THEATER

OPENING THIS WEEK

FAIRY TALES OF NEW YORK · Union Garage

EINSTEIN'S DREAMS · Annex

HECUBA · UW Playhouse Theatre

NUNSENSE · Jane Addams Theatre

ONE WEEK ONLY

SEATTLE NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS CELEBRATION · A Contemporary Theater

SPLIT SECOND · Odd Fellows Hall Chamber Theatre

TOTAL FICTIONAL LIE · On the Boards

VIRTUAL SOLITAIRE · ACT Bullitt Cabaret

CLOSING THIS WEEK

BALLET IMPERIAL · Seattle Center Opera House

DOUBLE INDEMNITY · On the Boards

FREE WILL AND WANTON LUST · Consolidated Works

KODO · UW Meany Theater

MARTIN GUERRE · 5th Avenue

MONKEY. THAT'S RIGHT, MONKEY · Richard Hugo House

ONE FROM THE VAULTS · Hutchinson Hall Cabaret Theatre

RAISIN IN THE SUN · ArtsWest Theatre

SPEED-THE-PLOW · Odd Duck Studio

TEXARKANA WALTZ · Empty Space Theater

OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

AMADEUS

Stepping Stone Productions presents Peter Shaffer's acclaimed play about Mozart, Salieri, and how infuriating it is to watch a brilliant little bastard make his mark on the world. Nippon Kan Theater, 628 S Washington Ave, 841-2521. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, through March 4. $10-$12.

APPLE TO GRANDMA

In what sounds like another one of those literary hallucinogens for kids (à la Lewis Carroll), Speeltheater Holland comes to Seattle with some trippy puppets in a tale of moons, caterpillars, and a big, tasty apple. Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. Fri at 7, Sat-Sun at 2 & 5:30, through April 16. $8.25-$20.50.

DOG OPERA

Its story of the friendship between a gay man and a neurotic woman is familiar territory by now, but Constance Congdon's gentle comedy (which had its first reading at the Intiman years ago) is one of the subject's better, more touching efforts. And there's a hot, half-naked guy. Northwest Actors Studio, 11th and Pike, 324-6328. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, through Feb 26. $10.

DOUBLE INDEMNITY

James M. Cain's hard-boiled Roman noir graces the stage at On the Boards, performed by Book-It Repertory. "Director Mary Machala focuses heavily, and somewhat successfully, on the iconic ingenuity of Cain's plot, but misses the brutal longing in his language; the show is almost entirely without sexual heat." (Steve Wiecking) On the Boards, 100 W Roy, 216-0833. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, some additional performances, through Feb 12. $15.

EINSTEIN'S DREAMS

Alan Lightman's floaty short story collection Einstein's Dreams was wildly popular -- the kind of book you found on bedstands nationwide for a while. Annex takes on an adaptation of Lightman's concept, which focuses on time: counter-clockwise time, frozen time, accelerated time, the end of time, and parallel realities. Directed by Mark Gallagher, with choreography by Amii LeGendre. Annex Theatre, 1916 Fourth Ave, 728-0933. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, runs Feb 11-March 11. $7/$12.

FAIRY TALES OF NEW YORK

J. P. Donleavy's post-World War II memory play, staged by A Theatre Under the Influence, is the gently comic story of a young man returning from the insanity of Europe, only to find that New York City is no peaceful haven, either. Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, between Pike and Union, 720-1942. Thurs-Sat at 8, through March 4. $11, pay-what-will every Thurs except Feb 10.

*FREE WILL AND WANTON LUST

Consolidated Works presents a remount of the acclaimed Printer's Devil production of Nicky Silver's dark farce, which won a 1996 Stranger SPIT award for Best Comedy the first time around. "If director Paul Willis' cunning staging falters here and there, it also mines laughter rich with sadness and deeper rewards than you have any right to expect." (Steve Wiecking) Consolidated Works, 410 Terry Ave N. Thurs-Sun at 8, extended through Feb 13. $14, Thursdays are two-for-one.

HECUBA

The Bard excepted, nobody does juicy revenge like those wacky ancient Greek guys. Euripides goes for your gut in this UW School of Drama staging of the tale of a queen and her gnawing need for retribution after learning of a son's murder and a daughter's sacrifice. University of Washington Playhouse Theatre, 4045 University Way NE, 543-4880. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Wed Feb 16 through Feb 27. $7-$10.

HENRY V

Seattle Shakespeare Festival, in a production directed by Festival Artistic Director Stephanie Shine, takes on Willy's chronicle of the dubious young prince who becomes a courageous, triumphant king. Passion, heroism and 14 actors in 40 roles. Center House at Seattle Center, Performance Studio, Lower Level, 286-0728. Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2, through March 5. $10-$20, pay-what- you-will on Feb 17 & Feb 27.

*I REMEMBER MAPA

Alec Mapa, a gay Filipino actor with rapid-fire comic timing, muses on the resilience it takes to survive in an entertainment industry that casts Linda Hunt as a Eurasian male. His one-man show may be just shy of self-congratulation, but Mapa's honesty and truly funny observations make it worth your while. Theatre off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 340-1049. Tues-Sat at 8, Sun at 4, through Feb 20. $9-$15.

KODO

Centered on the Taiko, a traditional drum, this vividly theatrical Japanese percussion company is back in Seattle for five athletic shows on its One Earth tour. Meany Theater, University of Washington, 543-4880. Wed-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, through Feb 13. $30.

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.

LA VALSE

Talented, inventive Seattle playwright S. P. Miskowski is hooking up with Seattle Theatre Project (the people behind the indestructible Late Nite Catechism) for La Valse, a look at sculptor Camille Claudel and her devastating passion for both art and love. Open Circle Theatre, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, through March 4. $15.

MARTIN GUERRE

Mystery, deception, mistaken identity, secret ambition, hidden desire, religious persecution -- c'est Martin Guerre, set against the squalor of medieval France. But in this pre-Broadway debut, produced by Cameron Mackintosh, love rules the day. 5th Avenue Theater, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. Tues-Sat at 8, Sun at 7:30, Sat & Sun matinees at 2, through Feb 12. $14-$60.

MONKEY. THAT'S RIGHT, MONKEY.

Red Card Productions, the folks who got some good press with Eddie Paul Rex a while back, return with a bizarre comedy about the travails of a finicky, superintelligent research monkey. "The show functions as no more or less than an inoffensive evening of totally unmemorable theater." (Adrian Ryan) Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th, 640-5738. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, through Feb 13. $10.

MOREAU

H. G. Wells' creepy cautionary tale about genetic tomfoolery -- which in the past has roped in everyone from Marlon Brando to South Park -- holds sway over Taproot Theatre Company. A world premiere of Sean Gaffney's adaptation about an island, a doctor, and his "animals." Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. Wed-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat matinee at 2, through March 4. $10-$24.

*THE NORMAL HEART

An activist and a reporter awaken to harsh realities in the early years of the AIDS epidemic in this production directed by Sean McEnaney. "A strong ensemble cast carries through to present a satisfying evening of theater -- the most enjoyable I have ever had at the Schmee." (Adrian Ryan) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. Thurs-Sat at 8, select matinees at 2, through March 4. $12.

NUNSENSE

Some zany, musical nuns try to offset the fact that this production is rather unholy: It's full of scabs, due to the fact that musicians are still striking for union recognition from the producing company, Civic Light Opera. Jane Addams Theatre, Summit School, 11051 34th NE, 363-2809. Thurs Feb 10 at 8, then Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2:30, through March 4. $16-$20.

ONE FROM THE VAULTS

Parodies are wildly hit-or-miss affairs, so this is anyone's guess. Michael Chemers sends up those stuffy, intricate English murder mysteries with an offbeat whodunit set in mysterious Moustache Manor. Hutchinson Hall Cabaret Theatre, 17th and 45th on UW Campus, 547-9504. Wed-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sun at 8, Sun matinee at 2, through Feb 13. $6-$8.

A RAISIN IN THE SUN

Lorraine Hansberry's moving, seminal play from the '60s, a Pulitzer Prize-winning work about the black experience in a Chicago ghetto. ArtsWest Theatre, 4711 California Ave SW, in the West Seattle Junction, 938-0339. Thurs-Sat at 8, matinees Sat & Sun at 3. $16-$19.

SEMI-MONDE

Noël Coward's take on "modern" romantic entanglements has been produced only once in 74 years, which makes it both intriguing and dubious. Various couplings take place in Paris' Ritz Hotel; supposedly we can see in them the prototypes for Coward's later towering successes. UW Ethnic Cultural Theater, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE, 985-1019. Wed-Sat at 8, Sun matinee at 2, through Feb 20. $12-$15. See review this issue.

SPEED-THE-PLOW

No one seems to want to admit that David Mamet's hit play about whoring your soul in Hollywood is blatantly misogynist, but it is. It's also crisp and clever, which will hopefully come through in this Insight America Touring Theater production. Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 324-1062. Thurs Feb 10 at 8. $10.

SPLIT SECOND

Physical theatre artist Mik Kuhlman, who toured with Seattle Mime Theatre for eight years, presents a solo piece combining the text and movement that springs from a purposefully brief, intense rehearsal period. Chamber Theatre, Odd Fellows Hall, 915 E Pine St, 463-1201. Fri-Sat Feb 11-12 at 8. $10 donation.

*STOP KISS

A first kiss between two young women in a park provokes a violent attack, in this acclaimed play by Diana Son. Funny and moving, Son's play was the talk of Off-Broadway (winning raves in The New Yorker and elsewhere) and should be a hot ticket. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun matinees at 2. Through March 4. $10-$42. See review this issue.

*TEXARKANA WALTZ

The Empty Space presents Seattle playwright Louis Broome's award-winning, highly imaginative comic drama of a Southern family coming to terms with its horribly violent past. "Everything has worked to turn Broome's broad, wistful saga into something warm and rewarding. With high comic and tragic style, the show croons a whiskey-soaked tale of the stories that both conceal us from, and reveal us to, each other and ourselves." (Steve Wiecking) Empty Space Theater, 3509 Fremont Ave, 547-7500. Through Feb 13. Call for showtimes. $18-$26.

TOTAL FICTIONAL LIE

Elevator Repair Service -- the quirky, mixed-media, experimental theater troupe from NYC -- hits Seattle with a pop-culture piece inspired by, among others, Paul Anka and serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Leave Mom at home and get off on this notoriously oddball group. On the Boards, 100 West Roy St, 217-9888. Thurs-Sun Feb 10-13 at 8. $18-$20.

VICKI GADGET SAVES THE WORLD

Sometimes a press release says it all: "Giddy, glittery, guerrilla-style musical theatre for the comic-book reading, eyebrow-piercing, extreme sports-playing, gender- fuck fringe." Well, alright, then. Re-bar, 1114 Howell, 323-0388. Fri-Sun at 8. Open-ended run. $10.

VIRTUAL SOLITAIRE

One-man show virtuoso Dawson Nichols brings to ACT his haunting solo play about the insidious trappings of virtual entertainment. The two performances will benefit his up-coming tour of Australia. ACT Bullitt Cabaret, 700 Union St, 523-8933. Thurs-Fri Feb 10-11 only, at 8. $12-$15.

DANCE

BALLET IMPERIAL

Pacific Northwest Ballet carts out the Balanchine again for its first program in the year 2000. In addition to the titular piece from Mr. B., the evening features Rudi van Dantzig's Ginastera and Lynne Taylor-Corbett's The Quilt. Seattle Center Opera House, 292-ARTS. Runs Thurs-Sat Feb 10-12 at 7:30. $16.50-$100.

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.

SEATTLE NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS CELEBRATION

The second annual free public performance, featuring theater, music, dance, video, and poetry from 20 performers. ACT, Seventh and Union, Sat Feb 12 only, from 4-8 pm.

*THREE DOLLAR BILL

Seattle's original gay/lesbian/bisexual stand-up comedy night is still standing in its second year. Comedy Underground, 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

ARTS SURVIVAL NEWSLETTER

Seeking audition and other horrific or happy stories from actors, directors, and stage managers. Indicate whether or not you want your name published with your letter. Send to NEWSLETTER, 4301 SW Hanford St, #2, Seattle, WA 98116-3396. Deadline is March 1.

NEW PLAY COMPETITION

Richard Hugo House is awarding $1,000 and a staged reading to the best new full-length play written by a playwright residing in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho. Send a bound copy of your unproduced, original script by March 15 to Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122. Call 322-7030 for more information.

PRINTER'S DEVIL THEATRE

Holding auditions for its Bonanza -- 12 plays in 12 weeks -- on Feb 12. Call 709-4075 for information.

SEATTLE'S MARDI GRAS 2000

All unique and unusual performers -- jugglers, clowns, etc. -- wanted for this year's bigger and better celebration in Pioneer Square that takes place March 1-7. Donations available for chosen performers. Send resume and photo to: Mardi Gras 2000, 315 Second Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104, or call 439-2803.

SIRENS THEATRE COMPANY

Seeking a stage manager for Fringe production of Menage a Trois. Two week commitment and a stipend. Call 364-1421 for appointment.

STAGE MANAGER SOUGHT

The Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society is holding interviews for a reasonably paid, non-equity position for its 11-performance production of Yeoman of the Guard at the Bagley Wright Theatre. Must have good communication skills, schedule coordination abilities, and be able to take staging notes and read music. Submit letter, resume, and three references to: Mike Storie, Producer, The Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society, 1500 E McGraw St, Seattle, WA 98112.

THEATER OF LIBERATION

Seattle Public Theater organization desires to create a multi-cultural community of artists/activists to explore issues of racism and class. Experience in theater a plus, knowledge of Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed helpful. Preliminary sessions are Feb 12 & 13 from 1-4 pm at Seattle Public Theater, 915 E Pine St, Room #429. Contact e-mail is sheijo@hotmail.com.