OPENING THIS WEEK

CHERRY CHERRY LEMON 路 Re-bar

THE LABORATORY OF HALLUCINATIONS 路 A Theatre Under the Influence

PROOF 路 Seattle Repertory Theatre

(SECLUSION) 路 Secluded Alley Works

POP CULTURE II: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO 路 Some Kind of Cult

XXX 路 Open Circle Theater


ONE WEEK ONLY

THE GUANGDONG MODERN DANCE COMPANY 路 UW World Series

NEWSROOM 路 Independent Media Center

SAY IT ISN'T SO 路 MOAZZ

SKETCHFEST FUNDRAISER 路 Re-bar

VIOLET'S LANE 路 ArtsWest


CLOSING THIS WEEK

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC 路 The 5th Ave Theatre

IN IT FOR THE MONEY 路 Tumbo Productions

THE ONCE AND FUTURE JAYNE 路 Crepe de Paris

OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD 路 Theater Schmeater

ROOM 路 On the Boards

SNOOPY!!! THE MUSICAL 路 SecondStory Repertory

THE STORY OF THE BULL 路 Macha Monkey Productions

TWILIGHT ZONES LIVE 路 Theater Schmeater

THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES 路 The Moore Theatre


OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS


A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

Co-produced by A Contemporary Theatre. The musical responsible for "Send in the Clowns"--lush romanticism or trite trash? Discuss. Featuring Hayley Mills, former child star of The Parent Trap and Polyanna. Gosh, she was cute. Sigh. The 5th Ave Theatre, 1308 5th Ave, 292-ARTS. $18-$58. Tues-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2, Sun at 7:30. Through Oct 14.


ANOTHER AMERICAN: ASKING AND TELLING

Marc Wolf's one-man docudrama culled from interviews on the American military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. "The set and lighting design from the original, Obie-winning Off-Broadway production are effectively crisp and spare. I wish the script and the acting had been as polished." (Rebecca Brown) Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $31-$44 ($10 for anyone under 25). Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2. Through Oct 26.


* CHERRY CHERRY LEMON

Keri Healey's hit show--all about girls and sex--from the last Fringe Festival returns, accompanied by Keira McDonald's Showerhead as an appetizer. Re-bar, 1114 Howell Ave, 323-0388. $12. Thurs-Sun at 8. Through Nov 25 (no performance on Thanksgiving).


CLUE THE MUSICAL

They don't even have the common decency to use a comma in the name of this production. "This could possibly have been the longest 90 minutes of my life." (Adrian Ryan) ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $14-$20, $10 for students under 25 on weekdays and during matinees. Wed-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, matinees at 3 pm on Oct 14, 20. Through Oct 20.


THE FANTASTIC VOYAGE OF MARCO POLO

A fantasy based on Marco Polo's trip from Venice to China, featuring underwater puppets! Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave NE, 523-2579. $6.50 children, $7 seniors, $8.50 adults. Fri at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 1 & 3. Through Oct 28.


THE GIN GAME

"A card game becomes a metaphor for life," says the press release. Back when you were knee-high to a grasshopper, this won the Pulitzer Prize. Features a catered dinner. RipTide Dinner Theatre at ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-9793. $26. Fri-Sat at 7 pm for dinner, 8 pm show (also Sun on Oct 14). Through Oct 20.


IN IT FOR THE MONEY

A bunch of skits and songs about everything from ukuleles to Nazis, from the guys who brought you the Tumbling Tumbo Brothers. Featuring two members of the late lamented Kings' Elephant Theatre. Tumbo Productions at Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 440-0314. $12, pay-what-you-can on Thurs. Thurs-Sat at 8. Through Oct 13.


JOHNNY TREMAIN

A young silversmith loses his job and starts throwing tea into Boston Harbor. Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $14.50-$22.50. Fri at 7, Sat-Sun at 2 & 5:30. Through Oct 27.


* JOYFUL NOISE

The creation of Handel's Messiah. Sort of an 18th century episode of Behind the Music. "A fascinating story, though not exactly the most dramatic one.... Still, what Joyful Noise lacks in friction it makes up with in froth... it seems impossible for this play to hold together until evening's end--but miraculously, it does." (Tamara Paris) Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $17-$25. Wed-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat at 2. Through Oct 27. (Starting Oct 5, NightCap Comedy Improv plays after every Friday show at 10:15. $5.)


THE LABORATORY OF HALLUCINATIONS

All the blood, gore, and ichor you could want. A revival of the Grand Guignol play that launched A Theatre Under the Influence at the Union Garage, 1416 10th Ave, 720-1942. $13 Fri-Sat, pay-what-you-will Thurs. Thurs-Sat at 8:13 (special performance Wed, Oct 31 at 7 pm). Through Nov 3.


LITTLE MURDERS

Reviewed this issue. Jules Feiffer's darkly comic examination of random violence. Perhaps the most appropriate play that could be performed right now. Seattle Public Theatre, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 325-6500. $14-$19. Wed-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Through Oct 28.


* OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD

Australian convicts in the late 1700s put on a show. "Pain, pathos, humor, revulsion, and charm, all expressed with soul and candor; I can't remember when I've seen such a skilled and well-rounded ensemble cast... How can you help but love a show with a character called 'Shitty Meg'? That's right. You can't." (Adrian Ryan) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $12 (anyone under 18 gets in free), Thurs-Sat at 8. Through Oct 13.


POP CULTURE II: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO

Last year, Pop Culture poked fun at '70s dreck like The Dukes of Hazzard, Pac-Man, and Strawberry Shortcake. This year, they're focusing on the 80s. Ho ho! The Breakfast Club sure is funny now! Some Kind of Cult at Freehold, 1529 10th Ave, Second floor, 524-5858. $10. Fri-Sat at 8. Through Oct 20.


PROOF

Even mathematical geniuses fall in love. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $15-$44 ($10 for anyone under 25). Tue-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2 (also Wed at 2 on Nov 7). Through Nov 10.


* ROOM

Reviewed this issue. A solo piece inspired by Virginia Woolf, from theater whiz Anne Bogart. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $22 Wed/Thurs/Sun, $24 Fri-Sat. Wed-Sun at 8. Through Oct 14.


* THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS

The classic farce, brilliantly directed by Bartlett Sher and featuring a knockout cast of local talent. Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $30-$42, $10 for anyone 25 or under. Tues-Thurs & Sun at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2 (additional 2 pm show on Wed, Oct 24). Through Oct 27.


THE STORY OF THE BULL

Reviewed this issue. Torrid Greek myths told as pithily as possible, in a play by Stranger theater editor Bret Fetzer. Features some hot girl-on-girl action. From the crew that did Live Girls Do Elektra. Macha Monkey Productions at Velocity MainSpace, 915 E Pine St, 2nd floor, 285-9442. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8. Through Oct 13.


UTILITIES

A solo show from San Francisco, in which a landlord interviews a wide variety of applicants for an apartment. TANTA Productions at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8:30. Through Oct 20.


THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES

This week, Tracey Leigh, Amy Love, and someone else perform Eve Ensler's monologues about the gates of dawn, as one high-school friend who listened to way too much Pink Floyd called 'down there.' The Moore Theatre, Virginia & Second Ave, 292-ARTS. $26-$46. Tues-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2, Sun at 7. Through Oct 14.


DANCE


SAY IT ISN'T SO

Modern jazz dance on the theme of the ironies of life. MOAZZ at the Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, (425) 450-3840. $15 general, $12 seniors. Fri-Sat at 8, this weekend only.


GUANGDONG MODERN DANCE COMPANY

See Stranger Suggests. A Chinese modern dance troupe, and by all accounts it kicks ass. UW World Series, Meany Hall for the Performing Arts, UW Campus, 543-4880. $32. Thurs-Sat at 8. This weekend only.


NEWSROOM

Or, newsROOM. Sheri Cohen and cohorts engage in long-form sound and movement improvisation. Independent Media Center, 1415 Third Ave. By donation. The show starts Sat at 7 pm and continues "till we're done"; the audience is welcome to enter or exit at any time. This weekend only.


FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY


CAMPFIRE

Long form improvisation, based on audience experiences with unexplained--i.e. spooooooky!--phenomena. Unexpected Productions at the Market Theatre, Post Alley below the Pike St. Market, 781-9273. $10. Fri-Sat at 8. Through Oct 27.


COMEDY COURT

Improv comedy. University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE, 442-2044. $7 general, $5 students. First and third Friday of each month at 7:30. Through Nov 16.


THE ONCE AND FUTURE JAYNE

Seattle favorite Jayne Muirhead sings and talks at the Cabaret at the Crepe de Paris, 1333 5th Ave, 2nd level, 623-4111. $45 for 3-course meal and show; $18 for show only. Thurs at 8, Fri-Sat at 8:30. Through Oct 13.


(SECLUSION)

See Stranger Suggests. An overnight expedition into art. You will be returned to Seattle the next morning at 10 am. Or so they claim. Secluded Alley Works, 113 12th Ave, 839-0880. $23, includes breakfast; tickets must be purchased by calling 839-0880 or e-mailing tix@secludedalleyworks.org. Fri at 7, this weekend only.


SKETCHFEST FUNDRAISER

A big party to raise money for the next SketchFest, a weekend of sketch comedy both local and national. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 444-4315. $10. Wed at 8, this week only.


VIOLET'S LANE

A new musical theater work by Nadine Shanti; looks to be some kind of family history-autobiography fusion. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $15. Sun at 7 pm, this weekend only.


XXX

Nothing pornographic here, just a trio of works in progress. On Fridays: VIC, by Maria Glanz, about 19th century suffragette Victoria Woodhull. On Saturdays: The Brazilian, episode 3, by Gavin Cummins, a radio-drama pastiche of post-WWII intrigue; and Always In, Always Out, by Mark Nichols and Amy Rider, a sensuous jumble of dance and music. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $6 each show or $10 for any two. Fri-Sat at 8. Through Oct 27.


LATE NIGHT


TWILIGHT ZONES LIVE

Two classic episodes--To Serve Man and The Grave--done up in patented Schmeater style. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $8. Fri-Sat at 11. Through Oct 13.