OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS
AMERICAN VOICES: BUKOWSKI, MICHELINE & THE FIRST AMENDMENT
Dramatic portrayal of a real-life 1968 obscenity controversy involving Charles Bukowski, Jack Micheline, and lefty magazine Open City. Written, directed, and performed by Vince Balestri, best known for his popular portrayal of Jack Kerouac in Kerouac: The Essence of Jack. Theatre Under the Influence at Union Garage Performance Space, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12. Fri-Sat at 9 pm. Through Aug 23.
AUTO BIO OF THE DOG LIFE LYRICS AND LOVES OF A DOG
This week only. “…is an original hip hop pop rock opera that reflects the passionate life experiences composed by accomplished writer/musician D’Maurice. Creator/director Star has danced with Cher and appeared with Sammy Davis, Jr.“ Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm.
THE BALTIMORE WALTZ
In this Paula Vogel chestnut, an unmarried schoolteacher gets a mysterious, fatal illness from a toilet seat, then tours Europe with her gay brother. Once upon a time, this was a vague play about AIDS (specifically, the way the disease robbed so many sensitive straight folk of their entertaining gay friends/relatives). God knows what it’s about now. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $10-$12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Aug 24.
THE CARABAO CRIES TOO
Closing. Cultural identity struggle–in song form. Like “We Are the World.” Or Farm Aid. Or, um, not. Rainier Valley Youth Theatre at Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 5117 Rainier Ave S, 725-7169. $3-$5. Aug 7-10 at 8 pm. Through Aug 10.
DAMES AT SEA
Dramatic self-reference spirals out of control in yet another American musical based on the production of an American musical. Classics Unlimited at Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, 325-6500. $14-$19. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. Through Aug 18.
DAUGHTERS OF CATASTROPHE
Closing. Staged reading of S. P. Miskowski’s new production–an “erotic retelling of Electra, Phaedra, and Medea” in modern America. Part of the Summer Six Pack. City 3 Theater at Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave E, 783-2284. $5. Sun at 9 pm. Through Aug 11.
DRALION
Since when did foreigners in funny clothes hell-bent on “death-defying” nose-dives cease to be called “threats to national security”? I’m ASKING?!?! Cirque du Soleil at Grand Chapiteau, 900 Garden Ave N, 800-450-1480, next to Renton Boeing Plant. $31.50-$65. Tues-Wed at 8 pm, Thurs-Fri at 5 and 9 pm, Sat at 4 and 8 pm, Sun at 1 and 5 pm. No performance Tues Aug 27. Through Sept 8.
FOOTLOOSE! THE MUSICAL
‘Cause every time he pulls me near I just wanna cheer: Let’s hear it for the boy! Let’s give the boy a hand! Let’s hear it for my baby, you know you gotta understand…. Oh, oh, oh, maybe he’s no Romeo but he’s my loving one-man show, oh woh, woh, woh—let’s hear it for the boy! ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $10. Aug 14-18 at 7 pm, 17-18 at 2 pm. Through Aug 18.
FULLY COMMITTED
Solo show about an unemployed actor taking reservations for an ultra-chic restaurant. Now with David Scully. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $24.50-$29.50. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Open run.
HAMLET
Shakespeare’s most famous musical/buddy comedy comes to life in this youth production. Young Shakespeare Workshop. Call for locations, dates, and times, 517-6930. Free. Through Aug 18.
HENRY IV, PART 2
Closing. Coming of age, by way of flowery language. GreenStage Theater Company. Call for locations, dates, and times, 748-1551, www.greenstage.org. Free. Through Aug 11.
LE NOZZE di FIGARO
This week only. Mozart’s confounded opera of love and manipulation in 18th-century Spain. Featuring a 29-piece orchestra. Rainier Lyric Opera at Seward Park, 360-479-4564. $29. Fri-Sun at 7 pm.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
This week only. As if theater girls needed another excuse to wear fairy wings and glitter makeup. Seattle Children’s Theatre at Charlotte Martin Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $5-$8. Thurs-Sat at 7 pm. Through Aug 10.
MONEY & RUN EPISODE 6
Wayne S. Rawley’s serial returns, with original cast in tow, for its newest debacle: The Eyepatch of the Tiger. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $12-$15, under 18 free. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, matinee performances Sun at 2 pm. Through Aug 24.
MOTOR CITY MUSICAL REVUE
This week only. Diana. Marvin. Aretha. Smokey. Beehives. Blue eye shadow. Sequins. Heaven. Seattle Children’s Theatre at Charlotte Martin Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $5-$8. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Aug 10.
NICKEL AND DIMED: ON (NOT) GETTING BY IN AMERICA
See review this issue. Adapting Barbara Ehrenreich’s best-selling account of the same name, Joan Holden’s new play focuses on minimum-wage labor and its soul-draining effects. Intiman Theater, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $27-$42. Tues-Thurs & Sun at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, matinees Sat-Sun at 2 pm until Aug 24. Through Aug 25.
SPEECHLESS
See review this issue. Sketch comedy on mute. Bald Faced Lie at Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 325-6500. $15-$19. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7 pm. Through Aug 24.
STARBALL
See review this issue. Solo performer John Kaufmann takes a stab at combining Jungian theory, astronomy, and dramatic performance in this act of planetary spectacle. John Kaufmann at Pacific Science Center’s Smith Planetarium, 200 Second Ave. 634-9018. $12. Thurs-Sun at 8 pm, seating between 7 and 7:55 pm. Through Aug 25.
TAMING OF THE SHREW
“Bitchy girl submits to backhanding smartass. Misogynist parable? Feminist subversion? Decide for yourself.“ (Bret Fetzer) GreenStage Theater Company. Call for locations, dates, and times, 748-1551, www.greenstage.org. Free. Through Sept 2.
TEATRO ZINZANNI: DINNER & DREAMS
The most expensive dinner theater of all time–three hours of gluttony, lust, and eye candy. Featuring the effervescent yet earthy Kevin Kent. “Dinner & Dreams isn’t a disaster. The food is great, and a handful of the performers are dazzling. But for every bit that dazzles, a half-dozen fall flat.” (David Schmader) Teatro ZinZanni, Sixth & Battery, 805-0015. $89 Wed-Fri & Sun, $99 Sat (includes dinner, but not beverages or gratuity). Wed-Sat at 6:30 pm, Sun at 5:30 pm. Open run.
VAYA CON LOLA
A single Latina mother struggles. I predict much sighing. World premiere production written by Monica Appleby. Baba Yaga Productions at Ned Skinner Theater, 1501 10th Ave E, 325-6500. $10. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Aug 24.
* WOMEN WITH BALLS
See Stranger Suggests. Closing. Bathhouse Theatre, 7312 West Green Lake Dr N, 325-6500. $10-$20. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm, with late shows Fri-Sat at 10:30 pm. Through Aug 11.
WONDERFUL TENNESSEE
Closing. Three couples embark on a birthday trip to an island of mystery off the coast of Ireland. “In terms of narrative mechanics, Wonderful Tennessee has the power of a busted Salad Shooter.” (Matt Fontaine) Taproot Theatre Company at Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $18-$26. Wed-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, matinee Sat at 2 pm. Through Aug 10.
WORKING
This week only. A musical based on the book by Studs Terkel reflecting the passions of the faceless working masses who touch our lives each and every day. Like the Free Masons. And escort-service workers. A benefit for the Compass Center. Pandemonium Players at ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $5-$10. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Fri at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Through Aug 10.
DANCE
OFF THE CUFF
One night only. World-renowned, international performers collaborate for a limited engagement of innovative dance performance in correlation with Seattle’s ninth annual Festival of Alternative Dance and Improvisation. Featuring performances by Chris Aiken, Nina Martin, Linda Austin, Scott Smith, Eszter Gál, and many more. Seattle Festival of Alternative Dance & Improvisation at Freehold Theater, 915 E Pine St, second floor, 686-7323. $12. Fri Aug 9 at 7:30 pm.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
HOKUM’S MIDSUMMER VAUDEVILLE FESTIVAL!
A variety show of explosive proportions. Caution: mimes. Hokum Hall, 7904 35th Ave SW, 937-3613. $12-$14. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun Aug 25 at 3 pm. Through Aug 25.
JUST IMPROV
One night only. Chortle! Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $5. Tues Aug 13 at 9 pm.
KAFTAN!
A charmingly ramshackle kitsch cabaret with It’s Mark Mitchell, Kurt B. Reighley, Paula!, and guests. “A nice-enough dose of free entertainment.” (Josh Feit) Swedish Housewife at ING, 1530 Bellevue Ave, 329-5388. Free. Sun at 9 pm. Ongoing.
LATE NIGHT
MYSTERY AT CAMP CHESTNUT
The audience controls the storyline in this Choose-Your-Own-Adventure-styled performance. Strike-Anywhere Productions at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, third floor, 324-6328. $5-$6. Fri-Sat at 10 pm. Through Aug 17.
NIGHTCAP COMEDY IMPROV
Closing. Guffaw! Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $5. Fri at 10:15 pm. Through Aug 9.
THE TWILIGHT ZONE
The cash cow returns… and it’s thirsty for blood! Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $10. Fri-Sat at 11 pm. Through Aug 24.