Opening This Week

Gypsy
Based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, this play addresses the theme of wannabe celebrity mothers who try to live vicariously through their marginally talented daughters. Portland Center Stage, 1111 SW Broadway, 274-6588, Thurs 12 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm & 7 pm, through Oct 21, $12-44

No, No Nanette
There's nothing better than a scandalous summer weekend of love affairs, broken marriages, and blackmail, brought to vivid life through showtunes! The Musical Theatre Company, 531 SE 14th Avenue, 916-6592, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm, through Oct 21, $16-30

Troyland
Catherine Egan presents a new work of dance based on the work of Euripedes. Imago Theater, 17 SE 8th Ave, 231-9581, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, through Oct 6, $8-12

Closing This Week

Euripedes' Bacchae
The Classic Greek Theatre of Oregon stages this timeless story of chicks tearing dudes apart in the throes of religious fervor. Reed College, Cerf Amphitheater, 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd, 522-9453, Wed-Fri 12 pm, Sat-Sun 4 pm, through Sept 30, $10-15

* As Bees in Honey Drown
This is your last weekend to see Daria O' Neil as Alexa Vere de Vere, the manipulative, ruthless, and ever so sexy (not to mention hilarious) biz-queen, who works her way into the heart of up and coming gay writer, Evan Wyler, earning his trust, love, and--yes--lust before stealing shitloads of money from him and leaving him broken and craving vengeance. Theatre! Theater!, 3430 SE Belmont Ave, 239-5919, Thurs 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 5 pm, through Sept 29, $15-19

Bash
Three scenes written by the very fucked-up Neil La Bute, who has brought to the screen such classics as In the Company of Men, and Your Friends and Neighbors. Theatre! Theater!, 3430 SE Belmont Ave, 239-5919, Thurs 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, through Sept 29, $12-16

Current Runs

Cygnet Theatre presents Bloody Poetry
Cygnet assumes that you are smart--their latest depicts the sexually charged friendship that existed between those illustrious 19th century poets, Percy Bysshe Shelly, and Lord Byron. Russell Street Theater, 116 NE Russell, 306-0870, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, through Oct 13, $12-15

a 2 X 4
Two early one-acts from outstanding playwright, Sam Shepard: Cowboys #2, and Action. defunkt, at the Back Door, 4319 SE Hawthorne, 993-9062, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm, through Oct 13, $8-15

A Little Night Music
Based on Ingmar Bergman's film, Smiles of a Summer Night, this Sondheim classic tells a lightly mocking tale of tangled romances among the guests at a sumptuous house party. Lakewood Theatre Company, 368 S State St, 635-3901, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, through Oct 14, $19-21

Count Time Count Time
There are three likeable characters in this play. They are Sasha, Danna, and Courtney; three inmates who the audience must watch suffer through the monotonous, yet grueling routines of prison life. These women compromise half the total number of characters in the play, and unfortunately are only on stage for about half the time. The rest of the show is comprised of a statistics-spouting Greek chorus type lady, a real-life poet who sits on a stool and reads her poetry, and an ex-convict who now delivers prophetic warnings from the outside. The first three spin a magical web of gritty human interaction that is oft-broken by the artsy fartsiness of the latter three. Back Door, 4319 SE Hawthorne Blvd, 230-2090, Fri-Sat 10 pm, Wed 8 pm, through Oct 13, $8

Icarus
The story of a paraplegic and his deformed sister, who are hiding from the world at a vacant beach house. The Miracle Theater, 525 SE Stark Street, 736-1027, Thurs 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, through Oct 13, $15-17

Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music
A divorcee meets a Houston bar owner in one of the most lamely-titled productions of the year. Jack Oakes Theater, 2820 NE Sandy Blvd, 238-9692, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, through Oct 13, $7-10

The Crucible
A great script with a mediocre production. Director Allen Nause has taken the stripped-down approach, with a set composed of a few wooden flats, and a little violin music. It all looks very stark and puritanical, which is an accurate representation of Puritania, but the drawback is that there are no frills to distract from the acting, which is only sporadically good. Artists Repertory Theater, 1516 SW Alder St, 241-1278, Tues-Thurs 7 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm, through Oct 14, $15-28

Triad
Three veteran improvisers: Brian Kameoka, Kerry Leek, and Tom Johnson, create a world of different stories and characters. Brody Theater, 1904 NW 27th Ave, 224-0688, Fri-Sat 8 pm, through Oct 13, $8

Stark Raving presents FrogWoman
It's the age-old story of a Hollywood frog starlet who becomes disillusioned with her star-studded existence and goes on a journey to enlightenment. CoHo Productions at the Phoenix Theater, 2257 NW Raleigh, 232-7072, Thur-Sat, 8 pm, Sat 2 pm, Sun 7 pm, through Oct 6, $10-20