OPENING THIS WEEK

BANDIDO! · Seattle Public Theater

WE ARE NOT GOOD GIRLS · Liberty Deli

ONE WEEK ONLY

THE ALASKAN · Museum of History & Industry

ALICE IN WONDERLAND · Village Theatre

BARE BONES · I-Spy

BETTER DAYS/INCIDENTS/HIGH LIFE · On the Boards

IMPRESIONES FLAMENCAS · Nippon Kan Theater

JUMP · Consolidated Works

KALI & COOKIES · Richard Hugo House

MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP · UW World Dance

MUSIC FOR AN ELEGANT EVENING · Hokum Hall

CLOSING THIS WEEK

A RAISIN IN THE SUN · Intiman Theatre

THE ARABOOLIES · Youth Theatre Northwest

BALLYHOO · On the Boards

BIG LOVE · A Contemporary Theatre

CIRCUS CONTRAPTION · Sand Point Naval Base

FALSTAFF · Seattle Opera

GUYS AND DOLLS · Kirkland Performance Center

GYPSY · 5th Avenue Theatre

KILLER JOE · Empty Space

SOUTH PACIFIC · Civic Light Opera

WINNIE-THE-POOH · Seattle Children's Theatre

OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

*A RAISIN IN T*E SUN

An urban black family struggles to improve their lot. "Though this story remains sadly current, the play's vitality lies more in playwright Lorraine Hansberry's incredible eye for detail." (Bret Fetzer) Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $30-$42 ($10 for anyone 25 or under). Tues-Thurs & Sun at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2. Through May 19.

AIDA

Not the Verdi, the Disney. The press release doesn't mention the performers, so I think we can assume this is, at best, the silver cast, and at worst, zinc. Paramount Theatre, Ninth & Pine, 292-2787. $24-$60. Tues-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2, Sun at 7:30. (Additional shows Mon May 21, 8 pm and Wed May 23, 2 pm.) Through May 26.

THE ALASKAN

Pseudo-Gilbert & Sullivan comic opera, set in the Klondike Gold Rush. First performed in 1907, apparently not done since, perhaps for good reason--but hey, it's cheap. Museum of History & Industry, 2700 24th Ave E, 324-1126. $5.50 adults, $3 kids and seniors, $1 kids under 5. One performance only: Sat May 19, 4 pm.

*BALLY*OO

Player King returns with their musical science-fiction anti-consumerist fable. "[This] potential cult hit panders to its audience in an exquisite fashion." (Tom Spurgeon) On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $10 Thurs/Sun, $12 Fri-Sat. Thurs-Sat at 9, Sun at 8. Through May 20.

BANDIDO!

A melodramatic retelling of the exploits of a legendary Mexican bandit in post-Gold Rush California. Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W Greenlake Drive N, 325-6500. $16-$19 (Thurs May 24 is pay-what-you-can). Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Through June 10.

*BIG LOVE

Charles Mee's revision an Aeschylus tragedy, about 50 brides who decide to murder their 50 grooms. "It's not the first time a challenging writer has been lionized for writing an easily accessible work. Big Love is an entertaining--if unsurprising--play with some ideas to toss around, and that's worth seeing." (Bret Fetzer) A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $30-$42. Tues-Thurs & Sun at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, 2 pm matinees on May 19-20. Through May 20.

BIG MAGGIE

A widow keeps a stranglehold on her children while struggling to find herself. From a new company dedicated to producing Irish drama. Northern Lights Productions at the Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12 general, $6 students/seniors, Thurs pay-what-you-can. Thurs-Sat at 8. Through May 26.

*COME BACK TO T*E REBAR DINA MARTINA DINA MARTINAT*E BEST OF DINA PARTS 1 2

Just the high points, split over two nights. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St (at Boren), 325-6500. $12 each show, $20 for both. Part 1: Thurs-Fri at 8; Part 2: Sat-Sun at 8. Through May 27.

FALSTAFF

The fat, cowardly, mendacious, greedy Shakespearean antihero sings! Seattle Opera, Seattle Center, 389-7676 or 800-426-1619. $31-$100. Wed, Fri, & Sat at 7:30. Through May 19.

GYPSY

Tale of bawdy stripper, set to jaunty song. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 625-1418. $17-$58. Tues-Sat at 8, Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2. Through May 20.

JUMP

San Franciscan Nena St. Louis brings her autobiographical solo show about depression and hearing voices in her childhood; she has a bucket of rave reviews from SF papers. See Stranger Suggests. Consolidated Works, 410 Terry Ave N, 325-6500. $10 (sliding scale for students & "mental health consumers"). Two performances only: Mon-Tues May 21-22, 8 pm.

KALI & COOKIES

The Hindu Goddess of Destruction, chaos theory, and live baking. Cookies will be shared with the audience. Seattle Fringe Festival & theater simple at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 342-9172 x1. $20. Fri-Sat at 8, this weekend only.

KILLER JOE

Off-Broadway hit about violent trailer trash. "Does the script's deliberate political incorrectness go anywhere or accomplish anything besides its goal of being in our faces, so politically incorrect? I say no." (Stacey Levine) Empty Space, 3509 Fremont N, 547-7500. $20-$28. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2, Sun at 7. Through May 19.

THE LANGUAGE OF ANGELS

Three overlapping Appalachian ghost stories, from hot young playwright Naomi Iizuka. "The audience is provided no concrete object or idea to stand upon.... Trying to figure out who did and said what to whom requires a family tree, or at least more of a mnemonic device than is provided here.... The one solid point... turns out to be Julie Rawley, as Danielle." (Traci Vogel) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $12 (under 18 free). Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun May 20 at 2. Through June 2.

THE RACKET

Chicago gangster melodrama. A Theater Under the Influence at the Union Garage, 1416 10th Ave, 720-1942. Pay-what-you-will on Thurs; $12 otherwise. Thurs-Sat at 8. Through June 9.

SIDEWAYS STORIES FROM WAYSIDE SCHOOL

The horrors of public school turned into goofy comedy. Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $14.50-$22. Fri at 7, Sat-Sun at 2 & 5:30. Through June 10.

SOUTH PACIFIC

Sailor boys and hula girls belt out Broadway tunes. Civic Light Opera at the Jane Addams Theatre, 11051 34th Ave NE, 363-2809. $18-$22. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2:30. Through May 19. (Still plagued by that nasty strike problem, so you may have to cross a picket line to see the show.)

WE ARE NOT GOOD GIRLS

A blues musical about the conclusion of a band's grueling tour. Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki SW, 935-8420. $22 in advance, $25 at the door. Fri-Sat, dinner at 6:30, show to follow. Through June 30.

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

BARE BONES

A benefit concert of alternative and improvisational dance and music, featuring Sheri Cohen, John Dixon, Margit Galanter, Lila Hurwitz, Sean Ryan, and others, as well as a silent auction. SFADI and SIL2K at I-Spy, 1912 Fifth Ave, no reservation necessary. $10 suggested donation. Mon May 21, 8 pm.

BETTER DAYS/INCIDENTS/HIGH LIFE

Rising choreographer Ronald K. Brown and his troupe Evidence present a trio of dances. See Stranger Suggests. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $18-$20. Thurs- Sun at 8, this weekend only.

IMPRESIONES FLAMENCAS

Strumming guitars and flying feet beating to the passionate throb of flamenco dance. La Peña Flamenca at Nippon Kan Theater, 628 S Washington St, 224-0181. $15 general, $12 seniors/kids under 12/large groups. Fri-Sat at 8, this weekend only.

MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP

One of the most esteemed choreographers in the world. See Stranger Suggests. UW World Dance at Meany Hall, UW Campus, 543-4880. $38. Thurs-Sat at 8, this weekend only.

FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY

*AFEST 2001

Beginning four weeks of a wide variety of work from Asian & Asian American performers. This week: Rivergrass Dance Theatre with Re: Lady White Snake. Northwest Asian-American Theatre, 409 Seventh Ave S, 340-1445. $12 general, $10 students/seniors. FRI-SAT at 8. Through May 28.

CIRCUS CONTRAPTION

Acrobatics, juggling, aerial work, shadow puppetry, original music, hoochie-coochie girls, all with a good dose of surreal performance artiness. Sand Point Naval Base, Building 30, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, 442-2004. $10 door, games and concessions separate. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. (Thurs is all ages, Fri-Sat 21+.) Through May 20.

COMEDY COURT

Improv comedy. University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE, 442-2044. $7 general, $5 students. First and third Friday of the month at 7:30. Through August.

*MUSIC FOR AN ELEGANT EVENING

Hokum Hall's season finale, featuring their finest performers in black tie. Hokum Hall, 7904 35th Ave SW, louis@magor.com. $12 general, $10 students/seniors. Fri-Sat at 8, this weekend only.

SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL

A more impressive collection of stuff from around the world than you'll see at most adult festivals. "Every year the staff of the Seattle International Children's Festival scrambles across the globe to find performers who can rise to the demands of Seattle's tiny elite, and as a result they end up with acts that may very well appeal to adults." (Traci Vogel) Seattle Center, various venues, 684-7346, www.seattleinternational.org. Single tickets $10; discounts for multiple shows. Times and days vary for individual acts, call for details. May 14-19.

SPIDERBITE ODDITIES

A glam/pop mixture of music and short plays on the theme of pop culture. Sit & Spin, 2219 Fourth Ave. $8 (21+). Thurs only; doors at 8:15, show at 9. Through May 24.

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.

CHOOZE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: THE CAVERN OF TIME

A live version of the book series for kids, aimed at adults. Featuring performers from a variety of Seattle's sketch comedy troupes. See review this issue. Serious Dogs Productions at the Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 444-4315. $7. Fri-Sat at 11. No closing date.

JET CITY IMPROV

The popular improvisational troupe is adding a late night performance in West Seattle. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $7 general, $5 students. Sat at 10:30, ad nauseam.

*MONEY RUN EPISODE 4

Big Momma Bob and all the rest return for another senses-stunning exploitation of our excessive television-watching childhoods. See review this issue. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $8 (under 18 free). Thurs-Sat at 11 pm. Through June 2.

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

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Down the rabbit hole with actors ages 10-16. Village Theatre KIDSTAGE Company, First Stage Theatre, 120 Front St N, Issaquah, 425-392-2202. $5. Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sat at 2, this weekend only.

THE ARABOOLIES

A musical based on the popular children's book The Araboolies of Liberty Street. Performed by kids, ranging from 7 to 16. Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 SE 40th, Mercer Island, 206-232-2202. $9 general; $12 opening night; group discounts. Fri-Sat at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2. Through May 20.

GUYS AND DOLLS

"Luck Be a Lady Tonight," etc. Eastside Musical Theatre at Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, 425-893-9900. $20 adults, $18 kids/seniors. Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2. Through May 20.

TINTYPES

Musical about the turn of the century. 1899-1900, that is. Renton Civic Theatre, 507 S Third St, 425-226-5529. $20 general, $15 students/seniors. Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Through May 27.

WEST SIDE STORY

Romeo & Juliet in song, with an ethnic twist. Village Theatre, 303 Front St N, Issaquah, 425-392-2202. $22-$40. Wed-Sat at 8, Sun and selected Sats at 2, selected Suns at 7. Through July 22.