7 STRANGERS
Final week. See review this issue. EXITheatre at 3637 23rd Ave W, 851-6730. $10. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 23.
APPALACHIAN CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING
Opening. The return of the holiday deluge in the form of forbidden hillbilly love. Yarns are spun, songs are sung, and memories are embellished upon. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $18-$26. Wed-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, with Sat matinee at 2 pm. Through Dec 28.
ASSASSINS
Final week. Stephen Sondheim's tale of political bloodshed--but, you know, in three-part harmony. University of Washington Ethnic Cultural Theatre, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE, 543-7661. $5. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 23.
THE EDUCATION OF RANDY NEWMAN
"Full disclosure: I left at intermission because I couldn't stand another moment of this affront of a show, which takes a huge body of songs from one of the rock era's most fascinating, prolific, underappreciated songwriters, strips them of all their soul, distills their lyrical complexity into a vague dramatic thread, and robs them of everything that makes them great." (Sean Nelson) ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $37.50-$50. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun-Thurs at 7:30 pm, matinees Nov 23, 24, 30, Dec 1 at 2 pm. Through Dec 1.
THE FOURSOME
Four former chums dye out the gray and squeeze their fat asses into their old size 31 jeans for a college reunion. Edge of the World Theatre, 9673 Firdale Ave, 542-7529. $17-$20. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm, with matinees Sat at 4 pm, no Thanksgiving performance. Through Nov 30.
THE FULL MONTY
Opening. The heartbreaking tale of six working-class schmucks who, down on their collective luck, are forced to barter their self-respect just to survive. WANG! 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 625-1418. $15-$58. Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm, Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm, with Sat-Sun matinees at 2 pm. Through Dec 8.
* GILGAMESH, IOWA
Final week. "Two boyhood friends from small-town USA meet after years apart. One fled for the city, one stayed behind. The predictable dichotomies unfold: urbane vs. rural, fulfilled vs. frustrated, experienced vs. naive, gay vs. straight. They wrestle with the past and the future, facing change, identity, mortality. Now imagine this: Contrary to all above indications, Scot Auguston's play is deft and touching, gutsy and deeply funny." (Brendan Kiley) Union Garage Performance Center, 1418 10th Ave, 352-1777. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 23.
INVADERS FROM EARTH
Final week. "The instantiated whole is far less than any one of its theoretical parts, not to mention the sum. That is to say, Invaders does not fulfill its promise. In fact, it stinks. It takes itself seriously, but not seriously enough; it occasionally winks at its own kitsch-factor, but not so much that we can laugh along with. Instead, we laugh at. And, sometimes, wince." (Brendan Kiley) Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave N, 325-6500. $14. Fri-Sun at 8 pm. Through Nov 23.
* THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
You are secretly as excited as I am. Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $12-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through Jan 11.
MAG MOR
Opening. Familial conflict and car bombs--the IRA goes to the theater. Theatre Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $12-$15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, with Sun matinees at 2 pm.
MY LADY'S HAND
Final week. See review this issue. Moonlight Productions at Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 325-6500. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 23.
NOTES FROM UNDERGROUND
Final week. "Theater Simple's Notes from Underground is unfaithful to Dostoyevsky, but its unfaithfulness is not an abomination. So, don't see this show because you're a fan of Old Dusty, see it because it's funny, loud, well acted, and short." (Charles Mudede) Theater Simple at Capitol Hill Arts Cooperative, 1621 12th Ave NE, 784-8647. $10-$12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 23.
OLD TIMES
Opening. Harold Pinter's classic of false memories and subjective perception. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 728-0933. $10-$15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun matinee at 2 pm. Through Dec 7.
* RASH
"Dear God, thank you for Lauren Weedman. There is so much in Rash to thank you for, Lord. Thank you for the multitude and richness of the human creatures Weedman manifests in this one-woman show. But, Lord, do not forgive anyone who does not run out right now and get a ticket to this show." (Rebecca Brown) Lauren Weedman at Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $10-$35. Tues-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun matinees at 2 pm. Through Dec 1.
RECKLESS
Opening. A woman flees the hit man her husband has hired to kill her. Oh, and it's Christmas. By Craig Lucas, author of Prelude to a Kiss and The Dying Gaul. Steeplechase Productions at Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 935-8420. $29 with dinner. Fri-Sat at 6:30 pm. Through Dec 28.
DAVID SHINER IN THE ROUND
Final week. "David Shiner is a Tony-winning performer renowned in his field, and at least a third of the audience was practically crapping itself with glee over Mr. Shiner and Co.'s classic vaudevillian clowning. But this uncomplicated, innocent, and good-natured bag o' tricks bored me stiff." (Adrian Ryan) ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $24.50-$29.50. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, with matinees Sat-Sun at 2 pm. Through Nov 23.
SOMETHING'S AFOOT
Opening. Spoof, song, and a stiff: Civic Light Opera presents a madcap murder mystery musical. Civic Light Opera at Jane Addams/Summit School Theatre, 11051 34th NE, 363-2809. $20-$30. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2:30 pm. Through Dec 7.
SUGAR PLUM FAIRY
Opening. Holiday deluge continues: An entire audience of theatergoers snicker at the expense of a little girl's irreparably crushed dreams. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $32-$40. Tues-Sun at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun matinees at 2 pm. Through Jan 12.
TANK PLAYS
Final week. See review this week. Annex Theatre at Little Theatre, 608 19th Ave E, 329-2629. $7. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through Nov 23.
THE TEMPEST
Final week. Shipwrecked sailors hallucinate sprites and ogres. Romantic high jinks ensue. Seattle Shakespeare Company at Seattle Center House, Seattle Center, 325-6500. $12-$24. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Nov 24.
TRUE WEST
Opening. Sam Shepard's paean to blustering macho sibling rivalry. Insight America at Chamber Theater, 915 E Pine St, fourth floor, 325-6500. $14-$16. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Dec 21.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
CAPITOL STEPS
One night only. Painfully punny political satire in the form of show tunes such as "Thank God I'm a Contra Boy," "We Arm the World," and "Enron-Ron-Ron." Capitol Steps at Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 325-3554. $23-$75. Sat at 8 pm.
CHAOS THEORY
Opening. Before quietly retreating to the sleepy, temperate town of Los Angeles, CA, the Habit drops one last ambitious undertaking, a scattered series of scenes motivated by the force that, with the help of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, dominates us all. The Habit Productions at Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 696-8430. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Dec 21.
NORTHWEST WOMEN'S IMPROV FESTIVAL
This week only. I've said it once, I'll say it a million times: Nothing compares to ovarian hilarity. Market Theatre, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $5-$10 per performance. All Female TheatreSports shows Fri-Sat at 10:30 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Open Improv Show Sat at 8 pm.
TIGHT LITTLE NUGGETS (and good hearty chunks)
This week only. Cabaret that begs the question: Um, what the fuck? Featuring FervorQuest, BurlyQ burlesque, trapeze artist Blaze Birge, and more. Freehold's East Hall Theatre, 1529 10th Ave, second floor, 679-1439. $12. Fri-Sun at 8 pm.
DANCE
CORNISH DANCE THEATER FALL 2002 CONCERT
This week only. Despite the presence of New York choreographer Lynn Simonson's unfortunately themed "One Year Later" (with the scurrying and the ducking), Cornish's fall concert features the unscathable duo that is Gaelen and Dayna Hanson, the founding members of 33 Fainting Spells, among others. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway Ave, 325-6500. $8. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, with Sat matinee at 2 pm.
THE FIELD SHOWCASE
One night only. The talents of choreographers and playwrights Liz Young, Karn Junkinsmith, Vanessa DeWolf, Andre Bouchard, Liz Erber, Lisa Lightner, and Illeigh Reynolds are showcased following 10 weeks of intensive development. Velocity II, 915 E Pine St, 568-6342. Sun at 7 pm.
RENNIE HARRIS: LEGENDS OF HIP HOP
This week only. A multi-media event exposing the oft ignored artists of early hiphop dance. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $12. Thurs-Sun at 8 pm.
MULTIPLICITY: FORMS OF SILENCE AND EMPTINESS
This week only. The National Dance Company of Spain pays tribute to the conspicuously Germanic composer Johann Sebastian Bach. Compania Nacional de Danza at Meany Hall, 4001 University Way NE, 543-4880. $36. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm.
LATE NIGHT
* CARLOTTA'S LATE NIGHT WING-DING
The delightful alter ego of Troy Mink returns with a late-night talk show, featuring a wealth of local talent. Ursa Major Theatre Company at Northwest Actor's Studio, 1100 E Pike St, fourth floor, 325-6500. $8-$10. Fri-Sat at 10:30 pm. Through Jan 5.
VEGAS MARTINI SOCIALS
Final week. Theatre on the Rocks presents its final show--a comedic blowout featuring the Harmonica Pocket, 3rd Floor Portland, the Flaming Ships, and many more. Theatre on the Rocks at Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $10. Fri Nov 22 at 11 pm.
