OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS
* 21 SHOTS
"Deron Bos has written a classic farce, but a farce about creativity rather than the usual romance. The whole delightful kit and caboodle supports an interesting take on why people want to make things--interesting and even, in its own boisterous way, inspiring. All ends well, as in any proper farce, but not as you may think." (Barley Blair) Printer's Devil Theatre at Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 860-7163. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 26.
AMERICAN VOICES: BUKOWSKI, MICHELINE, AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT
"Vincent Balestri's one-man show, American Voices, examines writers Jack Micheline and Charles Bukowski, Bukowski's column "Notes from a Dirty Old Man" in the San Francisco magazine Open City, and the 1968 obscenity charges that closed the publication. Balestri manages the transition between the erratic Micheline and the shuffling Bukowski well, and he puts an earnest punch into the peculiar genre of 1960s poetry and prose." (Brendan Kiley) Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12-$14. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 26.
THE BIG FRIENDLY GIANT
A kind vegan suffering from a crippling speech impediment and an extraordinary case of acromegaly befriends an orphan, meets the Queen of England, and saves the continent. Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 443-0807. $12-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through Dec 22.
* BURNING CAGE
This week only. See Stranger Suggests. Women Alone Theatre at Capitol Hill Artists' Co-operative, 1621 12th Ave, 617-3416. $10-$12. Thurs-Sun Oct 17-20 at 8 pm.
CHARLEY'S AUNT
Three turn-of-the-century drag queens run amok--but with a comic twist: The trio is trying to get all up under the bustle cage of the same... woman? ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $10-$26. Wed-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sat matinee Oct 26, and Sun matinee Oct 20 at 3 pm. Through Oct 26.
COPENHAGEN
"The heavy tone of Copenhagen and the operatic set are much different than what you'd expect from Michael Frayn's more comedic works (like the now-classic farce Noises Off). While freeing the characters to spin around in nothing but theories and time, the ambiguity of the stage may at the same time be working against the actual actors on stage who attempt to ground the conversations for the audience. Occasionally they seem as lost and strewn about as the textbooks haphazardly tossed at the foot of the stage." (Gregory Zura) Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $15-$40. Tues-Sun at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun matinees at 2 pm. Through Oct 26.
COWBOYS ARE MY WEAKNESS
Final week. Book-It Repertory gallops toward cowboy romance with a remount of its adaptation of Pam Houston's short stories "For Bo," "Selway," and "How to Talk to a Hunter." Book-It Repertory at Seattle Center House Theatre, 305 Harrison St, 325-6500. $15-$22. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun matinee at 2 pm. Through Oct 20.
FIRES IN THE MIRROR
Final week. Inspired by the events of New York's 1991 Crown Heights riot, Fires in the Mirror (originally a one-women show penned by Anna Deavere Smith) is a series of vignettes exploring the tensions surrounding the racially charged disturbance. Cornish North Campus, 1501 10th Ave E, room 200, 726-5011. Free. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun matinee Oct 20 at 2 pm, no show Oct 12. Through Oct 20.
FULLY COMMITTED
Final week. Hit solo show about an unemployed actor taking reservations for an ultra-chic restaurant. Now with Daniel J. Chercover. 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. Through Oct 20.
THE GHOST DETECTIVE IN GOTH NOIR
Opening. Blood rites, ritual sacrifice, and big laughs over coleslaw. Mwahahahah! Northwest Murder Mysteries at Ivar's Salmon House, 401 NE Northlake Way, 491-6446. $50 with dinner. Fri Oct 18, Sat Oct 26, and Thurs Oct 31 at 7:30 pm. Through Oct 31.
HOTHOUSE ROSE
See review this issue. Live Girls! Theater, 620 Alaskan Way, second floor, 568-1985. $10. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 26.
IN PURSUIT OF AN INKLING
Final week. "Sadka states very honestly that this is a work in progress--which is good. The production has insight, poetry, sincerity, and trippy psychedelic video animation all standing in its corner. Still, rough edges must be sanded, and Sadka's delivery could use a more than a spot of polish." (Adrian Ryan) Mind-Shattering Productions at Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 324-1062. $10-$15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 19.
INVADERS FROM EARTH
Consolidated Works continues its multimedia exploration of duality with Invaders from Earth, Dawson Nichols' original adaptation of the eponymous pulp sci-fi novel. An interweaving triumvirate of narratives having something to do with space travel and deception, from the acclaimed playwright of Virtual Solitaire and I Was Edgar Allen Poe. Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave N, 381-3218. $10-$14. Fri-Sun at 8 pm. Through Nov 3.
KNEE DESIRES THE DIRT
Opening. Mirror Stage Company debuts with the comfortable territory of maternal struggle in the South, in a play the Village Voice calls "curious," "spirited," and "irreverent." Mirror Stage Company at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 325-6500. $10-$25. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm and 7 pm. Through Nov 10.
LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES
Cruel Intentions, only in fancier pants. Stepping Stone Productions at Nippon Kan Theatre, 628 S Washington St, 325-6500. $30. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through Nov 10.
LOOT
Opening. Craig Lucas directs Joe Orton's classic black comedy concerning two bank robbers forced to hide their take in the casket of their recently deceased mother. Featuring the worship-worthy acting talents of Nick "Hedwig" Garrison. Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $27-$42. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm, 7:30 pm. Matinee Nov 12 at 2 pm. Through Nov 12.
* MATCHSTALK MAN
"Matchstalk Man is Billy Woods' near-farcical play set in London's South End, dealing with four small-time criminal punks who manage, out of sheer luck, to score big on a crack deal. They also manage, out of sheer bad luck, to lose the money. Hiding from the police in a warehouse, the group spends the entire time accusing each other of stealing the money. Everyone thinks the other is lying. The problem is, they all are." (Gregory Zura) New City Theater Zero & Strike Anywhere Productions at South End Warehouse, 2110 S Airport Way, 328-4683. $8. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 26.
OIL CITY SYMPHONY
Heavy on faded '80s ambiance and light on story, revelation, or thought-provoking material, Symphony is charmingly lighthearted, sometimes funny, and sometimes musically interesting, in a novelty-show kind of way." (Brendan Kiley) Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $18-$26. Wed-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, with additional Sat matinee at 2 pm. Extended through Oct 26.
OKLAHOMA!
"Where the corn's as high as an elephant's eye... " Village Theatre, 303 Front St N, Issaquah, 425-392-2202. $25-$42. Wed-Sat at 8 pm, Sun matinees at 2 pm. Through Oct 27.
OLEANNA
He said, she said, he loses his tenure. Vagabond Alley, 1518 First Ave S, fifth floor, 280-6854. $12. Fri-Sat at 9 pm. Through Oct 26.
OUR ONLY MAY AMELIA
Based on the works of Jennifer L. Holm, Our Only May Amelia is the tale of an outspoken young girl finding her way in the wilderness of 19th-century Oregon Territory. Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $12-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm and 5:30 pm. Through Oct 26.
SCAPIN
Final Week. "Scapin's basic plot is stocker-than-stock, loaded with star-crossed young lovers, miserly fathers, tricky servants, and tons of pie-in-the-face-type physical humor. But between all the ad-libs, the cute anachronisms (Ron Sims jokes!), and the mercilessly repeated physical and word gags (if you miss something, don't worry--they're gonna do the exact same gag 20 more times), the story line is almost impossible to follow. Did I mention the gags that kept repeating? (Adrian Ryan) Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $27-$42. Tues-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, matinees Sat at 2 pm. Through Oct 19.
TALES FROM OVID
This week only. An estrogen-fueled romp through a particular evening's dreams and nightmares, by way of Greek and Roman myth. PONCHO Concert Hall, 710 E Roy St, 325-6500. $3-$5. Fri-Sat Oct 18-19 at 8 pm, Sun Oct 20 at 2 pm.
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, 802-0015. $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 TROJAN WOMEN
See review this issue. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $12-$15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun matinees Oct 20 and 27 at 2 pm. Through Nov 2.
* WHEN WE DEAD AWAKEN
See review this issue. A curried-goat-enhanced performance of Henrik Isben's final play. Steeplechase Productions at Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 935-8420. $29 with dinner and show, $15 show only. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, no dinner Thurs. Through Nov 9.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
CAMPFIRE
Long-form improvisation, based on audience experiences with unexplained--i.e., spooooooky!--phenomena. Unexpected Productions at Market Theater, Post Alley, 781-9273. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 26.
AN EVENING OF ROSEMARY, EARTHA, AND MORE...
Opening. Drag Chanteuse Arnaldo! performs selections from the songbook of the late, great Rosemary Clooney and the perpetually too fast to die Eartha Kitt. More gay please. Arnaldo! at Thumper's, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $12. Fri-Sat at 9 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm. Through Oct 27.
MADAME PEABODY'S DANCE ACADEMY
One night only. More pasties than you can shake a... wait, scratch that. Featuring the, um, performing assets of such prominent ecdysiasts Sailor Lulu (of BurlyQ), Lananni Punani, and Vancouver, BC's Babette LaFarve. Catwalk, 172 S Washington St, 622-1863. $6. Thurs Oct 17 at 9 pm.
MEOW
This week only. Filling the city's gaping multimedia science-fiction horror cabaret void, Macha Monkey presents its latest installment of Meow--just in time for Halloween. Magical Macha Monkey at Chamber Theatre, 915 E Pine, fourth floor, 617-8014. $10. Fri-Sat Oct 18-19 at 8 pm.
DANCE
AN EVENING OF PREMIERES, A MIXED REPERTOIRE DANCE PERFORMANCE
This week only. As commissioned by nationally acclaimed choreographer Leslie Jane Pessemier, ARC Dance Productions opens its fourth season with two premiere, ballet-based productions. ARC Dance Productions at Shorecrest Performing Arts Center, 15343 25th Ave NE, Shoreline, 325-6500. $15-$20. Fri-Sat Oct 18-19 at 7:30 pm.
ALEX KELLER, CHRISTOPER DeLAURENTI & JOAN LAAGE
This week only. Keller and DeLaurenti's archaic circuitry, soldering irons, and makeshift electronics fuse with Laage's light-footed interpretation in a confrontational performance piece, coming to a living room near you. Intimate Stage at a home in Green Lake, 2353 N 64th St, 526-5756. $12. Sat Oct 19 at 8 pm, Sun Oct 20 at 7 pm.
EVENTS
THEATRE PUGET SOUND EXPO 2002
This week only. In celebration of its fifth anniversary, Seattle's nonprofit Theatre Puget Sound organization presents a "Backstage Pass" celebration of the local theater community, featuring live readings, guest panels, and a costume sale. For full info and schedule, see www.seattleperforms.com. Seattle Center, 770-0370. Free. Sat Oct 19, 11 am-6 pm; Sun Oct 20, 10 am-4 pm.
LATE NIGHT
COMEDY COURT
Improv comedy... in a courtroom setting. Motion denied. Odd Duck Studios, 1214 10th Ave, 442-2044. $7-$10. Sat at 10:30 pm. Through Oct 26.
MONEY & RUN HALLOWEEN SPECIAL
Opening. Wayne S. Rawley's serial returns in classic small-screen form with A Terribly Spooky Money & Run Halloween Special. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $10. Thurs-Sat at 11 pm. Through Nov 2.
PEGGY PLATT
One night only. Peggy Platt at ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $ 10. Fri at 10:30 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.
