OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS
THE ARK
A musical retelling of the story of Noah. Village Theatre, 303 Front St N, Issaquah, 425-392-2202. $26-$42. Tues-Sat at 8 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. Through April 20.
* A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY
Final Week. See Stranger Suggests. Strike Anywhere Productions at Seattle Center House, Theater Four, fourth floor, 325-6500. $8-$10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 22.
BOY GETS GIRL
“If the premise of this politically naive and dramatically inert play is to be believed, romantic comedies and exploitation movies turn regular guys into psychopathic stalkers. After a fairly engaging first half, the second act collapses into a paralyzing and formless miasma–leaving a stage full of talented actors with nothing left to stand on but a big pile of ham.” (Tamara Paris) Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $10-$46. Tues-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through March 23.
* THE CHANGELING
Final Week. “The prospect of watching a florid Jacobean play in a tiny theater in the back of a bar may not sound like an exciting way to spend a weekend night. Unless, however, that play has been adapted by Bret Fetzer, dynamically directed by Carys Kresny, and performed by a cast beyond reproach.” (Gregory Zura) Annex Theatre at Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 728-0933. $12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 22.
GO, DOG. GO!
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.
HARD TIMES
See review this issue. Book-It does Dickens. Book-It Repertory Theatre at Seattle Center House, 305 Harrison St, 770-0880. $12-$22. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through April 6.
KICKING THE HAT
“Faye B. Summers understands the landmines that lurk in the fertile soil of the one-person show. She describes the solo show as “the last bastion of the desperate” (I’m still laughing) and assures us (God bless her) that there will be no “heroic survivors, hapless victims,” or necessarily “marginalized” characters in hers. And to her credit, there were no “marginalized, hapless victims.” Yet even for that, I remain firmly not too excited.” (Adrian Ryan) ArtsWest Theater, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0399. $10-$24. Wed-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun matinees at 3 pm. Through March 29.
THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO
By the author of Driving Miss Daisy, another heartwarming commentary on social hierarchy, this time set in 1939 debutante Atlanta. A wealthy Jewish family questions its heritage as its country prepares for war. Taproot Theatre Company, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $10-$26. Wed-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm. Through April 26.
LETTERS FROM THE EARTH
Final Week. See review this issue. Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave N, 325-6500. $15. Fri-Sat at 8 and 10 pm. Through March 22.
THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER
Final Week. A 1930s Kaufman and Hart comedy in the familiar “unwanted houseguest” subgenre, about a domineering theater critic who wears out his welcome. The Playhouse, 200 Madison Ave N, Bainbridge Island, 842-8569. $9-$15. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 3 pm. Through March 22.
THE MILLIONAIRESS
“I’m a big fan of the Liberty Deli’s quirky take on dinner theater. It’s thrillingly weird eating corned beef and coleslaw three inches away from a stage full of actors working up a salty lather. Which is why I’m sad to report that their latest production of George Bernard Shaw’s socialist farce is ill-prepared and overwrought.” (Tamara Paris) Steeplechase Productions at Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 935-8420. $15. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm. Through March 29.
MURDER AT CRAGGY ROCK
A Wild West musical-mystery-comedy set to steak, featuring characters with names like Slappy, Hap Hazard, El Gatito, and Fifi. Northwest Murder Mysteries at Rock Salt Steak House, 1232 Westlake Ave N, 706-7575. $50, includes meal. Sat at 8 pm. Through March 29.
NICKY SOMEWHERE ELSE
Apparent mental illness, as masked by the notion of a child’s “imagination.” Nicky Somewhere Else journeys through the world of imaginary twins, pet rabbits, Santa Claus, and telling delusions. Seattle Children’s Theatre, 201 Thomas St, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $12-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through March 30.
PR GOLEM
A play based on the mythical creature from Jewish folklore, as based on a short story by Antoni Geimer. ArtsWest Studio Theater, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0963. $10. Fri-Sat at 7:30. Through March 29.
PRICK
See review this issue. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 325-6500. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through April 5.
ROMEO AND JULIET
West Side Story, but in fancier pants. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $15-$40. Tues-Sun at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. Through April 20.
SEX IN SEATTLE, EPISODE 6: VICIOUS VALENTINES
Just in time for Valentine’s Day (wait, what?) comes the latest installment of Sex in Seattle, the long-running serial about those sassy, sexual women of Asia. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 323-9443. $8-$12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm and 10:30 pm. Through April 5.
THE SICKEST F***ING STORIES I EVER HEARD
Five real actors sit around a real table, playing a real game of poker for real money, while telling real stories about real gross events. Northwest Goga Theatre at Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave, 441-5823. $8. Sun at 7 pm. Through May 22.
THIS IS OUR YOUTH
See review this issue. UW Ethnic Cultural Theatre, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE, 634-4288. $7-$10. Thurs-Sun at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through March 23.
UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL
After a book is returned to a library 113 years late, a fanatical Dutch librarian begins a mad search for its patron. Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $22-$35. Tues-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm. Through April 19.
* WOMEN WITH BALLS
“Finally, someone has managed to tackle a social issue without beating the audience to death with it. The concept is simple: Four fun and talented women perform what seems like a collection of history reports written by sassy budding feminists. Set to music. With butt jokes. This show is breezy, not preachy; lighthearted, not pointy-headed; and even a touch (ouch) educational.“ (Adrian Ryan) Red & Me at Bathhouse Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Drive N, 325-6500. $12-$18. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm. Through March 29.
WONDERFUL LIFE
One night only. Throw some terms like “multimedia” and “postmodern” in a blender with Frank Capra and you’ve got something called Wonderful Life, One World’s 75-minute mishmash of film, video, live music, and afterlife. One World Theatre at Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, 425-893-9900. $10-$16. Fri March 21 at 8 pm.
YELLOW FEVER: THE INTERNMENT
Final Week. According to the press release, the collective “we” (which in this case seems to mean America as a whole) are afflicted with “yellow fever” (which in this case seems to refer to a blanket of racism held against people of Asian descent)–an ailment that the collective “we” must heal ourselves from. This performance–combining poetry, music, dance, and performance art–is the prescription. Little Theatre Off Broadway, 1524 Harvard St, 325-6500. $10-$15. Tues-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 3 pm. Through March 23.
YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN
Final Week. A lighthearted musical about the most fucked-up children of all time. Music Works Theatre, 14360 SE Eastgate Way, Suite 102, Bellevue, 325-6500. $12-$16. Fri-Sun at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through March 23.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
* THOMAS ARTHUR
This week only. See Stranger Suggests. “Lyrical juggler” Thomas Arthur does all he can to stretch the limitations of tossing balls and pins in the air. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, 325-6500. $7-$18. Fri-Sun at 8 pm, with Sat matinee at 2 pm. Through March 23.
BABA YAGA & THE BAG OF GOLD
Russian folklore and puppets. Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave NE, 523-2579. $7.50-$9.50. Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 1 and 3 pm. Through March 30.
DON’T SHOOT ME, I’M ONLY THE PIANO PLAYER
One night only. Get your rimshots ready–drawing flattering comparisons to such luminaries as Victor Borge, musical comedian David Scheel cracks on the modern age while simultaneously “turn[ing] classical music on its head.” Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, 425-893-9900. $10-$15. Sun March 23 at 2 pm.
MICHAEL FELDMAN
One night only. Whad’Ya Know? radio host Feldman tapes his regular quiz show live from the Paramount. Michael Feldman at Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 728-4121. $23-$75. Fri March 21 at 7:30 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.
VACLAV HAVLIK
Czech-born magician Havlik dazzles over dinner. Bouchee, 3510 Fremont Ave N, 632-5220. Free with dinner. Open engagement.
IMPROV! COMEDY AND MORE!
It’s not clear what the “and more!” portion of the evening holds, but I hope it has something to do with Reddi-wip. Ain’t nothin’ funny like Reddi-wip. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, third floor, 425-417-5667. $10. Sat at 10 pm. Through March 29.
IT’S ALL THE SAME
Gender-bent cabaret starring local theater veterans Karen Gruber and Doug Knoop. Thumper’s Restaurant & Lounge, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $10. Sun at 8:30 pm. Through March 30.
JET CITY IMPROV
One night only. Spontaneous theater with laugh track. Jet City Improv at Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, 425-893-9900. $13-$15. Sat March 22 at 8 pm.
LOUNGE LIZARDS
If life is a cabaret, please kill me. The Velveteens–a lounge trio and their pianist–gut the standards for your entertainment. Straight-Edge Theatrics at Thumper’s Restaurant & Lounge, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $15. Fri-Sat at 8:30 pm. Through March 29.
DANCE
COMING UNGLUED
Recently diagnosed with epilepsy, choreographer Holly Eckert makes lemonade with a new performance tracing the disease as metaphor. Holly Echert at Freehold’s Easthall Theatre, Oddfellows Hall, 1529 10th Ave, second floor, 297-1844. $10-$12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through March 29.
DREAMING OF HARMONY
One night only. Folk dance and ballet to benefit this new North End nonprofit. Cameo/Carrabba Dance Theatre at Shoreline Conference Center, 18560 First Ave NE, Shoreline, 528-8183. $10-$15. Sat March 22 at 2 and 6 pm.
JARDI TANCAT
Final Week. A mixed-repertory collection of works as performed by the Pacific Northwest Ballet, boasting the world premiere of French Canadian choreographer Dominique Dumais’ Scripted in the Body and including the return of the titular work by Nacho Duato. Pacific Northwest Ballet at Mercer Arts Arena, 362 Mercer St, 292-ARTS. $9-$110. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm. Through March 22.
NEXT
This week only. Indefinably creepy Swiss performance troupe Mummenschanz present its 30th-anniversary show to “unleash the child within”–i.e., wide-eyed fear, rampant confusion, and sheer terror. Meany Theater, UW Campus near 15th Ave NE, 543-4880. $15-$30. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through March 23.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
This week only. Velocity presents its tri-yearly presentation of works in progress, this time featuring Hallie Aldrich, BetterBiscuitDance, Sally Dean, and Joy Sternoff-Meyers. Velocity MainSpace Theater, 915 E Pine St, second floor, 325-8773. $8. Sat-Sun March 22-23 at 8 pm.
LATE NIGHT
NEITHER/NOR #4
One night only. The fourth installment of Bald Faced Lie’s Neither/Nor series, tonight’s hodgepodge (or mishmash, if you will) is a consortium of oddball performances, featuring such adept performers as Bhama Roget, Brian Culver, Mark Boecker, Tina Kunz, and more. Bald Faced Lie at Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave N, 860-5245. $10. Fri March 21 at 11 pm.
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.
THEATRESPORTS at the Market Theater, 781-9273.