OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

BLACK TO MY ROOTS

Closing. Monologues and ensemble pieces about African American women and their hair (a more charged cultural political issue than you might think). ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $10-$15. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm; Sat at 2:30 pm. Through June 29.

THE CONVENTION OF CARTOGRAPHY

A fictional story about a fictional exhibition of fictional artifacts. Written by W. David Hancock. Empty Space Theatre in an abandoned warehouse, 912 Maynard Ave S, 547-7500, $12. Thurs-Sun at 8 pm; Sat-Sun at 2 pm; additional 10 pm shows Fri July 12 & 19. Through July 21.

DEATH AND THE MAIDEN

Closing. Ariel Dorfman's intense and intensely moral look at torture and retribution. "The empowered survivor (played by Leticia Lopez) is inexplicably unable to raise her voice above a whine--maybe because her accused rapist is Todd Licea, who shines as both an actor and as a really attractive man tied to a chair in his underwear." (Victoria Peha) Bridges International Repertory Theatre at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 325-6500. $25. Thurs at 7:30 pm; Fri at 8 pm; Sat at 4:30 & 9 pm; Sun at 2 pm. Through June 30.

DIRTY BLONDE

Closing. Mae West is the unlikely muse in this comedy about a struggling actress. Originally performed by Claudia Shear (who co-wrote it) on the other Broadway. "Good script, sloppy production." (Victoria Peha) ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $32.50-$44. Sun-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, matinees June 29 & 30. Through June 30.

THE GRAPES OF DELANO

A family struggles. Theatre Babylon at Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through July 13.

INFORMAL INTRODUCTIONS

Closing. New plays about relationships and love and journeys and stuff. Brought to you by Stepping Stone Productions, Green Theatre Productions, and the Poet's Theatre. Nippon Kan Theatre, 628 S Washington St, 325-6500. $15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through June 29.

FULLY COMMITTED

Solo show about an unemployed actor taking reservations for an ultra-chic restaurant. Now with David Scully. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $24.50-$29.50. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Open run.

G-D DOESN'T PAY RENT HERE

Closing. A one-woman show featuring Judy Gold, about the travails of being a Jewish mother. Directed by Allison Narver. The Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $22-$30. Tues-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm, some matinees Sat-Sun at 2 pm (call for dates). Through June 30.

HOTEL: A COMIC PLAY IN 23 ACTS

Oddball people in a wacky hotel--just like life! Some Kind of Cult at the Jewel Box Theater, the Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, CULT-333. $10. Fri-Sat July 5-6, 12-13 at 8 pm; Sat June 29 at 10 pm. Through July 13.

HOWARD'S END

Closing. E. M. Forster's lovely, perfect novel about the nuances of British uppercrustness, adapted to theater time. "A novel isn't a flat experience... Howard's End... is flattened by Book-It's method (adapting fiction to the stage with narration incorporated into the dialogue). In this case, a lively, athletic production begins to feel very quickly like a marathon; some things should simply be perceived by the mind, and not spoken by characters." (Emily Hall) Book-It Repertory Theater at Seattle Center House Theatre, 305 Harrison St, 325-6500. $19. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through June 30.

I'M GETTING MY ACT TOGETHER AND TAKING IT ON THE ROAD

Opening. Hit 1978 feminist musical showcases Heather Jones' disgust with her '50s childhood, her failed relationships, and ever-present showbiz chauvinism. Her male manager tries to convince her to take the act apart and keep it off the road. Steeplechase Productions at Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 935-8420. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, $15. Fri & Sat dinner plus show, $29. June 28-Aug 3.

* LACKAWANNA BLUES

Ruben Santiago-Hudson in over 20 roles (exhausting!), with original music by Bill Sims Jr. (bluesy!). This Obie Award-winning play (acclaimed!) performed by a Tony Award-winning actor (applauded!) is a recreation of Santiago-Hudson's childhood in Lackawanna, New York. Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $27-$42. Tues-Thurs & Sun at 7:30 pm; Fri-Sat at 8 pm; matinees Sat, Sun, & July 10 at 2 pm. Through July 13.

LITTLE WHITE PILL

A man yearns for a drug that will erase the fear of death. It was a very good idea in a novel by Don DeLillo; here it's a very good idea in a play by former critic John Longenbaugh. Ursa Major Theatre Company at Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 325-6500, $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, with an additional performance Mon July 1 at 8 pm; no show July 4. Through July 13.

TEATRO ZINZANNI: DINNER & DREAMS

The most expensive dinner theater of all time--three hours of gluttony, lust, and eye candy. Featuring the effervescent yet earthy Kevin Kent. Teatro ZinZanni, Sixth & Battery, 805-0015. $89 Wed-Fri & Sun, $99 Sat (includes dinner, but not beverages or gratuity). Wed-Sat at 6:30 pm, Sun at 5:30 pm. Open run.

THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE

Closing. A talky play by talky William Saroyan, directed by Rita Giomi. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $12-$18. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through June 29.

WE ARE NOT GOOD GIRLS

It's back! Behind and in front of the scenes on an all-women blues tour. Play and music by Kate Hart, directed by Lilli Harwood. Seattle Public Theater at Bathhouse Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Drive N, 524-1300 or 325-6500. $16-$18. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun matinees at 2 pm. Through July 21.

DANCE

DANCE THIS...

This week only. Youth perform a fusion of cross-cultural dance forms, including modern/urban, Filipino, swing, and step. Seattle Theatre Group at the Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 292-ARTS or 467-5510. $12. Sat June 29 at 7 pm.

MAGPIE

This week only. Improvisational dance, theater, and music group from Amsterdam. The performance is so smooth, it almost seems choreographed! Lingo dancetheater at Velocity MainSpace Theater, 915 E Pine St, 329-6999. $12/$14. Fri-Sat June 28-29 at 8 pm.

FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY

A... MY NAME IS ALICE

Musical skits about contemporary women. RipTide Theatre at ArtsWest Playhouse, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-9793, $26 includes dinner and dessert. Fri-Sat at 7 pm; additional shows Sun June 30, July 7, & July 14. Through July 20.

ANTIQUES IMPROV SHOW

Bring your own objects; these jokers will tell you what you've got. The problem with the premise is... don't you think those real appraisers are pretty much winging it too? Unexpected Productions at Market Theater, Post Alley, 781-9273. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through July 13.

extrABBAganza

Closing. Brace yourselves: 200 men singing the songs of ABBA in honor of Pride Week. Arranger David Maddux has commented on how challenging these songs are for a chorus (to say nothing of how challenging for the audience). Seattle Men's Chorus at Meany Theater, University of Washington, 323-2992. $17.50-$30. Daily at 8 pm; Sat June 29 at 2 pm. Through June 29.

IMPROVISED SHAKESPEARE

Like Shakespeare, but made up. The new trend in improv. Unexpected Productions at Market Theatre, Post Alley, 781-9273. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Open run.

KAFTAN!

A cabaret that sends itself up. (Hey... wait a minute.) With It's Mark Mitchell, Kurt B. Reighley, Paula!, and guests. "The shtick seems to revolve around Mitchell and Reighley's decorous and 'exotic' shirts and Paula's flowing blue Middle Eastern gown.... The song selections also hinted at some elaborate conceit from Reighley's campy cross-referenced brain. The pianist, Victor Noriega, was flawless--playing with deceptively lazy precision. The singing troupe ought to take the energy down a notch to tap the Sunday-night vibe better, but Kaftan! is a nice-enough dose of free entertainment." (Josh Feit) Swedish Housewife at ING, 1530 Bellevue Ave, 329-5388. Free. Sun at 9 pm. Ongoing.

LA MOME PIAF: THE LIFE AND SONGS OF A FRENCH LEGEND

Closing. The life and work of Edith Piaf, with dinner, unless you say, "Je ne mange rien." Cabaret at Crêpe de Paris, 1333 Fifth Ave, second floor, 623-4111. $45 for dinner and show, $20 for show only. Fri-Sat at 8:30 pm. Through June 29.

LATE NIGHT

DR. JOHN

Closing. Behind the scenes at a soap opera. Soapy! Stepping Stone Productions at Nippon Kan Theatre, 628 S Washington St, 325-6500. $5-$6. Fri-Sat at 10:30 pm. Through June 29.

IMPROV SURVIVOR

Closing. Theater games with a nasty voting-off-the-island twist. Comedy Court at Odd Duck Studios, 1214 10th Ave, 442-2044. Sat June 29 at 10:30 pm.

THE SONGS OF JUDY AND LIZA

Closing. CHRISTAMIGHTY! (But, in an interesting twist on the usual, sung by women.) Thumper's Restaurant, 1500 E Madison, 328-3800. $12. Fri-Sat at 10 pm. Through June 29.

THE VISQUEENS

This week only. Are they famous actresses... or are they men? We can't tell either. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $10. Fri June 28 at 10:30 pm.

EVENTS

HADRIAN'S VILLA--A ROMAN FESTIVAL

This week only. Explore the gardens, savor a muliple-course dinner, enjoy the cocktails and live music, and finish with fireworks. Annual Star-Spangled Evening event includes a silent auction to benefit PNB. Pacific Northwest Ballet, private residence on Medina waterfront, 441-3597 for ticket prices and info. Sat June 29 at 6:30 pm.

SHORELINE ARTS FESTIVAL 2002

This week only. The festival encompasses a great range of art forms, including Taiko drumming, swing and Filipino dance, art and photography, hands-on crafts, storytelling and theater. Shoreline Center, 18560 First Ave NE, Shoreline, 417-4645. Free. Sat June 29 10 am--7 pm & Sun June 30 10 am--5 pm.

LONG RUNS

CABARET: THE ResERECTION at Coffee Messiah, 861-8233.

JET CITY IMPROV at ArtsWest, 938-0339; at the Ethnic Cultural Theater, 781-3879.

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

QUEER AS A THREE-DOLLAR BILL at the Comedy Underground, 800-992-8499.

THEATERSPORTS at the Market Theater, 781-9273.