OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

2X4XDEATH

Fish + chips = murder. Northwest Murder Mysteries at Ivar's Salmon House, 401 NE Northlake Way, 491-6446. $50 (includes dinner and gratuity). Sat at 8 pm. Through Aug 24.

CATFISH MOON

Opening. In an unidentified Southern town, a longtime friendship is thrown into turmoil at the suspicion of betrayal. Centerstage Theatre, 1710 S 341st Pl, Federal Way, 253-661-1444. $16-$20. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Aug 17.

THE FANTASTICKS

Opening. The inexplicably popular musical is being staged in part as a benefit for the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Chorus. Pixiedust Productions at Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 340-1445. $10-$15. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 4 pm. Through Aug 2.

THE FENCING ACADEMY

This week only. Mystery and intrigue abound at the House of Angelo... Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 443-0807. $5-$30. Thurs July 25 & Fri July 26 at 7 pm, Sat July 27 at 2 pm.

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.

HENRY IV, PART 2

Coming of age, by way of flowery language. GreenStage Theater Company. Call for locations, dates, and times, 748-1551, www.greenstage.org. Free. Through Aug 11.

ROMEO AND JULIET

Closing this week. Inverting the gender demands of the original Shakespeare production, the Hose & Britches company illustrates the classic Capulet/Montague quarrel with the help of an all-female cast. Hose & Britches at Wade James Theatre, 950 Main St, Edmonds, 425-774-9600. $14-$16. Through July 28.

THE HOBBIT

Caped boys of the world, brace yourself for a production that finally combines your two greatest loves: theater girls and trolls. Summer Youth Drama Program at Bathhouse Theater, 7312 West Green Lake Drive N, 325-6500. July 26-28 at 3 pm. Through July 28.

THE HORSE AND HIS BOY

This week only. A world-premiere adaptation of one of C. S. Lewis' classic Narnia Christ-fests. Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 443-0807. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 pm. Through July 27.

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

The 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. "The surprisingly relevant content is undermined by inexcusably slow pacing and boring songs." (Lindsay Marsak) Steeplechase Productions at Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 935-8420. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, $15. Fri & Sat dinner plus show, $29. Through Aug 3.

MONEY & RUN EPISODE 6

Wayne S. Rawley's serial returns, with original cast in tow, for its newest debacle: The Eyepatch of the Tiger. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $12-$15, under 18 free. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, matinee performances Sun at 2 pm. Through Aug 24.

NICKEL AND DIMED: ON (NOT) GETTING BY IN AMERICA

Opening. Adapting Barbara Ehrenreich's best-selling book of the same title, Joan Holden's new play focuses on minimum-wage labor and its soul-draining effects. Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $27-$42. Tues-Thurs & Sun at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, matinees Sat & Sun between Aug 3 and 24 at 2 pm. Through Aug 25.

PAST/PERFECT

This week only. Adolescent memory is the focus of these three original solo works, as performed individually by Glenn Seven Allen, Kelly Conway, and Jenny Mercein. Studio Theater at On The Boards, 100 W Roy St, 328-3197. $5-$10. Thurs-Sat at 10 pm. Through July 27.

QUICKIES, VOLUME III

As the titular double-entendre suggests, Quickies is an evening of short plays, all of which happen to be authored by members of the fairer sex. Live Girls! Theater, 620 Alaska Way, second floor, 568-1985, ext. 3. $10 suggested donation. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, no show Aug 1. Through Aug 3.

SEX IN SEATTLE EPISODE 5: INTIMATE SECRETS

Sassy Asian American women discuss sex over a Chinese New Year celebration. No doubt funnier than Sex and the City. SIS Productions at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 325-6500. $8-$12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm and 10:30 pm. Through Aug 3.

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. "Dinner & Dreams isn't a disaster. The food is great, and a handful of the performers are dazzling. But for every bit that dazzles, a half-dozen fall flat." (David Schmader) 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.

A WALK IN THE DARK

Open Circle Theater presents company member José Amador's darkly humorous one-man show exploring "racial identity and race homogeneity within the United States" through the eyes of an array of mixed-ethnicity characters, all played by Mr. Amador himself. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $10. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Aug 3. See review this issue.

WOMEN WITH BALLS

Opening. This Donna Rae Davidson-produced musical pays homage to women's history, and boasts a title that defies all reasonable attempts at mockery. Bathhouse Theatre, 7312 West Green Lake Drive N, 325-6500. $10-$20. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm, with late shows Fri & Sat at 10:30 pm (Aug 2-10). Through Aug 11.

WONDERFUL TENNESSEE

Three couples embark on a birthday trip to an island of mystery off the coast of Ireland. Upon arrival, they talk a lot. Written by Brian Friel. Taproot Theatre Company at Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $18-$26. Wed-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, matinee Sat at 2 pm. Through Aug 10.

* YELLOWMAN

Racial prejudice in a small Southern town. Written by and starring Dael Orlandersmith, Yellowman was a finalist for the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $32.50-$44. Sun-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, matinees July 27, 28, Aug 3, 4 at 2 pm. See Stranger Suggests.

DANCE

STRICTLY SEATTLE 2002

This week only. The culmination of three weeks of intensive preparation, these two dance performances feature over 100 local and national participants. Velocity Dance Center at Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway Ave, 325-8773. $10-$14. Fri-Sat at 8 pm.

FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY

KAFTAN!

A charmingly ramshackle kitsch cabaret with It's Mark Mitchell, Kurt B. Reighley, Paula!, and guests. "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

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. $20. Wed at 8 pm. Through Aug 28.

THE STUNTMEN

Birthed from the successes of last year's hi, D and A Very Reggie X-Mas comes the latest musically inclined sketch implosion, The Stuntmen. Featuring Reggie Watts, Tommy Smith, Jason Webley, and Michael McQuilken, among others. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 323-0388. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, 21 and over. Through July 27. See review this issue.

EVENTS

ANCESTRAL VOICES: A FAMILY STORY

One night only. Elliott Bay Book Company continues its third annual dramatic reading series (in conjunction with the Repertory Actors Theatre) with a staging of A. R. Gurney's Ancestral Voices. ReAct at Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600. $5 suggested donation. Sun July 28 at noon.

CLOWN CHAOS

This week only. Rubber noses, seltzer water, and human carnage. Cirque de Flambé at Sand Point/Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, 297-3255. $8-$10. Fri-Sun at 9:30 pm.

LATE NIGHT

COMEDY COURT

Closing this week. Improv comedy... in a courtroom setting! HA! Comedy Court at Odd Duck Studios, 1214 10th Ave, 442-2044. $10. Sat at 10:30 pm. Through July 27.

NIGHTCAP COMEDY IMPROV

Guffaw! Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $5. Fri at 10:15 pm. Through Aug 9.

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.

THEATRESPORTS at the Market Theater, 781-9273.