OPENING THIS WEEK

ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF AN ANARCHIST · Barefoot Theatre Group

FIVE TANGOS · Pacific Northwest Ballet

NOISES OFF · Village Theatre

ONE WEEK ONLY

A MOST NOTORIOUS WOMAN · Seattle Center House

CIRCA · On the Boards

CLEAN SWEEP · Threshold Ensemble

CoBREW & PA RT · Broadway Performance Hall

DEAF MAN O'TALKING · Out To Laugh

THE FIREHOUSE CIRCUS · Kent-Meridian High School Performing Arts Center

LUCY · Annex Theatre

PAULA POUNDSTONE · Out to Laugh

THE PROFESSOR, THE PUPPET, AND THE EXECUTION · A Contemporary Theatre

TATTOO · Kirkland Performance Center

THE WHOLE FAMNDAMILY · GREX

CLOSING THIS WEEK

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM · Seattle Repertory Theatre

CENTRAL SOUL · Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center

EGGUUS · Consolidated Works

MOMOTARO, PEACH BOY · Thistle Theatre

SEATTLE FRINGE FESTIVAL · all over Capitol Hill

UNCLE TOM DE-CONSTRUCTED · Little Theatre Off Broadway

OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

1776

The song and dance story of the Declaration of Independence, featuring lots of guys in wigs and ye olde capri pants. 5th Avenue Theater, 1308 Fifth Ave, 625-1418. $17-$58. Tues-Sat at 8, Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2. Through March 25.

21 DOG YEARS: DOING TIME @ AMAZON.COM

Mike Daisey dishes dirt on his experiences at Amazon.com, weaving in other topics as well. "The show, much like the new economy itself, has wonderful highs but sadly some staggering lows." (Tamara Paris) Speakeasy Backroom, 2304 Second Ave, 444-4336. $10. Fri-Sat at 8. EXTENDED through March 31.

A MOST NOTORIOUS WOMAN

A one-woman show from Colorado about Irish queen and sea captain Grace O'Malley. Studio H of Theatre Puget Sound in the Seattle Center House, 783-9156. $10 suggested donation. Saturday at 7:30, Sunday at 2. One weekend only.

ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF AN ANARCHIST

Political satire from a new political theater troupe. Opens Fri Mar 16. See Bio Box. Barefoot Theater Group, Labor Temple, 2800 First Ave, 387-4977. $10. Wed-Sat at 8. Through Mar 31.

AND A NIGHTINGALE SANG

A play about the turmoil of an English family during World War II, with the most sentimental title of all time. ArtsWest Theatre, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $20 adults/$17 students & seniors. Thurs-Sat at 8, with 3 pm matinees on March 18 & 24. Through March 24.

CENTRAL SOUL

It's described as a "musical satire," but I can't figure out what's being satirized--it's a romance between an urban poet and a suburban grad student. The playwright says, "This story explores the deepest depths of love and the tribulations which confront all couples who share a central soul." Stop, I'm laughing already! Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center, 104 17th Ave S, 461-4870. $18 general/$15 students & seniors. Fri-Sat only, with stand-up comedian Rex Navarette at 7:15 and Central Soul at 8.

CLEAN SWEEP

Improvisation based on stories told by audience members. Threshold Ensemble at the University Heights Community Center, Rm 209, 50th Ave between Brooklyn and University. $10 suggested donation. One night only: Sat March 17, 7:30 pm.

CYMBELINE

One of those "problem plays" of Shakespeare that get everyone so bothered because it suggests that sometimes people aren't very nice, even people we like. Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $30-$42 general, $10 for anyone 25 or under. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2, Sun at 7:30. Through April 7.

EGGUUS

The most pompous, portentous play of all time, but with a twist. "Inventive sight gags, though moment-to-moment funny, eventually result in a one-note parody." (Stacey Levine) Consolidated Works, 410 Terry Ave, 381-3218. $14 general, $12 members, $7 for "coop" seating. Thurs-Sun at 8. Through March 18.

*HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH

The world's greatest botched-sex-change rock musical. "I seriously question the intelligence of anyone who doesn't see this show. Twice." (Adrian Ryan) Re-bar, 1114 Howell (at Boren), 323-0388 or 325-6500. $16. Fri-Sun at 8. EXTENDED through March 24

LUCY

A staged reading of a new play by Heather Braaten, about an erratic young woman with a difficult mother. Annex Theatre, 1916 Fourth Ave, 728-0933. $5. Thurs-Sat at 8. One weekend only.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

The most expensively produced Shakespeare in town. "Everything dripped money, and it wasn't well-spent. The actors were pretty good when they weren't being upstaged by revolving doors." (Bret Fetzer) Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $15-$42 ($10 for anyone under 25). Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2. Through March 17.

MOMOTARO, PEACH BOY

A classic Japanese fairy tale, told with puppets. Thistle Theatre, 9123 15th Ave NE, 523-2579. $6.50 children, $7 seniors, $8.50 adults. Fri at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 1 & 3. Through March 18.

NO ONE IS ALONE

A bunch of Stephen Sondheim songs about, you know, love and stuff. Cabaret at the Crêpe de Paris, Rainier Square, 1333 5th Ave, 623-4111. $42 for dinner and show, $16 for show only. Dinner starts as early as 6:30; shows start Thurs at 8, Fri-Sat at 8:30. Through May 26.

THE PROFESSOR, THE PUPPET, AND THE EXECUTION

Todd Jefferson Moore presents a strange and frighteningly funny meditation on capital punishment. See Stranger Suggests. A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $6. Thurs/Sun at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8. One weekend only.

REFERENCES TO SALVADOR DALI MAKE ME HOT

A bit of magic realism from José Rivera. Adult language and sexual situations, we are warned. "[The play] is divided into four acts, the middle two realistic in style, the first and last surreal. These 'bookend' acts contain some lovely writing... but they don't work as a framing device for, or an explanation of, the realistic middle acts--mostly because the 'real' story doesn't work either." (Rebecca Brown) Empty Space, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $20-$28. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2, Sun at 7. Through March 24.

SAME TIME NEXT YEAR

Once a year, an adulterous couple meet clandestinely for some annual nookie. RipTide Theatre Company at the Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 405-8433. $22 in advance, $25 at door, includes dinner and show. Fri-Sat at 6:30 (show starts at 7:30). Additional performances Sun March 18 & 25. Through March 31.

SEATTLE FRINGE THEATRE FESTIVAL

A complete list of everything in the Festival would consume the entire calendar! It's mutating and growing to tremendous size, devouring everything in its path! Aaaauugghh! Reviewed at length this issue. The central box office is in the Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, 325-6500. Single tickets are $12, $10 after purchasing a $2 button/$6 students & seniors. Multiple performances daily; find a Festival Guide for details. Through March 18.

SEX IN SEATTLE

An episodic tale of four Asian American women and their love troubles, inspired by the similarly-titled HBO series. Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 784-2154. $12. Thurs at 8, Fri-Sat at 10:30; extra performances on March 23-24 at 8. Through March 24.

SPINNING INTO BUTTER

Racism and political correctness cause a frenzy at a Eastern liberal arts college. We are promised shocking secrets and shameful truths--that's a lot to promise in this day and age. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $29-$42 ($10 for anyone under 25). Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2. Through April 14.

UNCLE TOM DE-CONSTRUCTED

It's official: Uncle Tom's Cabin is the most deconstructed text of all time! Seattle Central Community College Drama Department at the Little Theater Off Broadway, 1524 Harvard, 287-5544. $10 general, $8 students/seniors/under 12. Wed-Sat at 8, Sun at 3. Through March 18.

THE WHOLE FAMNDAMILY

Staged reading of a new play by Patrick J. Scott, co-writer of The True History of Coca-Cola in Mexico, which was a pretty good play. GREX at the Empty Space Theater, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 985-1019. Pay-what-you-will. One night only: Monday March 19, 7 pm.

WINNIE-THE-POOH

Bear gets stuck in honey jar to the delight of vengeful bees. Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $21-$22 adults/$14.50-$15.50 students, seniors, & children. Fri at 7, Sat-Sun at 2 & 5:30. Through May 20.

DANCE

CIRCA

Canadian dance duo Holy Body Tattoo perform a riff on the Argentinian tango. See Stranger Suggests. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $18-$20. Thurs-Sun at 8. One weekend only.

CoBREW & PA RT

A big improvisational dance free-for-all. See Stranger Suggests. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, 325-6500. $12-$18. One night only: Wed March 21, 8 pm.

FIVE TANGOS

Well, actually, it's ballet. With a tango influence. In one of four different pieces. The other ones are just ballet. Well, different kinds of ballet. But they sound cool too. See Stranger Suggests. Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Center Opera House, 292-ARTS. $15-$110. Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sat at 2. Through March 24.

TATTOO

Pat Graney's most recent dance piece gets another performance--possibly the last in the Seattle area for a while. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, 425-893-9900. $19 adults, $17 students/seniors. One night only: Fri March 16, 8 pm.

FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY

DEAF MAN O'TALKING

An evening of magic, storytelling, and comedy by deaf performers, including Nat Wilson, Bernard Bragg, Bob Hiltermann, and others. Out to Laugh at Meany Hall, UW Campus, 628-0888 or 628-8TTY. $20. One night only: Sat March 17, 8 pm.

PAULA POUNDSTONE

Stand-up comic and single mom. Let's hope her jokes aren't all about diapers. Paramount Theatre, Ninth & Pine, 628-0888, $18.50-$38.50, 8 pm.

LATE NIGHT

CABARET: THE RESURRECTION

Everything from drag queens (including host Hellen Havokk), live music, naked poetry, fire-breathers, and sword-swallowers. Coffee Messiah, 1554 E Olive Way, 861-8233. $5. Every Saturday at midnight.

LONG RUNS

JET CITY IMPROV at University Heights Center, 781-3879.

LATE NIGHT CATECHISM from Seattle Theatre Project at A Contemporary Theatre, 292-7676.

MYSTERIAN at Illusionz Magical Entertainment Center, Issaquah, 425-427-2444.

THEATERSPORTS at the Market Theater, 781-9273.

ELSEWHERE

THE FIREHOUSE CIRCUS

Family vaudeville with Jim Jackson and Linda Severt, clowns. Kent-Meridian High School Performing Arts Center, 10020 SE 256th St, Kent, 253-856-5050. $5. One night only: Sunday March 18, 3 pm.

NOISES OFF

The popular backstage farce, featuring some strong Seattle talent like Shawn Belyea, K. Brian Neel, and Burton Curtis. Village Theatre, 303 Front St N, Issaquah, 425-392-2202. $8-$40. Wed-Sat at 8, Sun at 2 (some Sat matinees and Sun evenings, call for details). Through April 22.

CALLS

The Driftwood Players seek directors for pre-selected productions in their 2001-02 season. Send resumes to: Director Selection Committee, The Driftwood Players, P.O. Box 385, Edmonds, WA 98020. Questions? 425-774-9600.

Eastside Musical Theatre holding auditions for Guys & Dolls, starting rehearsals on April 1 and opening on May 11. Lead roles receive a stipend. Auditions on March 19-20; call 800-844-4397.

EXITheatre holding auditions for two summer productions (Hero, a one-weekend workshop in May-June, and Undo, which will run for four weekends in August) on March 25 & 27. For information and appointments, call 779-2284.

Kirkland Arts Center seeks artists/performers for Summerfest (July 14-15). For applications, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Kirkland Arts Center, ATTN: Summerfest! 2001 Artist Selection Committee, 620 Market St, Kirkland, WA 98033-5421. Deadline is March 16.

Lotus Productions seeks actors for feature length movie shooting in Seattle in August. Send photo/brief bio to P.O. Box 1109, Clinton, WA 98236.

Short film seeks three male actors (16-60), one female actor, and one male child actor for production in mid April. Auditions on March 24 & 31. Call 425-462-7654 or e-mskypro@hotmail.com.

Smilewide Productions is holding open auditions Sat March 31 at the Speakeasy backroom for two women and five men for upcoming performance of Raised On Film. Call 284-5445.

Theatre Babylon accepting submissions for Mae West Fest V, a festival of plays (15 minutes to an hour in length) written and directed by women. Performances in mid-July. For info, go to www.maewestfest.org or contact Heidi Heimarck at 325-0423. Send submissions to Theatre Babylon, 1418 10th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122, attn: Mae West Fest. Deadline is March 15.