OPENING THIS WEEK

ADAM BAUM AND THE JEW MOVIE · Empty Space

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT · Theatre Babylon

RENT · Paramount Theatre

ONE WEEK ONLY

14/48 · Consolidated Works

SPIN THE BOTTLE · Annex Theatre

CLOSING THIS WEEK

ARTHUR™ A LIVE ADVENTURE · Paramount Theatre

OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

A DELICATE BALANCE

Nobody tears apart upper middle-class family life like Edward Albee. Directed by M. Burke Walker. Previews Jan 8-14; opens Mon Jan 15. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $29-$42, $10 for anyone under 25. Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2. Through Feb 17.

ADAM BAUM AND THE JEW MOVIE

Awkward title, but a promising premise: A movie mogul and a left-wing screenwriter wrestle over a potential blockbuster at a boy's Bar Mitzvah. Previews Jan 5, 6, 8 (pay-what-you-can), & 9; opens Wed Jan 10. See Bio Box. Empty Space, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $20-$28 (1/2 price day-of-show tickets for students/seniors). Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2, Sun at 7. Through Feb 10.

ARTHUR™ A LIVE ADVENTURE

Tickets are already on sale for this family-friendly corporate grotesquerie. Paramount Theatre, Ninth and Pine, 292-ARTS. $15-$26. Wed-Fri at 7; Sat at 11, 2:30, and 6; Sun at 2:30 and 6. Through Jan 7.

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT

An evening of short plays on the theme of noble lost causes (such as the status of the short play in the American theater). Theatre Babylon, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12 (all Thurs are pay-what-you-will). Thurs-Sat at 8. Through Jan 27.

*HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH

The world's greatest botched-sex-change rock musical. "I seriously question the intelligence of anyone who doesn't see this show. Twice." (Adrian Ryan) Re-bar, 1114 Howell (at Boren), 323-0388 or 325-6500. $16. Thurs-Sun at 8. Through Feb 11.

IN REAL LIFE

Charlayne Woodard returns with the latest episode of her life, about her early years in New York. "I suspect Woodard made her character completely sympathetic--and unbelievable--in order to downplay the egotism of her third autobiographical monologue. If Woodard is a Pollyanna who just falls into stardom, the audience is less likely to roll their eyes and think 'megalomaniac.' I didn't buy it.... I would never argue that Charlayne Woodard is not a fine actress or has not lead an interesting life. It's the integrity of her story that I question." (Adrian Ryan) Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $15-$42, $10 for anyone under age 25. Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun matinees at 2. Through Jan 7.

LATE NIGHT CATECHISM

Those ever-popular Catholic hijinks. Seattle Theatre Project at A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $24.50-$29.50. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Running into eternity, or at least February.

*PRINCE BRAT AND THE WHIPPING BOY

"A very funny, exciting, and good play. It is about a spoiled prince and a smart whipping boy. The two boys run away from the castle where they live to get away from all the horrible things there. In this play at the beginning you would think it would be fun to live in a castle, but the play makes you realize it's better to live a normal life than a fancy life." (Maggie Brown, 10 years old) Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $14.50-$22. Fri-Sat at 7, Sun at 2 & 5:30. Through Jan 13.

RENT

One of the great publicity triumphs of our time; if playwright/composer Jonathan Larson hadn't died before opening night, this modest, maudlin work (an "update" of Puccini's La Boheme) would never have appeared on the cover of Newsweek. Opens Mon Jan 8. Paramount Theatre, Ninth and Pine, 292-ARTS. $21.50-$53.50. Mon-Sat at 8, Thurs & Sat at 2. Through Jan 13.

FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY

*14/48

The world's quickest theater festival returns, with an abundance of Seattle theater talent. See Stranger Suggests. Consolidated Works, 410 Terry Ave N, 860-5245. $10 at the door, $8 in advance (call 381-3218). Fri-Sat at 8 and 10:30. One weekend only.

LATE NIGHT

*JET CITY IMPROV

Improv comedy and music. "The show goes down really smoothly. One only wishes for better direction." (Tom Spurgeon) NEW LOCATION: University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE, 781-3879. $7, $5 with student ID. Fri-Sat at 10:30.

SPIN THE BOTTLE

The first 2001 edition of Annex's monthly cabaret, featuring a masturbation ode on the ukulele, perverse shadow puppetry, and so much more. Annex Theatre, 1916 Fourth Ave, 728-0933. $5. Fri Jan 5, 11 pm.

*THEATER SPORTS

"The only improvisational show I've 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

Annex Theatre seeks playwrights for Annex Hothouse 2001. For two weeks (May 12-26, 2001), Annex will host four writers who will work with directors and actors to create new pieces of theater. Call 728-8081 or e-mail hothouse@annextheatre.org for application guidelines or further information; deadline Jan 15, 2001.

Barefoot Theatre Group is holding auditions for Dario Fo's Accidental Death of an Anarchist on Wed-Thurs Jan 10-11. For information visit www.BarefootTheatreGroup.com or call 389-4977.

Cirque de Flambé seeks solo and ensemble fire acts, performers, tech crew, and fire safety crew. Will train, experience a plus. Contact 654-2922 or cirqueauditions@address.com before Mon Jan 8 (people interested in tech or production roles--including stage manager and production manager--have until Fri Jan 12 to make their interest known).

Civic Light Opera will be holding open call auditions for their production of South Pacific on Tues-Wed Jan 9-10, with callbacks on Sat Jan 13. Performances in April-May. Call 363-4807 for information or appointments. NOTE: The musicians strike at Civic Light Opera has not yet been resolved.

Encore Playhouse seeks a stage manager for Man of La Mancha, which opens on Fri Feb 2. Rehearsals have started and there is a two-week break for the holidays. Encore Playhouse is a non-equity theater company. If interested, respond A.S.A.P. to Lorraine Wagner at encorepl@aol.com.

It's Not You... It's Me is an original musical to be produced in the 2001 Fringe Festival, seeking an experienced musical director with strong piano skills. Visit www.deron.net/INYIM or call 979-3451.

Mildly Obese Bat Productions is holding auditions for Giants Have Us in Their Books by Jose Rivera, to be produced in the Fringe Festival in March. They need three men and three women who can play ages 10-35. Call Beth or Rachel at 213-0307.

Pierce County Playwright Festival seeks submissions. Mail two copies of your play in proper script format to: Dr. G. S. Relaford, 1001 S Mildred #10, Tacoma, WA 98465. Call Becca Rex at 253-779-4247 or go to geocities.com/pierceplaywrights to review new guidelines (strongly suggested) prior to submitting your script. Deadline is Wed Jan 31.

Seattle Public Theater seeks ethnic actors (two men, one woman) for The Tragedy of King Christophe. Also seeking lighting designer, propsmaster, and tech crew. Auditions by appointment only; call 328-4848 ext. 1.

Seattle Symphony and Marvin Hamlisch have extended their audition deadline to Jan 15, 2001. Send in a resume and videotape, labeled with your name, address, phone number, and type of talent to: "Marvin Hamlisch's Search for a Star" Audition Committee, P.O. Box 21906, Seattle, WA 98111-3906. There will be no live auditions with Mr. Hamlisch. For further information, call 336-6671.

Intiman Theatre is holding auditions for all roles (except Karl Lindner) in A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansbury directed by Jackie Moscou (rehearsal and show dates 3/20/01-5/19/01). Auditions will be held on January 15, 16, 17, and 20 by appointment. Call the Raisin info line at 269-1901 ext. 304.