THE ARK
A musical retelling of the story of Noah. Village Theatre, 303 Front St N, Issaquah, 425-392-2202. $26-$42. Tues-Sat at 8 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. Through April 20.
ART
Opening. Art, friendship, and stupidity: Yasmina Reza's Tony Award-winning play charting the "what is art?" tail chase, over dinner. Steeplechase Productions at Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 935-8420. $29 with dinner, $15 show only. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through May 10.
CLITORIS CELEBRATION
Opening. Formerly known as In Search of My Clitoris, Sia Amma's autobiographical one-woman show returns with a new title. Apparently, Amma and her crack investigative team had some luck--and now it's time to celebrate! The Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, second floor, 325-6500. $15. Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm. Through April 26.
EVEN STEVEN GOES TO WAR
A child meets his grandfather, a Vietnam vet declared missing in action, and somehow this leads them to "discover... the meaning of friendship" in the Seattle premiere of this Allison Gregory. Bathhouse Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 524-1300. $10-$18. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through April 27.
* GO, DOG. GO!
Word on the street says this shit's got the kiddies cracking up like there's no tomorrow. Get super high and join the fun. Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $12.50-$19.50. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through May 4.
A GUIDE TO VISITORS
One night only. Seattle's theater community responds to the nation's current ardor for the voyeuristic with another in the recent trend of "real life stories" performed in an "engaging narrative." Jewel Box Theater, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $4. Mon April 14 at 7:30 pm.
* HERBERT WEST: RE-ANIMATOR
"This wonderfully wicked little delight has plenty of screaming, retching, and sobbing, along with yammering severed heads, homoerotic undertones, and the reckless use of needle drugs. The acting is skillful and the tale inherently full of dark humor--as any quality horror story should be. Two severed heads, way, way up." (Adrian Ryan) Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through April 26.
* THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO
"Despite a disappointment in the bottom of the dramatic ninth, Ballyhoo is captivating, and Taproot's production boasts a spit 'n' polish shine, with a stellar set, precise acting, and commendable direction." (Brendan Kiley) Taproot Theatre Company, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $10-$26. Wed-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm. Through April 26.
NOTORIOUS WOMEN
This week only. Vignettes on villains vaginal: history's infamous females explored in a new play directed by Meghan Arnette. Live Girls! Theater, 620 Alaskan Way, second floor, 568-1985 ext 3. $12. Sun April 13 at 4 and 8 pm, Mon April 14 at 8 pm.
PARROT FEVER (OR, LIES I'VE TOLD IN CHAT ROOMS)
See review this issue. Ethereal Mutt at Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 352-1777. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through May 3.
RADIO ACTIVITY #6
Theater Under the Influence tunes in to a selection of radio serials from the '30s and '40s--including Flash Gordon, The Romance of Helen Trent, and Suspense--for a live-action performance. Theatre Under the Influence at Union Garage, 1416 10th Ave, 720-7942. $12-$14. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 6 pm. Through April 19.
* ROMEO AND JULIET
"The amazing set and costumes are only icing--wonderful acting is the sweet, sweet cake. Love Shakespeare? You must see this show. Hate Shakespeare? You must see this show. I'm willing to bet it'll surprise you. A lot." (Adrian Ryan) Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $15-$40. Tues-Sun at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. Through April 20.
SEA-SAW
See review this issue. Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave, 411-5823. $15. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through April 26.
THE SICKEST F***ING STORIES I EVER HEARD
"Perhaps I misunderstand the point of this theatrical exercise, but it seems the "audience" pays seven dollars to see "actors" just, well, hanging out. Since when did that become an object of spectacle rather than participation? There is a voyeuristic nausea in bearing mute seven-dollar witness to something you could have a lot more fun doing in your own living room, or even with the people next to you, given a pack of cards and some introductory small talk." (Brendan Kiley) Northwest Goga Theatre at Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave, 411-5823. $8. The fourth Thursday of every month at 9 pm. Through May 22.
* THE SPEED OF DARKNESS
"This is a difficult work, and in less capable hands, the knife might have shied from painful truths or slipped into melodrama, but director Jerri Lee Young and her uniformly excellent cast kept the blade steady and true. Take a break from the carnage on CNN and see this incredible, inspiring, perfectly timed production. Trust me, it will do you a world of good." (Tamara Paris) Fool's Cathedral at Velocity MainSpace Theater, 915 E Pine St, second floor, 325-8773. $15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through April 27.
THINGS BEING WHAT THEY ARE
An Odd Couple-y bit on man's inability to "open up," as told by celebrated playwright Wendy MacLeod (The House of Yes). Seattle Repertory Theater, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $32-$46. Opening Mon April 14 at 7:30 pm, Tues-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through May 25.
* UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL
See Stranger Suggests. Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $22-$35. Tues-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm. Through April 19.
THE YELLOW WALLPAPER
"The short Charlotte Perkins Gilman story from which this play was adapted has been a staple in women's studies syllabi for ages. Unfortunately, with this adaptation's consistently flat dialogue (cut occasionally by the poetic interjections of Charlotte), it merely hangs on the wall." (Gregory Zura) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $12-$15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through April 26.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
THE CABARET OF DR. CALIGARI
One night only. I fail to see what a bunch of parlor magicians have to do with Robert Wiene's macabre German expressionist classic of 1919, but tonight's production features the talents of Tom Frank, Roger Needham, Seth Sherman, and Philemon Vanderbeck. Jewel Box Theater, 2320 Second Ave, 853-7336. $10. Tues April 15 at 7 pm.
COMEDY COURT
Improv comedy in a courtroom setting. Motion denied. Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 422-2044. $10. Sat at 8 pm. Through April 19.
FOUR PLAYS OF THE AVANT-GARDE THEATER
One night only. Please, god--no more raw meat! Poet's Theater presents Dadaist and surrealist works from the '20s that'll still fuck your shit up. Poet's Theater at Open Books, 2414 N 45th St, 335-5132. Free. Mon April 14 at 7:30 pm.
FRENCH CABARET ON BROADWAY 2003
Buncha French songs, sung in French by Frenchies. Le Centre Français, 623 Broadway Ave E, 726-4843. $8-$10. Sat at 8:30 pm. Through May 17.
HOWDY, NEIGHBOR
One night only. An evening of improv based on stories from the audience. For kicks, I suggest you come up with something about the Holocaust. Playback Theater Northwest at Phinney Theater Northwest, 6532 Phinney Ave N, second floor, 726-1415. $10. Fri April 11 at 8 pm.
JACK & THE VARMINTS
The folks at the Northwest Puppet Center haul out their very expensive dolls for a story about something called a "varmint." Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave NE, 523-2579. $7.50-$9.50. Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 1 and 3 pm. Through April 20.
LET IT SING!
One night only. A group calling itself ACTion! (which is apparently very fond of exclamation points) presents a revue of ACT Theatre's history in show tunes, to benefit the theatre's limping corpse. ACT Theatre, Falls Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7666. $15-$50. Sat April 12 at 7:30 pm.
MENU
Opening. "Improv that's made to order." Market Theater, Post Alley, 781-9273. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through May 17.
* NORTHWEST NEW WORKS FESTIVAL
Now in its 20th year, the Northwest New Works Festival provides a unique opportunity for some of our most imaginative artists to develop new projects. Presenting six different programs over three weeks, the festival is an exuberant multimedia celebration, highlighting contemporary choreography, music, and performance--ranging from the theatrical video work of Richard Lefebvre to the music of Erin Jorgensen and the street-level performance art of Sheri Cohen. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $8-$15. Fri-Sat, Studio Theater at 7:30 pm, Mainstage at 9 pm. Through April 19.
O, MY AMERICA! MY NEWFOUND LAND: IMAGINING A NATION
One night only. The prose-possessed folks at Seattle Arts & Lectures series join forces with Book-It Repertory for an evening of literary works as read by local actors. Book-It Repertory Theatre at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave, 624-6600. $15-$25. Tues April 15 at 7:30 pm.
SHORT STORIES LIVE!
One day only. Short stories as read aloud by members of the local theater community--featuring Lori Larsen and Stephen Hando. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave, 624-6600. $10. Sun April 13 at 2 pm.
* THEATER NOT FIT FOR THE WHITE HOUSE
Opening. Leave it to peerlessly brainy New City Theater to cook up a war-responsive "political cabaret" that earns its keep as art. Including scenes from plays by Tony Kushner and Wallace Shawn, poems by Whitman and Ferlinghetti, performances by Mary Ewald, Sarah Harlett, Sean-John Walsh, and John Kazanjian, and oh so much more. New City Theater at New City Warehouse, 2110 S Airport Way, 328-4683. $5. Fridays at 8 pm only. Through April 18.
VACLAV
Czech-born magician Vaclav dazzles over dinner. Bouchee, 3510 Fremont Ave N, 632-5220. Fri at 7 pm. Free. Open engagement.
DANCE
AMAZED IN BURNING DREAMS
Opening. A mixed-repertory evening of twinkled toes, featuring a world premiere by Christopher Stowell, a work by Todd Bolender, and Kirk Peterson's titular work. Mercer Arts Arena, 363 Mercer St, 292-ARTS. $9-$110. Opening Thurs April 10 at 7:30 pm. Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through April 19.
CORNISH DANCE SPRING 2003 CONCERT
This weekend only. Cornish's seasonal concert features works by choreographers Wade Madsen, Gérard Théorêt, Pablo Cornejo, and Amii LeGendre. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway Ave, 325-6500. $4-$8. Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm. Through April 12.
STOMP
When the homeless get restless! So loud.... Can't... stop... trembling. Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave, 467-5510. $28.50-$43.50. Tues-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 5 and 9 pm, Sun at 3 and 7 pm. Through April 27.
TROPICUBA
One night only. Cuban dance. Er... I mean, explosion! ArtsWest Theatre, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $10. Fri April 11 at 10:30 pm.
LATE NIGHT
* MONEY & RUN EPISODE 4: GO STRAIGHT, NO CHASER
Big Momma Bob and all the rest remount an old favorite for another sense-stunning exploitation of our excessive-television-watching childhoods. "The excitement level of a Money & Run show is usually reserved for major sporting events and strip shows: a noisy, good-natured anticipation, featuring loud whoops, stomping feet, spontaneous eruptions of applause." (Adrian Ryan) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $10. Thurs-Sat at 11 pm. Through April 26.
