Opening and Current Runs

ALL SHOOK UP
A love story set to famous Elvis songs. Paramount Theatre, 911 E Pine St, 292-2787. $22-$70. Tues-Thurs, 7:30 pm, Fri, Sat, 8 pm, Sat, Dec 16, 2 pm and Sun, Dec 17, 1 & 6:30 pm. Through Dec 17.

ANTAGONISM
See review this issue. Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 323-7412. $6-$10. Thurs-Sat, 7:30 pm. Through Dec 23.

ARE WE SCARED?
"I utterly loved Are We Scared?, a series of vignettes adapted from the play-acting of preschoolers." (Paul Constant) Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $6-$12. Fri, Sat, 8 pm and Sat, Sun, 3 pm. Through Dec 16.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER
See review this issue. Seattle Public Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 524-1300. $14-$24. Thurs-Sat, 7 pm and Sun, 2 pm. Through Dec 24.

BLACK NATIVITY
See review this issue. Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $10-$42. Thurs, 7:30 pm, Fri, 8 pm, Sat 2 and 8 pm, Sun, 2 and 7:30 pm, Tues, Wed, 7:30 pm.

BUD, NOT BUDDY
Based on the children's book about a Depression-era boy who sets out to find bandleader Herman E. Calloway, who may or may not be the boy's father. Adapted by Reginald Andre Jackson. Book-It Theater at Center House Theatre, Seattle Center, 216-0833. $15-$32. Wed-Sat, 7:30 pm and Sat, Sun, 2 pm. Through Dec 23.

A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN WALES
See review this issue. Stone Soup Theatre, 4035 Stone Way N, 633-1883. $14. Fri, Sat, 7:30 pm and Sat, Sun, 3:30 pm. Through Dec 23.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
See review this issue. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $15-$44. Thurs-Fri at 6 and 8:30 pm, Sat at 2 and 7 pm, Sun at 1 and 4 pm, Tues-Wed at 6 and 8:30 pm. Through Dec 24.

THE CODY RIVERS SHOW - TANGLE
"This thing isn't sketch comedy exactly, but it's not standard theater, and it isn't funny so much as mesmerizing." (Lindy West) Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 877-278-4842. $10. Fri, Sat, 8 pm. Through Dec 23.

THE DINA MARTINA CHRISTMAS SHOW
The psycho-drag sweetheart sticks her finger in your sugarplum. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 325-6500. $20. Thurs-Sun, 8 pm. Through Dec 30.

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.

THE EXCURSIONISTS
"The play begins from a single wild premise: England has sunk and two 19th-century explorers travel the world in an undersea train to find the new Britannia." (Brendan Kiley) Theater Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 800-838-3006. $12. Tues, Wed, 7:30 pm. Through Dec 20.

GREASY DEMON HEAT BALBOA
The experimental theater cycle takes on the iconic trinity of Michael Jackson, Mike Tyson, and Don King. According to the press release "it may well blow your dick off." The Villainaires Academy at Villville, 1534 First Ave S, 600-0343. $5-$15 suggested donation. Mon-Fri, 8 pm. Through Dec 22.

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY
See review this issue. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $15-$30. Fri, Sat, 8 pm, Wed, 7:30 pm, Thurs, 7:30 pm and Sat, 2 pm. Through Dec 30.

THE MARTINI BROTHER'S HOLIDAY SHOWCASE
See review this issue. Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 352-8291. $10. Thurs, Fri, 8 pm and Sat, Sun, 2 pm. Through Dec 23.

MEMORY HOUSE
"A play, in real time, about a petulant girl trying to finish a college entrance essay while her frustrated mother tries to bake a pie." (Brendan Kiley) Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $10-$40. Thurs-Sat, 7:30 pm and Sat, Sun, 2 pm. Through Dec 17.

THE MESHUGANUTCRACKER
One week only. A touring production about eight Chelmniks (citizens of a fictional town of fools) who gather to sing through the history of Hanukkah heroes. National Jewish Theatre Festival at Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $36-$42. Wed, Thurs, 7:30 pm. Through Dec 21.

NEVER SWIM ALONE
"The set, by Rodney Cuellar, evokes a game show, which is exactly what the play demands—a forum for the two men (Lathrop Walker and Michael Place), childhood best friends turned adult archrivals, to figure out who is alpha and who is beta." (Brendan Kiley) Washington Ensemble Theatre, 608 19th Ave E, 800-838-3006. $10—$18. Thurs-Mon at 8 pm. Through Dec 18.

ROALD DAHL'S WILLY WONKA
Ongoing. "Spitting's a dirty habit." Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, 425-893-9900. $15-$20. Fri, Dec 15, 7:30 pm and Sat, Dec 16, 11 am & 2 pm.

THE SANTALAND DIARIES
See review this issue. Seattle Public Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 524-1300. $14-$24. Thurs-Sat, 9 pm and Sun, 7:30 pm. Through Dec 24.

TALES FROM THE CHARRED UNDERBELLY OF THE YULE LOG
One week only. Kevin Kling's solo show about Midwestern Christmases—torn wrapping paper, sibling rivalries, and are-we-there-yet? travel. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $20-$25. Thurs, Fri, 7:30 pm. Through Dec 15.

A TERRIBLE PRICE FOR WHIMSY
"This shadow-puppet odyssey, which bounces from a murderous Mary Todd Lincoln to an evil gang straight out of an Encyclopedia Brown novel to a Tijuana donkey show, is fucking funny." (Brendan Kiley) Theater Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 800-838-3006. $14. Thurs-Sat, 8 pm. Through Dec 23.

A TUNA CHRISTMAS
See review this issue. Burien Little Theatre, 425 SW 144th St, 242-5180. $5-$18. Fri, Sat, 8 pm and Sun, 2 pm. Through Dec 17.

VOICES OF CHRISTMAS
See review this issue. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. Wed-Sat, 7:30 pm, Sun, 1 & 5 pm and Tues, Dec 19, 7:30 pm. Through Dec 24.

WHIRLIGIG! THE MUSICAL
See review this issue. LiveGirls!, 2220 NW Market St, 800-838-3006. $10-$15. Thurs-Sat, 8 pm and Sat, 4 & 8 pm. Through Dec 16.

A WHITE CHRISTMAS
"Irving Berlin is a swell composer, but some songs have held up better than others." (Lindy West) 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 625-1900. $20-$75. Sat, 2 & 8 pm, Sun, 1:30 & 7 pm, Tues, Wed, 7:30 pm and Thurs, Fri, 8 pm. Through Dec 20.

Dance

FIESTA NAVIDENA
One weekend only. Flamenco. Ethnic Cultural Theatre, 3940 Brooklyn Ave. NE, 543-7661. $12-$15. Sat, Sun, 8 pm. Through Dec 17.

THE NUTCRACKER
See review this issue. McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, 684-7200. $18-$108. Fri, Sat, 7:30 pm, Sat, 2 pm, Sun, 1 & 5:30 pm, Wed, Thurs, 7:30 pm, Tues, 7:30 pm, Tues-Fri, 2 pm and Sun, Dec 24, noon. Through Dec 28.

SEGUE
One weekend only. A modern and hiphop dance company with choreography by Amii LeGendre, Jürg Koch, Holly Eckert, and others. Enertia Dance Company at Velocity Dance Center, 915 E Pine St, 325-8773. $13. Fri-Sun, 8 pm. Through Dec 17.

A TAP DANCE CHRISTMAS CAROL
Ms. Ebenezia Scrooge taps her way through time. Anacrusis Modern Tap Dance at Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, 325-3113. $18-$24. Fri, Sat, 8 pm, Sat, 2 pm and Sun, Dec 17, 2 & 7 pm. Through Dec 23.

Cabaret

THE BEDROOM CLUB Last Supper Club, 124 S Washington St, 748-9975. $10. Wed, 9 pm. BURLESQUE BEHIND THE PINK DOOR Pink Door, 1919 Post Alley, 443-3241. $10. Sat, 10:30 pm. COLUMBIA CITY CABARET Columbia City Theatre, 4916 Rainier Ave S, 723-0088. $20. Fri, 8 pm. Through Dec 29. LIVE BURLESQUE SeaMonster Lounge, 2202 N 45th St, 633-1824. Free. Tues, 11 pm.

LAND OF SWEETS: THE BURLESQUE NUTCRACKER
Triple Door, 216 Union St., 838-4333. $20. Wed, 7 & 10 pm. Through Dec 20.

BOYLESQUE SENSATION TIGGER! WITH ORCHESTRA L'POW!
Heavens, 172 S Washington St, 622-1863. $15-$45. Thurs, Dec 14, 8 pm.

LOVE LESSONS
Exploring the progress of a relationship through dance, from salsa (hot!) to tap (not so hot). Century Ballroom, 915 E Pine St, second floor, 324-7263. $25-$60. Fri, Sat, 6 pm and Sat, 6 pm. Through Jan 27.

WICKED CHRISTMAS
See review this issue. Crepe de Paris, 1333 Fifth Ave, 623-4111. $55. Thurs-Sun, 6:30 pm. Through Dec 26.

Improv & Comedy

THE CHRISTMAS THAT ACTUALLY WAS
One night only. Sketch comedy by Kevin and Travis (Scarecrow Mr. Vogt). Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave NW. $7. Tues, Dec 19, 9 pm.

THE COMEDY SHOP Columbia City Theatre, 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. LAFFHOLE! Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 388-0569. $5. Wed, 9 pm. JET CITY IMPROV Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 352-8291. $8-$10. Fri, Sat, 10:30 pm and Sat, 8 pm. THEATRESPORTS Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 587-2414. $8-$12. Fri, Sat, 10:30 pm and Sat, 8 pm.

FUH-GEDDABOUDIT: AN INTERACTIVE MAFIA MUSICAL
Julia's Restaurant, 300 Broadway E, 860-1818. $44.90. Sun, 6:30 pm.

LAUGH OUT LOUD
A benefit comedy show for Safe Schools Coalition. Comedy Underground, 222 S Main St, 800-325-7328. $12. Tues, Dec 19, 8:30 pm.

Late Night

THE JUDY GARLAND CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
See review this issue. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $10. Fri, Sat, 10 pm. Through Dec 16.

MERRY FUCKING CHRISTMAS
See review this issue. Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 800-838-3006. $5-$7.50. Fri, Sat, 10 pm. Through Dec 23.

THE TWILIGHT ZONE
The late-night live-stage Twilight Zone episodes are back, this time featuring "A Most Unusual Camera" and "What You Need." (Free preview Nov 23 at 11 pm.) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $12. Fri, Sat, 11 pm. Through Dec 16.

Special Events

HOW TO TELL A LIE
A new play reading by Stephanie Timm. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $2. Mon, Dec 18, 7 pm.

WINTER SOLSTICE
One weekend only. A site-specific extravaganza with fire performers, storytelling, crafts, and a bunch of other stuff, directed by Manuel Cawaling. Seattle Center, Broad St and Denny Way. Sat, Sun. Through Dec 17.