CLOSING THIS WEEK

SNOW QUEEN · UW Ethnic Cultural Center

TEATRO ZINZANNI · Seattle Center

OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

ALIENS IN AMERICA

As a monologuist, Sandra Tsing Loh has the advantage of having found both an extremely funny and likeable persona and the kind of family-interaction material that is so poignantly hilarious that it nearly makes you cry. Much of this material, including the segment wherein her elderly father searches for a Chinese mail-order bride, has been performed on NPR. "Loh's a great writer, but the material, at least as presented here, feels bound to the page. So much keen commentary slips by in performance that you end up with a vague idea that you've missed something. When Loh speaks of her confrontational sister as 'a kind of winged vengeance in perfect beige Anne Klein II leisure wear,' the cutting descriptiveness is quotable, but, in a piece aiming for a loose theatricality, plays stiffly. The words are so well-chosen they demand to be read, not re-created." (Steve Wiecking) Seattle Rep's Leo K. Theater, Seattle Center, 443-2222. Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat & Sun matinees at 2, through Jan 15. $29/$39.

THE COMPLETE MILLENNIUM MUSICAL (ABRIDGED)

"Bad Boys of Abridgement," the Reduced Shakespeare Company take a red pen to 1,000 years of history, handling subjects like the Black Plague with a whimsical musical treatment. With Reed Martin, John David Pohlhammer, and Taylor Young. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Second Ave & Mercer St, 443-2222. Tues-Sun at 7:30; Sat & Sun 2 pm matinees, through Jan 22. $10-$39. See review this issue.

Late Night Catechism

And the nun goes on. This is an evening of audience participation and interactive improv theater: think Sister Windy crossed with Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You. ACT, 700 Union St, 292-7676. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, extended for eternity. $24.50-$29.50.

A PICNIC AT THE EARTH'S MOLTEN CORE

Tamara Paris is Pamela, "a big girl from a small town," who discovers that her artistic self is made up of a number of other selves after she slides down a rabbit hole into the dirty worlds of Philly, San Diego, Ohio, and beyond. "Director Burton Curtis and his co-writer Paris respond well to one another, but at times they've muddled their own material. Paris, who is certainly funny, needs an even clearer sense of where her lines pay off -- there's a slight fuzziness between which laughs should be hit and which are funnier when tossed away -- and Curtis has obscured some punchlines with bits of business. But when the two of them are in the same groove, the result is wickedly subtle." (Steve Wiecking) Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 323-0388. Mon at 8, open ended run. $10.

THE SNOW QUEEN

Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale features talking crows, arrogant flowers, guardian angels, and pesky devils in this holiday adaptation by theater simple. "Full of true theatrical invention, The Snow Queen unfortunately squanders a marvelously game and capable cast on a chilly, metaphorical reading of this engaging children's tale." (Steve Wiecking) UW Ethnic Cultural Theater, 3931 Brooklyn Ave E, 784-8647. Call for dates & times, through Dec 30. $10/$7.

FESTIVALS, CABARETS, & COMEDY

IMPROSIA: COMEDY OF THE GODS

Performing character-driven scenes based on audience suggestions. Wit's End, 770 N 34th St, 547-2330. Sat at 9:30. $7.

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.

TEATRO ZINZANNI

Five months ago, this show was a true delight, boasting an array of highly accomplished and charming performers and surprisingly decent food. Now, it's a grating mess, with several key performers replaced by charmless, baby-talking howler monkeys and a little less decent food. However, the show still features the utterly amazing Kevin Kent, as well as Ann Wilson and that cute Russian juggler (see bio box). Seattle Center, 222 Mercer St, 281-7788 ext 700 or 292-ARTS. Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 6:30, extended through Dec 30. $95.

*THREE DOLLAR BILL

Seattle's original gay/lesbian/bisexual stand-up comedy night is still standing in its second year. Comedy Under-ground, 222 S Main St, 324-8025. Tues at 8. $6.

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.

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.

CALLS

CINEMA SEATTLE

Cinema Seattle is now accepting entries to the 26th Seattle International Film Festival, scheduled for May 18-June 11. Feature length filmmakers may submit their work at a reduced fee of $35 by Dec 31; the regular deadline, at a $50 entry fee, is March 1. Entry forms can be downloaded directly from www.seattlefilm.com, or by mail at SIFF, fax 206-264-7919, phone 464-5830, or e-mail mail@seattlefilm.com.

SEATTLE POETRY FESTIVAL

The Third Annual Seattle Poetry Festival seeks submissions for individual or group literary performance, literary film or video, multi-media installations, or community-based programs. The event will be held May 2-7 at On the Boards and other venues. For an application, send SASE to Eleventh Hour Productions, P.O. Box 329, Seattle, WA 98111. Deadline is Jan 12.

SEATTLE SYMPHONY CHORALE

Mid-season auditions will be held on Sat Jan 8 and Sun Jan 9 from 10 am to 6:30 pm at Cornish College of the Arts, 710 E Roy St, on Capitol Hill in Seattle. Auditions are by appointment only and will consist of a prepared piece and a sight-singing test. To set up an appointment, call Seattle Symphony Chorale Coordinator Bryan Stratton at 206-215-4734.

STEPPING STONE PRODUCTIONS

Stepping Stone is seeking the following positions for their production of Amadeus, by Peter Schaffer: Stage Manager, House Manager, Stitchers. Please contact stepstone@hotmail.com or Dawn at 841-2521.

THEATER PUGET SOUND GENERAL AUDITIONS

To schedule an audition time, please send a current photo, resume, and SASE to: TPS Auditions, P.O. Box 85824, Seattle, WA 98145. Requests must be postmarked by Dec 31. Please indicate if you wish to sing so you can be scheduled with an accompanist. Auditions will be held Jan 10-13 at Studio 4, Fourth Floor, Seattle Center. For information call 985-9157.