2 PIANOS, 4 HANDS
Opening. Musical theater in the hands of music majors about their lives in music. Written by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $15-$46. Tues-Sun at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun matinees at 2 pm. Through June 1.
7 STRANGERS
Opening. EXITheatre returns to its unscripted, Real World-based performance piece of a few months back for what's being called the "season finale." EXITheatre, 5611 11th Ave NE, 851-6730. $10. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through May 17.
ART
Art, friendship, and stupidity: Yasmina Reza's Tony Award-winning play charting the "what is art?" tail chase, over dinner. "As if the premise weren't already as trite as the conversations occurring every day in liberal arts college dorms across America, Yasmina Reza's play then takes a turn for the worst, devolving into a series of sentimental crises as the characters--none of whom are gay (hardy har har)--begin babbling about their feelings for one another. If they can't agree on the worth of the painting, what can they agree on? At one point, one of them says, tearfully, 'I just want to be your friend.' It's almost too much to bear." (Christopher Frizzelle) 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.
FINISHING SCHOOL
Opening. A brutal tyrant hires a D.C.-based public relations firm for a makeover in an attempt to win U.S. foreign aid in the premiere of Yussef El Guindi's latest satire. Theatre Babylon at Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through May 24.
GIGI
The basis of perhaps the most uncannily creepy show tune of all time ("Thank Heaven for Little Girls"), Lerner and Loewe's classic musical is undertaken by Seattle's Civic Light Opera. Seattle Civic Light Opera at Jane Addams Summit School Auditorium, 11051 34th Ave NE, 363-2809. $20-$30. Fri-Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2:30 pm. Through May 17.
* GO, DOG. GO!
Final week. 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.
GO THERE
See review this issue. The effortlessly brilliant Sarah Rudinoff helms a new solo show on the yearning for fame, as directed by the equally dazzling Nick Garrison. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 323-0388. $13. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through May 24.
* HAIR
Final week. See Stranger Suggests. Go for the brief nudity--stay for the "message." The closest thing to a rock musical before Hedwig. The 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 625-1418. $25. Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm, Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through May 4.
HAIR MONOLOGUES
One night only. As inspired by Eve Ensler's famous rants on an infinitely more relevant region of the body, solo performer Venus Opal Reese discusses the burden of black women's hair--which is apparently the nexus of a surprising amount of social turmoil. Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave, 628-1414. $13.50-$18.50. Sun May 4 at 7 pm.
NORA
See review this issue. The year 2003 is simply queasy with Ibsen adaptations. This time it's Ingmar Bergman's revision of Henrik's deconstruction of holy matrimony, the controversial A Doll's House. Intiman Theatre, Seattle Center, 269-1900. $27-$42. Tues-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through May 18.
ONE MAN SEEN
One night only. Celebrated Chicago actor/director Andy Eninger performs improvised one-act plays in the theater of... the mind. Andy Eninger at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030. $10. Sun May 4 at 7 pm.
* PARROT FEVER (OR, LIES I'VE TOLD IN CHAT ROOMS)
Final week. "Keri Healey's latest gem is simply a solid piece of theater. Parrot Fever is moving, funny, erotic, and repulsive by turns--a paean to the lonely who cadge and sleaze their way through the seamy (and sometimes steamy) corners of the Internet." (Brendan Kiley) Ethereal Mutt at Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 352-1777. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through May 3.
PIGS! THE ROCK MUSICAL
Opening. Youth theater production of the Three Little Pigs, set to music. Guaranteed to "blow your house down." Youth Theatre Northwest, 8805 SE 40th St, 232-2202. $11-$15. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm. Matinees Sat-Sun at 2 pm. Through May 18.
POLAROID STORIES
Mythological allegories of street life, as based on Ovid's Metamorphoses. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 508-0728. $10-$12. Fri-Sat at 7 pm through May 3, at 10 pm May 9-10. Through May 10.
RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL
See review this issue. A satire (in song) of stage stars, featuring Mark Finley. ArtsWest Playhouse, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $10-$24. Wed-Sat at 7:30 pm, 3 pm matinees May 3, 11, 17. Through May 17.
THE SHAKESPEARE STEALER
Based on the children's novel of the same name, director Rita Giomi presents an Elizabethan tale of friendship and theft. Seattle Children's Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $12-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. No shows the weekend of May 23. Through June 15.
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.
SOME LIKE IT HOT
Final week. Tony Curtis, now pushing 80, returns to perhaps his most famous work in a stage adaptation of Billy Wilder's classic. God willing, he'll keep the tights in retirement. Paramount Theater, 911 Pine St, 622-2733. $20-$58. Tues-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through May 4.
THINGS BEING WHAT THEY ARE
"The story is as emotionally engaging as a box of saltines. The acting's good, the direction's fine, the theater craft in general is okay. I just lament that the effort didn't go toward a story that went somewhere or characters I could manage to give a fig about." (Adrian Ryan) Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $32-$46. Tues-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through May 25.
TWO ROOMS
Opening. A laid-back evening of Shiite terrorism and Western imperialism with Lee Blessing's 1988 drama about Americans taken hostage in Beirut. Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 297-3064. $10. Opens Fri May 2. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun May 11 at 2 pm. Through May 17.
WRECK THE AIRLINE BARRIER
Final week. The passengers and flight crew of an airliner wax unpleasant in a desperate, pandering attempt to alienate their audience with oft-detailed "strong adult situations, language, and racial slurs." Browbox productions at Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S Alaska Way, 325-6500. $10-$15. Fri-Sat at 9:11 (get it?) pm. Through May 3.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
ANYTHING GOES
One night only. It's amateur porn night at the Rendezvous, with Bella Beretta's burlesque open pole. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $7. Sun May 4 at 8:30 and 10:30 pm.
CHINA DOLLS
"Hmmm... you're a middle-aged, middle-class, middlebrow closeted homosexual in town for business, and you'd like to find a revue that indulges your persistent and inexplicable desire to watch strident, self-congratulatory drag queens and drama-school dropouts belt out show tunes without a trace of irony. Well, fasten your seat belt--have I got a show for you!" (Tamara Paris) Wait... what? Productions at Standard Lounge, 527 S Main St, 605-6033. $18-$25. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 7:30, 9:30 pm, and midnight. Through May 25.
EL DIABLO'S ALL HERETIC REVUE
One night only. BurningHearts presents its latest evening of smut with a fetish-fueled burlesque performance. BurningHearts Burlesque at the Jewel Box Theater, 2320 Second Ave, 898-9067. $8. Sat May 3 at 8 and 9 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.
INDONESIAN SHADOW PUPPET THEATRE
One night only. Two solid hours of Javanese entertainment! WHAT A DEAL! University of Washington, Roethke Auditorium, Kane Hall, 543-9606. $15. Sat May 3 at 8 pm.
MENU
"Improv that's made to order." Market Theater, Post Alley, 781-9273. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through May 17.
SKETCHFEST PRIVATE SCREENING
One night only. Compiled by the folks at Seattle Sketchfest, an evening of independent sketch-comedy videos from all points in North America. Now with more Canadians! Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 233-9873. $5. Wed May 7 at 8 pm.
* THEATER NOT FIT FOR THE WHITE HOUSE
Final week. "The show boasts good material, and I got the point--which was the point. And a five-dollar donation is a pittance for an evening with people guaranteed to have voted for anyone but George Bush. Go see it, lefty." (Adrian Ryan) New City Theater at New City Warehouse, 2110 S Airport Way, 328-4683. $5. Fri at 8 pm. Through May 2.
VACLAV
Czech-born magician Vaclav dazzles over dinner. Bouchee, 3510 Fremont Ave N, 632-5220. Fri at 7 pm. Free. Open engagement.
WILL WORK FOR LAUGHS
The funniest folks in all of Redmond present an evening of sketch comedy and song, with topics ranging from "politics" to "reality TV." Second Story Repertory at Redmond Town Center, 881-6777. $18-$20. Fri-Sat at 8:15 pm. Through May 10.
DANCE
ECHO
This week only. The SOM (sonic/optic/movement) collective presents an evening of rapid video and dance. SOM Performance at Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave N, 295-0306. $10-15. Thurs-Sun at 8 pm.
OTHELLO
One night only. A benefit for the Rise n' Shine Youth AIDS foundation, the SD Prism Dance Theatre performs the premiere of Artistic Director Sonia Dawkins' Othello. SD Prism Dance Theatre at Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave, 628-1414. $17-$25. Sat May 3 at 7:30 pm.
RED GISELLE
This week only. Russia's celebrated dance company brings its groundbreaking production to the states with Red Giselle. Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg at Meany Hall, University of Washington, 543-1940. $35-$45. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through May 3.
THE VIVIAN GIRLS
One night only. Pat Graney presents her latest work-in-progress, a twinkle-footed interpretation of elusive outsider artist Henry Darger's most famous work. Pat Graney at Century Ballroom, 907 E Pine St, 324-7263. Donation. Sat May 3 at 1 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. Northwest Actors Studio Cabaret Space, 1100 E Pike St, third floor, 625-6500. $8-$10. Fri-Sat at 10:30 pm, bar opens at 10 pm. Through June 7.
FLAMING BOX OF STUFF
Final week. Dark sketch comedy of the combustible variety. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 624-9977. $6. Fri-Sat at 11 pm. Through May 3.
* SPIN THE BOTTLE
This week only. Annex Theater continues its tradition of omnibus monthly shows, featuring performances by John Moe, SJ Chiro, Richard LeFebvre, Bret Fetzer, and many, many more. Annex Theater at Freehold's East Theater, 915 E Pine St, second floor, 728-0933. $7. Fri May 2 at 11 pm.
EVENTS
DREAM GARDEN
One night only. Another of our city's bleak "feast for the senses" hodgepodges (with its cumulative patchouli cloud strong enough to stop an elephant), featuring Butoh performances by P.A.N. and Katsura Kan. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 406-5894. $7-$10. Sat May 3, 9 pm-3 am.
LONG RUNS
BROADVILLE CARNIVAL at Cafe Venus, 624-4516.
CABARET: THE ResERECTION at Coffee Messiah, 861-8233.
* THE HOKUM SHOW at Hokum Hall, 937-3613.
JET CITY IMPROV at ArtsWest, 938-0339; at the Ethnic Cultural Theater, 781-3879.
LATE NIGHT CATECHISM from Seattle Theatre Project at ACT, 292-7676.
QUEER AS A THREE-DOLLAR BILL at the Comedy Underground, 800-992-8499.
