OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS
THE AMERICAN DREAM
Opening. A production of Edward Albee’s 1961 dark comedy whose press release likens the PATRIOT Act to Temptation Island. Good luck with that. Stone Soup Theatre, 4035 Stone Way N, 633-1883. $15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 8.
BABY: THE MUSICAL
The terrifying threat of parasitic invasion haunts three couples faced with potential infestation in Richard Maltby Jr.’s 20-year-old musical, Baby. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0963. $10-$28. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 3 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Nov 1.
* CANDIDA
George Bernard Shaw examines the question of love–by way of broken homes and love triangles. “A solid cast handles Shaw’s comic turns with comfortable skill. It’s a serviceable presentation of the play, if not an exciting or challenging one. ” (Bret Fetzer) Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $18-$26. Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Oct 25.
DAD FOUGHT HITLER, THE BOTTLE, AND ME
Heroism, alcoholism, and child abuse–Mick Berry’s one-man show about a father who apparently beat the living shit out everything in his wake. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 26.
ESCAPE FROM HAPPINESS
George F. Walker’s dark comedy about the struggle against the forces of happiness we face every day. Sight Nine Theatre at Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 325-6500. $14. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 1.
FRINGE ENCORE
Final week. A brief remount of two of this year’s Fringe productions, Dario Fo’s A Tale Of a Tiger, and Angela DiMarco’s Always. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1624 12th Ave, 325-6500. $7-$12. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm (Always) and 9 pm (Tale Of a Tiger). Through Oct 18.
FLOWER DRUM SONG
A revamped Broadway revival of the Rodgers & Hammerstein production from the ’50s, concerning the schism betwixt first-generation Chinese immigrants and their offspring in San Francisco’s Chinatown. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 625-1418. $18-$67. Thurs-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 1 and 7 pm. Through Oct 26.
GINGERBREAD MAN
A group of cleverly personified kitchen utensils face a molasses-infused threat to their secure way of life. Seattle Children’s Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $12-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through Dec 21.
THE HANGING MAN
Opening. From the creators of the renowned Victorian spectacle Shockheaded Peter comes another masterful production about heaven and hell, life and death, architecture and nooses. Improbable Theatre Group at Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave, 628-1414. $24-$43. Wed-Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 and 7 pm. Through Oct 26.
* THE HORROR IN THE THEATER: AN H. P. LOVECRAFT TRIPTYCH OF TERROR
Open Circle revisits its recent cash cow Re-Animator with three different Lovecraft stories: The Haunter of the Dark, The Dunwich Horror, and the Matt Fontaine-directed From Beyond. “If you see one show this season featuring giant, thousand-headed octopi attacking from beyond, make it The Horror in the Theater. ” (Adrian Ryan) Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $13. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through Nov 8.
IN BETWEEN BLISS
Opening. Dan Dembiczak’s (Pine Nuts, Putting Away James) fourth staged opus, is a dark dramedy about three interconnected couples faced with tragedy. Outcast Productions at Odd Duck Studio, 1214 10th Ave, 325-2080. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 1.
THE JANUARY BOOK
Das Barbecü playwright Scott Warrender presents his latest musical, charting four generations at a coastal hotel in Maine. “There’s a lot going on here, and the fragile thread of the plot(s) is sometimes lost. But for all of its minor foibles and flaws, this production has a certain warmth and good humor that I found ultimately charming. ” (Adrian Ryan) Seattle Public Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 524-1300. $10-$18. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Oct 26.
LADY FROM THE SEA
Scandinavian dramatic powerhouse Henrik Ibsen’s tale of a middle-class wife who gets all antsy-pants for some thick sailor. Ghost Light Theatricals at Seattle Center House, 305 Harrison St, 325-6500. $10-$12. Thurs-Sat at 7:30 pm. Through Oct 25.
OMNIUM-GATHERUM
Opening. Social graces are shot all to hell in a play about a dinner party–in the wake of September 11–with guests ranging from a Martha Stewart type to a Christopher Hitchens type. Some New York critics praised the show’s wit, while the New York Times‘ Frank Rich called for the playwright’s head. We’re so there. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $10-$45. Thurs at 2 and 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm, Tues-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Nov 2.
OUR LADY OF SLIGO
Sebastian Barry’s reflective look at the tumultuous life of an Irish mother on her deathbed. Gael Force Theatre at Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $7-$14. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 25.
MING THE RUDE
See review this issue. Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $10-$40. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Nov 9.
MISALLIANCE
Seattle Repertory Theatre presents George Bernard Shaw’s comedy of a dissatisfied, upper-class brat and her aviatory escapades, directed by Sharon “Perhaps you saw me in the E! True Hollywood Story of Justine Bateman” Ott. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Second Ave and Mercer St, 443-2222. $15-$40. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through Nov 1.
PARTY
A mess of gays bare their “souls” in a racy game of truth or dare. Let me make this brief: WANG! Gaydar Productions at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $25. Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 7 and 10 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Through Nov 9.
PILEDRIVER!
A comedy about sexually confused pro wrestlers. “This loud, frantically energetic production is fun and smart, waxes surprisingly touching, and boasts a flawless cast and the hottest simulated stage sodomy I’ve ever seen. ” (Adrian Ryan) Bald Faced Lie at Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 323-0388. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 25.
SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE!
Opening. A musical based on the public-service cartoons of yore. Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, get your ironic throwbacks here. ReAct at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave S, 364-3283. $12-$18. Fri-Sat at 7:30 pm (no show Fri Oct 17), Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through Nov 9.
TINO DOES TIME
See review this issue. Live Girls! Theater, 620 Alaskan Way, second floor, 568-1985. $12. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through Oct 26.
THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF CHARLOTTE DOYLE
On a ship bound for the United States in the 1800s, a lone British girl learns a series of invaluable life lessons, including such fun facts as “attacking the captain is bad.” Seattle Children’s Theatre, 201 Thomas St, 441-3322. $12-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through Oct 24.
THE WOOLGATHERER
Final week. Seattle Public Theater and Hose & Britches present a production of William Mastrosimone’s tale of two lonely souls commiserating. Hose & Britches at Bathhouse Theatre, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 325-6500. $10-$15. Sun-Wed at 7:30 pm. Through Oct 22.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
ARNALDO! IN THE WITCHING HOUR
Final week. Drag Chanteuse Arnaldo! (note exclamation point) performs songs of the Halloween season, threatens to simultaneously “tickle your funny bones and tug your heart strings.” Color me terrified. Arnaldo! at Thumper’s Restaurant and Bar, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. Fri at 8:30 pm, Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 18.
MIKHAIL BARYSHNIKOV
This week only. The only male dancer you’ve ever heard of takes his ass on the road for a solo tour. Featuring pianist Koji Attwood. Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave, 628-1414. $29-$61. Fri-Sat Oct 17-18 at 7:30 pm.
CAMPFIRE
Long-form improvisation, based on audience experiences with unexplained–i.e., spooooooky!–phenomena. Unexpected Productions at Market Theater, Post Alley, 781-9273. $5. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 1.
CROONER
Opening. Jesse Garnee sings the songs of the dead and very nearly dead to those praying for a quick death. Jesse Garnee at Crepe de Paris, 1333 Fifth Ave, 623-4111. $15-$42. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through Nov 22.
DON’T TELL MAMA!
Gender illusionists Rose Havock and Miss Bea Haven (guffaw!) perform songs of women as women. Cabaret on the Hill at Thumper’s, 1500 E Madison Ave, 328-3800. $10. Wed at 9:30.
ANATOMICALLY INCORRECT
One night only. Cabaret!–“beautiful dong [sic], piano and comic fun.” Four Bits Vocal Quartet at ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0963. $5-$7. Fri Oct 17 at 10:30 pm.
FRICKER’S FOLLIES
One night only. Cabaret!–“from Freaks to the Truly Refined.” No, I don’t know either. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $10. Sun Oct 19 at 9 pm.
GO FOR THE JUGGLER
This week only. Cabaret!–balls and befuddlement. Featuring Brothers from Different Mothers, Dizzy Hips, and comedian Tom Dunn. Hokum Hall, 7904 35th Ave SW, 937-3613. Fri-Sat Oct 17-18 at 8 pm.
HILARITY ON THE HILL
One night only. A quartet of comedians make your life worth living again. Thumper’s, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $8. Thurs Oct 16 at 9:30 pm.
THE HOBBIT
“It’s not that The Hobbit is without cheer, but in the book, that jubilance was carefully balanced by wit and menace–qualities appreciated as much by children as adults, and in precious small supply here.” (Bret Fetzer) Carter Family Marionettes at Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave NE, 523-2579. $7.50. Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun at 1 and 3 pm. Through Oct 26.
2003 SEATTLE SKETCHFEST
Opening. Now in its fifth year, Seattle’s SketchFest has grown to feature name-brand acts from across the nation. Among Week #1’s delights: Vancouver’s Gut-Wrench, Dallas’ Punch Drunk, L.A.’s Troop!, and Seattle’s own Flaming Box of Stuff. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway Ave, 325-6500. $8-$65. Thurs-Sat, see www.sketchfest.org for full details. Through Oct 25.
DANCE
BLUESPACE
This week only. A collaborative effort between professional dance company LeGendre and the dance department at Cornish, Bluespace features the premiere of Pluto Water, and a performance of Coney Island. LeGendre Performance Group at Velocity MainSpace Theater, 915 E Pine St, second floor, 325-8773. $10-$14. Fri-Sun Oct 17-19 at 8 pm.
ON THE SIDE
See review this issue. Rockhopper Dance at Freehold’s East Hall, 1529 10th Ave, second floor, 325-6500. $10-$14. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through Oct 18.
LATE NIGHT
1 IN 10 IMPROV
One night only. Improvised comedy with Troy Mink. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0963. $5-$7. Sat Oct 18 at 10:30 pm.
EVENTS
* BOOTY
One night only. Benefiting celebrated local dance company 33 Fainting Spells, this fundraiser is the perfect opportunity to get shitfaced and spend a lot of money–you know, for the cause. 33 Fainting Spells at Zeitgeist, 171 S Jackson St, 728-1966. $15. Sat Oct 18 at 6:30 pm.