OPENING THIS WEEK
A CHRISTMAS CAROL · A Contemporary Theatre
APPALACHIAN CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING · Taproot Theatre
THE HOTHOUSE · Liberty Deli
INSPECTING CAROL · Seattle Repertory Theatre
MONEY & RUN, EPISODE ONE · Theater Schmeater
NUTCRACKER · Pacific Northwest Ballet
WHAT I TELL YOU IN DARKNESS · Golden Fish Theatre
ONE WEEK ONLY
AMERICAN INDIAN DANCE THEATRE · Everett Performing Arts Center
COMFORT AND JOY · Seattle Men's Chorus
CLOSING THIS WEEK
ANNE · ArtsWest
CHERRY CHERRY LEMON · Re-bar
OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
The deluge of holiday shows, vol. 1: Dickens. A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $21-$32. Tues-Sat at 7 pm, Fri at 9:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm, Sun at 6 pm (but there are many irregularities, particularly towards the end of the run, so call ahead). Through Dec 23.
ANNE
An adaptation of Anne of Green Gables. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 325-6500. $10-$24. Wed-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sat at 3 pm on Nov 24. (no performance on Thanksgiving.) Through Nov 24.
APPALACHIAN CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING
The deluge of holiday shows, vol. 2: Forbidden hillbilly love. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $18-$26. Wed-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sat at 2 pm. Through Dec 29.
THE BEARD OF AVON
A comedy about the 'Was Shakespeare really Shakespeare' controversy. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Second Ave & Mercer St, 443-2222. $15-$39. Tues-Sun at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. Through Dec 22.
BLACK TO MY ROOTS
See Stranger Suggests. Subtitled, African American Tales from the Head... and the Heart. The eternal love-hate relationship between black women and their hair. Brownbox Theater at Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S Alaska St, 381-8708. $15 in advance, $20 at the door, $10 kids 12 and under. Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 3:30 pm. Through Dec 2.
* CHERRY CHERRY LEMON
All about girls and sex, with Keira McDonald's Showerhead as an appetizer. "[Playwright Keri] Healey's script is both forceful and delicate, knowing and curious, wise without arrogance. It's also hilariously frank, but an undergirding sadness makes the laughs empathetic, and therefore all the heartier." (Sean Nelson) Re-bar, 1114 Howell Ave, 323-0388. $12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 24 (no performance on Thanksgiving).
HELLCAB
Reviewed this issue. This was a big hit in Chicago, about a cab driver doing a 14-hour shift right before Christmas. Theatre Company No. 3 at Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12 (Thurs is pay-what-you-will). Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Dec 15.
THE HOBOKEN CHICKEN EMERGENCY
The conflict between small-town small-mindedness and a giant chicken. A musical. Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $14.50-$22.50. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 & 5:30 pm. Through Jan 5.
THE HOTHOUSE
The deluge of holiday shows, vol 4: I didn't know there was such a thing as "Harold Pinter's zany holiday classic," but that's how the press release describes this show. Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 935-8420. $29 ($15 show only, tickets limited). Fri-Sat and selected Sun; dinner at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:30 pm. Through Dec 29.
INSPECTING CAROL
The deluge of holiday shows, vol. 3: Dickens + Gogol. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Second Ave & Mercer St, 443-2222. $15-$44 ($20 for anyone under 25). Tues-Sun at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. Opens Mon, Nov 26, at 7:30. Through Dec 30.
THE LARAMIE PROJECT
A documentary theater piece about the killing of Matthew Shepard. The Empty Space at the Eve Alvord Theatre in the Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Center, 547-7500. $22-$30 ($10 for anyone 25 and under, seniors 1/2 price). Tues-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm (2 pm matinees on Dec 2, 9, & 15). Through Dec 15.
ORGASMO ADULTO ESCAPES FROM THE ZOO
Reviewed this issue. Short plays by Dario Fo and Franca Rame. A Theatre Under the Influence at the Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12, Thurs are pay-what-you-will. Runs Fri-Sun until Nov 25; runs Thurs-Sat after; 8 pm. Through Dec 15.
SHADES OF PARKLAND
Reviewed this issue. A love triangle between a bride, a policeman, and a widow. Vodvil Theater, 1408 18th Ave, 329-9198. $12 (opening and closing nights are $25). Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Dec 1.
SUBTERRANEAN HOMESICK
Reviewed this issue. A new dysfunctional family comedy by John Moe. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm (also Sun at 2 pm on Nov 25 & Dec 9 only). Through Dec 14.
WHAT I TELL YOU IN DARKNESS
A new play by Stuart Greenman (Silence, Cunning, Exile), about the birth of televangelism. Golden Fish Theatre at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 528-0158. $18. Thur-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Dec 16.
DANCE
NUTCRACKER
The deluge of holiday shows, vol. 5: The deeply Freudian children's tale, en pointe. Pacific Northwest Ballet at Seattle Center Opera House, 301 Mercer St, 292-ARTS. $15-$84. Sat at 2 & 7:30 pm, Sun at 1 & 5:30 pm, weekday shows start on Dec 7; the schedule is a little erratic, so call in advance. Through Dec 27.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
COMFORT & JOY
The deluge of holiday shows, vol. 6: Gay men singing. Seattle Men's Chorus at Benaroya Hall, Third Ave between Union & University, 323-2992. $5-$12.50. Sat at 8, this weekend only.
LATE NIGHT
MONEY & RUN, EPISODE 1
They're remounting all the early episodes with an all-new cast. I pity the fool who tries to fill Julie Rawley's shoes. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $10 (under 18 free). Thurs-Sat at 11 pm. Through Dec 15.
LONG RUNS
CABARET: THE RESURRECTION at Coffee Messiah, 861-8233.
JET CITY IMPROV at ArtsWest, 938-0339; at the Ethnic Cultural Theater (Note new location), 781-3879.
LATE NIGHT CATECHISM from Seattle Theatre Project at A Contemporary Theatre, 292-7676.
MYSTERIAN at Illusionz Magical Entertainment Center, Issaquah, (425) 427-2444.
QUEER AS A THREE DOLLAR BILL at the Comedy Underground, (800) 992-8499.
THEATERSPORTS at the Market Theater, 781-9273.
