OPENING THIS WEEK

BETRAYAL · Theatre Paradox

BLACK JACK · Northwest Actors Studio

DECADES · American Cabaret Theatre

THE DUCT TAPE EXPERIENCE · Disgruntled Bit Players

THE SIX BASIC RULES · Union Garage

SUMMER DURANG... SOME ARE NOT · Northwest Actors Studio

ONE WEEK ONLY

GROWING UP MALE · The Lost and Found Players

ONE FOR THE ROAD · Cirque de Flambe

THE RAKE'S PROGRESS · BAYFEST

SOME KIND OF CULT · Liberty Deli

SPIN THE BOTTLE · Annex Theatre

CLOSING THIS WEEK

ALL ABOUT MEDEA · Re-bar

BALLYHOO · Open Circle Theater

FOSSE · Paramount Theatre

ORPHEUS · Rainier Valley Youth Theatre

THE ROVER · Theater Schmeater

THE SMELL OF THE KILL · Intiman Theatre

OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

3 GUYS NAKED FROM THE WAIST DOWN

The most pandering title of all time, except that it's about standup comedy, not homoeroticism. A rock musical. Fuzzy Bunnies, Ink at Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 292-ARTS. Wed-Sat at 8, Sun at 7; $16.50, $13.50 students/seniors ($18, $15 Fri-Sat). Through Aug 13.

*ALL ABOUT MEDEA

An original comedy about backstage hijinks at a drag production of Medea. "The play is light, charming, smart, sexy, and always in the twilight of saying something profound or falling apart into laughter." (Charles Mudede) Re-bar, 1114 E Howell, 323-0388. Fri-Sun at 8; $12. Through Aug 6.

*BALLYHOO

This hard-to-describe show (calling it a science-fiction satire of commercial culture doesn't seem to capture it) was a Fringe Fest hit, and is now being remounted for a three-week run. "Ballyhoo... panders to its audience in such an exquisite fashion that one not only doesn't mind but actually stops and seriously questions whether or not that is part of the point." (Tom Spurgeon) Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 325-6500. Thurs-Sat at 8; $12. Through Aug 5.

BETRAYAL

Harold Pinter's oft-produced play that examines a love triangle by starting at its end and traveling backward to its beginning. Theatre Paradox at the Chamber Theater, Odd Fellows Hall Fourth Floor, 915 E Pine, 568-0631. Opens Thurs Aug 3. Thurs-Sat at 8; $12, $10 students, opening weekend pay-what-you-can. Through Sept 9.

THE BOUFFANTS

Big wigs, pop songs. "You too might find the wigs and songs in this extended skit about three Caucasian gals in a Motown-era girl group amusing, especially if you've been curious about the films of John Waters but don't cotton to all that vomit." (Tamara Paris) Cabaret de Paris, second level of Rainier Square, 1333 Fifth Ave, 623-4111. Thurs at 8, Fri-Sat at 8:30; $16 for the show, $42 for dinner too. Through Sept 30.

DECADES

The history of America in popular song. Sort of like Forrest Gump, but without the stupid guy. American Cabaret Theatre at the Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, 325-6500. Previews Fri-Sat Aug 4-12. Fri-Sat at 8; $20, $10 children. Through Aug 26.

THE FANTASTICKS

This inexplicably popular musical is staged in the Arboretum's Japanese Garden. Sure to be extremely pretty. Northwest Asian American Theatre at the Arboretum, Washington Park, 2300 E Arboretum Dr, 340-1049. Wed-Sun at 7; $27.50, $22.50 students/seniors. No performance on Sat Aug 12. Through Aug 20. Reviewed this issue.

GROWING UP MALE

Three solo performances about that eternal topic, masculinity. Featuring Ken Smith, Jason Flowers, and Ross Caldwell. The Lost and Found Players at Freehold's East Hall Theater, 1529 10th Ave, Second Floor, 783-6854. Fri-Sun Aug 4-6, 8 pm; $8, $5 students.

HENRY IV, PART ONE

English politics filtered through a young king's relationship with a big, fat drunk. Greenstage, 748-1551. At Lincoln Park on Sat-Sun Aug 5-6 & 12-13; Volunteer Park on Sat Aug 19 & 26 and Sat-Mon Sept 2-4; all performances at 3 pm. Free.

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; $24.50-$29.50. Extended for eternity.

LINGER

John Kaufmann turns his life into a constellation; also featuring songs and audience interaction. Kaufmann's a unique performer exploring what it means to be "in the moment"; his shows seem to ramble aimlessly, then accumulate into something surprisingly sweet and funny. Speakeasy Back Room, 2304 Second Ave, 322-3277. Fri-Sun at 9; $7-$10 (depending on whether or not you sign an "audience/performer contract"). Through Aug 12. Reviewed this issue.

MASS APPEAL

A young priest and an old priest rub each other the wrong way. Hmm, that might not be the best way to put that. Comedy improv follows Sat performances. Taproot Theatre Company, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. Wed-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat matinee at 2; $16-$24. Through Aug 12.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

Two smartypantses fall in love while a good friend of theirs almost dies from public humiliation. Greenstage, 748-1551. At Lincoln Park on Fri-Sat Aug 4-5 & 11-12; Volunteer Park on Fri-Sat Aug 18-19, Sat Aug 26, & Fri-Sun Sept 1-3; all performances at 8 pm. Free.

ORPHEUS

A new musical about the classic Greek myth of the musician who tries to rescue his beloved from the underworld. Rainier Valley Youth Theatre at the Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S Alaska St, 725-7169. Thurs-Sat at 7:30; $5 adults, $3 children under 12. Through Aug 5.

THE RAKE'S PROGRESS

A play about an innocent country lad's corruption by the big city. Presented by the British-American Youth Festival Theatre, a 10-year-old cultural exchange program. BAYFEST at various venues; call 937-9924 for details. Sat-Sun Aug 5-6 in the afternoon and evening; call for times. All performances are free.

THE ROVER

All-girl production of woman-written, 17th-century swashbuckler, performed in the parks. Theater Schmeater in Volunteer Park, near the Conservatory, 324-5801. Fri at 7, Sat-Sun at 2; FREE. Through Aug 5.

THE SIX BASIC RULES

See Bio Box. AlphaFemale Productions at the Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 853-8303. Thurs-Sat at 8; $12 (Thurs Aug 3 is pay-what-you-can). Through Aug 19.

A SKULL IN CONNEMARA

New play by snotty Irish playwright Martin McDonough, featuring former Seattle actor (and recent Obie Award-winner) Christopher Evan Welch. A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7660. Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sun at 7:30; Fri-Sat at 8; 2 pm matinees on Aug 6, 12, 13, 19, & 20; $27-$42, $10 for persons 25 and under. Through Aug 20.

*THE SMELL OF THE KILL

Three women discover their husbands are trapped in a meat locker, can't decide whether or not to leave them there. "They bicker and agonize over the proper course of action, painfully peeling away the facade of lies that disguise that dissatisfaction--and in the process, stripping off their oh-so-proper attire, revealing lingerie so frivolous and optimistic you can't help but cheer for the ladies." (Tamara Paris) Intiman Theatre, Seattle Center, 269-1900. Wed-Sun, call for times; $23.50-$42. Through Aug 5.

SUMMER DURANG... SOME ARE NOT

Actually, all of them are Durang. Ten short plays from the hugely popular comic playwright, who's probably best experienced in a short format. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike, 324-6328. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 7; $10. Through Aug 26.

SUMMER SEASON

A whole buncha stuff at Seattle Childrens Theatre, ranging from Dr. Dolittle in the Moon to Macbeth (?!), featuring students from the SCT Drama School. Seattle Childrens Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. Call for specific show times; $4 single tickets, $6 double features, $20 for all eight shows. Through Aug 18.

THE TWILIGHT ZONE MARATHON VII

Theater Schmeater pulls at the teat of their cash cow one more time, which is not to say that these episodes won't be perfectly entertaining. Also featuring the insidiously popular Miss Intermission. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7; $12, under 18 free. Through Aug 26.

DANCE

FOSSE

Jazz hands and tight butts until you weep. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 682-1414. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7:30 (Sat-Sun matinees at 2); $21-$52. Through Aug 6.

FESTIVALS, CABARET, & 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. Fri-Sat at 8; $12, $10 students/seniors, discounts available. Open-ended engagement.

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.

*SALTIMBANCO

"Stuff like this defies criticism. It's just fun." (Bret Fetzer) Their Big White Tent is next to the Renton Boeing plant, off Exit 5 on I-405. Call 800-675-5440 for tickets. They're pricey ($22.50 to $160), and I'm a little appalled by the VIP treatment with a private entrance, but you probably won't regret it. Through Aug 13.

SOME KIND OF CULT

Improv comedy as you eat. One weekend only. Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 935-8420. Fri-Sat Aug 4-5, seating starts at 7:30, show starts at 8; $22 (includes a buffet dinner).

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

BLACK JACK

A new play by Anthony Curry about three friends. Something must happen, but the press release doesn't say what. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike, 324-6328. Fri-Sat at 10:30; $5. Through Aug 26.

THE DUCT TAPE EXPERIENCE

Another sketch comedy show; this one claims to be an all-singing, all-dancing indictment of a society gone astray. Disgruntled Bit Players at the Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 729-4839. Fri-Sat at 11; $6. Through Aug 26.

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. ALSO: Through Aug, Jet City performs live with Fremont Friday Night Outdoor Movies, improvising dialogue and sound effects for B movies shown without sound. See Movie Times for details.

ONE FOR THE ROAD

See Stranger Suggests. The parking lot at 1420 10th Ave (behind the Wildrose and Caffe Vita), 417-3285. Sat Aug 5, 10 pm; $12.

SPIN THE BOTTLE

Annex's monthly late-night smorgasbord, featuring music, theater, shadow puppets, and smut, along with butterscotch-smooth host Bruce Hall. Annex Theatre, 1916 Fourth Ave, 728-0933. Fri Aug 4, 11 pm; $5.

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 overaggressive 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.

CALLS

Annex Theatre is holding auditions for a workshop of a new musical theater piece on Sat-Sun Aug 5-6. Call 728-0933 ext. 3 for information and appointments.

Spokane Interplayers Ensemble holding auditions for their 2000-01 season on Tues-Wed Aug 8-9. Call Steve Barron at 365-7055 for information and scheduling.

Northwest Actors Studio is holding auditions for their Conservatory Class during the last two weeks of August. Call 324-6328 for information or appointments.

Riptide Deli Theatre on Alki is holding auditions for its 2000-01 season on Sun Aug 13, 1-4:30 pm. Short comic monologue preferred. Call 405-8433 for appointment.

Snoqualmie Forest Theater is looking for 2-3 male voices and 1 boy to join the cast of Oliver. Contact Roger Westberg at 365-8475.