OPENING THIS WEEK

DEFLOWERED IN THE ATTIC · Re-bar

JAR THE FLOOR · Seattle Repertory Theatre

¡MUCHAS CHICKENS! · Thistle Theatre

THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD · Village Theatre

THE SHOW · Podunk Productions

ONE WEEK ONLY

FESTIVAL OF FRESH FACES · Chamber Theatre

KOMEDY FOR THE KALAKALA · Jet City Improv

MARSINAH: A VOICE FROM THE UNDERWORLD · Seattle Public Theatre

CLOSING THIS WEEK

JULIUS CAESAR · Northwest Actors Studio

ON THE SIDE · Rockhopper Dance

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE · Book-It

SOME KIND OF (POP) CULT(URE) · Some Kind of Cult

STOMP · 5th Avenue Theatre

OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

ANIMAL FARM

Animals take charge! Only some of the animals turn out to be totalitarian despots. This adaptation was first done at the Royal National Theatre in London, so it might hold as much interest for adults as kids--perhaps more, as children aren't known to appreciate allegorical satire. Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. Fri at 7, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30; $14.50-$22. Through Oct 28.

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.

*DEFLOWERED IN THE ATTIC

Special six-show remount of this lurid, tawdry adaption of some lurid, tawdry adolescent soft-porn novels celebrating incest. "All of the actors throw themselves at this shameless romp with relish." (Steve Wiecking) Re-bar, 1114 Howell St (at Boren), 325-6500. Pay-what-you-can preview on Mon Sept 25. Opens Tues Sept 26. Tues-Wed at 8, $15; Thurs-Sun at 8, $20. Through Oct 1.

THE HAINT

"The Haint is in the best tradition of haunting legends: A portrait of people coping with the backwaters of their own psyches in the guise of a ghost, as well as a tight and funny piece of one-man theater." (Brendan Kiley) Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. Fri-Sun at 8; $12, $10 students/seniors/Sundays. Through Oct 1.

*IN THE PENAL COLONY

New "opera theater" work from Philip Glass and JoAnne Akalaitis, based on the Kafka short story. "You can build all the metaphorical castles you want on In the Penal Colony, and you might be dead right--but ACT gives us just what we need: A work of imagination about a work of imagination." (Brendan Kiley) A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sun at 7:30, $36; Fri-Sat at 8, $42; matinees at 2 (call for matinee dates), $27. Through Oct 1.

JAR THE FLOOR

This play--about four generations of African American women gathering for the 90th birthday of the family's great-grandmother--debuted less than 10 years ago at the Empty Space. Cheryl West, the playwright, also wrote the book for Play On!, the recent fusion of Shakespeare and Duke Ellington. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. Previews are Thurs-Sun Sept 21-24, 7:30 pm; $29. Through Oct 28.

*JULIUS CAESAR

"Amid the stylized, pared-down movement and lighting design of [Orson] Welles' conception, the gem-hard, gorgeous clarity of Shakespeare's language stands out, and in the hands of the four very competent leads, the play is very understandable even to those who haven't studied it." (Stacey Levine) Earth Tribe Productions and Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. Fri-Sat at 8; $10, $8 students/seniors. Through Sept 23.

*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.

MARSINAH: A VOICE FROM THE UNDERWORLD

A staged reading of a recent work from Indonesian playwright Ratna Sarumpaet; part of SPT's "Playwrights of Conscience" series. Seattle Public Theater at the Green Lake Bathhouse Theatre, 328-4848. Mon Sept 25, 8 pm; pay what you can.

*PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

"[The] staging is lively and crisp... this production emphasizes the writer's craft--in this case, Austen's ability to write a beautiful, smart paragraph.... Book-It gets how ruthlessly funny Austen is." (Rebecca Brown) Book-It at On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 325-6500. Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2; $18, $14 students/seniors; group rates available. Through Sept 24.

RADIO GALS

Musical about an all-girl band in the 1920s called the Hazelnuts. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. Wed-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat matinee at 2; $14-$24, $10 for 25 and under. No show Wed Oct 4. Through Oct 7.

THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE

Lily Tomlin will flog this thing until it dies a grisly death. Which is not to say it isn't a decent piece of work, but it has jokes about Geraldine Ferraro, for chrissakes. See review this issue. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun matinees at 2; $18-$45. (Special 2 pm matinee on Wed Oct 4.) Through Oct 7.

THE SHOW

This production is apparently audience-interactive and "incorporate[s] outside events that may occur during the performance." Beyond that, however, there's no indication of what The Show is or is about. Podunk Productions at Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 297-7611. Opens Fri Sept 22. Thurs-Sat at 8; $8 (however, Thurs Sept 28 is "Ugly Night": "Everyone who is ugly gets in for free"). Through Oct 21.

TABLE WORK

An evening of four short plays, ranging from Bertolt Brecht to Sam Shepard, all of which feature a table. See review this issue. A Theater Under the Influence at the Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. Thurs-Sat at 8; $12, all Thursdays are pay-what-you-will. Through Oct 14.

TRANSFORMATIONS AND OTHER TALES

Artistic director Sheila Daniels presents her own adaptation of the fairy-tale-influenced poetry of Anne Sexton. See review this issue. Theater Schmeater at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 324-5801. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2; $12, anyone 18 or under is free. Through Oct 21 (no performances Thurs-Sun Oct 5-8).

THE WEIR

Buncha Irish drunks chatting up a bird with ghost stories, until she tells them one of her own. Intiman Theatre, Seattle Center, 269-1900. Thurs-Sat at 8; Tues, Wed, Sun at 7; Sat-Sun matinees at 2; $27.50-$42. Through Oct 14.

DANCE

ON THE SIDE

The second time around for Rockhopper Dance's annual program of new work by local choreographers. Featuring BetterBiscuitDance, Scott Davis, Shawn Hove, Pamela Gregory, Deborah Wolf, and the ever-lovin' Wade Madsen. Freehold Theatre, 915 E Pike St, Second Floor, 325-6500. Thurs-Sat at 8; $10 advance, $12 at the door. Through Sept 23.

STOMP

It's "the international percussion sensation" that has appeared on TV shows ranging from Late Night with David Letterman to Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-ARTS. Tues-Fri at 8, Sat at 5 and 9, Sun at 3 and 7; $24.50-$39.50. Through Sept 24.

FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY

FESTIVAL OF FRESH FACES

A benefit for Real Change Homeless Empowerment Project and CASA Latina, featuring comedy troupe the Habit, the band Player King, and lots of--well--fresh faces. Hosted by former Stranger theater editor Steve Wiecking. Chamber Theatre, 918 E Pine St, Fourth Floor, 228-0119. Fri-Sat Sept 22-23, 8 pm; $8 general, $5 students/seniors.

*HOKUM HALL

Prof. Hokum W. Jeebs presents such an abundance of programming this fall, we can't keep up with it. Ragtime, silent films, Pianomania!, the mighty WurliTzer organ--just let it be said the pleasures of vaudeville, both broad and delicate, are kept alive at Hokum Hall, 7904 35th Ave SW, 937-3613. Prices vary per event, but are almost never more than $12. Fri-Sat Sept 22-23, 8 pm: Steamboat Bill, Jr., with Andy Crow; Sun Sept 24, 3 pm: Sentimental Journeys with Keith & Hokum; Tues-Wed Sept 26-27, 7:30 pm: Silent Cinema Classics with Hokum.

*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.

KOMEDY FOR THE KALAKALA

Jet City Improv presents this benefit to raise money for the Kalakala Foundation, which seeks to restore the Art Deco ferry. UW Ethnic Cultural Theater, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE, 781-3879, www.jetcityimprov.com. Sun Sept 24, 8 pm; $10.

SOME KIND OF (POP) CULT(URE)

Sketch comedy poking fun at '70s and '80s pop culture. Includes a round of '80s trivia. Some Kind of Cult at Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 524-KULT, www.somekindofcult.org. Fri-Sat at 8; $6. Through Sept 23.

*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

*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.

*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.

ELSEWHERE

1776

Founding fathers sing! Renton Civic Theatre, 507 S Third St, Renton, 425-226-5529. Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2; $20, $15 students/seniors. Through Oct 8.

GOD'S FAVORITE

Neil Simon re-writes the book of Job, about a theater critic forced to watch Neil Simon's re-write of the book of Job. Everett Theatre Players at the Historic Everett Theatre, 2911 Colby Ave, Everett, 425-258-6766. Fri-Sat at 8; Sun at 2; $12, $9 students/seniors/military, $5 age 10 and under. Additional performance on Thurs Sept 28, 8 pm. Through Oct 1.

LITTLE WOMEN

An original adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's popular book. Centerstage Theatre, 3200 SW Dash Point Rd, Federal Way, 253-661-1444. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2; $18 general, $15 students/seniors. Through Sept 30.

¡MUCHAS CHICKENS!

A bilingual Bunraku puppet adaptation of a Mexican folktale about a thieving coyote. Thistle Theatre at the Moore Theatre in Sacred Heart School, 9450 NE 14th, Bellevue, 524-3388, www.thistletheatre.org. Sat-Sun at 2 and 4; $8, $5 children/seniors. Through Oct 1.

*MYSTERIAN

"After the enormously enjoyable [magic] show, we wolfed down gigantically proportioned Caesar salads in the Magicafe and then scooted into the close-up magic theater where [magician Steffan] Soule's art continued to confound us. We could not rest until we tried the wicked air-hockey and laser tag...." (Tamara Paris) Illusionz Magical Entertainment Center at 1025 NW Gilman Blvd, Issaquah, 425-427-2444. Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 3; $10-$15. No end in sight.

THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD

Tony-winning musical adaptation of Dickens' unfinished novel, composed by the guy who did "The Piña Colada Song." Village Theatre, 303 Front St N, Issaquah, 425-392-2202. Wed-Sat at 8, Sun at 2; $22-$40. Through Oct 29.

PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES

A country and western musical, with a wee bit of rock 'n' roll thrown in for spice. Tacoma Little Theatre, 210 North "I" St, Tacoma, 253-272-2281. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2; $15, $13 students/seniors. Through Oct 7.

CALLS

A Contemporary Theatre is looking for kids for A Christmas Carol. Auditions on Sat Oct 7; for information or appointments, call Margaret Layne at 292-7660 ext. 1226 on weekdays between 2-5 pm.

It's A Mystery, murder mystery improv company, is holding general auditions for its holiday season on Mon-Tues Sept 25-26. For appointments or information, e-mail itsamystery@mindspring.com (preferred) or call Kris at 425-430-8731.

Open Circle Theater is looking for actors, singers, designers, musicians, and a production manager for their upcoming production of a musical based on the work of Edward Gorey. Call 382-4250 for information and appointments.

Stone Soup Theatre is holding auditions through September for Rumi, based on the writings by the poet of that name. Call 633-1833 for information or appointments.