THEATER

OPENING THIS WEEK

BIG BOSS, OR THE INNER LIFE OF EVERYTHING · First Christian Church

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS · Ethnic Cultural Theatre

FOREVER PLAID · Seattle Repertory Theatre

GOD OF VENGEANCE · A Contemporary Theatre

THE HABIT · Annex Theatre

NORTHWEST NEW WORKS FESTIVAL 2000 · On the Boards

PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET · Seattle Center Opera House

RUBHERWHERE · Oddfellows Hall

ONE WEEK ONLY

DIAVOLO'S CATAPULT · Moore Theatre

HE WOULD NOT COME DOWN · Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center

TO BELL THE CAT: A POLITICAL FESTIVAL · The Parlour Room

CLOSING THIS WEEK

APPLE TO GRANDMA · Seattle Children's Theatre

FIRST NIGHT · Liberty Deli

RETURN TO THE GARDEN OF ALLAH · Re-bar

SPEED-THE-PLOW · Book-It Theater

OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

APPLE TO GRANDMA

Holland's Speeltheater comes to Seattle along 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 and 5:30, through April 16. $8.25-$20.50.

BEATRICE

Former Annex artistic director Andrea Allen pairs up again with playwright Suzanne Maynard (they previously teamed on The Handwriting, the Soup, and the Hats) for this quirky feminist fable about a young woman's coming of age and longing to master her own romantic fate. A fine production team -- and a cast that includes capable players such as Josh List, Amy Washcke, and Paul Budraitis -- should make this something to see. Annex Theatre, 1916 Fourth Ave, 728-0933. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, through May 6. $7-$12. Reviewed this issue, page 28.

BIG BOSS, OR THE INNER LIFE OF EVERYTHING

Billed as "a play with music," writer/director Ki Gottberg's new work was commissioned by New City Theater and concerns the tangled lives of two sisters, one an obsessive, the other a cynic -- accompanied by live percussion. First Christian Church, 1632 Broadway, 328-4683. Thurs-Sat at 8, Fri April 14 curtain at 9, through May 20 (no show on May 6). $10-$12.

CIRCUS PEOPLE

Local performer Heidi Heimarck's full-length play (fleshed out from a one-act) is the story of a young woman who experiences the serendipity of life for the first time when she joins a traveling carnival. "Surely a bunch of carnival 'freaks' should provide more interesting stories than the usual heart-of-gold martyrdom they are given here, though Tim Gouran is quite nice in a ridiculous role as an armless sweetheart. Faintly precious and amateurish -- nothing shameful, but nothing new." (Steve Wiecking) Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. Thurs-Sat at 8, through April 22. $12, Thurs is pay-what-you-will.

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

Bay Area director Danny Scheie hit big back home with this lively production of Shakespeare's farce, and his staging here should be just as pleasing. See Stranger Suggests, page 50. Also see theater bio. Ethnic Cultural Theatre, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE, 286-0728. Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sun matinees at 2, through May 7. $10-$20.

THE COUNTRY WIFE

Wycherly's ribald classic, a Restoration comedy concerning -- what else? -- seduction and lies. The cast is comprised of students from UW's Third Year Professional Actor Training Program. UW Penthouse Theatre, near the UW entrance at 45th St and 17th Ave NE, 543-4880. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, through April 23. $7-$10.

"A FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE..."

An evening of human failings in two one-acts by masters of the form: Ionesco's divine absurdist classic The Bald Soprano, and another little-seen treatise on fading Southern belles, Tennessee Williams' A Perfect Analysis Given by a Parrot. Stone Soup Theatre, 4035 Stone Way N, 633-1883. Thurs-Sat at 8, through April 29. $5-$10, Sat tickets are two for $15.

FIRST NIGHT

Those deli theatre people, RipTide, close their season of food and entertainment with a romantic comedy about New Year's Eve, a video clerk, and an ex-nun. The play is probably not the delicious porn it could be, but the gourmet buffet should satisfy your appetite. Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 405-8433. Fri and Sat dinner at 6:30, show at 7:30 (one Sun show on April 16), through April 16. $22.

FOREVER PLAID

A bit of a phenomenon in some circles (it's in the sixth year of its run in Chicago), writer/choreographer/director Stuart Ross' Plaid is a lighthearted celebration of those four-part-harmony boy groups from the late '50s and early '60s. Squeaky-clean renditions of "Three Coins in the Fountain" and other freshly scrubbed pop fare sung by "teen angels." Much gayer than it knows. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. Tues-Fri at 8, Sat at 8:30, Sun at 2, Sat matinees at 5, Sun matinees at 2, runs Fri April 14 through June 25. $37-$42.

GOD OF VENGEANCE

ACT hosts a world premiere of Donald (Sight Unseen) Margulies' latest work, an adaptation of Sholom Asch's turn-of-the-century Yiddish drama updated to New York in the roaring '20s. This was actually a scandal-causing piece of theater back in the '20s (it was shut down); some people didn't like the play's supposedly wild conceit that a man of extreme religious faith would secretly be overseeing the downstairs brothel. A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. Sun-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, select matinees at 2, through May 7. $10-$42.

HANGING LORD HAW-HAW

Jeffrey Hatcher, who wrote the wonderful Shaw adaptation Smash, returns with a specially commissioned world premiere exploring the motives of William Joyce, a Nazi Germany propagandist in World War II who also happened to be a staunch patriot of the British Empire. Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, Sat-Sun matinees at 2, through May 13. $18-$26.

HARVEY

Mary Chase's sentimental bit of whimsy from the '40s -- about a man and his giant, invisible rabbit, in case you've been living in solitary confinement -- always seems to ache for Jimmy Stewart no matter how polished the production, but Taproot Theatre Co. is going to try anyway, with Artistic Director Scott Nolte as lead eccentric, Elwood P. Dowd. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. Wed-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat matinee at 2, through April 29. $16-$24.

HE WOULD NOT COME DOWN

A multicultural cast tells the story of that little-known underdog, Jesus Christ, and his attempts to make you stop it already with all that crap about the Easter Bunny and Cadbury eggs. Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center, 104 17th Ave S, 684-4757. Tues-Sun at 8, Sat-Sun matinees at 3, runs Sun April 16 through April 23. $15-$19.

THE HOSTAGE

Brendan Behan's brazen take on morality in Ireland (set in a Dublin brothel) receives a staging from Susanna Wilson. "Very little of Behan's genius survives the production. Both sets of leads are fine, but it's missing any consistent directorial sense of tone. The show's relentlessly shrill, frantic pace sabotages narrative momentum." (Tom Spurgeon) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit, 324-5801. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun matinees on Sun April 16 and 30 at 2, through May 6. $12.

Late Night Catechism

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.

NORTHWEST NEW WORKS FESTIVAL 2000

On the Boards offers some of the region's most unique developing projects, presented in five different programs over the course of a three-week contemporary arts festival. See Stranger Suggests, page 50. On the Boards, 100 W Roy, 217-9888. Program One: Thurs-Sun at 8 on the mainstage, through April 15, $12. Festival runs through April 29.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

In which a man with a pizza-face regales a goosey soprano with pop showtunes, and hopes that smoke machines and a falling chandelier will distract audiences from the inherent disposability of the entire production. Based on attendance records, the freak was right. The 5th Avenue Theatre, 1326 Fifth Ave, 292-ARTS. Tues-Sat at 8, Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun matinees at 2, through April 23. $15-$67.50.

RETURN TO THE GARDEN OF ALLAH

A great cast (including Andrew Tasakos, Wade Madsen, and Jennifer Jasper) tackles Ian Bell's adaptation of the history of one of the first gay-owned clubs in the country. "The musical numbers carry the evening... there is a great deal of pleasure to be derived from watching the accomplished performers. The backstage drama, however, seems like another evocation of period performance and keeps a highly entertaining show from being a great one." (Tom Spurgeon) Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 323-0388. Thurs-Sun at 8, through April 16. $15.

SIGOURNEY SQUARE PARK

Fresh from a run in the latest Fringe Festival, Jeffrey Kagan-McCann's play unfolds over a dramatic Labor Day weekend and concerns the memories of four estranged brothers. Northwest Actor's Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, through April 22. $8-$10.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

The hills are alive... so run! Run for your lives! Richard Chamberlain may be old, but that's not gonna stop him from seducing a singing ex-nun half his age. For the love of God, people, run! Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 292-2787. Tues-Sat at 8, Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun matinees at 2, through April 23. $21-$50.

SPEED-THE-PLOW

The private, demoralized world of two Hollywood devils infiltrated by a deceptive Madonna/whore (or literally, Madonna, in its original Broadway incarnation). After Oleanna, it's perhaps the height of David Mamet's thinly veiled misogyny. This play has already hit Seattle in the last few months, but Smashing Views Productions is presenting their take on the material, featuring Mamet's excoriating and undeniably brilliant, bristling language. Book-It Theater, 1219 Westlake Ave, 227-5222. Thurs-Sat at 8, through April 15. $10.

DANCE

DIAVOLO'S Catapult

If pictures don't lie (their publicity photos highlight wildly kinetic excitement), this company -- composed of high-flying dancers, gymnasts, and actors -- will be a must-see thrill. See Stranger Suggests, page 50. Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave, 292-ARTS. Fri-Sat April 14-15 only, at 8. $18.50-$30.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET

Yippee-kay-ay! Have you seen the print ads for the Ballet's April program? Some bare-chested, mouth-watering piece of dancer beef is struttin' his stuff in cowboy hat and chaps in the Seattle premiere of Loring's Billy the Kid, set to wistful and rambunctious Copland music. Those varmints at PNB better not be foolin' us! (Oh, and there's some Balanchine and Kent Stowell stuff, too.) Seattle Center Opera House, Seattle Center, 292-ARTS. Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sat matinees at 2, through April 22. $10-$100.

RUBHERWHERE

The Bleeding Hearts Ensemble, in an attempt to blend theater and dance, premiere a new work presented in High Camp, B-movie style. Rockabilly, jazz, and swing are the musical backdrops for the words and movements of this look at the "dark side" of June Cleavers everywhere. Chamber Theatre, Oddfellows Hall at 915 E Pine St, 328-1171. Thurs-Sat at 8, through April 22. $10.

FESTIVALS, CABARETS, & COMEDY

BALD FACED LIE

Seattle's longest-running sketch comedy troupe hits prime time on stage with a new show. Some of these performers -- including the hysterical Ian Bell -- are so talented that you can even forgive the fact that they're helping Almost Live's John Keister come back to TV. Open Circle Theatre, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7, through April 29. $12.

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.

*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, 628-0303. Tues at 8. $6.

TO BELL THE CAT: A POLITICAL FESTIVAL

Two all-day events featuring film, theatre, visual artists, and local musicians, all in support of the protests against the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C. A screening of the acclaimed Panama Deception documentary kicks things off on Saturday at noon, followed by hours of live music and poetry. Festivities continue throughout the weekend. Parlour Room, 163 S Jackson St, 328-3218. Sat-Sun April 15-16, beginning at noon. Free, donations gladly accepted.

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.

THE HABIT

Raucous sketch comedy back at Annex for six shows only, featuring talking furniture and other absurdities. Annex Theatre, 1916 Fourth Ave, 728-0933. Fri-Sat at 11, through April 29. $5.

JE M'APPELLE PABLO

The second late-night comic extravaganza from Disgruntled Bit Players, who claim that this will be "a treatise, if you will." They also promise hookers and smack. Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 729-4839. Fri-Sat at 11, through April 21. $6.

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. $7, $5 with student ID.

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

This fresh, four-person comedy troupe is supposed to be pretty damn funny, so, as with other talented folks, we must overlook its current association with the painfully unfunny John Keister (they're all appearing on KIRO TV's The John Report with Bob). The Grill folks are tearing it up weekly with fast and furious comic sketches. Speakeasy, 2304 Second Ave, 444-4336. Sat at 11 (opening acts at 10:30). $7.

CALLS

ALL 35mm SPOKANE FILM FESTIVAL

Seeking 35mm entries only, for tentative May 2000 event. All subjects considered, all lengths up to two hours. Contact SpoFilmFes@aol.com, or phone 509-484-0144 for more information.

GREENSTAGE

Announcing auditions for its upcoming summer season of Much Ado about Nothing and Henry IV, Part I. Auditions are April 15 and 16. Prepare 1-3 minute classical monologue. Call 748-1551 for an appointment.

YOUNG SHAKESPEARE WORKSHOP AND NEW WORLD CHILDREN

Two tuition-free summer theater workshops are holding auditions through April at the University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE. The Shakespeare workshop is open to ages 14-18, and the New World workshop is open to ages 9-16. Call 517-8384 for audition appointment and information.

ODD DUCK STUDIOS

One limber, feline male actor, two male actors, and two female actors needed for a performance in late June. Audition April 15 at the Odd Duck Studios on Capitol Hill, 1214 10th Ave, 1-5 pm. Call Emily at 861-0249 for appointment.