OPENING THIS WEEK
CIRCUS CHIMERA · near the Auburn SuperMall
THE DYING GAUL · Intiman Theatre
GATE 17 · Disgruntled Bit Players
MACBETH · Greenstage
MABAIRE! NO ME OLVIDES! · Rainier Valley Youth Theatre
TWILIGHT ZONE LIVE ON STAGE · Theater Schmeater
ONE WEEK ONLY
DIEGO PI–ON · Seattle Mime Theater
STRICTLY SEATTLE · Velocity Dance Center
CLOSING THIS WEEK
CABARET · Kentwood Performing Arts Center
CRIMES OF THE HEART · Hose & Britches/Driftwood Players
HAMLETMACHINE · Defibrillator Productions
MARISOL · BlüChaos Productions
OPENING AND CURRENT RUNS
THE DYING GAUL
The latest from Craig Lucas (Blue Window, Prelude to a Kiss), about film producer seducing a young screenwriter over to the dark side. See Bio Box. Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $27-$42 ($10 for anyone 25 or under; pay-what-you-can performance on July 26). Tues-Thurs/Sun at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, Sat-Sun at 2 (matinee on Wed Aug 15, 2 pm). Through Aug 18.
FREE TO BE… YOU AND ME
A live stage presentation of the 1970s children’s special which starred Marlo Thomas, and which strove to smash stereotypes with painful sincerity. “Is this meant for nostalgia-crazed Gen-Xers taking a break from surfing eBay trying to find their old Fat Albert lunchbox? Or is it intended for actual little people? The kids would surely go nuts over it–the performers all have lovely singing voices, the choreography and staging are charming, and everybody seems to be thoroughly invested. Which is, sadly, what’s vaguely creepy for us grownups.” (Tamara Paris) Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $15 general, $10 ages 18 and under. Thurs-Sun at 7, Sat at 10, Sun at 3. Through Aug 12.
GATE 17
Rather than the usual sketch-blackout formula, this new show is an uninterrupted flow set in a busy airport. Hopefully it won’t all be stolen from Airplane! Disgruntled Bit Players at the Union Garage, 1418 10th Ave, 729-4839. $10. Thurs-Sat at 8. Through Aug 18.
HAMLETMACHINE
Incredibly Teutonic. Reviewed this issue. Defibrillator Productions at Sand Point Building 30, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, 931-5629. $12 (pay-what-you-can on Wed). Wed-Sun at 9; Sat July 28 at midnight. Through July 28.
MABAIRE! NO ME OLVIDES!
Or, Don’t Forget Me! A musical based on the Yoruba tradition of Cuba about a fisherman who becomes a saint. Rainier Valley Youth Theatre & North-South Conexions at the Rainier Valley Cultural Center, SW corner of Rainier & Alaska. $5 adults, $3 students, seniors, and children over 5. Thurs-Sat at 8. Through Aug 11.
MACBETH
In response to my regrettably early calendar blurb (the show opens this week)–“Why, why are they trying to do a dark, moody tragedy in bright, sunny parks? I guess it gets dark by the end, but…”–director Ken Holmes called me an asshole. So I hereby amend my blurb: “No one this politically inept could possibly understand, let alone direct, this tale of devious machinations. My sympathies to the cast.” GreenStage at various parks; call 748-1551 or go to www.greenstage.org for info. Free. Mostly Fri-Sat at 8; call or go to the website for exceptions. Through Sept 9.
MARISOL
A Puerto Rican woman discovers her guardian angel is rebelling against God. “The biblical magnitude of this scenario is difficult to pull off, especially with a near-non-existent sound design and angel wings that look like moose antlers.” (Stacey Levine) BlüChaos Productions at Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $12 general, $10 students/seniors. Fri-Sat at 8. Through July 28.
* MONEY & RUN GO HAWAIIAN
Featuring the Great Thumbless Volcano God Oki. More ’80s-television-inspired madness from Wayne Rawley, evil genius. Reviewed this issue. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $12. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 7. Through Aug 18.
POLISH JOKE
A new play by David Ives, who was responsible for All in the Timing. Reviewed this issue. A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $30-$42. Tues-Thurs & Sun at 7:30, Fri-Sat at 8, assorted matinees at 2 (call for dates). Through Aug 5.
TROILUS & CRESSIDA
Possibly Shakespeare’s crabbiest play, in which everyone is petty, snide, and manipulative. Which is a good thing. GreenStage at various parks; call 748-1551 or go to www.greenstage.org for info. Free. Mostly Sat-Sun at 3; call or go to the website for exceptions. Through Sept 2.
DANCE
DIEGO PI–ON
Mexican Butoh dancer comes to Seattle. See Stranger Suggests. Seattle Mime Theater, Oddfellows Hall, Fourth Floor, 915 E Pine St, 320-8363. $12. Tues at 8. This week only.
STRICTLY SEATTLE
A dazzling collection of choreographers, all at once. See Stranger Suggests. Velocity Dance Center at the Broadway Performance Hall, corner of E Pine & Broadway, 325-6500. $14 general, $12 student/senior/advance sales. Fri-Sat at 8. This weekend only.
FESTIVALS, CABARET, & COMEDY
7 BLONDES
A tribute to blond icons, ranging from Marilyn Monroe to Britney Spears, all performed by singer, actress, and female impersonator Sunny. Greg Thompson Productions at the Crepe de Paris, Rainier Square, 1531 Fifth Ave, 623-4111. $20 for the show alone, $49 with dinner. Thurs-Sun at 9. Through Sept 30.
* CIRCUS CHIMERA
A scrappy independent circus, described by a reviewer as “Cirque de Soleil without an attitude.” No animal acts, but lots of acrobatics, including aerial acts, large scale jump rope routines, and foot juggling. The foot juggling looks really great, I have to say. Circus Chimera at the grounds of the Auburn SuperMall, 888-ONE-RING. Advance tickets for adults are $10-$14, at box office $12-$16; kids $6-$10 either way. Mon at 7:30, Tues-Thurs at 4:30 & 7:30. Through Aug 2.
COMEDY COURT
Improv comedy. University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE, 442-2044. $7 general, $5 students. First and third Friday of the month at 7:30. Through August.
LATE NIGHT
* THE EROTICA PROJECT
Buncha girly smut. “Smart ‘n sexy fun for homos and hetero women. Straight guys, go to Hooters.“ (Final tally from four reviewers) Left Coast Theatre, 1100 E Pike St, Third Floor (above NW Actors Studio), 325-6500. $18 general, $14 students/seniors. Thurs-Sat at 10. Through Aug 11.
SEX IN SEATTLE, EPISODE TWO: OTHER WOMEN
The press release is very coy about whether this is about dabbling in lesbianism or not. Reviewed this issue. SIS Productions at Nippon Kan Theatre, 628 S Washington, 325-6500. $12 general, $8 students/seniors/actors. Fri-Sat at 10:30. Through Aug 11.
TWILIGHT ZONES LIVE ON STAGE
They’re hauling ’em out again. This time around: The Chaser, about a love potion that’s perhaps too successful, and The Obsolete Man, about a librarian sentenced to death. Theater Schmeater, 1500 Summit Ave, 324-5801. $8. Fri-Sat at 11. Through Aug 18.
LONG RUNS
CABARET: THE RESURRECTION at Coffee Messiah, 861-8233.
JET CITY IMPROV at ArtsWest, 938-0339; at University Heights Center, 781-3879.
LATE NIGHT CATECHISM from Seattle Theatre Project at A Contemporary Theatre, 292-7676.
MYSTERIAN at Illusionz Magical Entertainment Center, Issaquah, 425-427-2444.
QUEER AS A THREE DOLLAR BILL at the Comedy Underground, 800-992-8499.
THEATERSPORTS at the Market Theater, 781-9273.
ELSEWHERE
ANYTHING COLE
A revue of the music of Cole Porter. SecondStory Repertory, Redmond Town Center, next to Borders, 425-881-6777. $19-$22 (Pay-what-you-can performance on Thurs Aug 2). Fri-Sat at 8:15. Through Sept 15.
AS YOU LIKE IT
After many cross-dressing misadventures, a drag king decides she likes dick after all. Wooden O Theatre at various parks; go to www.woodeno.org for details. Free. Thurs-Sun at 7. Through Aug 5.
CABARET
Fascism is just so naughty! Kentwood Performing Arts Center, corner of 256th & 164th, Kent. $7. Wed-Sat at 7. Through July 28.
CRIMES OF THE HEART
Southern-fried family dysfunction. Hose & Britches/ Driftwood Players, 950 Main St, Edmonds, 425-774-9600. $16 general, $14 students/seniors. Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Through July 29.
LOST IN YONKERS
“Yet another heart-warming testament to Neil Simon’s talent.” They said it, not me. The entire cast & crew are under 20 years old. Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE, 120 Front St N, Issaquah, 425-392-2202. $5. Thurs-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Runs Aug 2-5.
RAISE A RUCKUS
Some musical thing, with dance and comic bits. Seems to feature turn of the century popular music and ragtime; the press release is not very informative. County Village, 23732 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-806-1485. Not sure how much the show is on its own, but if you want dinner at Stella Mia as well it’s $30 (tax, tip, and beverage not included; reservations required for dinner). Fri at 8, Sat at 5, Sun at 2. All summer long.
THE TEMPEST
Shipwrecked sailors hallucinate sprites and ogres. Romantic hijinks ensue. Wooden O Theatre at various parks; go to www.woodeno.org for details. Free. Thurs-Sun at 7. Through Aug 4.