OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS
10 NAKED MEN
Ronnie Larsen’s appropriately titled comedy about Hollywood prostitution, featuring adult film star “Rocky”–and WANG! “Did I enjoy this mincing, quipping, dangling parade of fags? Finn Walker was cute as a pickle as Kenny (and hangs circa seven inches, cut) and Irwin Ghallan was charming as a confused and hairy rent boy (eight inches soft, to the left, in a jockstrap). When the dialogue got boring someone stripped, so that basically worked out. It ain’t art, but it sure is naked.” (Adrian Ryan) Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave, 706-2634. $25-$30. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 7 and 10 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through June 8.
2 PIANOS, 4 HANDS
Musical theater in the hands of music majors about their lives in music. Written by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. $15-$46. Tues-Sun at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun matinees at 2 pm. Through June 1.
42nd STREET
The classic musical about musicals. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. $16-$60. Tues-Wed and Sun at 7:30 pm, Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. Through June 8.
THE AFGHAN WOMEN
One week only. Based in part on Euripides’ The Trojan Women, playwright William Mastrosimone’s latest reflects on his experiences in Afghanistan following the war against the Taliban. Wing-It Productions at Historic University Theatre, 5510 University Way, 240-6937. $10. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm.
THE AUGUST WILSON PROJECT
Opening. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson takes to the stage with the debut reading of his latest, a shot at the autobiographical one-man show. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $25. May 22-25, 29-30, June 1-2 at 7:30 pm. Through June 2.
FINISHING SCHOOL
Final week. In the premiere of Yussef El Guindi’s latest satire, a brutal tyrant hires a D.C.-based public relations firm for a makeover in an attempt to win U.S. foreign aid. “At times, the play is wooden, giving the impression that it would’ve made a better Harper’s essay than a piece of live performance. Nevertheless, genuinely compelling moments emerge–and despite its flaws, Finishing School manages to tell an interesting story and pose serious moral questions without being pedantic–a rare achievement among playwrights who wear their contempt for American media on their sleeves.” (Brendan Kiley) Theatre Babylon at Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through May 24.
* GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS
See Stranger Suggests. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 786-5715. $8-$22. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through May 31.
GOD’S MAN IN TEXAS
God’s people in Greenwood present the Seattle premiere of David Rambo’s comic drama about a preacher at odds with his successor. “With the dramatic sensibilities of a good episode of Highway to Heaven, God’s Man in Texas explores the sin many of us have committed at one time or another–ambition. Despite some good performances (Jeff Berryman’s, in particular), the show provides absolutely no surprises. With its all-too-pat setup buried under so many safe Christian jokes, overly long examinations of Bible passages, and jokes about former President Bill Clinton (!), the show ultimately offers little beyond disappointment.“ (Gregory Zura) Taproot Theatre, 204 85th St, 781-9707. $16-$26. Wed-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm. Through June 14.
* GO THERE
“Sarah Rudinoff’s one-person show (directed by her former Hedwig costar, Nick Garrison) is just about the best one-person show I’ve seen this side of ever. There isn’t a moment of this show I’d change, and that’s the most I can say for any show. And this is the first time I’ve ever said it. Viva la Rudinoff! Go see this show.” (Adrian Ryan) Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 323-0388. $13. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through May 31.
JOE SHMOE
Founding Habit member Jeff Schell presents his latest pseudo-surrealist production–a satire of bureaucracy and the madness it inspires. “Regardless of Joe Shmoe‘s overlong, B-grade Disney plot–centered in an annoyingly bureaucratic afterlife–I had a perfectly enjoyable time at this show, due in part to the cocky comic stylings of Troy Fischnaller, whose cavalcade of quirky characters I found endlessly amusing. And the show did percolate with a certain sagacious wit here and there. But the script needs a haircut–stat.“ (Adrian Ryan) The Habit Productions at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 696-8430. $11. Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 8 and 11 pm. Through May 31.
* ONDINE
Adapting Jean Giraudoux’s original French text, director Sean McEnaney presents this “mythic fantasy” of knights and sirens. “This excellent, original adaptation of Jean Giraudoux’s Ondine by director Sean McEnaney deftly negotiates the textual tension between Giraudoux’s punchy wit and elevated language. Concerning the doomed love of a water sprite for a hunky, if stupid, knight-errant, Ondine is a sincere, lyrical, three-hour fairy tale, and I loved it in the goopy corner of my self that sighs at full moons and finds aquatic mammals deeply moving.” (Brendan Kiley) Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through June 21.
PROJECT X: BEFORE THE COMET COMES
“It is, in a word, wretched–though the production, for all its bleakness, featured some phenomenal acting. Piano accompaniment, impressive video production, and an inspired, art-installation-perfect set lent Project X an impressive aesthetic. But I felt torn between sniveling and yawning. Was this an awful play populated by great production talent? Or was it a work of stark beauty this particular philistine simply failed to appreciate? Though I lean toward the former, I honestly cannot decide.” (Brendan Kiley) Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $22-$40. Sun-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm. Through May 31.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
Final week. “Get a little Wilde!” invites Seattle Public Theater’s press release–and with wordplay like that, you know they’ve just got to do justice to this clever classic. Cuz get it? “Get a little Wilde“? HA! Seattle Public Theater at Bathhouse Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 890-1362. Free. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through May 25.
THE SEAGULL
Opening. Chekhov, unrequited love, water fowl–as adapted by Money & Run creator Wayne S. Rawley. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $12-$15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun Jun 8 and 15 at 2 pm. Through June 21.
THE SHAKESPEARE STEALER
Based on the children’s novel of the same name, director Rita Giomi presents an Elizabethan tale of friendship and theft. Seattle Children’s Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $12-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. No shows the weekend of May 23. Through June 15.
THE SICKEST F****ING STORIES I EVER HEARD
One night only. “Perhaps I misunderstand the point of this theatrical exercise, but it seems the ‘audience’ pays seven dollars to see ‘actors’ just, well, hanging out. Since when did that become an object of spectacle rather than participation? There is a voyeuristic nausea in bearing mute eight-dollar witness to something you could have a lot more fun doing in your own living room, or even with the people next to you, given a pack of cards and some introductory small talk.” (Brendan Kiley) Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $8. Thurs May 22 at 9 pm.
THINGS BEING WHAT THEY ARE
Final week. “The story is as emotionally engaging as a box of saltines. The acting’s good, the direction’s fine, the theater craft in general is okay. I just lament that the effort didn’t go toward a story that went somewhere or characters I could manage to give a fig about.” (Adrian Ryan) Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $32-$46. Tues-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through May 25.
VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE
“Written and conceived by the recently much-celebrated Bergel, Voyage is visually clever, energetic, and I suspect there’s an original idea lurking in it. But with a cast of non-singers singing a score written either a full octave lower or three octaves higher than any of their non-ranges, all delivered in monotone rhyming verse in Nordic accents, well… uhhh… what?” (Adrian Ryan) Little Theatre, 610 19th Ave E, 219-3161. $7-$12. Sat at 4 and 11 pm. Through May 31.FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
THE BIG IDEA
Final week. Two weeks filled to the absolute brim with undergraduate theater, featuring the Undergraduate Ten Minute Play Festival, improv, cabaret, faculty discussions, and even some outdoor Shakespeare. Cabaret Theater, Hutchinson Hall 205, UW Campus, and Ethnic Cultural Theatre, 3931 Brooklyn Ave NE, 543-6450. $5-$15. Contact uwbigidea@hotmail.com for specific details. Through May 24.
CHINA DOLLS
Final week. “Hmmm… you’re a middle-aged, middle-class, middlebrow closeted homosexual in town for business, and you’d like to find a revue that indulges your persistent and inexplicable desire to watch strident, self-congratulatory drag queens and drama-school dropouts belt out show tunes without a trace of irony. Well, fasten your seat belt–have I got a show for you!” (Tamara Paris) Wait… what? Productions at Standard Lounge, 527 S Main St, 605-6033. $18-$25. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 7:30, 9:30, and midnight. Through May 25.
HOT TYPE FESTIVAL
The Rep’s second annual new works readings, with premieres by Steven Dietz, Nilo Cruz, Katie Forgette, Friedrich Schiller, and Chay Yew. Seattle Repertory Theatre, the Seattle Center, Second Ave and Mercer St, 443-2222. $10. Mon-Sun May 26-June 1. See www.seattlerep.org for details.
MEOW
One night only. Macha Monkey’s quarterly themed cabaret Meow returns in the black cloak of intrigue… a murder mystery cabaret without the benefit of the requisite pasta dinner. Macha Monkey Productions at the Chamber Theatre, 915 E Pine, fourth floor of Odd Fellow’s Building. $10. Fri May 23 at 8 pm.
SEATTLE GOGA
One night only. Improvised ovarian hilarity! Seattle Goga presents an evening of all girl improv. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 235-3043. $8. Fri May 23 at 8 pm.
THE SICKEST OF THE SICKS
One night only. “America’s Foremost Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet” the Kinsey Sicks take it to the Seattle stage. What more do you need to know? The Kinsey Sicks at University of Washington, Meany Theater, 323-2992. $19-$21. Sat May 24 at 8 pm.
THE SKITZO SHOW
One night only. Piece of Meat Theatre’s Eric Layer presents an evening of song and mirth with brief perfomances by Guy Davis, Harry Pierce, and Chris Tharp, among others. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $5. Sat at 7:30.
DANCE
* BOYS/GIRLS
See Stranger Suggests. The LeGendre Performance Group explores the battle of the sexes, pitting a performance by an all-female cast against that of a bunch of men in tights. LeGendre Performance Group at Velocity MainSpace, 915 E Pine St, second floor, 325-6141. $8-$15. Fri-Sun May 23-25 at 8 pm.
* KINGDOM
See Stranger Suggests. An evening of dance by Mary Sheldon Scott and Jarrad Powell, creators of Praying Mantis and Natura Abolita. Mary Sheldon Scott/Jarrad Powell at On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $12-$16. Thurs-Sat May 22-24 at 8 pm.
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON SENIOR DANCE PROGRAM
Seven university dance majors see the stretch of their parent’s hard-earned money culminated in the ultimately brief performance marking their choreographic debut. University of Washington, Meany Studio Theatre, 543-4880. $7-$9. Wed-Sat May 28-31 at 8 pm, Sun Jun 1 at 2 pm.
LATE NIGHT
* CARLOTTA’S LATE NIGHT WING-DING
The delightful alter ego of Troy Mink returns with a late-night talk show, featuring a wealth of local talent. Northwest Actors Studio Cabaret Space, 1100 E Pike St, third floor, 625-6500. $8-$10. Fri-Sat at 10:30 pm, bar opens at 10 pm. Through June 7.
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 Ethnic Cultural Theatre, 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.