OPENING THIS WEEK
THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF AMERICA • Empty Space
HELIUM • Matt Smith
JEFFREY • Chamber Theater
LAKEBOAT • Northwest Actors Studio
MONDO BEYONDO • Parlour Room
THE TRAGEDY OF ROMEO AND JULIET • Pacific Northwest Ballet
ONE WEEK ONLY
THE FABULOUS LYPSINKA SHOW • King Cat
MAGIC, MYSTERY AND THE CREATIVE FIRE • Middle East Arts International
NORTHWEST AFRIKAN AMERICAN BALLET • Paramount
OUTING WITTGENSTEIN • Seattle Committee for Independent Culture
THE STEPFORD WIVES • Brown Derby Series
CLOSING THIS WEEK
THE CRUCIBLE • ACT
A QUESTION OF MERCY • Intiman
OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS
THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF AMERICA
History demonstrated in 90 easy minutes, from the fine citizens who brought you The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged). Featuring the comedic talents of Jeffrey L. Treadwell, Burton Curtis and Jonathan Hochberg. Empty Space Theater, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2, through July 3. $16-$25.
THE CRUCIBLE
Arthur Miller's classic based on the Salem witch trials blah blah blah, here performed by ACT debut-ers Stephen Rowe, Laura Ann Worthen, and Hedy Burress. ACT, 7th & Union St, 292-7676. Tues-Thurs at 7:30; Fri, Sat at 8 pm; Sun at 7; some matinees, extended through June 6. $10-$40.
GUYS AND DOLLS
Gambling and the reforming power of love drive this Broadway musical classic, featuring hits such as "Luck Be A Lady" and "Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat." With former Trapper John, MD Gonzo Gregory Harrison as high roller Sky Masterson, Bob Dorian as Nathan Detroit, and Kim Lindsay as Sarah Brown. 5th Ave Theater, 292-2787. Tues-Fri at 8; Sat at 2 & 8; Sun at 2 & 7:30, through June 13. $19-$50. See review this issue.
*HELIUM
See calendar box. On The Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. Thurs-Sun at 8, through June 13. $10/$12.
JEFFREY
Set in present day Manhattan, Paul Rudnick's play Jeffrey is nevertheless a period piece, hingeing on the last decade's pandemic fear of AIDS, and the comedy inherent in celibacy. With Justin Fatz and Mark Finley. Chamber Theater, Oddfellow's Hall, 4th Floor. Fri-Sun at 8, through June 27. $12.50.
LAKEBOAT
David Mamet's masculinity drives the real-life double-talk set on a Great Lakes steamer, as the cook and crew get cozy, even claustrophobic. Directed by Joel Gilman (The Nerd). Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike, 324-6328. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, through June 19. $10/$8.
THE MISS FIRECRACKER CONTEST
Moonlight Theater Company presents Beth Henley's sparkly comedy, in which the orphan Carnelle (Natalie Symons) decides her only way out of a small town past is to win a beauty pageant. Book-It Repertory Theater, 1219 Westlake N, 3rd Floor, 367-2174. Thurs-Sat at 8 through June 26. $12.
MONTANA MOOSE, A FABLE OF THE MODERN AMERICAN WEST
Local playwright John Moe spars with nature in this comical tale of a small-town newspaper editor who is transformed by a camping trip. Directed by Andy Jensen (Zombie Temps from Outer Space). Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. Thurs-Sat at 8, some Sun matinees, through June 26. $12.
OUTING WITTGENSTEIN
A "comically outrageous" outing of Ludwig Wittgenstein sponsored by Seattle Committee for Independent Culture. Jaycees Building, 109 W Mercer St, 329-9540. Sat, June 5, at 7:30 only. $5.
*POONA THE FUCKDOG
"Poona reinvents every social cliché as if it were a naughty and very funny joke told by an intelligent kindergartner. It is smart, bold, and insightful, poignant without being preachy, and meaningful without being sappy. Written by Jeff Goode and directed by Basil Harris, Poona the Fuckdog is two hours of theater magic that will go down in infamy." (Adrian Ryan) Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. Thurs-Sat at 8 (except Sat May 29--private party), extended through June 19. $10/$12.
A QUESTION OF MERCY
David Rabe's off-Broadway assisted-suicide hit wends its way to Seattle. A young man dying of AIDS-related complications seeks relief from a Kevorkian-esque physician. Directed by Victor Pappas. Intiman Playhouse, Seattle Center, 269-1900. Tues-Wed at 7, Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, through June 5. $10-$12.
*STRAIGHT
David Schmader is a funny man. Unfortunately, he was born gay. In Straight, Schmader searches for a remedy, plunging into the controversial world of "conversion therapy," where homosexuals are reputedly made "straight." "Schmader has one of the keenest sensibilities I've seen on stage, possessing an uncommon and endearing talent for telling a story, and with Straight, Schmader follows his minted formula to its apex." (Tonia Steed) Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 323-0388. Fri-Sun at 8, extended through June 12. $10 (21 & over).
TROUBLE IN THE CITY OF DESIRE
So this woman's got some problems, but who doesn't? Trouble-with-a-capital-T haunts the alleyways in the City of Desire, a new comedy by Mary Ewald, Ki Gottberg, John Kazanjian, and Elizabeth Kenny. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 328-4683. Thurs-Sat at 8, through June 26. $15. See review this issue.
FESTIVALS, CABARETS, & COMEDY
BRAIDED TALES
Hair and all its implications weave the tangled themes of improv experts Unexpected Productions' newest production. Market Theater, Post Alley (Pike Place Market), 781-9273. Fri-Sat at 8, through June 26. $10.
THE FABULOUS LYPSINKA SHOW
John Epperson's alter-ego is a dish of deviltry, chanelling divas as she lipsyncs to sound bites from movie soundtracks and jazz and pop songs. King Cat Theater, 6th & Blanchard, 323-2992. Sat, June 5 at 8 only. $15/$23.
HALF & HALF
Improv that really cuts up--presenting two mismatched halves of plays, shoved obstinately together. Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. Wed at 8 through June 30. $5.
MONDO BEYONDO
A slap-in-the-face cabaret, incorporating film clips and snake grippers, including Mat "The Tube" Crowley from the Jim Rose Circus Show. The Parlour Room, 163 S Jackson, 287-1900. Sat at 8, through June 12. $8.
THE STEPFORD WIVES
A reading of the 1975 movie that sexed up suburbia, featuring local comic and drag talent. Re-Bar, 1114 Howell St, 233-9873. Wed at 8 only. $6.
*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 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 July 18. $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.
DANCE
MAGIC, MYSTERY AND THE CREATIVE FIRE
Folkloric Middle Eastern dance, featuring Tamalyn Dallal, presented as a fundraiser for Middle East Arts International. Nippon Kan Theater, 628 S Washington, 784-1532. Sat at 8 only. $10/$12.
NORTHWEST AFRIKAN AMERICAN BALLET
Promising to recreate an African village onstage, in ceremonial grandeur, this company features elaborate sets and precision drumming. Paramount, 911 Pine St, 292-ARTS. Fri, June 4, at 8 only. $15-$30.
THE TRAGEDY OF ROMEO AND JULIET
Your heart will break, death will seem romantic--and all this just from the bathroom lines at intermission. Kent Stowell's interpretation of Shakespeare's poison piece. Seattle Center Opera House, 301 Mercer St, 292-ARTS. Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sat at 2, Sun June 13 at 1 and 7. $16-$100.
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.
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 Friday 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.
THE TWILIGHT ZONE LIVE ON STAGE
Two classic episodes, Twenty Two and Time Enough at Last, bring a little surreality to your late night. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave at Pike, 324-5801. Fri-Sat at 11, through June 26. $8.
CALLS
CAMLANN MEDIEVAL FAIRE--Rehearsals for men and women begin in June. Armored combat required. Call 517-8384 for more information.
THOUGHT IN THE DARK PRODUCTIONS--Cast and crew needed for 16mm short film. No pay. Males 18-30; females 18-30. Crew: gaffers, grips, PAs. 934-8362.
ZEITGEIST--Seeking indpendent short films (16mm, Super 8, video) for a new screening series called "Focal Length." To submit entries, send or drop off copies to 161 S Jackson, Seattle WA 98119, attention Gina. For more information call 583-0497.
