THEATER
OPENING THIS WEEK
21 DOG YEARS: DOING TIME @ AMAZON.COM · Speakeasy Backroom
BEING INSIDE · Inertia Theatre Company
BEYOND KINDNESS · Northwest Asian American Theatre
THE BLUE MOON CHRONICLES · Northwest Actors Studio
CATCH-22 · Stepping Stone Productions
FRANKIE & JOHNNY IN THE CLAIRE DE LUNE · Union Garage
FRENCH CABARET ON BROADWAY · Le Centre Français Européen Artistique et Culturel
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK · Youth Theatre Northwest
LET’S FALL IN LOVE · Crêpe de Paris
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE · Seattle Shakespeare Company
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM · Seattle Repertory Theatre
SHADOW PLAY/THE DUMMY · Theater Schmeater
THE SIZEMORE INTERVIEWS · Annex Theatre
YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU · Taproot Theatre
ONE WEEK ONLY
BARRAGE · Moore Theatre
LAUGH LOVER’S BALL · Moore Theatre
NEDERLANDS DANS THEATER I · Paramount Theatre
THAT WONDERFUL WIGGLE WAG! · Hokum Hall
CLOSING THIS WEEK
ADAM BAUM AND THE JEW MOVIE · The Empty Space
THE HOBBIT · Northwest Puppet Center
HOME · Theater Schmeater
LIVE GIRLS DO ELEKTRA · One World Theatre
MONSTER · A Contemporary Theatre
SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR · Broadway Performance Hall
OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS
21 DOG YEARS: DOING TIME @ AMAZON.COM
Mike Daisey dishes dirt on his experiences at Amazon.com, weaving in other topics as well. See Stranger Suggests. Speakeasy Backroom, 2304 Second Ave, 444-4336. $10. Fri-Sat at 8. Through March 3.
A DELICATE BALANCE
Upper middle-class family strife from Edward Albee. “Brilliant lighting, brilliant costumes, brilliant set–all ruined by some of the lamest professional acting this theatergoer has ever seen. Blame the director.” (Dirk Lacroix) Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $29-$42, $10 for anyone under 25. Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2. Extended through Feb 25.
ADAM BAUM AND THE JEW MOVIE
A movie mogul and a left-wing screenwriter wrestle over a potential blockbuster at a boy’s bar mitzvah. “The portrayal of the central character, Baum, seems to perpetuate some of the same stereotypes [the play] purports to dissect.” (Rebecca Brown) Empty Space, 3509 Fremont Ave N, 547-7500. $20-$28 (1/2 price day-of-show tickets for students & seniors). Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2, Sun at 7. Through Feb 10.
BEING INSIDE
A multi-media piece about son coping with his father sliding into dementia. Inertia Theatre Company at the Green Lake Bathhouse Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Drive N, 860-1897. $15 Thurs/Sun, $19 Fri-Sat, $15 students/ seniors. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Through Feb 25.
*BEYOND KINDNESS
Matt Smith reprises his parenting seminar. “Thinking audiences will savor Beyond Kindness.” (Stacey Levine) Northwest Asian American Theatre, 409 Seventh Ave S, 340-1049. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8. Through Feb 17.
THE BLUE MOON CHRONICLES
Three plays about the trials and tribulations of a young gay couple, performed in repertory: Once in a Blue Moon on Fridays, My Gay Son’s Wedding on Saturdays, and Goodnight, Blue Moon on Sundays. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $25 for all three shows, $15 for two, $10 apiece, $8 students/seniors. Through March 4.
CATCH-22
Joseph Heller’s satire of military bureaucracy, adapted by the author. Stepping Stone Productions at Nippon Kan Theatre, 628 S Washington St, 781-3905. $12, $10 students. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7. Through Mar 10.
FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIRE DE LUNE
Terrence McNally’s popular play about unattractive people in love, often played by knockout actors who just feel ugly. Gifthorse Entertainment at the Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 219-3310. No price was listed in the press release, so it must be FREE! Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7. Through March 3.
*GOREY STORIES
A musical based on the works of the elegant, macabre Edward Gorey. “An outrageous amount of talent and creativity went into this production–all liberally sprinkled atop Gorey’s own genius, always complimenting but never overshadowing.” (Adrian Ryan) Open Circle Theatre, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $15. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7. Through Feb 24.
*HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH
The world’s greatest botched-sex-change rock musical. “I seriously question the intelligence of anyone who doesn’t see this show. Twice.” (Adrian Ryan) Re-bar, 1114 Howell (at Boren), 323-0388 or 325-6500. $16. Thurs-Sun at 8 (NOTE: No Thurs shows after Feb 11). EXTENDED through March 11.
THE HOBBIT
Tolkien’s fantasy brought to life, with hand, rod, and shadow puppets. Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave NE, 523-2579. $6.50 children, $7 seniors, $8.50 adults. Fri at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 1 & 3. Through Feb 11.
*HOME
A tale of a young black man coming of age. “I wondered if [playwright Samm-Art] Williams’ message is a conservative one…. Decide for yourself while enjoying terrific performances; Williams’ poetic soliloquies on the sounds and scents of the country are ably expressed, especially by Paquiet.“ (Stacey Levine) Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $12 (under 18 free). Thurs-Sat at 8. Through Feb 10.
LATE NIGHT CATECHISM
Those ever-popular Catholic hijinks. Seattle Theatre Project at A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $24.50-$29.50. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Running into eternity.
*LIVE GIRLS DO ELEKTRA
A smart, funny, and sometimes creepy fusion of Greek tragedy and white suburban squalor. One World Theatre at the Chamber Theatre, 910 E Pine St, Fourth Floor, 264-1735. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8. Through Feb 10.
MASK OF THE UNICORN WARRIOR
A medieval tale of fantasy and sibling rivalry, by former Seattle playwright Y. York. Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Center, 441-3322, www.sct.org. $14.50-$22. Fri at 7, Sat-Sun at 2 and 5:30. Through March 10.
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
Goldarn if that Antonio isn’t the rootinest, shootinest cowpoke on the canals! Some fine actors will be twanging their way through this Wild West interpretation of Shakespeare. See Bio Box. Seattle Shakespeare Company at the Performance Studio, Center House, Seattle Center, 733-8222. $18-$22 general, $10-$12 students/seniors. Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Through March 4.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
The most expensively produced Shakespeare in town. Seattle Repertory Theatre, 155 Mercer St, 443-2222. $15-$42 ($10 for anyone under 25). Tues-Sun at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2. Through March 17.
*MONSTER
“Monster makes us at look at the most complicated, difficult parts of ourselves. This play may make you feel uncomfortable, but you’ll learn something important about the extremes of being human.” (Rebecca Brown) A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $15. Wed, Thurs, & Sun at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8. Through Feb 11.
THE PROVOK’D WIFE
Scornful sex farce from the Restoration, written by one of the greatest British Baroque architects. See review this issue. A Theatre Under the Influence at the Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 720-1942. Pay-what-you-will Thurs, $12 Fri-Sat, $10 Sun. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Through Feb 25.
SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR
Theater chestnut about a 26-year affair, conducted one weekend a year, performed by deaf actors in American Sign Language. Maybe it’s better in translation. (Some performance include voice interpretation; call for details.) Produced by the Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services at the Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, 726-0093 (TTY only) or ticketwindowonline.com. Evenings $15, matinees $12. Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sat-Sun at 2. Through Feb 11.
SILVER WATER
Three short stories by Amy Bloom, National Book Award nominee. See review this issue. Book-It Repertory Theatre at A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 325-6500. $18 general, $14 students/seniors. Wed-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Through Feb 25.
THE SIZEMORE INTERVIEWS
A network news eyewitness telephone report about the invasion of Panama is actually being made by a shill in Indiana. Annex Theatre, 1916 Fourth Ave, 726-0933. $12 general, $7 students. Wed-Sat at 8. Through March 10.
TOO MUCH WATER
A none-too-subtly titled new play about the life of Ophelia, from Hamlet. UW School of Drama at the Meany Studio Theatre, UW campus, 543-4880. $8 Sun-Thurs, $10 Fri-Sat, $7 students. Tues-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Through Feb 11.
THE WOOLGATHERER
One of the most godawful plays ever written, beloved by acting students the world over for its ludicrous emoting opportunities. RipTide Deli Theatre Company at the Liberty Deli, 2722 Alki Ave SW, 405-8433. $22 in advance, $25 at the door (includes dinner). Sat-Sun, dinner at 6:30, show at 7:30. Through Feb 18.
YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
The Hart/Kaufmann chestnut about a wacky, wacky family. Oh, they’re so wacky. Taproot Theatre, 204 N 85th St, 781-9707. $17-$25. Wed-Thurs at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat at 2. Through March 10.
DANCE
BARRAGE
Gad, it sounds like a fiddlin’ version of Riverdance. A “worldbeat” musical troupe. Sure are cute, though. See In Arts News. Moore Theatre, Second & Virginia, 292-ARTS. $25-$35. Fri Feb 9, 8 pm only.
NEDERLANDS DANS THEATRE I
According to New York Newsday, “It’s supple, musical, sexy, glorious dancing.” Woohoo! See Stranger Suggests. Paramount Theatre, Ninth and Pine, 292-ARTS. $26.50-$46.50. Fri-Sat 8, Sat-Sun at 2. One weekend only.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
FRENCH CABARET ON BROADWAY
Buncha French songs, sung in French by Frenchies. Le Centre Français Européen Artistique et Culturel at Atrium B, 623 Broadway under Aoki Restaurant, 726-4843. $10 for Centre members, $15 general (includes a glass of wine). All performances at 8 pm. Wed Feb 14; Sat Feb 24; Tues Feb 27.
LAUGH LOVER’S BALL
A comedy benefit, featuring Bald Faced Lie, the Haines and Preston Rock and Roll Comedy Circus of Death, Bill Radke, and Debbie Wooten, proud parent of five failed birth control methods. Moore Theatre, Second and Virginia, 628-0888. $15-$20. Wed Feb 14, 8 pm only.
LET’S FALL IN LOVE
Love songs, nothing but love songs. Cabaret at the Crêpe de Paris, second level of Rainier Square, 1333 Fifth Ave, 623-4111. $42 for dinner and show, $16 show only (seating limited). Thurs at 8, Fri-Sat at 8:30. Special Valentine’s Day show, Wed Feb 14, 8 pm. Through Feb 24.
THAT WONDERFUL WIGGLE WAG!
Part of Hokum Hall’s Euphonic Sounds: A Ragtime Celebration. The Evergreen Ragtime Trio plus One. Hokum Hall, 7904 35th Ave SW, 937-3613. $12 general, $10 students/seniors, $2 discount with phone reservation (no discount for table seats). Fri-Sat at 8. One weekend only (Euphonic Sounds continues through Feb 24).
LATE NIGHT
*JET CITY IMPROV
Improv comedy and music. “The show goes down really smoothly. One only wishes for better direction.” (Tom Spurgeon) University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE, 781-3879. $7, $5 with student ID. Fri-Sat at 10:30.
SHADOW PLAY/THE DUMMY
More Twilight Zone episodes, with the added bonus of the ineffable Miss Intermission. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $8. Fri-Sat at 11. Through Feb 24.
*THEATER SPORTS
“The only improvisational show I’ve 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.
CALLS
ArtsWest holding auditions for The Marriage of Bette and Boo and Daddy’s Dyin’–Who’s Got the Will? Equity and non-equity considered. Call 938-0963 ext. 165.
Driftwood Players seeking two women, five men, and two “either” for Return to the Forbidden Planet, a ’60s rock ‘n’ roll musical. Call 425-774-9600.