OPENING THIS WEEK

42ND STREET · Civic Light Opera

AMY X NEUBURG & MEN · Pink Door Restaurant

BALD FACED LIE · Open Circle Theatre

HOW TEIRESIAS GOT THE GIFT · A Theater Near You

IOLANTHE · Peccadillo Players

LAST LISTS OF MY MAD MOTHER · Northwest Actors Studio

OUR TOWN · ArtsWest

PARADE · 5th Avenue Theatre

TWILIGHT ZONE LIVE · Theatre Schmeater

ONE WEEK ONLY

DELIGHTFUL, DELICIOUS, DELARIA... LEA DELARIA · Emerald City Arts

DREAMING OF MISTER PORTER · Emerald City Arts

MYSTICAL ARTS OF TIBET: SACRED MUSIC, SACRED DANCE · Kirkland Performance Center

CLOSING THIS WEEK

THE BOUFFANTS · Cabaret de Paris

DEFLOWERED IN THE ATTIC · Re-bar

GOD'S FAVORITE · Everett Theatre Players

THE HAINT · Union Garage

IN THE PENAL COLONY · A Contemporary Theatre

LITTLE WOMEN · Centerstage Theatre

¡MUCHAS CHICKENS! · Thistle Theatre

OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

42ND STREET

The classic musical about musicals. Civic Light Opera in the Jane Addams Theatre, 11051 34th NE, 363-2809. Opens Thurs Sept 28, 8 pm. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2:30; $18-$22. Through Oct 21.

ANIMAL FARM

Animals take charge! Only some of the animals turn out to be totalitarian despots. See review this issue. Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. Fri at 7, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30; $14.50-$22. Through Oct 28.

ATF: A BURLESQUE

A big sprawling spew of stuff related to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, as well as the commodities themselves. Features songs and spectacles. Annex Theatre, 1916 Fourth Ave, 728-0933. Pay-what-you-can previews on Fri-Sat Sept 29-30, 8 pm, and Wed Oct 4, 8 pm. Opens Fri Oct 6.

BALD FACED LIE

Fresh off the Canadian tour circuit, the ever-popular sketch comedy troupe returns with a show inspired by having totaled their car. Open Circle Theatre, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. Opens Fri Sept 29. Thurs-Sat at 8; $12 (pay-what-you-can on Thurs Oct 5). Through Oct 21.

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.

*DEFLOWERED IN THE ATTIC

Special six-show remount of the lurid, tawdry adaptation of some lurid, tawdry adolescent soft-porn novels celebrating incest. "All of the actors throw themselves at this shameless romp with relish." (Steve Wiecking) Re-bar, 1114 Howell St (at Boren), 325-6500. Tues-Wed at 8, $15; Thurs-Sun at 8, $20. Through Oct 1.

*THE HAINT

"The Haint is in the best tradition of haunting legends: a portrait of people coping with the backwaters of their own psyches in the guise of a ghost, as well as a tight and funny piece of one-man theater." (Brendan Kiley) Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. Fri-Sun at 8; $12, $10 students/seniors/Sundays. Through Oct 1.

HOW TEIRESIAS GOT THE GIFT

A faux Greek drama about the blind seer from Oedipus Rex whose gender is in question. A Theater Near You at the Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 726-9814. Thurs-Sat at 8; $8. Through Oct 7.

*IN THE PENAL COLONY

New "opera theater" work from Philip Glass and JoAnne Akalaitis, based on the Kafka short story. "You can build all the metaphorical castles you want on In the Penal Colony, and you might be dead right--but ACT gives us just what we need: a work of imagination about a work of imagination." (Brendan Kiley) A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sun at 7:30, $36; Fri-Sat at 8, $42; matinees at 2 (call for dates), $27. Through Oct 1.

JAR THE FLOOR

Four generations of African American women gathering for the 90th birthday of the family's great-grandmother. See review this issue. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun matinees at 2; $29. (Additional matinee Wed Oct 25, 2 pm.) Through Oct 28.

LAST LISTS OF MY MAD MOTHER

Noted play about a woman caring for her mother, who's suffering from Alzheimer's. Northwest Actors Studio, 11th and Pike, 324-6328. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 7; $10. Through Oct 21.

*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.

OUR TOWN

Thornton Wilder's bravura combination of theatrical experimentation, transcendental philosophy, and home-spun sentiment. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. Opens Fri Sept 29. Thurs-Sat at 8, (also Sat at 3); $20. Through Oct 21.

PARADE

The recently acclaimed musical about a man wrongfully accused of murder. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-ARTS. Tues-Sat at 8, Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2; $64-$208. Through Oct 15.

RADIO GALS

Musical about an all-girl band in the 1920s called the Hazelnuts. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. Wed-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat matinee at 2; $14-$24, $10 for 25 and under. No show Wed Oct 4. Through Oct 7.

THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE

"It's still funny--writer Jane Wagner has a fine grip on her wry, conceptual twists, and Lily Tomlin is Lily Tomlin--but in a comfortable, familiar way, not a surprising, different-perspective way." (Bret Fetzer) Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun matinees at 2; $18-$45. (Additional matinee Wed Oct 4, 2 pm.) Through Oct 7.

THE SHOW

Something audience-interactive. See review this issue. Podunk Productions at Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 297-7611. Thurs-Sat at 8; $8 (however, Thurs Sept 28 is "Ugly Night": "Everyone who is ugly gets in for free."). Through Oct 21.

TABLE WORK

An evening of four short plays, including plays by Bertolt Brecht and August Strindberg, all of which feature a table. "Much more touching, but by less hallowed writers, Rex by Joe Pintauro and Sam Shepard's Action were Table Work's gems." (Brendan Kiley) A Theater Under the Influence at the Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. Thurs-Sat at 8; $12, all Thursdays are pay-what-you-will. Through Oct 14.

TRANSFORMATIONS AND OTHER TALES

"[Poet Anne] Sexton had a great sense of humor, but too often her words were shouted beyond recognition, too often eight people saying the same line (almost) simultaneously lost the line.... When individual actors could get away from being part of the manic chorus, there were some fine moments." (Rebecca Brown) Theater Schmeater at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 324-5801. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2; $12, anyone 18 or under is free. Through Oct 21 (no performances Thurs-Sun Oct 5-8).

THE WEIR

Buncha Irish drunks chatting up a bird with ghost stories, until she tells them one of her own. See review this issue. Intiman Theatre, Seattle Center, 269-1900. Thurs-Sat at 8; Tues, Wed, Sun at 7; Sat-Sun matinees at 2 pm; $27.50-$42. Through Oct 14.

DANCE

THE MYSTICAL ARTS OF TIBET: SACRED DANCE, SACRED MUSIC

Music and dance from Tibetan monks. See Stranger Suggests. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland. Fri Sept 29, 7:30 pm; Sat Sept 30, 7 pm; $15-$19.

FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY

AMY X NEUBURG & MEN

Electronic avant-cabaret from a singer who gets compared to Kate Bush a lot, which sounds promising. See Stranger Suggests. Pink Door Restaurant, 1919 Post Alley, no reservations taken. Opens Wed Oct 4. Wed-Thurs at 8, Fri-Sat at 9; no cover. Through Oct 28.

DELIGHTFUL, DELICIOUS, DELARIA... LEA DELARIA

Butch comedienne turns chanteuse. See Stranger Suggests. Emerald City Arts at Meany Theatre on the UW campus, 323-2992. Sat Sept 30, 8 pm; $19-$24.

DREAMING OF MR. PORTER

Cheryl Bentyne of the Manhattan Transfer sings a bunch of Cole Porter. Emerald City Arts at Benaroya Hall, 200 University St, 323-2992. Wed-Fri Oct 4-6, 8 pm; $24.

*HOKUM HALL

The pleasures of vaudeville, both broad and delicate, are kept alive at Hokum Hall, 7904 35th Ave SW, 937-3613. Prices vary per event, but are almost never more than $12. Fri-Sat Sept 29-30, 8 pm: Pianomania!; Sat Sept 30, 3 pm: The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T, a.k.a. that weird Dr. Seuss movie; Tues-Wed Oct 3-4, 7:30 pm: Silent Cinema Classics with Hokum.

*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 Restaurant, Pike Place Market, 1919 Post Alley, 443-3241. Tues at 8:30 & 11; no cover.

*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

*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.

*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.

TWILIGHT ZONE LIVE

Two more episodes of the popular TV show put on the stage: The Lateness of the Hour and The Silence. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. Fri-Sat at 11; $8. Through Oct 21.

ELSEWHERE

1776

Founding fathers sing! Renton Civic Theatre, 507 S Third St, Renton, 425-226-5529. Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2; $15-$20. Through Oct 8.

GOD'S FAVORITE

Neil Simon re-writes the book of Job, about a theater critic forced to watch Neil Simon's re-write of the book of Job. Everett Theatre Players at the Historic Everett Theatre, 2911 Colby Ave, Everett, 425-258-6766. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2; $12, $9 students/seniors/military, $5 age 10 and under. Additional performance on Thurs Sept 28, 8 pm. Through Oct 1.

IOLANTHE

Gilbert & Sullivan's operetta about British politics and fairy folk. Peccadillo Players at the Meydenbauer Center Theatre, 11100 NE Sixth St, Bellevue, 325-6500. Fri-Sat at 8; $10-$40. (Additional matinee Sun Oct 8, 3 pm.) Through Oct 8.

LITTLE WOMEN

An original adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's popular book. Centerstage Theatre, 3200 SW Dash Point Rd, Federal Way, 253-661-1444. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2; $15-$18. Through Sept 30.

¡MUCHAS CHICKENS!

A bilingual Bunraku puppet adaptation of a Mexican folk tale about a thieving coyote. Thistle Theatre at the Moore Theatre in Sacred Heart School, 9450 NE 14th, Bellevue, 524-3388, www.thistletheatre.org. $8 adults, $5 children/seniors. Sat-Sun at 2 and 4 pm. Though Oct 1.

*MYSTERIAN

"After the enormously enjoyable [magic] show, we wolfed down gigantically proportioned Caesar salads in the Magicafe and then scooted into the close-up magic theater where [magician Steffan] Soule's art continued to confound us." (Tamara Paris) Illusionz Magical Entertainment Center at 1025 NW Gilman Blvd, Issaquah, 425-427-2444. Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 3; $10-$15. No end in sight.

THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD

Tony-winning musical adaptation of Dickens' unfinished novel, composed by the guy who did "The Piña Colada Song." Village Theatre, 303 Front St N, Issaquah, 425-392-2202. Wed-Sat at 8, Sun at 2; $22-$40. Through Oct 29. (Followed by a run at the Everett Performing Arts Center.)

PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES

A country and western musical, with a wee bit of rock-n-roll thrown in for spice. Tacoma Little Theatre, 210 North "I" St, Tacoma, 253-272-2281. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2; $13-$15. Through Oct 7.

CALLS

Annex Theatre is holding auditions for their holiday show on Sat Sept 30. Call 728-0933 for appointments or information.