Opening and Current Runs

7 STRANGERS: SEASON 3, EPISODE 2
The reality-theater satire of MTV's The Real World. Someone's House, 1812 12th Ave, 550-1268. $10. Thurs-Sat, 8 pm. Through Oct 28.

THE AIR IS PEOPLED WITH CRUEL AND FEARSOME BIRDS
Opening. A dance-theater spectacular featuring "movement" by Jessie Smith (Dead Bird Movement) and "sound contributions" by Sam Mickens (the Dead Science). Villville, 1534 First Ave S, 340-2703. $5-$15. Fri, Sat, 8 pm. Through Nov 18.

BEDROOM FARCE
Alan Ayckbourn's play about the volcanic relationship of a married couple and how it keeps everyone—parents, friends—awake into the small hours of the night. Stone Soup Theatre, 4035 Stone Way N, 633-1883. $10-$22. Thurs-Sat, 7:30 pm and Sat, 3:30 pm. Through Nov 25.

BETRAYAL
Harold Pinter's 1978 play—that sometimes goes backward—about an affair, featuring this line: "I hate brandy... it stinks of modern literature." Starring Shawn Belyea, Heather Hawkins, and Bob Borwick. Bathhouse Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 524-1300. $14-$24. Thurs-Sat, 7:30 pm and Sun, 2 pm. Through Oct 29.

CARLOTTA AND THE CURSE OF WOLF MANOR: A WING-DING MUSICAL
Carlotta Sue Philpott (Troy Mink), her son Slaw (David Nixon), her crass Irish friend Nellie (Órla Mc Govern), and the rest of the Wing-Ding gang run around, freak out, and sing songs inside a werewolf-infested mansion. Theater Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 340-1049. $7.50-$15. Thurs-Sat, 8 pm. Through Nov 4.

COMPANY
Stephen Sondheim's 1971 concept musical about five married couples as seen through the eyes of a longtime bachelor. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. $20-$73. Thurs—Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun, 2 & 7 pm, Tues—Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Nov 5.

THE COMPENDIUM OF NASTINESS
"The solo play, written by Ki Gottberg and starring Elizabeth Kenny, is a big romance in a small garage. Splicing boilerplate Gothic romance with topical references, Compendium is a mess of sexuality and revenge: a virgin lusting after a junkie monk, an uncle slavering over his niece, and a sodomy-loving demon queen." (Brendan Kiley) The Womb, call for directions, 800-838-3006. $25. Fri, Sat, 8:15 pm. Through Oct 28.

COWBOY VERSUS SAMURAI
A romantic comedy about a Korean-American woman and her dating life. SiS Productions at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030. $8-$12. Fri, 8 pm and Sat, 3 & 8 pm. Through Nov 18.

DARK EARTH
An experimental puppet show—using digital technology and audience participation, including the wearing of headlamps—about the Kabbalistic idea of "failed worlds." NAKeD PUPPeTS at Theater4, Seattle Center House, 4th floor, 800-838-3006. $12-$16. Fri, Sat, 8 pm. Through Oct 28.

DINNER & DREAMS
Ongoing. The European-style dinner theater with cirque performers as garnish. Teatro ZinZanni, 2301 Sixth Ave, 802-0015. $99-$125. Wed, 6:30 pm, Thurs-Sat, 6:30 pm and Sun, 5:30 pm.

H.P. LOVECRAFT: THE COLOUR OUT OF SPACE
"If you've never enjoyed Lovecraft's pulp-horror pleasures, Colour is not for you. But if, as a pissy teenager, you browsed a copy of the Necronomicon for the playing-with-imaginary-fire fun of it, it's essential viewing. The only bad part of the show is the runtime: two and a half hours of horrible things—about to happen, happening, and just happened—squanders the audience's eager complicity long before the final curtain." (Paul Constant) Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $13. Thurs-Sat, 8 pm. Through Nov 11.

THE ITALIAN GIRL IN ALGIERS
"Though Rossini's L'Italiana in Algeri is riddled with anachronistic references and repetition, Seattle Opera revivifies the 1813 comedy by giving its goofy story a stylish Technicolor makeover. Director Chris Alexander offers the customary sight gags, but his most affecting setting—Isabella changing behind a screen before seducing Mustafà—also shows singer Stephanie Blythe at her best; while undressing she sings a ravishing "Per lui che adoro," an invocation of the Mother of Love. Blythe owns the stage with a voluptuous tone to match her confident and sexy characterization; she has total command over the florid writing and is the only singer with an authentic trill." (Nicholas Scholl) McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, 684-7200. $49-$127. Sat, 7:30 pm. Through Oct 28.

NATIVE SON
Opening. Based on Richard Wright's scorching 1940 novel about Bigger Thomas, a young black man from Chicago's South Side, whose life becomes a symbol after he accidentally kills a white woman. Adapted and directed by Kent Gash, featuring Ato Essandoh, Felicia Loud, and a live accompanist named Chic Street Man. Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $10-$46. Fri, Sat, 8 pm, Sat, Sun, 2 pm, Sun, 7:30 pm and Wed, Thurs, 7:30 pm. Through Nov 18.

SWEET CHARITY
One weekend only. The musical, based on a Fellini's Nights of Cabiria, about the good-hearted dancehall girl who keeps getting pushed into lakes. Starring Molly Ringwald. Paramount Theatre, 911 E Pine St, 292-2787. $67.50-$72.50. Fri, Sat, 8 pm, Sat, 2 pm and Sun, 1 & 6:30 pm. Through Oct 29.

THOM PAIN (BASED ON NOTHING)
The short, tight, literary monologue about angst and heartbreak, written by Will Eno and performed by Todd Jefferson Moore. Representative passages: "Does it scare you? Being face to face with the modern mind? It should." And: "I am the kind of man you don't hear from for a long time and then bang, you don't hear from me again." And: "I'm disgusted with myself so that makes me angry, makes me lash out... or lash in." Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $10-$48. Thurs-Sat, 7:30 pm, Sat, Sun, 2 pm and Tues, Wed, 7:30 pm. Through Nov 5.

TICK, TICK...BOOM!
See review this issue. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $29. Thurs-Sat, 7:30 pm. Through Nov 4.

THE UNDERPANTS
See review this issue. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $10-$54. Fri, Sat, 8 pm, Sun, 7:30 pm and Tues-Thurs, 7:30 pm. Through Nov 12.

W(H)ACKED: AN IMMORALITY PLAY
See review this issue. LiveGirls!, 2220 NW Market St, 800-838-3006. $10-$15. Thurs, Fri, 8 pm and Sat, 4 & 8 pm. Through Nov 18.

THE WINTER'S TALE
Opening. "Believe me, I speak as my understanding instructs me and as mine honesty puts it to utterance." Directed by Mark Harrison, set by Stranger Genius Award-winner Jennifer Zeyl. Seattle Shakespeare Company at Center House Theatre, Seattle Center, 684-7200. $18-$32. Thurs-Sat, 7:30 pm and Sat, Sun, 2 pm. Through Nov 19.

Dance

APOSTROPHE
One night only. A monthly series presenting three solo artists in one hour. This time: Amelia Reeber (dance), Angelina Baldoz (music), and Daniel Comiskey (poetry). Gallery 1412, 1412 18th Ave E, 956-8372. $5-$15. Fri, Oct 27, 8 pm.

Cabaret

MEOW OF THE LIVING DEAD
One night only. A Macha Monkey cabaret featuring zombie shorts, character comedy with Randy Rodd, and bawdy spoken word by La Nell Guiste. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $5-$15. Tues, Oct 31, 8 pm.

SPREADING THE JOY PART II
One night only. Girl Trouble Burlesque at Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $15. Fri, Oct 27, 8 pm.

Improv & Comedy

CAMPFIRE
Scary campfire stories about ghosts, UFOs, monsters, and strange dreams, generated by ideas from the audience. Unexpected Productions at Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 587-2414. $10. Fri, Sat, 8 pm. Through Nov 4.

CLUES
An improvised murder mystery. Wing-It Productions at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 352-8291. $10. Thurs, Fri, 8 pm. Through Nov 17.

THE COMEDY SHOP 4916 Rainier Ave S, 723-0088. $12 adv/$15 DOS. Sat, 8:30 & 10:30 pm. COMEDY UNDERGROUND 222 S Main St, 800-325-7328. $6-$15. Fri, Sat, 8:30 & 10:30 pm. GIGGLES COMEDY CLUB 5220 Roosevelt Way NE, 526-5653. $12. Fri, Sat, 8:30 & 10:30 pm.

FUH-GEDDABOUDIT: AN INTERACTIVE MAFIA MUSICAL
The name says it all. Julia's Restaurant, 300 Broadway E, 860-1818. $44.90. Sun, 6:30 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
Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 352-8291. $8-$10. Fri, Sat, 10:30 pm and Sat, 8 pm.

SCATTERBRAINS IMPROV
Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $8. Sat, Oct 28, 8:30 pm.

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

Late Night

CUPCAKE
"Ethan Newberry and Justin Sund seem smart, with the capacity for comedy somewhere deep inside, but it's so easy to make this late-night, college-kid crowd laugh, they don't have to work very hard. A few Hitler jokes, a few Jesus jokes, a few dick 'n' pussy jokes and they're done." (Brendan Kiley) Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 352-8291. $8. Sat, 12:30 am. Through Nov 17.

PLEASURE AND PAIN HALLOWEEN HELLRAISER STYLE
One night only. Jackass for the goth kids—piercing and suspension troupes CoRE, PURE Cirkus, and Shift. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 388-0569. $15-$20. Fri, Oct 27, 10 pm.

SUAVE
A new show 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

BLACK NATIVITY GOSPEL WORKSHOP WITH PASTOR PATRINELL WRIGHT
One day only. Gospel workshop, open to singers of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs, led by Pastor Wright, founder of the Total Experience Gospel Choir and Jacqueline Moscou, director of Intiman's annual Black Nativity. Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. Free. Sat, Oct 28, 1 pm.

JANDEK
One night only. From Wikipedia: "Jandek is the assumed name of an outsider musician who operates in or around Houston, Texas. Since 1978, Jandek has self-released 47 albums of unusual, often emotionally dissolute folk and blues songs. Jandek often plays an highly idiosyncratic and frequently atonal form of folk and blues music, often using an open and unconventional chord structure. His lyrics closely mirror the country blues and folk traditions of Eastern Texas." On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $20. Fri, Oct 27, 7 pm.

JINXED
One night only. See Stranger Suggests, page 29. The Showbox, 1426 First Ave, 1-800-992-8499. $15-$18. Fri, Oct 27, 8 pm.

OPEN BOX
An open mic for playwrights. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $3. Sat, Oct 28, 4:30 pm.