OPENING THIS WEEK
GREASE · Youth Theatre Northwest
THE HABIT · The Bathhouse Theater
ONE WEEK ONLY
3 X 3 · The Little Theatre
CHRYSALIS · Blüchaos Productions
CLINICAL TRIALS · Broadway Performance Hall
INTIMATE STAGE · Dappin' Butoh
LITTLE MERMAID--THE ROCK MUSICAL FABLE · Village Theatre KIDSTAGE
OFF THE CUFF · Freehold Theater
CLOSING THIS WEEK
ARSENIC AND OLD LACE · United Performing Arts Company
THE EROTICA PROJECT · Left Coast Theatre
FREE TO BE... YOU AND ME · Open Circle Theater
MABAIRE! NO ME OLVIDES! · Rainier Valley Cultural Center
RAGS · Village Theater Summerstock
SEX IN SEATTLE, EPISODE TWO: OTHER WOMEN · Nippon Kan Theatre
OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS
ARSENIC AND OLD LACE
The all-time staple of community theater rises again. United Performing Arts Company at United Evangelical Free Church, 1420 NW 80th St, 783-7224. $10 general, $8 students/seniors. Thurs, Fri, Sun Aug 9-12 at 7:30.
BALMORAL
A farce about a Communist revolution in Britain, which presumably doesn't include Stalinist purges. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $17-$25. Wed-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat at 2. Through Sept 1. (NightCap improvisational comedy on Fri nights at 10:15, starting Aug 10.)
CHRYSALIS
Outdoor fantasy featuring ghosts, sage monkeys, dragons, and a protagonist called Rapechild. Blüchaos Productions at Meadowbrook Pond, 35th Ave and NE 107th St, 977-8966. $10 general, $8 students/seniors. Thur-Fri at 7, Sat at 2, Sun at 2 & 6, this week only.
CLINICAL TRIALS
Julie Kurnitz's one-woman musical comedy about a woman affected by Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder of the connective tissue. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, 325-6500. $40. Sat at 8, this weekend only.
* THE DYING GAUL
The latest from Craig Lucas (Blue Window, Prelude to a Kiss) about film producer seducing a young screenwriter over to the dark side. "It's been a long time since I've been so held by a production that I feared if I let my mind wander I'd miss some subtle twist." (Bret Fetzer) Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $27-$42 ($10 for anyone 25 or under). Tues-Thurs/Sun at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2 (matinee on Wed Aug 15, 2 pm). Through Aug 18.
FAT GIRL FOLLIES
Part autobiographical tale, part standup comedy about living fat. From Peggy Platt, part of Dos Fallopia and a comedian in her own right. Reviewed this issue. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $13 Thurs/Sun, $15 Fri-Sat. Thurs-Sat at 9, Sun at 3 & 8. Through Aug 26.
THE FLYING KARAMAZOV BROTHERS
Sort of a greatest hits show, with much audience interaction. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $15. Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2. Through Aug 19.
FREE TO BE... YOU AND ME
A live stage presentation of the 1970s children's special which starred Marlo Thomas, and which strove to smash stereotypes with painful sincerity. "Is this meant for nostalgia-crazed Gen-Xers taking a break from surfing eBay trying to find their old Fat Albert lunchbox? Or is it intended for actual little people? The kids would surely go nuts over it--the performers all have lovely singing voices, the choreography and staging are charming, and everybody seems to be thoroughly invested. Which is, sadly, what's vaguely creepy for us grownups." (Tamara Paris) Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $15 general, $10 ages 18 and under. Thurs-Sun at 7, Sat at 10, Sun at 3. Through Aug 12.
GATE 17
Rather than the usual sketch-blackout formula, this new show is an uninterrupted flow set in a busy airport. Reviewed this issue. Disgruntled Bit Players at the Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 729-4839. $10. Thurs-Sat at 8. Through Aug 18.
MABAIRE! NO ME OLVIDES!
Or, Don't Forget Me! A musical based on the Yoruba tradition of Cuba about a fisherman who becomes a saint. Rainier Valley Youth Theatre & North-South Conexions at the Rainier Valley Cultural Center, SW corner of Rainier & Alaska. $5 adults, $3 students, seniors, and children over 5. Thurs-Sat at 8. Through Aug 11.
MACBETH
A dark, moody tragedy, being produced in our sunny parks. GreenStage at various parks; call 748-1551 or go to www.greenstage.org for info. Free. Mostly Fri-Sat at 8; call or go to the website for exceptions. Through Sept 9.
MISS GOLDEN DREAMS
Joyce Carol Oates' new play, based on her novel Blonde, about the woeful life of Marilyn Monroe. A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $16.50 ($19.50 on-line), $10 for anyone 25 or under. Wed, Thurs, Sun at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8. Through Aug 26.
* MONEY & RUN GO HAWAIIAN
Featuring the Great Thumbless Volcano God Oki. More'80s-television-inspired madness from Wayne Rawley, evil genius. "It's like re-discovering poetry through a well-told fart joke. [This] latest caper only aspires to be sturdy fun, but at least it has the strength of its own convictions. May its white trash heroes stay ahead of the bad guys forever." (Tom Spurgeon) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7. Through Aug 18.
TROILUS & CRESSIDA
Possibly Shakespeare's crabbiest play, in which everyone is petty, snide, and manipulative. Which is a good thing. GreenStage at various parks; call 748-1551 or go to www.greenstage.org for info. Free. Mostly Sat-Sun at 3; call or go to the website for exceptions. Through Sept 2.
UNDO
An exploration of creation myths from around the world. EXITheatre at Sand Point Naval Base, Hanger 30, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, 851-6730. $10. Thurs-Sat at 8. Through Aug 25.
DANCE
INTIMATE STAGE
Another intimate evening of Butoh, featuring solos by Kristin Narcowich and Joan Laage, among other things. See Bio Box. Dappin' Butoh at a secret location; call 526-5756 for reservations and directions. $10. Sun at 7, this weekend only.
* OFF THE CUFF
Over two nights and three completely different shows, the Seattle Festival of Alternative Dance & Improvisation (SFADI) presents some of the leading figures in, well, alternative dance and improvisation. On Fri at 7:30: Sean Ryan, Julie Kane, Sheri Cohen, Julie Freyberg, Olive Bieringa, and improv pioneer Karen Nelson. On Sat at 7:30: Chris Aiken, Alito Alessi, Margit Galanter, Olive Bierginga, Jacqueline McCormick, Morgan Thorson, Lila Hurwitz, and Bessie-winner Ishmael Houston-Jones. On Sat at 10: A sprawling performance by the faculty of SFADI. Freehold Theater, 915 E Pine, 2nd Flr, 505-1557 x1133. $11 apiece, or $9 each if you buy tickets to more than one show. This weekend only.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
3 x 3
Words and music. See Stranger Suggests. The Little Theatre, 608 19th Ave E, 324-6379. $5 donation suggested. Wed at 8, this week only.
7 BLONDES
A tribute to blond icons, ranging from Marilyn Monroe to Britney Spears, all performed by singer, actress, and female impersonator Sunny. Reviewed this issue. Greg Thompson Productions at the Crepe de Paris, Rainier Square, 1531 Fifth Ave, 623-4111. $20 for the show alone, $49 with dinner. Thurs-Sun at 9. Through Sept 30.
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.
JACKIE MASON: MUCH ADO ABOUT EVERYTHING
Humor guaranteed to offend everyone. A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-ARTS. $36-$41. Mon-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Through Aug 18.
LATE NIGHT
* THE EROTICA PROJECT
Buncha girly smut. "Smart 'n sexy fun for homos and hetero women. Straight guys, go to Hooters." (Final tally from four reviewers.) Left Coast Theatre, 1100 E Pike St, Third Floor (above NW Actors Studio), 325-6500. $18 general, $14 students/seniors. Thurs-Sat at 10. Through Aug 11.
* THE HABIT
All new sketch comedy at a new location. See Stranger Suggests. The Bathhouse Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, www.thehabit.org. $7 general, $5 students. Fri-Sat at 11. Through Aug 25.
* SEX IN SEATTLE, EPISODE TWO: OTHER WOMEN
The travails of four Asian American women looking for love in all the wrong places. "While this show does blow apart the tired old stereotypes that Asians are either not sexy or only 'exotic' objects of desire, its excessive silliness doesn't replace those old generalizations with anything substantial...Great theater it ain't; good fun it is." (Rebecca Brown) SIS Productions at Nippon Kan Theatre, 628 S Washington, 325-6500. $12 general, $8 students/seniors/actors. Fri-Sat at 10:30. Through Aug 11.
TWILIGHT ZONES LIVE ON STAGE
They're hauling 'em out again. This time around: The Chaser, about a love potion that's perhaps too successful, and The Obsolete Man, about a librarian sentenced to death. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $8. Fri-Sat at 11. Through Aug 18.
LONG RUNS
CABARET: THE RESURRECTION at Coffee Messiah, 861-8233.
JET CITY IMPROV at ArtsWest, 938-0339; 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.
QUEER AS A THREE DOLLAR BILL at the Comedy Underground, 800-992-8499.
THEATERSPORTS at the Market Theater, 781-9273.
ELSEWHERE
GREASE
All about bobby socks, drive-ins, and necking in the back seat. Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 SE 40th, Mercer Island, 206-232-2202. $12 (group discounts available). Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2. Through Aug 26.
LITTLE MERMAID--THE ROCK MUSICAL FABLE
Not the Disney version. Set in the modern day, "with characters, music, and conflicts which speak to the hearts of today's young people." Village Theatre KIDSTAGE at the Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wemore Ave, Everett, 425-257-8600. $6-$8. Fri-Sun at 7, Sat-Sun at 2. This weekend only.
RAGS
A musical about Russian immigrants in America. Village Theater Summerstock at the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St N, Issaquah, 425-392-2202. $5. Thurs-Sat at 7:30. Through Aug 11.
