THEATER
OPENING THIS WEEK
DISNEY ON ICE · KeyArena
GRACE · Ursa Major Theatre Company
GREETINGS · Centerstage Theatre
LITTLE GHOST GILROY · Northwest Puppet Center
LOVE LETTERS · ReAct
MISS MINIDOKA 1943 · ReAct
ON THE VERGE · UW School of Drama
REVERSE PSYCHOLOGY · Empty Space
SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL BUTOH FESTIVAL · On The Boards
SOUPTALKS SEATTLE · Puppetsoup
STILLS · Northwest Asian American Theater
SUNKEN · Open Circle Theatre
ONE WEEK ONLY
AQUA/IN MY MIND · Northwest Actors Studio
DYSFUNCTION PREVIEW · Lingo dancetheatre
THE KINSEY SICKS · Emerald City Arts
MANDATORY PICNIC · Up In Your Grill
PULL · Ample Rain Productions
SPIN THE BOTTLE · Annex Theatre
SOME KIND OF CULT · Some Kind of Cult
TANGO CABARET · Michelle, Sonny, and Larry
TOWN MEETING · Seattle Fringe Festival
CLOSING THIS WEEK
ATF · Annex Theatre
THE BELLE OF AMHERST · A Contemporary Theatre
LOVE LETTERS · ReAct
LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR · Seattle Opera
SPECIAL EVENTS
TOWN MEETING
The Seattle Fringe Festival invites Fringe people to discuss moving the Festival from May to September, when it could be part of the flow of the Canadian Fringe Festival circuit. Seattle Fringe office, 1415 Third Ave, 342-9172. Sat Nov 4, 2-3:30 pm.
OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS
AQUA/IN MY MIND
A staged reading of two new one-acts about family strife by Paul Brewster. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. Fri-Sat Nov 3-4, 8 pm; $5.
*ATF: A BURLESQUE
A big, sprawling spew of stuff related to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, as well as the commodities themselves. “After working 10 months on this inventive, wildly funny thing, the folks involved [must] have a hard time cutting stuff. But if [some] were dropped, this would be completely wonderful, as opposed to just mostly wonderful, entertainment.” (Rebecca Brown) Annex Theatre, 1916 Fourth Ave, 728-0933. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7; $12. Through Nov 4.
THE BELLE OF AMHERST
ACT roasts another chestnut on the fire with this solo show about Emily Dickinson. But if anyone’s going to bring it to life, it’s Julie Harris, who created the role. Directed by Charles Nelson Reilly! A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. Tues-Thurs & Sun at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, 2 pm matinees almost every Sat & Sun (call for details); $23-$42, half-price for anyone 25 and under. Through Nov 5.
DISNEY ON ICE
The seventh sign of the Apocalypse. KeyArena, Seattle Center, 628-0888. Opens Nov 8. Wed-Fri at 7:30; Sat at 12, 3:30, & 7:30; Sun at 1 & 4:30; $12.75-$19.75. Through Nov 13.
EDUCATING RITA
A hairdresser and an English tutor fight for supremacy. RipTide Theatre at the Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 935-8420. Dinner starts at 6:30, performance starts at 7:30; Fri-Sat at 6:30; $22 with dinner. Additional performance Sun Nov 5. Through Nov 11.
*GHETTO
“Though this production isn’t for the easily-depressed, it’s worthwhile, especially to watch how playwright Joshua Sobel constructs intertwining swathes of drama around these disturbing ideas, the blossoming of the Vilna theatre company, and the Nazi’s destruction of the ghetto.” (Stacey Levine) Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 325-6500. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2; $10-$19. Through Nov 12.
GRACE
A mixture of Thanksgiving, the Internet, and a magical spell gone awry. Ursa Major at the Speakeasy Backroom, 2304 Second Ave, 325-6500. Thurs-Sat at 8; $10 general, $8 students/seniors. (Except for the last weekend, which is Wed, Thurs, & Sat.) Through Nov 18.
*HEDDA GABLER
The Ibsen classic, done by feisty youngsters. “[The] pre-play experience of shitty weather, cold white rooms, personal self-consciousness, politely nervous group behavior, and primitive plumbing felt about as close as I’ve ever been to late 19th-century Norway. It was a perfect lead-in to this excellent production.“ (Rebecca Brown) Printer’s Devil Theatre at the former Sand Point Naval Base, Bldg 67, Rm 110, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, 328-2690. Thurs-Sun at 8; $10 Thurs & Sun, $15 Fri-Sat. Pay-what-you-can performances on Thurs Nov 2 & 9. Through Nov 18.
LITTLE GHOST GILROY
A young ghost is more afraid of people than they are of him. Awww. Coad Canada Puppets at Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave NE, 523-2579. Fri at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 1 & 3; $6.50 children, $7.50 seniors, $8.50 adults. Through Nov 12.
LOVE LETTERS
A. R. Gurney’s popular epistolary romance. Different pairs of actors perform on different nights. ReAct at Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 364-3283. Thurs-Sun at 8; $12 general, $9 students/seniors/military/disabled, $8 children/theater artists. Through Nov 5.
LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR
Forced marriage leads inevitably to boudoir homicide, as this operatic parable makes clear. Reviewed this issue. Seattle Opera, Seattle Center Opera House, 389-7676. Fri-Sat Nov 3-4, 7:30 pm; $31-$107.
MEASURE FOR MEASURE
Kenneth Starr makes Monica Lewinsky a questionable proposal, only it’s Shakespeare. Reviewed this issue. Intiman Theatre, Seattle Center, 269-1900. Tues-Wed & Sun at 7, Thurs-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2; $23.50-$42. Through Nov 18.
MISS MINIDOKA 1943
In a Japanese internment camp in 1943, the detainees decide to hold a beauty pageant to stave off boredom. A musical. ReAct at Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center, 104 17th Ave S, 364-3283. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2; $18 general, $15 students/seniors/military/ disabled, $9 children/theater artists. Through Nov 12.
THE ODYSSEY
Homer’s epic poem, brought to the stage by Mary Zimmerman, who turned Metamorphoses into a meditation on how wet cloth drapes over firm, young bodies. Reviewed this issue. Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Center, 443-2222. Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2; $15-$42. Through Nov 18.
PERSONAL EFFECTS
One of the fringe theater scene’s finest actresses, Susanna Burney, tells a tale of pre-natal alien possession, a communist childhood, and much more. Reviewed this issue. Theatre Babylon at the Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942 or www.theatrebabylon.org. Thurs-Sat at 8; $12, all Thurs are pay-what-you-will. Through Nov 18.
THE RED BALLOON
Boy meets balloon, falls in love, must protect balloon from pin-wielding bullies. A collaboration with Scottish theater troupe Visible Fictions. Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322. Fri at 7, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30; $14.50-$22. No performance Sun Dec 24. Through Dec 30.
REVERSE PSYCHOLOGY
Another fine farce from Charles Ludlam. See Stranger Suggests. Empty Space, 3509 Fremont N, 547-7500. Previews Fri-Sat & Tues Nov 3-4 & 7; $18. Opens Nov 8. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri at 8, Sat at 2 & 8, Sun at 2 & 7; $20-$28. Pay what you can Mon Nov 6, 7:30 pm. Through Dec 16.
SEX DRUGS ROCK & ROLL
Eric Bogosian’s overrated series of character monologues, performed by Peter Dylan O’Connor. Stepping Stone Productions at Nippon Kan Theatre, 628 S Washington, 841-2521. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7; $12 general, $10 students/seniors. Through Nov 18.
SOUPTALKS SEATTLE
Three short puppet plays inspired by world arms talks, with a meal (soup, of course). Not your typical Punch-and-Judy show. Puppetsoup at the Sand Point Brig, 7400 Sand Point Way, 568-1000. $35 for CoCA members, $50 general; prepaid reservations are required. Pay-what-you-can open rehearsals of single shows on Nov 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 at 7:30. Performances on Sat Nov 11, 18, and 25 at 6 pm.
SUNKEN
A heartwarming slasher play for the holidays. See Bio Box. Open Circle Theatre, 429 Boren Ave N, 325-6500. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7; $12. Through Nov 18.
DANCE
*DYSFUNCTION PREVIEW
A combination of new short works and a preview presentation of the company’s new large work, Dysfunction. Lingo dancetheater (formerly KT/Dance) at Velocity, 915 E Pine St, Second Floor, 325-8773 ext. 1. Sat-Sun Nov 4-5, 8 pm; $12.
PULL
Juggler Thomas Arthur does all he can to stretch the limitations of tossing balls and pins in the air and comes up with some nifty stuff. Backed up with live music from Paul Ely Smith and Gina Sala. Chamber Theater, 915 E Pine, Fourth Floor, 634-1782. Fri-Sun Nov 3-5; Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2; $12.
SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL BUTOH FESTIVAL
More Butoh than you ever knew existed. More Butoh than you can imagine. Butoh, Butoh, Butoh. See Stranger Suggests. On the Boards, 100 W Roy, 325-6500 for tickets, 526-5756 for information about workshops. Dates and times vary for individual performances (call for specifics); $8-$15. Through Nov 12.
TANGO CABARET
Tango dancing to live music from Tango Divino, starring Fabian Salas (one of the main dancers in the movie The Tango Lesson) and Carolina Del Rivero. China Harbor, 2040 Westlake Ave N, upstairs ballroom, 525-5928. Sat Nov 4, 7:30-9:30 dining and dancing, 9:30 show; $15 for the show at 9:30 pm, $20 to include a light buffet.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
*HOKUM HALL
The pleasures of vaudeville, both broad and delicate, are kept alive at Hokum Hall, 7904 35th Ave SW, 937-3613. Prices vary per event, but are almost never more than $12. Sun-Mon Nov 5-6 at 7:30 (also Sun at 3): Seventh Annual Sousa Bash. Tues-Wed Nov 7-8, 7:30 pm: Silent Cinema Classics with Hokum.
THE KINSEY SICKS
America’s Foremost Dragapella Quartet. What more do you need to know? Emerald City Arts at Benaroya Music Center, downtown Seattle, 323-2992. Sat Nov 4, 8 pm; $22.
*JULIE CASCIOPPO EXPERIENCE
“Cascioppo has confidently tossed schmaltz, a Casio keyboard, a couple of exhausted-looking wigs, naughty banter, and… songs you thought you hated into a furiously agitating blender. The cocktail concocted goes down shockingly smooth.” (Tamara Paris) Pink Door Restaurant, Pike Place Market, 1919 Post Alley, 443-3241. Tues at 8:30 & 11; no cover.
*THREE DOLLAR BILL
“Like most disreputable arts, standup now offers a more compelling product for its lack of adoration. Billed as a gay- and lesbian-oriented show, Three Dollar Bill also works as a low-cost current comedy primer.” (Tom Spurgeon) Comedy Underground, 222 S Main St, 628-0303. Tues at 8; $6.
LATE NIGHT
DIM SUM! THE MUSICAL!
The multi-cultural sketch comedy troupe Pork Filled Players returns with parodies of Broadway standards, among other things. Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 365-0282. Fri-Sat at 10:30, Sun at 4:30; $5-$8. Through Nov 19.
*JET CITY IMPROV
Improv comedy and music based on audience suggestions. “The show goes down really smoothly. One only wishes for better direction.” (Tom Spurgeon) Ethnic Cultural Theater, 3940 Brooklyn Ave NE, 781-3879. Fri-Sat at 10:30; $7, $5 with student ID.
MANDATORY PICNIC
A new series of late-night sketches from Up In Your Grill. The opening performance is “A Night of Gothishness.” Speakeasy Backroom, 2304 Second Ave, 444-4336. Sat at 11; all performances pay-what-you-will (reservations recommended).
SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO
David Mamet’s play about gender strife. “I’m really at a loss as to why anybody would go to the trouble of producing this mean-spirited and misogynist one-act about dating, mating, and moving on.” (Tamara Paris) Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. Fri-Sat at 11; $10. Runs until it loses steam.
SPIN THE BOTTLE
Annex’s monthly cornucopia of music, smut, shadow puppets, and oh so much more. Special feature this month: an escape artist! Annex Theatre, 1916 Fourth Ave, 728-0933. Fri Nov 3, 11 pm; $5.
SOME KIND OF CULT
Sketch comedy, improv, musical numbers, and smurf jokes. Two Bells Tavern, 2313 Fourth Ave, 571-9998. Sat Nov 4, 10 pm; free.
*THEATER SPORTS
“The only improvisational show I’ve ever seen where the women performers were clearly better than the men–a welcome change from the overaggressive scene-stealing of many male-driven troupes.” (Tom Spurgeon) Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 781-9273. Fri-Sat at 10:30, $9; Sun at 7, $5.
ELSEWHERE
GREETINGS
A “stunning and touching play for all seasons.” That’s all the press release says about it. Seems to have some religious/spiritual theme. Centerstage Theatre at the Knutzen Family Theatre, 3200 SW Dash Point Rd, Federal Way, 253-661-1444. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2; $18 general, $15 students/seniors. Through Nov 18.
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
The campy musical about a man-eating plant. SecondStory Repertory, next to Redmond Town Center, call 425-881-6777 for directions. Fri-Sat at 8:15; $19-$22, $4 discount for students/seniors. Pay-what-you-can performance on Thurs Nov 2, 8:15 pm. Through Nov 25.
*MYSTERIAN
“After the enormously enjoyable [magic] show, we wolfed down gigantically proportioned Caesar salads in the Magicafe and then scooted into the close-up magic theater where [magician Steffan] Soule’s art continued to confound us.” (Tamara Paris) Illusionz Magical Entertainment Center at 1025 NW Gilman Blvd, Issaquah, 425-427-2444. Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 3; $10-$15. No end in sight.
CALLS
Consolidated Works is holding audtions for Keenan Hollahan’s production of Equus on Sat Nov 18, from 10 am-6 pm. Call 381-3218 for information and appointments.
Mirror Productions seeks one male actor for a short film. Call Casey at 529-8415 for information and appointments.
Pomegranate Productions seeks actors of all ages and ethnic types for a short sound film. Non-union, no pay, meals provided. Send a head shot and resume to: P.O. Box 9304, Seattle, WA 98109.
Woodinville Repertory Theatre is holding auditions for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever on Sat-Sun Nov 4-5. They need adults and children. For information and appointments call 425-481-8502 or visit www.woodinvillerep.org.