OPENING THIS WEEK

à 3 · A Contemporary Movement Ensemble

GRAND MAGIC · A Contemporary Theatre

PROGRESSION · Burnt Studio Productions

THE RACE OF THE ARK TATTOO · A Contemporary Theatre

REBECCA · Renton Civic Theatre

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN · Stepping Stone Productions

ONE WEEK ONLY

COPPELIA · Ballet Nacional de Cuba/Paramount Theatre

THE FIREHOUSE CIRCUS · Everett Performing Arts Center

FROM SEATTLE TO NEW YORK WITH LOVE · Town Hall

KEUR FOUTA · Rainier Beach High School Performing Arts Center

NIGHT OF THE DAMNED II: A COMEDY OF TERRORS · Odd Duck Studio

THE TWILIGHT ZONE · Shorecrest Performing Arts Center

UNDER CONSTRUCTION · Velocity MainSpace

CLOSING THIS WEEK

ANOTHER AMERICAN: ASKING AND TELLING · Seattle Repertory Theatre

CAMPFIRE · Market Theatre

THE FANTASTIC VOYAGE OF MARCO POLO · Northwest Puppet Center

JOHNNY TREMAIN · Seattle Children's Theatre

JOYFUL NOISE · Taproot Theatre

LITTLE MURDERS · Seattle Public Theatre

SAMUEL BECKETT'S HOUSE OF HORRORS · Defibrillator & 13 Chairs Productions

THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS · Intiman Theatre

XXX · Open Circle Theater

MINI-REVIEW

WAITING FOR GODOT from Stepping Stone Productions: What do you get when you stage Samuel Beckett's most famous play with an all-female cast? It's not a riddle--and there's no punchline. Godot is still Godot, despite all the "he's" changed to "she's." In fact, I wondered why they bothered to maintain the trope of Gogo and Didi as vaudevillian bowler-hatted bums--if you're going to rethink gender in a classic play, why not go all the way? But you'd really have to fuck it up to rob this play of its power, and by the time Didi takes her near-dive into the void, I had existential chills. And using Tom Waits to bracket the acts was pure genius. Someone should have thought of it years ago. EMILY HALL

OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

A COUPLA WHITE CHICKS SITTING AROUND TALKING

Continuing a tradition of only producing plays by writers named "Noonan." Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 935-8420. $29 (includes buffet dinner); show-only tickets $15 (seating limited). Fri-Sat & selected Sun, dinner starts at 6:30, show follows. Through Nov 10.

ANOTHER AMERICAN: ASKING AND TELLING

Marc Wolf's one-man docudrama on the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. "The set and lighting design from the original, Obie-winning Off-Broadway production are effectively crisp and spare. I wish the script and the acting had been as polished." (Rebecca Brown) Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $31-$44 ($10 for anyone under 25). Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2. Through Oct 26.

BURT (OR WHEN I WAS FIVE I KILLED MYSELF)

Reviewed this issue. The troubled times of a young boy. A hit from the most recent Fringe Festival, with several new cast members. Theatre Babylon, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. Thurs pay-what-you-will, Fri-Sat $12. Thurs-Sat at 8. Through Nov 10.

* CHERRY CHERRY LEMON

Reviewed this issue. Keri Healey's hit show from the most recent Fringe Festival--all about girls and sex--returns, with Keira McDonald's Showerhead as an appetizer. Re-bar, 1114 Howell Ave, 323-0388. $12. Thurs-Sun at 8. Through Nov 25 (no performance on Thanksgiving).

THE FANTASTIC VOYAGE OF MARCO POLO

A fantasy based on Marco Polo's journeys, featuring underwater puppets! Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave NE, 523-2579. $6.50 children, $7 seniors, $8.50 adults. Fri at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 1 & 3. Through Oct 28.

GRAND MAGIC

A wife escapes from her jealous husband by disappearing in a conjuring trick. A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $30-$42 ($10 for anyone 25 and under). Tues-Thurs & Sun at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, some matinees at 2 (call for details). Through Nov 18.

JOHNNY TREMAIN

A young silversmith loses his job and starts throwing tea into Boston Harbor. Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $14.50-$22.50. Fri at 7, Sat-Sun at 2 & 5:30. Through Oct 27.

* JOYFUL NOISE

The creation of Handel's Messiah. Sort of an 18th-century episode of Behind the Music. "What Joyful Noise lacks in friction it makes up with in froth...it seems impossible for this play to hold together until evening's end--but miraculously, it does." (Tamara Paris) Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St, 781-9707. $17-$25. Wed-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat at 2. Through Oct 27. (NightCap Comedy Improv plays after every Friday show at 10:15. $5.)

THE LABORATORY OF HALLUCINATIONS

All the blood, gore, and ichor you could want. "With half the cast outright goofing on their characters, even a lurid climax drenched in bodily fluids falls emotionally flat...[But Jerry] Lloyd's cartoon-like exaggerations aren't just funny, they underline his mad doctor's departure from basic reality. He's scary like a clown is scary." (Tom Spurgeon) A Theatre Under the Influence at the Union Garage, 1416 10th Ave, 720-1942. $13 Fri-Sat, pay-what-you-will Thurs. Thurs-Sat at 8:13 (special performance Wed Oct 31 at 7 pm). Through Nov 3.

* LITTLE MURDERS

Jules Feiffer's darkly comic examination of random violence. "This biting satire about American violence and social decay in the mid-1960s...lacks a single likeable character. What's likeable instead is the satire itself." (Stacey Levine) Seattle Public Theatre, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 325-6500. $14-$19. Wed-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Through Oct 28.

MACBETH

Reviewed this issue. Out, out, damn spot! Seattle Shakespeare Company at the Performance Studio, Seattle Center House, 325-6500. $10-$24. Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Through Nov 11.

NIGHT OF THE DAMNED II: A COMEDY OF TERRORS

Seven short plays on a Halloween theme. A Theater Near You, Bombast Productions, and D.A.M.N. at the Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 244-9191. $10 (group discounts available). Thurs-Wed at 8, this week only.

ONCE WHEN I WAS LOST

Reviewed this issue. The experimental theater troupe Run/Remain--or at least some of them--return with a new piece. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $12 Thurs/Sun, $14 Fri-Sat. Thurs-Sun at 8. Through Nov 18.

THE PRIMARY ENGLISH CLASS

A bunch of foreigners try to learn the English language, or the American one anyway. Bridges International Repertory Theatre at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 325-6500. $25. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2 & 7. Through Nov 11.

PROOF

Reviewed this issue. Even mathematical geniuses fall in love. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $15-$44 ($10 for anyone under 25). Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2 (also Wed at 2 on Nov 7). Through Nov 10.

THE RACE OF THE ARK TATTOO

See Stranger Suggests. A "play and flea market" from hot playwright W. David Hancock. A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $16.50 ($10 for anyone 25 and under). Wed, Thurs, Sun at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, some matinees at 2 (call for details). Through Nov 11.

* SAMUEL BECKETT'S HOUSE OF HORRORS

Three Beckett shorts. "The bedraggled creatures Beckett invented to represent humanity are alive, scabrous, and well in this production." (Stacey Levine) Defibrillator Productions & 13 Chairs at the Seattle Public Theatre Black Box, 915 E Pine St, 4th floor, 931-5629. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 (plus show Wed Oct 31 at 7:30). Through Oct 31.

* THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS

"Director Bartlett Sher has shown that with a few small, clever innovations and the blessing of a rock-solid cast, classical theater cannot only be accessible and entertaining--it can be downright fantastic." (Adrian Ryan) 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 Oct 27.

WAITING FOR GODOT

An all-female version of Samuel Beckett's tale of two guys standing around. Stepping Stone Productions at Nippon Kan Theatre, 628 S Washington St, 325-6500. $15 general, $12 students. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7. Through Nov 17.

DANCE

à 3

Three new dance works from Holly Eckert, Richard Ayres, and Michael Foley. A Contemporary Movement Ensemble at Freehold Theatre, 915 E Pine St, 2nd floor, 709-7863. $15 general, $12 student/senior (opening night is pay-what-you-can). Fri-Sun at 8. Through Nov 4.

COPPELIA

Ballet Nacional de Cuba (who someone called the "Bolshoi of the Caribbean") performs this comic work about a toy-maker whose lifelike doll wreaks havoc on a pair of young lovers. Paramount Theatre, Ninth & Pine, 292-2787. $26.50-$51.50. Fri-Sat at 7:30, this weekend only.

KEUR FOUTA

A celebration of Senegalese dance and music. Rainier Beach High School Performing Arts Center, 8815 Seward Park Ave S. $18 general, $12 student/senior. Sat at 7:30, this weekend only.

PROGRESSION

A hit from the 1999 Fringe Festival; a dance-theater piece about a blue boy, a purple girl, and gender politics. Burnt Studio Productions at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 325-6500. $12 general, $10 student/senior. Fri-Sat at 8. Through Nov 17.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Works-in-progress from the likes of Shannon Hobbs, Pei-Jung Lee, Juliet Waller, and more. Velocity MainSpace, 915 E Pine St, 2nd floor, 325-8773 x3. $7. Sat-Sun at 8, this weekend only.

FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY

CAMPFIRE

Long form improvisation, based on audience experiences with unexplained--i.e., spooooooky!--phenomena. Unexpected Productions at the Market Theatre, Post Alley below the Pike St Market, 781-9273. $10. Fri-Sat at 8. Through Oct 27.

COMEDY COURT

Improv comedy. University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE, 442-2044. $7 general, $5 students. First and third Friday of each month at 7:30. Through Nov 16.

FROM SEATTLE TO NEW YORK WITH LOVE

A whole bunch of stuff--dance, theater, music--arguably connected to NYC, performed by Seattle artists, from Pacific Northwest Ballet to Dave Dederer (formerly of the Presidents of the USA). All proceeds go to the NY Foundation for the Arts. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave, 325-6500. $12-$50. Mon at 7, this week only.

NUTS & CREAMY NOUGAT

The ear-candy of Scott Warrender, Northwest musical parodist extraordinaire. Cabaret de Paris, Rainier Square, 1333 Fifth Ave, 2nd level, 623-4111. $45 (dinner & show), $18 (show only). The show starts Thurs/Sun at 8, Fri-Sat at 8:30. Through Nov 10.

PIANOMANIA/PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

More musical madness from Hokum Hall, 7904 35th Ave SW, 937-3613. $14 general, $12 senior/student. Pianomania is Fri-Sat at 8; a screening of the 1925 The Phantom of the Opera, with accompaniment by Andy Crow, is Tues-Wed at 7:30. Both are this week only.

SHOCKHEADED PETER

Ghoulish, glorious theatrics. The Moore Theatre, Second and Virginia, 292-2787. $25-$45. Tues-Fri at 8, Sat at 5 & 10, Sun at 2 & 7 (no matinee on Sun, Oct 28). Through Nov 4.

XXX

A trio of works in progress. On Fridays: The Brazilian, episode 3 by Gavin Cummins, a post-WWII radio-drama pastiche; and Always In, Always Out, dance and music by Mark Nichols and Amy Rider. On Saturdays: VIC, by Maria Glanz, about 19th-century suffragette Victoria Woodhull. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $6 each show or $10 for any two. Fri-Sat at 8. Through Oct 27.

LATE NIGHT

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

A staging of the Mel Brooks film. Is it really a good idea to put actors in a position where they'll be compared to Gene Wilder and Madeline Kahn, two of the greatest comic talents of our time? Stepping Stone Productions at Nippon Kan Theatre, 628 S Washington St, 325-6500. $6. Fri-Sat at 11. Through Nov 17.

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

BRIGADOON

The Scottish musical. Village Theatre, 303 Front St N, Issaquah, (425) 392-2202. $25-$42. Wed-Sat at 8, Sun & selected Sat at 2, selected Sun at 7 (call for details). Through Oct 28.

THE FIREHOUSE CIRCUS

A two-clown mix of slapstick and music. Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave, Everett, (425) 257-8600. $13 adults, $11 children. Sat at 1, 4, and 7, this weekend only. (The 4 pm show is American Sign-Language interpreted.)

REBECCA

A stage version of the Daphne Dumaurier romantic thriller. Renton Civic Theatre, 507 S Third St, Renton, (425) 226-5529. $20 general, $15 youth/senior. Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Through Nov 18.

THE TWILIGHT ZONE

Theater Schmeater brings Rod Serling to Shoreline. Shorecrest Performing Arts Center, 15343 25th Ave NE, (206) 417-4645. $8-$10. Sat at 7:30, this weekend only.