Straight Guy The day after I first saw DAVID SCHMADER perform, I called a bunch of pals and said, "You must go see this." The show, Letter to Axl, was funny and smart enough to make me feel sophisticated, but nasty enough to make me feel (in a cool way) dirty. I became a fan of Schmader's performance work for life. His subsequent work has included the multi-media performance Exploring Whoring, a pseudo-lecture about the concept of "humor" in the Family Circus comic strip, and the column "Last Days," which appears in this very paper. Straight, his new solo show, investigates the world of conversion therapy and the various "cures" for homosexuality, and will surely rip the snorts from the straight and un-straight alike. At Re-bar, 1114 Howell, 323-0388, Fri-Sun at 8, through May 9. $10, 21 & over (ID required).--REBECCA BROWN

OPENING THIS WEEK

EVERYDAY & TO-MORROW • Michael Bonacci
FESTIVAL OF IMPROV • Unexpected Productions
FIREBIRD • Pacific Northwest Ballet
FOOLPROOF • Northwest Comedy Festival
MAKING PORN • Ryan Idol
RADIO MAMBO • Seattle Rep
SPALDING GRAY • On The Boards
STRAIGHT • David Schmader
TIPS FOR GIRLS WHO STRIP • Parlour Room
UP IN YOUR GRILL • Annex
WOMEN ON TAP • Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center

ONE WEEK ONLY

57 KINDS OF MOVEMENT • Dena Lee Productions
LES BLANCS • Intiman
MARK DAVIS, BOB SMITH, JASON STUART • King Cat Theater
SPRING 1999 CORNISH DANCE THEATER • Cornish

CLOSING THIS WEEK

DESIGN FOR LIVING • Seattle Rep
THE GAME OF LOVE & CHANCE • Nu Black Arts West Theater
HERSTORY OF PORN: REEL TO REAL • Annie Sprinkle
LO BLO • Union Garage
NORTHWEST NEW WORKS • On The Boards
TITANIC: A NEW MUSICAL • Fifth Ave

OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

1918--A deadly inflamesuenza epidemic brings feverish epiphanies to a small town in Texas: Yes, family really matters. A feel-good play by Horton Foote (The Trip to Bountiful), directed by James Lapan. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, through May 8. $12-$15.

DEALER'S CHOICE--From England, a poker comedy that deals with a straight face with British slang, relationships, and the politics of money loans. This Northwest premiere is directed by Rod Pilloud. Empty Space Theater, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri at 8, Sat at 2 & 8, Sun at 2 & 7, through May 9. $16-$25.

DESIGN FOR LIVING--Ah, the bohemian life in Paris. You love her, she loves him, he loves his art. Noël Coward's play is set in 1933, and was originally written as a vehicle for himself and his two close friends Alfred Lunt and Lynne Fontanne. The Rep's version features Mark Chamberlin, Francesca Farinday, Jared Reed, and Jeff Woodman. Directed by Stephen Wadsworth (An Ideal Husband). Seattle Repertory Theater, Second & Mercer, 443-2222. Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2, through April 18. $10-$39.

EVERYDAY & TO-MORROW--The diary of an early Montanan feminist provides local poet Michael Bonacci fertile fodder for a full-length verse play, to be performed by Shana Bestock. The play spans a single day full of musings on isolation and poetry. Wit's End Teashop & Bookstore, 770 N 34th St, 256-1636. Fri-Sat at 8; Sun at 7, through April 25. $50 opening night benefit/$10.

FOUR FIRSTS--Local playwrights premiere four original shorts: Musings by Jose Amador; Corn by Andrew MacLean; Light from the Sun by Paul Mullin; and The Depressionist's Handbook by Joe Wack. Odd Duck Studios, 1214 10th Ave, 729-4839. Thurs-Sat at 8, through April 24. $10/$8.

THE GAME OF LOVE & CHANCE--Marivaux, the French dramatist and novelist, is apparently enjoying a revival in American theater as new translations of his classics hit the shelves. The Game of Love and Chance, which originally premiered in 1730, pulls the old servant/master switcheroo, resulting in all sorts of laff riots and revelations. Directed by Joseph DeLorenzo. Nu Black Arts West Theater, 153 14th Ave (at Fir), 985-1019. Thurs-Sat at 8, through Sat April 17. $10.

HERSTORY OF PORN: REEL TO REAL--Annie Sprinkle brings porn to light, including a how-to. Velvet Elvis Lounge Theater, 107 Occidental Ave S, 624-8477. Wed-Sun at 8, through Sun April 18. $22.

IT COMES AROUND--Before playwright Y York and director Mark Lutwak leave for new projects in Hawaii, they're presenting one last play in Seattle. Written by York, It Comes Around demonstrates what happens when one woman's powerlessness hits her in the face one too many times. Produced by Theater Under the Inflamesuence, "a company dedicated to under-represented themes and plays." Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. Thurs-Sat at 8, through April 24. $10.

LATE NIGHT CATECHISM--And the nun goes on. Somebody really likes cute Catholics. This is an evening of audience participation and interactive improv theater: think Sister Windy crossed with Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You. First Covenant Church, 400 E Pike, 292-ARTS. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, extended for eternity. $24.50-$29.50.

MAKING PORN --Miss Paddywack's? Console yourself with the return of the Broadway gay porn revue, this time starring porn superstar Ryan Idol as Jack Hawk, a straight actor turned gay porn icon. Theater Off Jackson, 409 7th Ave S, 781-5714. Wed-Thurs at 8; Fri-Sat at 7 & 10; Sun at 7, through May 2. $25.

*NORTHWEST NEW WORKS--New work from the area's most innovative performing artists. This week's program features brainy dance babe Amii LeGendre and hilarious monologist Matt Smith, along with Rockhopper Dance, Amy Ingram, and Lela Performance Group. On the Boards, 100 W Roy, 217-9888. Thurs-Sat at 8, through April 17. Festival passes $30 (students $20); individual shows $8-$12. See review this issue.

RED, WHITE & TUNA--Tuna, Texas, is the setting for Joe Sears and Jaston Williams' tale of redneck independence, the third in the "Greater Tuna" series. The Moore Theater, 1932 Second Ave, 292-2787, through April 25. Call for times and prices.

ROMANCE WITH DOUBLE BASS--Book-It Repertory presents stories by Anton Chekhov, whose rightfully celebrated plays are mere piddles compared to his gorgeous, masterful short stories. Book-It bravely chooses four: "Romance with Double Bass," "Anyuta," "The Chorus Girl," and "The Grasshopper." Book-It Theater, 1219 Westlake Ave N #301, 216-0877. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, through May 2. $10-$15.

*STRAIGHT--David Schmader is a funny man. Unfortunately, he was born gay. In Straight, Schmader searches for a remedy, throwing himself into sessions with a Bellevue psychotherapist, "ex-gay" support groups--even venturing into Texas. In the process, he examines the ethics of conversion therapy and what it means to be "straight." Schmader, whose last play, Exploring Whoring, ran extended sold-out performances last summer at the Re-bar, has been called "tough, smart, nasty, witty, and constantly surprising" (John McFarland). Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 323-0388. Fri-Sun at 8, through May 9. $10 (21 & over).

TERRA NOVA--In the race to reach the South Pole, tragedy ensues. Ted Tally's 1977 play based on British explorer Robert Falcon Scott's personal journals makes for doomed drama. Directed by Scott Nolte. Taproot Theater, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. Wed-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat at 2, through April 24. $20-$22.

TIPS FOR GIRLS WHO STRIP--Madeline Koulouris' one-woman show based on her actual experience as a stripper in New York is sure to raise a few eyebrows... among other things. Parlour Room, 163 S Jackson, 287-1900. $10.

TITANIC: A NEW MUSICAL--Horrendous tragedy is transformed into rambunctious singing 'n' dancing in this multiple-Tony-award-winning musical. Fifth Avenue Theater, 1326 Fifth Ave, 292-ARTS. Tues-Sun, call for times, through Sun April 18. $21-$65. See review this issue.

WALKING THE WALLS--"S.P. Miskowski's Southwestern odyssey sends two misplaced persons--an ex-con named Lloyd and a recovering repressed-memory-o-holic named Leona--rambling through the Arizona desert in a pickup truck, each looking for a second shot. Low-key direction and brilliant performances fuel the production for miles. But even on a collision course, at almost three hours the play eventually runs out of gas." (Tonia Steed). NW Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike, 324-6328. Fri-Sat at 8; Sun at 7, through April 24. $10/$8.

THE WEDDING--Yury Belov, former artistic director of the Moscow Clown Theater, clowns around with Chekhov, presenting three versions of the story, in comedic, absurdist, and farcical style, respectively. Belov is a recent recipient of the L.A. Drama-Logue Award for directing. Meany Studio Theater, UW Campus, 543-4880. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, through April 25. $7-$8.


FESTIVALS, CABARETS, & COMEDY

BONANZA --Printer's Devil Theater's annual workshop series. Week #8 features Public Park, by Aaron Thomas, an ironic comedy with an economics lesson. Speakeasy Cafe Backroom, 2304 Second Ave, 860-7163. Mon-Tues at 7:30, through May 18. Donation.

FESTIVAL OF IMPROV--Guest improvisers, including Keith Johnstone, Avery Schreiber, and Charna Halpern, perform and teach Master Classes all week. Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. Tues-Sat, call for times and prices.

FOOLPROOF--Comic talents like Steve Allen, Bob Newhart, Paula Poundstone, Tommy Davidson, David Sedaris (does he never stop touring?), and Carlos Alazraqui--the voice of the Taco Bell Chihuahua--come to town for this week-long laff-riot. Call for times, prices, and venues. Information and tickets available through Ticketmaster, 628-0888, or call 623-8632.

JULIE CASCIOPPO EXPERIENCE--Songs and characters you may grow to love. The Pink Door, Pike Place Market, 1919 Post Alley, 443-3241. Tues at 8:30 & 11. No cover.

LES BLANCS--A rarely performed work by Lorraine Hansberry, playwright of the classic A Raisin in the Sun, performed as a dramatic reading by local actor Anthony Lee, Les Blancs tells the story of Tshembe Matoseh, an expatriate black intellectual who must choose between clashing worlds. Intiman Theater, 201 Mercer, 526-2466. Sat April 17 at 7:30. $25.

MARK DAVIS, BOB SMITH, JASON STUART--Three "goddamit-I'm-gay!" stand-up comics strut their stuff at the King Cat. Davis has appeared on Comedy Central in "Industrial Strength Queer," Smith was the first openly gay comic to appear on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Jason Stuart came out on the Geraldo show in 1993. King Cat Theater, Sixth & Blanchard, 323-2992. Sat April 17 at 8. $20.

RADIO MAMBO--The Seattle Rep presents Latino comedy troupe Culture Clash in this revue of comedic interviews with select citizens of Miami: Cuban exiles, Anglo art dealers, Haitian-Americans, and drag queens all get a glitter and grin treatment "in the spirit of the Marx Brothers." Seattle Repertory Theater, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2, through May 23. $25-$36.

SIRENS OF SWING--Seattle's trio of hep-cat vocalists celebrates "Swango" month (that's a Beat word combining "Tango" and "Swing," man) with musical numbers from the '20s and '30s. Crepe de Paris, Fourth & Union, 783-0093. Thurs at 8, through April 22. $10.

*SPALDING GRAY--He might be called the whitebread Woody Allen for his talent at whining. Here with another "monologue in progress" about his slapstick family life, Morning, Noon, and Night, Gray explores the exhaustion of fatherhood, over the course of a single day. Love him or hate him, but you may as well catch him now since he's talking about quitting the tour circuit. On The Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. Tues-Sat at 8, through April 24. $20-$25.

*TEATRO ZINZANNI--Three hours of fancy food and thrilling spectacle from the world over, presented in an antique European dance hall imported from Belgium for the occasion. Worth the price just to watch local wonder Kevin Kent work his jaw-dropping magic on crowds of people who've never set foot in a fringe theater. Seattle Center, 222 Mercer St, 281-7788 ext 700 or 292-ARTS. Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 6:30, extended through May 30. $88.

*THREE DOLLAR BILL--Seattle's original Gay/Lesbian/ Bisexual stand-up comedy show still stands in its second year. "Defying all expectations, $3 Bill is refreshingly raunchy, full of scathing goodness." (Steven Grimm). Comedy Underground, 222 S Main St, 324-8025. Tues at 8:30. $6.

WOMEN ON TAP --Local playwright Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates' musical drama inspired by Jeni LeGon, the first African-American woman to sign with a major studio (MGM). LeGon's journey from Chicago to Broadway is portrayed through drama, music, and tap dance; now 80 years old, she still teaches tap in Vancouver, B.C. You go, girl! Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center, 104 17th Ave S (at Yesler), 684-4757. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, through May 22. $18-$15. Family matinee Sun April 18 at 3, $20 for 4 tickets, 545-6111.


DANCE

57 KINDS OF MOVEMENT--Audition renegade Dena Lee brings back her cushy chamber concert: a revue of invite-only local dance troupes. This year's show features contemporary dance from Anomaly, Jack & Hazel Avery's ballroom dancing, a jazz solo from Susan Wright, and others. Seattle Mime Theater, Odd Fellow Building, 915 E Pine St #419, 368-9446. Thurs-Sat April 15-17 at 8, $10-$12.

FIREBIRD --Kent Stowell's lush, heavily costumed Russian folktale set to Stravinsky sets the base for PNB's April program, alongside large-casted Artifact II, a drama choreographed by Frankfurt Ballet Artistic Director William Forsythe, and Orpheus Portrait, Stowell's retelling of the Greek classic. Seattle Center Opera House, 301 Mercer St, 292-ARTS. Thurs-Sat at 7:30; Sat at 2, through April 24. $16-$100.

SPRING 1999 CORNISH DANCE THEATER--New work by Cornish School of the Arts-related artists, including choreography by David Dorfman, Bruce Wells, K.T. Niehoff, and Wade Madsen.


LATE NIGHT

THE A.M. CABARET--Amoral entertainment for insomniacs, promising naked poetry, music, strippers, and drag queens. You may think you're dreaming. Coffee Messiah, 1554 E Olive Way, 860-7377. Sat from 2-4 am. $5.

JET CITY IMPROV--Improv comedy and music based on audience suggestions. Ethnic Cultural Theater, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE, 781-3879. Fri-Sat at 10:30.

LOCAL UNION 608--The Little Theater presents monthly serial drama pulled from a mixed bag of live performance, video, film, and music. Episode #1, titled, "The Death of Trotsky Out of Context," pits outlaw garbage men from the future against a Marxist Roto-Rooter man in a race against time and space. Written and directed by Michael Chick. Little Theater, 608 19th Ave E, 523-3935. Fri-Sat April 9-10 at 10. $8.

LO BLO--Catholic school girls in trouble, transvestite stalkers, meaty jewelry, and naked hippies make up this late night sketch comedy orgy. Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 323-8390. Fri-Sat at 11, through April 17. $5.

SPIN THE BOTTLE--Annex's late-night performance is a slumgullion of juggling, dance, singing, and silhouettes, cultivated by the finely tuned Bret Fetzer. Annex Theater, 1916 Fourth Ave, 729-0933. First Fri of every month. No reservations. $5.

THEATER SPORTS--Improv comedy with a competitive edge, brought to you by Unexpected Productions. Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. Fri-Sat at 10:30, $9; Sun at 7, $5.

UP IN YOUR GRILL--The fourth annual comedy cabaret from those shameless folks on the fringe comedy circuit. Up In Your Grill, con fofole! Annex Theater, 1916 4th Ave, 325-5743. Fri-Sat at 11 through May 14. $5.


CALLS

EXITHEATER--Seeking both male and female actors for the production of the new play, In Seated Comfort, scheduled to run in July. Auditions at the Seattle Repertory Theater, Tues April 20, 6:30-9:30 pm; and Sat April 24, 10 am-2 pm. Call Miriam at 325-7152 for appointment.

MACDAVIS PRODUCTIONS--Seeking male and female actors of all ages for an independent feature film shooting in Seattle in late June/early July. Send headshot and resume to Macdavis Productions, 300 Queen Anne Ave N #612, Seattle WA 98109-4599.

PRINTER'S DEVIL--Seeking non-equity actors in their 40s and 50s, male and female, for a summer production of The Seagull. Call 860-7163 ext 3 to set up an audition.

VELOCITY--Show your new work in performance/theater/ choreography. Showcase May 22 & 23. Submission deadline Fri April 23. Call Helene Lesterlin at 325-8773 for application.

WOODEN O THEATER--Now auditioning for summer Shakespeare in the Park productions of All's Well That Ends Well and Cymbeline. Prepare one Shakespeare monologue. Call 541-2371 for more information.