and the minutiae literally involves Pottery Barn." (Christopher Frizzelle) ReAct at Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 364-3283. $6–$15, Thurs by donation. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri–Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 4 pm. Through July 2.

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.

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 July 16.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Final week. "'Nothing' was Elizabethan slang for the female bits, and Much Ado About Nothing is supposed to be about women: better, smarter, more virtuous than their suitors. In this production, two stupid men—a dumbed-down Benedick and Dogberry, the malaprop-spewing cop—are the most interesting characters. That's not good." (Brendan Kiley) Seattle Shakespeare Company at Center House Theatre, Seattle Center, 733-8222. $18–$30. Thurs–Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 pm. Through June 24.

RICHARD III
See review this issue. Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $10–$46. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm, Tues at 7:30 pm, Wed at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through July 15.

SAVING HARRY
Carl Nelson's new play about copier salesmen. Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW, 800-838-3006. $15.75. Fri at 7 pm, Sat at 2 and 7 pm. Through July 8.

SEX IN SEATTLE, EPISODE 13: RISKING IT ALL FOR LOVE?
Final week. "A loose combination of Sex and the City, groaning sitcom mayhem, and... Asian stuff, Sex in Seattle has been lightly parsing the contemporary Asian-American female experience since 2001. Emphasis on lightly." (Lindy West) SIS Productions at Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 323-9443. $8–$12. Fri–Sat at 8 and 10:30 pm. Through June 24.

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, 800-838-3006. $18–$20. Thurs–Fri at 7:30 pm. Through July 29.

THEM!
Final week. "The cast doesn't have that tight ensemble feeling that sketch requires. Most of the ideas are weak: There is a speech by a woman who likes to eat men's "ding-dongs"—by which she means Hostess Ding Dongs. (Hee-haw!) The cues are slow. The pacing is slack. As comedy, it's a big pile of blah." (Brendan Kiley) Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $10. Thurs–Sat at 8 pm. Through June 24.

TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
"That man that hath a tongue, I say, is no man, if with his tongue he cannot win a woman." Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater, 36800 SE David Powell R, Fall City, 425-736-7252. $6–$16, optional dinner an additional $16. Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 3 and 8 pm, Sun at 3 pm. Through July 16.

WINE IN THE WILDERNESS
See review this issue. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $10–$54, Thurs at 2 pm by donation. Thurs at 2 and 7:30 pm, Fri–Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm, Tues–Wed at 7:30 pm. Through July 9.

DANCE

BEYOND THE SEA
Final week. Emerald City Swing at Velocity Dance Center, 915 E Pine St, www.emeraldcityswing.com/tickets. $10.75. Fri–Sat at 8 pm.

ONCE: A DANCE/MUSIC IMPROVISATION
One night only. Produced by dancer Beth Graczyk and musician Jason E. Anderson. Center on Contemporary Art, 410 Dexter Ave N, www.makejetsilent.com/once. $5–$10 suggested donation. Sun June 25 at 8 pm.

CABARET

ATOMIC BOMBSHELLS
One week only. Tits, ass, and sassafras. Can Can Kitchen & Cabaret, 94 Pike St, 652-0832. $12. Sun at 8 and 10 pm, Wed at 8 and 10 pm.

BURLESQUE BEHIND THE PINK DOOR
Ongoing. Novelty acts, puppets, crooners, 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
Final week. Songs and sketches on everyone's favorite vices. SecondStory Repertory at Redmond Town Center, 16587 NE 74th St, Redmond, 425-881-6777. $20–$26. Fri–Sat at 8:15. Through June 24.

IMPROV & COMEDY

Rebecca Corry 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.

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 July 28.

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.

CAPITOL HILL HIGH
"Neither the story nor the style of Episode 2 seems thought through beyond the next (typically lame) punch line, and in the end, the crap's overwhelmingly crappy. The show's not without its own weird treats: BAP mainstay Craig Trolli attacks his role like a furious gay robot on Red Bull, bringing a wit and purpose to the proceedings that's in seriously short supply elsewhere. If Bad Actor Productions could make such inspired stupidity their calling card, they could be onto something. For now, there's just room for improvement." (David Schmader) Bad Actor Productions and To Be Continued Productions at Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 800-838-3006. $10 advanced/$12 DOS (21+ w/ID except Wed). Thurs–Sat at 10:30 pm, Wed at 8 pm. Through July 1.

CRESCENDO FALLS
Opening. Episode three of the bed-hoppin', back-stabbin' soap opera. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $12. Previewing Thurs June 22 at 11 pm. Opening Friday June 23 at 11 pm. Sat at 11 pm. Through July 22.

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 July 1.

SPECIAL EVENTS

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S GALA: A FUNDRAISING PARTY
One night only. Auction and events for the so-called erotic cabaret called Little Red Studio. Hengst Studio, 1506 Franklin Ave E, 800-838-3006. $20. Sat June 24 at 9 pm.

OPEN BOX
An open mic for playwrights. Seattle Dramatists at Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave, no reservations required. $3. Sat at 4:30 pm.

ON BEING AN ACTOR
One night only. Actor Seán G. Griffin discusses such glamorous topics as memorizing lines and sucking up to desiccated casting directors. Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $10. Mon June 26 at 7:30.