OPENING THIS WEEK

THE BOUFFANTS · Cabaret de Paris

CLAUSTROPHILIA · Annex Theatre

ONE WEEK ONLY

ANOMALY 2000 · On the Boards

HEART AND SOUL · Middle East Arts International

HOW TEIRESIAS GOT THE GIFT · Odd Duck Studio

ROME · CoCA

SOLSTICE · Consolidated Works

THE THREE SISTERS · Freehold

CLOSING THIS WEEK

THE AWAKENING · Book-It

EASYBAKE · Speakeasy

THE FEVER · A Contemporary Theatre

FOUR DOGS AND A BONE · Odd Duck Studio

MONEY & RUN · Theater Schmeater

MOTORCADE · Theater Schmeater

ON THE VERGE · GREX

SOAPBOX · Northwest Actors Studio

OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

ALL ABOUT MEDEA

An original comedy about backstage hijinks at a drag production of Medea. Re-bar, 1114 E Howell, 323-0388. Through Aug 6, Fri-Sun at 8. $12. Reviewed this issue.

*THE AWAKENING

A woman struggles for personal and sexual independence. "By concentrating on the stage's strength for showing human beings in relation to one another, Book-It has given its audience a show with a potentially greater truth than its source material." (Tom Spurgeon) Seattle Repertory Theatre's PONCHO Forum, 155 Mercer St, 216-0833. Through June 25, Thurs-Sun at 7:30, Sun matinees at 2. $15, $12 students/seniors/groups.

BANG THE DRUM SLOWLY

Third-string catcher gets fatal disease, star pitcher helps him cover it up so he can stay with the team. Sounds maudlin to me--but I never played baseball with my dad as a kid, so latent hostility must be coloring my perceptions. Seattle Theatre Project at the Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 382-4250. Through July 15, Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7. $15.

THE BOUFFANTS

Big wigs, pop songs. Cabaret de Paris, second level of Rainier Square, 1333 Fifth Ave, 623-4111. June 22-Sept 30, Thurs at 8, Fri-Sat at 8:30. $16 for just the show, $42 for dinner too.

CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE OF JOY

Nostalgic but socially conscious play about two African American sisters from the South adjusting to life in the North in 1950s America. Intiman Theatre, Seattle Center, 269-1900. Through July 1, Thurs-Sat at 8; Tues, Wed, Sun, at 7; Sat-Sun matinees at 2. Wed June 28 matinee at 2. $27.50-$42.

CRY, GODDESS, RAGE

A retelling of the Trojan War, staged by EXITheatre, who staged a play in a '71 Mercedes Benz in the last Fringe Fest. "Without any of the formal choices tied into a deeper consideration of theme, the play becomes an untethered exercise in manipulating the basic story.... The show as performed is slightly better than its scary, run-the-other-way title." (Tom Spurgeon) Nu Black Arts West, 153 14th Ave, 779-2284. Through July 1, Thurs-Sat at 8. $10.

EASYBAKE

A surreal dark comedy with feminist themes set in a peep show. "Instead of telling a story we could care about, using dialogue and observations gleaned from her work, [the playwright] has plunged into the Reading-Poetry-Aloud-From-My-Journal trap." (Tamara Paris) Speakeasy Cafe, 2304 Second Ave, 760-0870. Through June 25, Thurs-Sun at 8 (no show on June 21). $10.

*THE FEVER

Wallace Shawn's self-flagellating monologue, performed by John Procaccino. "See The Fever for its wonderful writing and for a reminder that the staggering excesses of wealth in Seattle and elsewhere are symptoms of cruelty, and stranger than fiction." (Stacey Levine) A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. Through June 25. Wed, Thurs, Sun at 7:30; Fri-Sat at 8. $15, 25 and under $10.

FOUR DOGS AND A BONE

Yet another satire of the movie industry. I like John Patrick Shanley, and since he's got first-hand experience (he wrote Moonstruck and wrote and directed the much maligned Joe Versus the Volcano), this might actually be funny. Moonlight Theatre Company at Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 367-2174. Through June 24, Thurs-Sat at 8. $12.

HOW TEIRESIAS GOT THE GIFT

A script-in-hand performance of Larry Coffin's new play exploring the character and "erotic diversity" of the blind seer of Oedipus Rex and other classical works. Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 367-2174. Tues June 27, 7 pm. Free (donations accepted).

I, BOHEMIA

This satire of a left-wing theater collective is based on playwright Marcy Redenborn's own experiences as an apprentice with the San Francisco Mime Troupe, a left-wing theater collective. "Redenborn explains a story rather than tells one; the audience is trapped in overheard conversations among old friends not their own." (Tom Spurgeon) Theatre Babylon at the Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. Through July 1, Thurs-Sat at 8. $12.

INTELLIGENCE

The latest play by Scot "Sgt. Rigsby & His Amazing Silhouettes" Augustson, about a gay man blackmailed by the State Department into getting information out of a visiting Russian physicist. Annex Theatre, 1916 Fourth Ave, 728-0933. Through July 15, Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7. $12 regular, $7 students. Reviewed this issue.

LATE NIGHT CATECHISM

"While non-Catholics will find Sister's pathological disdain of chewing gum and broken rulers amusing, members of the faith will find it hilarious." (Adrian Ryan) A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2, extended for eternity. $24.50-$29.50.

MEDEA, THE MUSICAL

The Greek tragedy Medea presented as a gay musical, also featuring backstage shenanigans. A big hit in San Francisco and L.A. ArtsWest Theatre Company, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. Runs for as long as they can milk it, Thurs-Sat at 8. $18-$22. Reviewed this issue.

MOTORCADE

A biting social satire, written by the guy who provided the voice of "Crow" on Mystery Science Theater 3000, Bill Corbett. "A vigilante leader manipulating a local television reporter to great advantage is funny... but militia men beating a character onstage is unrealistic melodrama." (Tom Spurgeon) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. Through June 24, Thurs-Sat at 8. Thurs pay-what-you-will, $12 otherwise. And if you're under 18, it's free! free! free!

ON THE VERGE

Eric Overmeyer's highly verbal adventure of three Victorian women traveling from 19th-century New England to 1955 Las Vegas, produced by GREX. Book-It Repertory Theater, 1219 Westlake Ave N, Suite 301, 985-1019. Through June 24, Thurs-Sat at 8. $12 (June 22 pay-what-you-can).

RAIN CITY ROLLERS

Bitchin' babes on skates tell the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice through song and competitive roller derby. "Nikki Appino knows everything there is to know about putting together a completely realized, excellently produced, well-designed, well-funded, stuffed-with-talented-actors show. Everything, that is, except how to make a satisfying, pleasurable piece of art out of all that." (Eric Fredericksen) House of Dames at Sand Point Naval Base, Hangar 2S, 7400 Sand Point Way NE. Through July 2, Thurs-Sun at 8, with 10:30 pm performances on Fri-Sat nights. $16-$20.

THE SCANDAL!

Top-notch solo performer Kristen Kosmas returns, only it's not a solo show. Still looks good. New City Theater, First Christian Church, 1632 Broadway, 328-4683. Through June 24, Fri-Sat, $10; June 29-July 8, Thurs $10, Fri-Sat $12. All shows 8 pm. Pay-what-you-can performance Mon June 26. Reviewed this issue.

THE SEAGULL

Seattle's cutest and feistiest theater troupe tackles Chekhov, staging the play on the Kalakala ferry. Printer's Devil Theatre at the Kalakala, 2555 N Northlake Way (note: street parking only), 328-2690. Through July 21, Wed-Sun at 8. Fri-Sat, $12; other nights, $10. Pay-what-you-can on Thurs June 22, Wed June 28, and Wed July 12.

SOAPBOX

Formerly a late night show, Soapbox is a combination of sketch comedy and improv that also regularly features musical guests. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike, 324-6328. Through June 24, Fri-Sat at 8 (full bar opens at 7:30). $7.

THE THREE SISTERS

A laboratory investigation of Chekhov's classic play. Maybe they'll all be wearing white coats and rubber gloves. Ah, if only they would. Freehold, 1525 10th Ave, 323-7499. June 22-25, Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Donations accepted.

UNDER THE GASLIGHT

"It's hard to believe any theater company in the year 2000 would produce a two-hour Carol Burnett sketch and attempt to pass it off as a celebration of a discarded theatrical form." (Tom Spurgeon) Empty Space, 3509 Fremont Ave, 547-7500. Through July 9, Tues-Sun, times vary. $18-$26.

DANCE

ANOMALY 2000

A modern dance company of teens perform pieces by seven Seattle choreographers, including Amii LeGendre, Crispin Spaeth, and Kristin Hapke. On the Boards, 100 W Roy, 217-9888. Thurs-Fri June 22-23 and Sun June 25, 8 pm. $8-$12.

HEART & SOUL

Subtitled "A Tribute to Ibrahim Farrah," who the press release refers to as the "Balanchine of Middle Eastern dance in America." This means more than belly-dancing, though you can be sure belly-dancing will be included. See Stranger Suggests. On the Boards, 100 W Roy, 217-9888. Sat June 24, 8 pm. $22 advance, $25 at the door.

SOLSTICE

Butoh, butoh, butoh! A benefit for the Seattle International Butoh Festival. Oh, all right, there's more than butoh on display, but there's going to be a whole lot of butoh! Consolidated Works, 410 Terry Ave N, no number given for reservations. Sat June 24, 7 pm. All donations accepted.

FESTIVALS, CABARETS, & COMEDY

HOKUM'S RAGTIME NICKELODEON REVUE

Professor Hokum W. Jeebs returns with an evening of ragtime, silent cinema, classic vaudeville, and the big sounds of the mighty 1929 WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ. "I felt somehow like we were fireflies raising our tiny lights into a shimmering chorus, sharing our voices before descending into the inevitable darkness." (Tamara Paris) Hokum Hall, 7904 35th Ave SW, 937-3613. Open-ended engagement, Fri-Sat at 8. $12 general, $10 student/senior. Discounts available.

JULIE CASCIOPPO EXPERIENCE

"Cascioppo has confidently tossed schmaltz, a Casio keyboard, a couple of exhausted-looking wigs, naughty banter and... songs you thought you hated into a furiously agitating blender. The cocktail concocted goes down shockingly smooth." (Tamara Paris) Pink Door, Pike Place Market, 1919 Post Alley, 443-3241. Tues at 8:30 & 11. No cover.

ROME

A music hall extravaganza celebrating food, machines, the state, and sex-death. Or so the press release says. See Stranger Suggests. Center on Contemporary Arts, 65 Cedar St, 728-1980. Fri-Sat June 23-24, 9 pm. $10, $7 members.

THREE DOLLAR BILL

"Like most disreputable arts, standup now offers a more compelling product for its lack of adoration. Billed as a gay- and lesbian-oriented show, Three Dollar Bill also works as a low-cost current comedy primer." (Tom Spurgeon) Comedy Underground, 222 S Main St, 628-0303. Tues at 8. $6.

LATE NIGHT

CLAUSTROPHILIA

Morbid play about Edgar Allen Poe and his child bride, by S.F. playwright Amy Freed, whose The Psychic Life of Savages was a recent hit at the Empty Space. Annex Theatre, 1916 Fourth Ave, 728-0933. June 23-July 14, Fri-Sat at 11 (no performance on July 7). $5, free if you see the prime-time show.

JET CITY IMPROV

Improv comedy and music based on audience suggestions. "The show goes down really smoothly. One only wishes for better direction." (Tom Spurgeon) Ethnic Cultural Theater, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE, 781-3879. Fri-Sat at 10:30. $7, $5 with student ID.

*MONEY & RUN

"A hybrid Three's Company meets Natural Born Killers--in a good way.... While you may think you have more entertaining things to do at 11:00 p.m. on a Friday or Saturday night, trust me. You don't." (Adrian Ryan) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit, 324-5801. Through June 24, Fri-Sat at 11. $6 (patrons under 18 free).

THEATER SPORTS

"The only improvisational show I've ever seen where the women performers were clearly better than the men--a welcome change from the over-aggressive scene-stealing of many male-driven troupes." (Tom Spurgeon) Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. Fri-Sat at 10:30, $9; Sun at 7, $5.

UP IN YOUR GRILL

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

One World Theatre is seeking a male actor 30-50 years old for paid position. Performances Sept 28-Oct 15. Equity or non-equity considered. Please call 264-1735 for audition details.