OPENING THIS WEEK

AND EVERYTHING NICE · Odd Duck Studio

LIVING WITH BETTY · Speakeasy Backroom

ONE WEEK ONLY

THE BINDLESTIFF FAMILY CIRKUS · Sand Point Naval Base

SECOND ANNUAL STEPPING STONE SKETCH COMEDY NIGHT · Nippon Kan Theater

TABOO · Seattle Playwrights Alliance

THIRD WEST COAST ENCOUNTER · International Capoeira Angola Foundation

UNDO · EXITheatre

VIVA ESPA--A · ArtsWest

CLOSING THIS WEEK

BLACK JACK · Northwest Actors Studio

THE DUCT TAPE EXPERIENCE · Disgruntled Bit Players

MONEY & RUN, EPISODE 3 · Theater Schmeater

SUMMER DURANG... SOME ARE NOT · Northwest Actors Studio

THE TWILIGHT ZONE MARATHON VII · Theater Schmeater

UNSINKABLE FRINGE RESURFACES · ReAct

OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

AND EVERYTHING NICE

Four one-woman shows featuring shopping for a second-hand wedding dress, talking body parts, sleepless nights holding a butcher knife, and a convention for women with oblong breasts. See review this issue. Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 324-1062. Thurs-Sat at 8; all performances pay-what-you-will. Through Sept 2.

BETRAYAL

Harold Pinter's oft-produced play that examines a love triangle by starting at its end and traveling backward to its beginning. Theatre Paradox at the Chamber Theater, Odd Fellows Hall, Fourth Floor, 915 E Pine, 568-0631. Thurs-Sat at 8; $12, $10 students. Through Sept 9.

THE BOUFFANTS

Big wigs, pop songs. "You too might find the wigs and songs in this extended skit about three Caucasian gals in a Motown-era girl group amusing, especially if you've been curious about the films of John Waters but don't cotton to all that vomit." (Tamara Paris) Cabaret de Paris, second level of Rainier Square, 1333 Fifth Ave, 623-4111. Thurs at 8, Fri-Sat at 8:30; $16 for the show, $42 for dinner too. Through Sept 30.

THE CHAIRS

A hot young director (Kate Whoriskey, currently featured in Vogue) and a new translation are going to try to invigorate this static chestnut of the absurd. Good luck. See review this issue. Intiman Theatre, Seattle Center, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. Call for times; $23.50-$42. Through Sept 9.

DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS

Fly-on-the-wall perspective of Michael & Lisa Marie, Pamela & Tommy, Frank's last days, and other moments of excruciating celebrity tabloid squalor. See review this issue. Annex Theatre, 1916 Fourth Ave, 728-0933. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7; $12. Added performance on Wed Sept 6. Through Sept 9.

HENRY IV, PART ONE

English politics filtered through a young king's relationship with a big fat drunk. Greenstage, 748-1551. At Volunteer Park on Sat Aug 26 and Sat-Mon Sept 2-4; all performances at 3 pm. Free.

IN THE PENAL COLONY

New "opera theater" work from Philip Glass and JoAnne Akalaitis. A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. Previews Sat-Wed Aug 26-30, 7:30 pm; $23 for previews only. Opens Thurs Aug 31. Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sun at 7:30, $36, Fri-Sat at 8, $42; matinees at 2 (call for matinee dates), $27. Through Oct 1.

LATE NIGHT CATECHISM

"While non-Catholics will find Sister's pathological disdain of chewing gum and broken rulers amusing, members of the faith will find it hilarious." (Adrian Ryan) A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2; $24.50-$29.50. Extended for eternity.

LIVING WITH BETTY

A solo show from Heather Benton, about a young woman whose new best friend may be a rampant liar. See Bio Box. Ursa Major Theater Company at the Speakeasy Backroom, 2304 Second Ave, 325-6500. Opens Fri Aug 25. Thurs-Sat at 8; $12, $8 students/seniors.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Two smartypantses fall in love while a good friend of theirs almost dies from public humiliation. Greenstage, 748-1551. At Volunteer Park on Sat Aug 26, & Fri-Sun Sept 1-3; all performances at 8 pm. Free.

MYSTERIAN

Spectacular magic show from magician Steffan Soule, surrounded by laser tag, air hockey, and more! more! more! See review this issue. Illusionz Magical Entertainment Center at 1025 NW Gilman Blvd in Issaquah, 425-427-2444. Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 3; $10-$15. No end in sight.

ST. NICHOLAS

Sounds like a Christmas show, but it's actually a vampire story. Starring Laurence Ballard. A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. Wed, Thurs, Sun at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, matinee on Sun Sept 3 at 2; $15. Through Sept 10.

SUMMER DURANG... SOME ARE NOT

Actually, all of them are Durang. Ten short plays from the hugely popular comic playwright, who's probably best experienced in a short format. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike, 324-6328. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 7; $10. Through Aug 26.

TABOO

A live radio theater anthology from some excellent local writers, including Scot Augustson, Ki Gottberg, Todd Moore, and some prominent not-so-local writers like Kevin Kling and Chay Yew. Produced by Seattle Playwrights Alliance at On the Boards Studio Theater, 100 W Roy, 217-9888. Fri-Sat Aug 25-26, 8:30 pm; $10.

THE TWILIGHT ZONE MARATHON VII

Theater Schmeater pulls at the teat of their cash cow one more time, which is not to say that these episodes won't be perfectly entertaining. Also featuring the insidiously popular Miss Intermission. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7; $12, under 18 free. Through Aug 26.

UNDO

An exploration of creation myths, with all sorts of fancy techniques and technologies. EXITheatre at Hangar #30 at the former Sand Point Naval Base, 779-2284. Thurs-Sat Aug 24-26, 8 pm; $10.

UNSINKABLE FRINGE RESURFACES

ReAct remounts three shows from the 2000 Fringe Fest: Another Antigone, Shylock, and Audition Antics. ReAct at Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 364-3283. Fri-Sun Aug 25-27 at varying times; $8 apiece, or a three-show pass for $15. Call for details.

DANCE

Third WEST COAST ENCOUNTER

Celebration/convention of bigwigs in the Capoeira scene, an Afro-Brazilian martial arts/dance form. Includes movement and music workshops, historical lectures, and Brazilian food (mmm!). International Capoeira Angola Foundation at the Happy Medium School, 620 20th Ave S, 937-5849. Fri-Sun Aug 25-27, times vary; $70 for the whole event, $30 per day, kids 13 and under are $7 per day; call for details.

VIVA ESPA--A

An evening of flamenco music and dance, which is just sexy as all get-out. ArtsWest Playhouse, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. Fri-Sat Aug 25-26, 8 pm; $20 adults, $17 seniors/members, $10 students.

FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY

THE BINDLESTIFF FAMILY CIRKUS

The low-budget, slightly sleazy alternative to Cirque du Soleil. See Stranger Suggests. At the former Sand Point Naval Base, Workshop 30, 7400 Sand Point Way NE; call 442-2004 for directions. Only two performances: Wed-Thurs Aug 30-31, 9 pm; $12 general, $10 for clowns in makeup.

HOKUM'S RAGTIME NICKELODEON REVUE

Professor Hokum W. Jeebs returns with an evening of ragtime, silent cinema, classic vaudeville, and the big sounds of the mighty 1929 WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ. "I felt somehow like we were fireflies raising our tiny lights into a shimmering chorus, sharing our voices before descending into the inevitable darkness." (Tamara Paris) Hokum Hall, 7904 35th Ave SW, 937-3613. Fri-Sat at 8; $12, $10 students/seniors, discounts available. Open-ended engagement.

JULIE CASCIOPPO EXPERIENCE

"Cascioppo has confidently tossed schmaltz, a Casio keyboard, a couple of exhausted-looking wigs, naughty banter, and... songs you thought you hated into a furiously agitating blender. The cocktail concocted goes down shockingly smooth." (Tamara Paris) Pink Door, Pike Place Market, 1919 Post Alley, 443-3241. Tues at 8:30 & 11. No cover.

Second ANNUAL STEPPING STONE SKETCH COMEDY NIGHT

Local standup and sketch comedians, free food, and a silent auction, all to benefit Stepping Stone Productions. Nippon Kan Theater, 628 S Washington Ave, 841-2521. Sat Aug 26; doors and bar open at 7 pm, show starts at 8 pm; $15 suggested donation.

THREE DOLLAR BILL

"Like most disreputable arts, standup now offers a more compelling product for its lack of adoration. Billed as a gay- and lesbian-oriented show, Three Dollar Bill also works as a low-cost current comedy primer." (Tom Spurgeon) Comedy Underground, 222 S Main St, 628-0303. Tues at 8; $6.

LATE NIGHT

BLACK JACK

A new play by Anthony Curry about three friends. Something must happen, but the press release doesn't say what. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike, 324-6328. Fri-Sat at 10:30; $5. Through Aug 26.

THE DUCT TAPE EXPERIENCE

Another sketch comedy show; this one claims to be an all-singing, all-dancing indictment of a society gone astray. Disgruntled Bit Players at the Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 729-4839. Fri-Sat at 11; $6. Through Aug 26.

EVERYTHING NOT FORBIDDEN IS PERMITTED (AND VICE VERSA)

A collection of quirky short plays and monologues by N.Y. playwright Anne Washburn, formerly of Seattle. Annex Theatre, 1916 Fourth Ave, 728-0933. Fri-Sat at 11; $5 (free if you saw the prime-time show). Through Sept 8 (no show on Fri Sept 1).

JET CITY IMPROV

Improv comedy and music based on audience suggestions. "The show goes down really smoothly. One only wishes for better direction." (Tom Spurgeon) Ethnic Cultural Theater, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE, 781-3879. Fri-Sat at 10:30; $7, $5 with student ID. ALSO: Through August, Jet City performs live with Fremont Friday Night Outdoor Movies, improvising dialogue and sound effects for B movies shown without sound. See Movie Times for details.

*MONEY & RUN, EPISODE 3

Wayne Rowley has an evil gift for channeling the spirit of terrible 1970-'80s television. Still, he'd be powerless were it not for the zest and gusto of his cast, who share a frightening, preternatural kinship with the cast of The Dukes of Hazzard. Frighteningly funny. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit, 324-5801. Thurs-Sat at 11; $6, no reservations. Through Aug 26.

THEATER SPORTS

"The only improvisational show I've ever seen where the women performers were clearly better than the men--a welcome change from the overaggressive scene-stealing of many male-driven troupes." (Tom Spurgeon) Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. Fri-Sat at 10:30, $9; Sun at 7, $5.

CALLS

5th Ave Musical Theatre Company looking for singer/actors, ensemble singers, and dancers who sing. Auditions on Sat-Mon Aug 26-28; call 625-1418 for information or appointments.

Northwest Actors Studio holding auditions for The Blue Moon Chronicles, a gay romantic comedy. Auditions on Sat Sept 9, callbacks on Sun Sept 10. Call 324-6328 for information and appointments.

Pork-Filled Players holding auditions for Dim Sum! The Musical! on Sat Sept 9. Call Roger at 221-5621 (days) or 365-1282 (evenings) or e-mail gwangung@u.washington.edu for information or appointments.

Open Circle Theater is looking for actors, singers, designers, and musicians for their upcoming production of a musical based on the work of Edward Gorey. Call 382-4250 for information and appointments.

Seattle Repertory Theatre is looking for teaching artists for their School Membership Program. Paid positions; all levels of experience encouraged to apply. Send headshot/resume to: Education Dept, Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer, Seattle, WA 98109.

Shenanigan Films is holding auditions for a 16mm short film, Jack Strange, Literary Hero. Call Dave at 324-2977, or go to www.shenaniganfilms.com.