Opening and Current Runs

BOMBAY DREAMS
A Bollywood-flavored musical with Technicolor costumes and big-ass dance numbers. The production is "based on an idea by" Shekhar Kapur and Andrew Lloyd Webber, though other folks did the writing and directing. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. $20-$73. Thurs-Sat, 8 pm, Sat, 2 pm, Sun, 1:30 & 7 pm and Tues, Wed, 7:30 pm. Through Oct 1.

THE BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS REY
An adaptation of Thornton Wilder's 1927 novel about five people in colonial Peru who die when a rope bridge breaks. Featuring Bunraku-type puppets and good local actors, including Amy Thone and Timothy Hyland. Directed by Sheila Daniels, music by Rick Miller. All Thursdays are by donation. Strawberry Theatre Workshop at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030. $20. Thurs-Sat, 7:30 pm and Sun, 2 pm. Through Oct 8.

DINNER & DREAMS
Ongoing. See Theater News. Teatro ZinZanni, 2301 Sixth Ave, 802-0015. $99-$125. Thurs-Sat, 6:30 pm, Sun, 5:30 pm and Wed, 6:30 pm.

EVITA
Eva Perón to Che Guevara: "So go, if you're able, to somewhere unstable and stay there. Whip up your hate in some tottering state, but not here, dear. Is that clear, dear?" Village Theatre, 303 Front St N, 425-392-2202. $25-49. Wed-Sat, 8 pm and Sun, 2 pm. Through Oct 22.

(JUST LIKE) STARTING OVER
"The script for is nothing more than a series of monologues by John Lennon (played by Dave Natale) that are occasionally interrupted by a flavorless interviewer (Brian Upton) and which continually steamroll over Yoko Ono (Naho Shioya). Even if it were filmed, I would only want to see the interview if it were interwoven with concert footage—so what would be the appropriate stage representation? Perhaps flashbacks, showing Lennon actually doing something, would be too stage-y for modern audiences, but the way that playwright Steven Roseta presents the interview—start to finish, entirely talk-driven—is simply too little." (Paul Constant) Bathhouse Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 524-1300. $14-$24. Thurs-Sat, 7:30 pm and Sun, 2 pm. Through Sept 17.

LATE NITE CATECHISM
Ongoing. "The real point is not the adult-catechism monologue, but the script's gaps, in which Sister Aubrey Manning dispenses tissues to cover salacious displays of flesh and kitschy prizes to reward the dumbstruck targets of her improvisations." (Annie Wagner) ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $24.50-$29.50. Fri, Sat, 8 pm and Sun, 2 pm.

LOUIS SLOTIN SONATA
Based on the true story of a Manhattan Project scientist who was accidentally exposed to a massive dose of radiation while holding a plutonium bomb core named "Rufus." The play, by Paul Mullin, dramatizes Slotin's last nine days, as his body and mind succumb to radiation poisoning. Directed by John Langs. Empty Space Theatre, 901 12th Ave, 547-7500. $20-$30. Thurs, 7:30 pm, Fri, Sat, 8 pm and Wed, 7:30 pm. Through Oct 7.

THE MAIDEN'S PRAYER
A comedy about a man named Taylor, the "perfect mate" for his childhood friend Paul, his AA acquaintance Libby, and Libby's sister Cynthia. By Nicky Silver. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $10-$12. Fri, Sat, 8 pm. Through Sept 23.

MAN OF LA MANCHA
The 1965 play-within-a-musical about Miguel de Cervantes performing Don Quixote in a prison cell. Civic Light Opera, 7400 Sand Point Way NE #101N, 363-2809. $15-$35. Fri, Sat, 8 pm and Sun, 2 pm. Through Sept 24.

MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS
Set in Hollywood, 1939, as producer David O. Selznick, writer Ben Hecht, and director Victor Fleming try to save a plucky little movie called Gone with the Wind. (Spoiler alert: They succeed.) Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $27-$46. Thurs, 7:30 pm, Fri, Sat, 8 pm, Sat, Sun, 2 pm, Sun, 7:30 pm and Tues, Wed, 7:30 pm. Through Sept 19.

recommended THE MUSEUM PLAY
"The Museum Play's museum is of the natural-history variety and it's weird: The chairman of its board is a girl who was abandoned inside the museum and never left. Mastodon bones disappear, mounted butterflies rearrange themselves on the wall, and 'the suggested donation is the contents of your wallet; the suggested donation is nonnegotiable.' Some performances are better than others, but the play—which is really about how the characters cataloge and collect lost loves—is imaginative and strong." (Brendan Kiley) Washington Ensemble Theatre, 608 19th Ave E, 800-838-3006. $10-$15. Thurs-Sun, 8 pm and Mon, 8 pm. Through Sept 25.

NINE OF NINE
Readings of nine new full-length plays—one each night—by local writers. Absurd Reality Theatre and Ecelectic Theatre Company at Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 323-7412. $9. Thurs-Sat, 8 pm. Through Sept 23.

A NUMBER
See review this issue. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $10-$54. Thurs, 7:30 pm, Fri, Sat, 8 pm, Sun, 2 & 7:30 pm and Tues, Wed, 7:30 pm. Through Oct 1.

THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND
Opening. Tom Stoppard's comedy about a murder mystery and obnoxious theater critics. SecondStory Rep at Redmond Town Center, 16451 NE 74th St, 425-869-1800. $18-$24. Fri, Sat, 8:15 pm. Through Oct 7.

REWIND 1987
"Rewind 1987 is an interactive theater 'experience' that reproduces a 1987 homecoming dance, with the jock, the cute nerdy girl, the tipsy biology teacher, the pack of snotty cheerleaders, the sad punk, and the rest of the gang. (Long Duk Dong was conspicuously absent.) Rewind 1987, which began in Los Angeles, has the potential to become another long-running Late Night Catechism if it finds its target audience: bachelorette parties, sorority outings, and other herds of young, drunk women who want to dance to radio hits from their elementary-school days." (Brendan Kiley) Last Supper Club, 124 S Washington St, 748-9975. $29-$39. Sat, 7:30 pm. Through Sept 30.

recommended SKETCHFEST SEATTLE 2006
See review this issue. Erickson Theater Off Broadway, 1524 Harvard Ave, 587-5400. $15. Thurs-Sat, 8 pm and Fri, Sat, 10 pm. Through Sept 16.

SOUL OF A WHORE: PART III OF THE CASSANDRA CYCLE
Opening. The final chapter in Denis Johnson's gallows-humor triptych about a corrosive American West populated by preachers, pimps, convicts, alcoholics, frightening lawmen, and sentient televisions. (Free for 18 and under.) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $18. Thurs-Sat, 8 pm. Through Oct 21.

TELL ME ON A SUNDAY
A gayed-up version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical about the loves and life of a young Brit in New York. Gaydar Productions at Thumper's, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $13.50. Thurs, 8:30 pm and Sun, 7:30 pm. Through Oct 8.

TEMPEST IN THE LAKE
The Tempest, performed on a beach, with "water sets and water puppetry." Idylwood Park Beach, 3650 W Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE. Free. Sat, Sun, 2 pm. Through Sept 24.

UNCLE HIDEKI & THE EMPTY NEST
Opening. A gentle comedy about family and retirement in the Suyama family. A world-premiere sequel of 1995's Uncle Hideki, both by local children's author Jean Davies Okimoto. Theater Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 340-1049. $9-$15. Thurs, 7:30 pm, Fri, Sat, 8 pm and Sun, 4 pm. Through Oct 8.

Dance

PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET OPENING GALA
Dining and dance, with previews of the new season, including work by Jermone Robbins (Circus Polka), Kent Stowell (Swan Lake), and George Balanchine (Pimpin' Days, Boogie Nights). McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, 684-7200. $55-$75. Sat, Sept 16, 6:30 pm.

recommended SAVION GLOVER: CLASSICAL SAVION
The tap-dancingest man since Gregory Hines, tapping out Vivaldi's Four Seasons with a string ensemble. (No, really.) Paramount Theatre, 911 E Pine St, 292-2787. $52. Sat, Sept 16, 8 pm and Sun, Sept 17, 3 pm.

Cabaret

BURLESQUE BEHIND THE PINK DOOR
Ongoing. Novelty acts, puppets, crooners, and old-fashioned burlesque. With Paula the Swedish Housewife. Pink Door, 1919 Post Alley, 443-3241. $10. Sat, 10:30 pm.

COLUMBIA CITY CABARET
Ongoing. A "saucy cabaret," hosted by Tamara the Trapeze Lady. Columbia City Theatre, 4916 Rainier Ave S, 723-0088. $15. Fri, 9 pm.

JERRY JOHNSON: BURLESQUE PHOTOGRAPHY
The opening-night party features performances by Chica Boom, Babette La Fave, Lydia McLane, and others. See Sound Lounge, 115 Blanchard St. Free. Tues, Sept 19, 9 pm.

LIVE BURLESQUE
Ongoing. Hosted by Miss Shanghai Pearl. With a live dirty-blues band. SeaMonster Lounge, 2202 N 45th St, 633-1824. Free. Tues, 11 pm.

Improv & Comedy

THE COMEDY SHOP
Comedy, comedy, comedy. And comedy. Columbia City Theatre, 4916 Rainier Ave S, 723-0088. $12 adv/$15 DOS. Sat, 8:30 & 10:30 pm.

COMEDY UNDERGROUND
New comedians each week. Check website for details. 222 S Main St, 800-325-7328. $6-$15. Fri, Sat, 8:30 & 10:30 pm.

GIGGLES COMEDY CLUB
New comedians each week. (Thursdays are a free open mic, Sundays are a free comedy showcase.) 5220 Roosevelt Way NE, 526-5653. $12. Fri, Sat, 8:30 & 10:30 pm.

HOGWASH: AN IMPROVISED TALL TALE FOR SMALL CHILDREN
A full band and a bunch of actors building a story off the kids' suggestions. Jerk Alert Productions at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 352-8291. $10. Sat, 2 pm. Through Oct 28.

JET CITY IMPROV
Ongoing. Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 352-8291. $8-$10. Fri, Sat, 10:30 pm and Sat, 8 pm.

THEATRESPORTS
Ongoing. Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 587-2414. $8-$12. Fri, Sat, 10:30 pm and Sun, 7 pm.

Late Night

CUPCAKE
Performers Ethan Newberry and Justin Sund make your wildest fantasies come true through the magic of improv. No one under 17 admitted. Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 352-8291. $8. Sat, 12:30 am. Through Nov 17.

SEATTLE NEUTRINO PROJECT
"Usually it takes hours and hours to make just a minute of a film. So what happens when a bunch of non-filmmakers attempt to record, edit, and screen a digital video while an audience is waiting in a darkened theater, shuffling their feet and craving strawberry shortcake? Well, mostly, crap. But occasionally, the improv actors and technicians at Seattle Neutrino Project run into someone you know or chose a nearby backdrop that you recognize and which will make you laugh." (Annie Wagner) Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 388-0569. $12. Fri, Sat, 10:30 pm.

SUAVE
A new show of by Douglas S. Willott and Ian Schempp that "will educate audiences on the sextracurricular arts, using instructional videos as well as some serious sensuous role-playing." No one under 17 admitted. Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 352-8291. $8. Sun, 12:30 am. Through Nov 17.

Special Events

AN EVENING WITH KEN BURNS
One night only. Annie Wagner once saw Ken Burns give one of these talks and said he was pretentious and self-important. On the other hand, he is single-handedly responsible for educating the entire freaking country about the Civil War. And his middle named is Lauren, which is great. Paramount Theatre, 911 E Pine St, 292-2787. $46.50. Fri, Sept 15, 8 pm.

recommended JOLLYSHIP THE WHIZ-BANG
One weekend only. A sinister pirate puppet rock opera from New York, featuring members of the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 388-0569. $20. Thurs, Fri, 7:30 pm.

OPEN BOX: THE GREATEST HITS
One night only. Readings of short plays by Elizabeth Heffron (Mitzi's Abortion), Kelleen Conway Blanchard, Danny Walter, and others. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $10. Sat, Sept 16, 7 pm.