OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS

* ACCIDENTAL NOSTALGIA

One weekend only. See Stranger Suggests. A one-woman alt-country operetta “on the pros and cons of amnesia,” starring Cynthia Hopkins. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $18. Thurs-Sat June 3-5 at 8 pm.

ALKI

Opening. Eric Overmyer’s ironic adaptation of Peer Gynt. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $15-$54. Previews Fri-Sat June 4-5 at 8 pm, Sun June 6 at 7:30 pm, Tues-Wed June 8-9 at 7:30 pm. Through June 27.

ARE WE SCARED: AN EXPERIMENT IN CHILD’S PLAY

Opening. Adaptations of stories by 2- to 5-year-old pupils at Sweet Pea Cottage Preschool of the Performing Arts. Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave, 382-4250. $12. Opening Thurs June 4 at 8 pm. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through June 26.

BLACK-EYED BLONDE

An improvised play styled after ’40s film noir. Unexpected Productions at Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. $10. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through June 19.

LES BLANCS

Opening. Lorraine Hansberry’s play about colonialism in a fictional African country. Freehold’s East Hall Theater, 1525 10th Ave, second floor, 325-6500. $10-$15. Preview performance Wed June 9 at 7:30 pm. Through June 13.

BLUE.HEART.OXYGEN

Opening. Three one-acts by Caryl Churchill exploring language and relationships. Ghost Light Theatricals at Northwest Actor’s Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 325-6500. $10-$12. Opening Fri June 4 at 7:30 pm. Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through June 20.

* CIRCUS CONTRAPTION’S GRAND AMERICAN TRAVELING DIME MUSEUM

See review this issue Workshop 30, Sand Point Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, 800-838-3006. $15. Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 8 pm. Through June 27.

* CROWNS

Final week. “Unbearable smugness is kept at bay by the presence of an outsider: a Brooklyn teenager named Yolanda (played with sublime sullenness by Felicia V. Loud).” (Bret Fetzer) Intiman Playhouse, 201 Mercer St, Seattle Center, 269-1900. $10-$46. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm. Through June 5.

DEAF KIDS DRAMA FESTIVAL

One day only. Four short plays by local deaf students, including one original work about “galactic sabotage, with space piracy and trickery.” Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322 (voice) or 443-6938 (TTY). $6-$9. Sat June 5 at 2:30 and 5:30 pm.

DORA THE EXPLORER LIVE!

One week only. A play based on the number-one commercial TV show for preschoolers! Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 292-2787. $17-$29. Thurs-Sun June 3-6 at 7 pm.

GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA (GOOD MORNING JULIET)

See review this issue. ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0339. $10-$25. Thurs-Fri at 7:30 pm, Sat at 3 and 7:30 pm, Sun at 3 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through June 12.

* HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH

Performance powerhouse Nick Garrison in the return of the only rock ‘n’ roll musical that matters. Miss it at your peril. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 325-6500. $16-$18. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through July 31.

LIVE X 3

Opening. Yasmin Reza’s contemporary French comedy of manners. Steeplechase Productions at Seattle Public Theater, 7312 W Greenlake Dr N, 325-6500. $18. Opening Fri June 4 at 8 pm. Sat 8 pm. Through July 3.

MOVIN’ OUT

Opening. A new musical based on 24 songs by Billy Joel. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St, 292-2787. $26-$64. Opening Wed June 9 at 7:30 pm.

MRS. PIGGLE-WIGGLE

A musical adaptation of the children’s books by Betty MacDonald. Seattle Children’s Theatre, 201 Thomas St, Seattle Center, 441-3322. $14-$26. Fri at 7 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30 pm. Through June 13.

ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST

Dale Wasserman’s lousy theatrical adaptation struts impotently, screaming its themes in overstated scenes and bald speeches spouted by the flat, simplistic characters. ” (Bret Fetzer) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $15. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm. Through June 19.

PAPER AIRPLANE

Opening. After a triumphant workshop run, Collaborator premieres its wordless play about a bored and neglected child. Raisbeck Hall, 2015 Boren Ave, 877-278-4842. $8-$12. Opening Thurs June 3 at 8 pm. Fri-Sat at 8 pm. Through June 26.

QUICKIES VOLUME 5

Opening. Six new plays by women. Live Girls! Theater, 620 Alaskan Way, 568-1985 ext 3. $12. Opening Fri June 4 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through June 19.

SEX IN SEATTLE EPISODE 9: LITTLE WHITE LIES

Opening. The saga revolving around Asian-American women continues. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 323-9443. $8-$12. Opening Fri June 4 at 8 and 10:30 pm. Sat at 8 and 10:30 pm. Through June 26.

* SHADOWLANDS

Close to impeccable. ” (Bret Fetzer) Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $10-$28. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through June 19.

TRAVELS WITH CHARLEY

Opening. An adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel. Book-It Repertory Theatre, 305 Harrison St, Seattle Center, 216-0833. $15-$26. Preview performances Tues-Wed June 8-9 at 7:30 pm. Through July 3.

UBU

Final week. “Ki Gottberg hammers the play’s macabre internal logic into a shapeless pile of broad, poo-poo ca-ca jabs at George W. Bush and American consumerism. (Bret Fetzer) Empty Space Theatre, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $10-$35. Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2 and 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm, Wed at 7:30 pm. Through June 6.

WRECKAGE

Opening. See Stranger Suggests and Theater News. The world premiere of Lauren Weedman’s one-woman show about “bad sex and nasty lies.” Theatre Babylon at Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. $15-$18. Preview performance Thurs June 3 at 8 pm. Opening Fri June 4 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through July 3.

DANCE

CARMONA FLAMENCO

One weekend only. A flamenco performance featuring Marcos and Rubina Carmona. Ethnic Cultural Theatre, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE, 932-4067. $15-$20. Sat June 5 at 8 pm, Sun June 6 at 7 pm.

FLOOR OF THE FOREST

Cornish and UW dance students perform a 1970 dance by Trisha Brown. Henry Art Gallery, 15th Ave NE and NE 41st St, 543-2280. Free with museum admission ($6-$8). Thurs at 6:15 pm, Sun at 2 pm. Through July 18.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

Opening. The Balanchine ballet, set to the 1842 score by Felix Mendelssohn. McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, 441-2424. $16-$125. Opening Thurs June 3 at 8:30 pm. Sun at 2 and 7:30 pm. Through June 13.

SALSA PARTY

One night only. A fundraiser for CASA Latina’s ESL program featuring a performance by Salsa Salvaje. Century Ballroom, 915 E Pine St. Tickets available at the door only, $15. Fri June 4 at 9:30 pm.

SPRING 2004 PERFORMANCE FIELD-SESSION

One night only. Works in progress by Karn Junkinsmith, Margo Lauritzen, Meg Hutchinson, and more. Velocity Studio 2, 911 E Pine St, ground floor. Tickets available at the door only, donation. Sun June 6 at 7:30 pm.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

One weekend only. Works-in-progress by Donna Belmont, Erin Mitchell, Paige Phillips, Pablo Cornejo, and Amy O’Neal. Velocity MainSpace Theater, 915 E Pine St, second floor, 325-8773. $8. Sat-Sun June 5-6 at 8 pm.

FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY

BLOOM!

One night only. Improv comedy from Seattle goga at Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 235-3043. $8. Sat June 5 at 8 pm.

* DINA MARTINA BRUNCH

Extended. Spend your blurry Sundays with chanteuse/raconteur/freak Dina Martina at the appropriately ratty Thumper’s. Perfectly brilliant–don’t miss it. Thumper’s, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $10 (plus the price of victuals). Sun at 11 am and 2 pm. Through June 20.

RICK D’ELIA

One weekend only. Standup comedy at Comedy Underground, 222 S Main St, 628-0303. $10-$15. Thurs June 3 at 8:30 pm, Fri-Sat June 4-5 at 8:30 and 10:30 pm.

THE HUBBA HUBBA CLUB

One night only. An evening of burlesque, cabaret, and vaudeville. Swedish Housewife at the Catwalk, 172 S Washington St. Tickets available at the door only, 21+ w/ID, $10. Sat June 5 at 10 pm.

IMPROV FACTION, SISTERS OF SAL

One night only. Improv comedy at Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave. Tickets available at the door only, $5. Thurs June 3 at 8 pm.

MUSICAL ON 55TH ST

Opening. An entirely improvised musical with members of Jet City Improv and actors from the Seattle area. Historic University Theatre, 5510 University Way NE, 325-6500. $8-$10. Opening Thurs June 3 at 8 pm. Fri at 8 pm. Through July 23.

OFF-LIMITS IMPROVISATIONAL THEATER

One night only. Improv comedy at Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave. Tickets available at the door only, $5. Sun June 6 at 4:30 pm.

PEEPSHOW

The newest entry in CHAC’s Residencies series features new work by Lincoln Monkey, Rosalie Bahmer, and Flaming Box of Stuff. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 388-0521. $10. Tues at 8 pm. Through June 29.

TOO DARN HOT! THE MANY MOODS OF SUMMER

Opening. A comic cabaret revue with a seasonal theme. Cr*pe de Paris Restaurant & Cabaret, 1333 Fifth Ave, 623-4111. $15 (show only) to $42 (dinner included). Opening Fri June 4 at 8 pm. Sat at 8 pm. Through July 24.

LATE NIGHT

KOOTERVILLE

Final week. See review this issue. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 325-6500. $10. Fri-Sat at 11 pm. Through June 5.

LIPSHTICK IMPROV

One night only. Improv comedy at ArtsWest, 4711 California Ave SW, 938-0963. $5-$7. Sat June 5 at 10:30 pm.

ROUGHHOUSING

An hour-long sketch-comedy show from FURIOSO!. Freehold’s East Hall Theater, 1525 10th Ave. Tickets available at the door only, $5. Sat at 10:30 pm. Through June 12.

SPIN THE BOTTLE

One night only. This month’s late-night cabaret features daffy wordplay from Gregory Hischak and sultry song from Cha Davis. Freehold’s East Hall Theater, 915 E Pine St, second floor, 728-0933. $7. Fri June 4 at 11 pm.

TRAIN OF THOUGHT > NEW YORK

See review this issue. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St. Tickets available at the door only, $8-$10. Fri-Sat at 10 pm. Through June 12.

SPECIAL EVENTS

* NEW BEGINNINGS BENEFIT SHOW

One night only. This benefit for a local domestic-violence agency features three all-female comedy groups: Lipshtick, Seattle goga, and NW goga Theatre. Historic University Theatre, 5510 University Way NE. Tickets available at the door only, $7. Wed June 9 at 8 pm.

ISO… (IN SEARCH OF)

One night only. A staged reading of a new “queer dramedy” by Martyn Valenzuela. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave. Tickets available at the door only, $5. Wed June 9 at 7:30 pm.

THE LARAMIE PROJECT

One night only. A benefit for the Safe Schools Coalition, mounted by Skyline High School. St Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1245 10th Ave E. $10-$20 at door only. Sat June 5 at 6:45 pm.

NEW ART PARTY

One night only. This benefit for Freehold Studio’s Diversity Scholarship Program will be emceed by the fabulous Timothy Piggee with performances by Maureen Whiting, Reggie Watts, and others. Knights of Columbus, 722 E Union St, 323-7499. $25-$75. Fri June 4 at 7 pm.

Annie Wagner is The Stranger's former film editor. She was born and raised in Capitol Hill, but has since lived in such far-flung locales as Phoenix, AZ, Charlottesville, VA, and Wedgwood. After graduating...