Opening This Week

* FaustFaust
Liminal continues its deconstructive rampage with an interactive haunted house inspired by the story of Dr. Faustus, who sold his soul to the devil to attain more knowledge. Musicians, vocalists, and actors will wander around the space's four rooms, the environment ever-changing. Should be sufficiently creepy and unpredictable. Liminal Space, 403 NW 5th, 890-2993, Thurs-Sat 9 pm & 11 pm, through Nov 1, $6-$8

* Night Run
"You've been recruited as a spy. You and your elite team members will be taking to the streets and rendezvous at a secret location to share clues and confirm your assignment." So begins the press release for this interactive new show/game, which allegedly involves a lot of hurrying around downtown to locate a hostage. Call 'em up, and start receiving your spy instructions today! Northwest Mystery Theater, ???, 1-800-820-NWMT, Thurs, Sat 6 pm, $33

Closing This Week

* Jerusalem
Jerusalem is a revamped version of Walters' 2002 production, and tells the story of Nat Turner's slave uprising. Hand 2 Mouth Theatre, 3029 NE Portland Blvd., 235-5284, Fri-Sat 8 pm, through Oct 4, $6-$8 donation

* The Marriage of Figaro
Mozart's classic opera: the story of a horny Count, and his horny court, the sum of which is hijinx, complete with mistaken identies, adultery, and a kidnapped child reunited with his loving--and I mean loving!--mother. The entire cast works well together, and is supported by many incredible voices, with standouts from newcomers to the Portland Opera, Jennifer Rivera as the boy Cherubino, and Joanna Mongiardo as Susanna, whose grace and charisma controls every moment she's on stage. Portland Opera Company, 222 SW 3rd, 241-1802, Thurs 7:30 pm, $30-$125

Current Runs

Barrio Hollywood
In the poorest slum in Tucson, a family of four lives on an almost lunatic edge, their commitment to each other so strong they've isolated themselves from the outside world. All this and more in Miracle's season opener. The Miracle Theater, 525 SE Stark Street, 380-0842, Thurs 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, through Oct 16, $14-$17

* Cloud 9
Following the personal entanglements of a Victorian-era British family, Cloud 9 pairs colonialism with sexual repression, resulting in a messy, violent explosion of impulse and character assassination. BB defunkt theatre, at the Back Door, 4319 SE Hawthorne Blvd, 993-9062, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm, through Oct 11, $8-$15

Medea
Keith Scales' Medea is basically the Quigly Provost-Landrum show. Provost-Landrum is one of Portland's best actresses, and with her wild hair and deep, husky voice, is the perfect physical embodiment of the passionately vengeful Medea. Classic Greek Theatre of Oregon, at Reed College, 1620 SW Park, 1-800-922-TIXX, Thurs 7 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm, through Oct 12, $10-$15

Topdog/Underdog
The story of an African American brother/ hustler duo living in a seedy boardinghouse. Written by the intensely imaginative Suzan-Lori Parks. Artists Repertory Theatre, 1516 SW Alder St, 241-1278, Times vary, call theater for full schedule and info, through Oct 19, $15-$30

* Weeping Woman
Amy Wheeler's play focuses on a young woman, her mother, and two variable entities, "the Furies." Awakened at the beginning of the play with only the knowledge that she's done "something horrible," the woman must work with the Furies and her mother to discover what she's done. It's a chilling idea, stylishly directed by Michelle Seaton and Stef Sertich. EH Stark Raving, at the Coho Theatre, 2257 NW Raleigh, 232-7072, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, through Oct 11, $18

Dance

* Twyla Tharp Dance
One of the world's most exuberant choreographers, the prolific Tharp fuses her dances with ballet, folk dance, and a lotta leapin' around. Her dancers are miracles of strength, agility, and stamina. White Bird, at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, SW Broadway & Main, 224-4400, Wed 7:30 pm, $18-$39

* Sten Rudstrom & Cassie Terman
You get one night and one only to see Rudstrom and Terman perform pieces in the tradition of "Action Theater," a discipline that finds unique connections between body and mind. If you want to learn more about these artists' techniques, you can take a workshop from them, too, which runs on three different days. Call for details. Conduit Studio, 918 SW Yamhill, 4th Floor, 221-5857, Sat 8 pm, $10

Comedy/Improv

Improv with Stacey Hallal
Portland's newest improv group, Kick the Squirrel, teams up with the grizzled veteran, Hallal, of All Jane No Dick fame. Kick the Squirrel, at the Back Door Theater, 4319 SE Hawthorne Blvd, 233-5798, Fri-Sat 10:30 pm, through Oct 11, $5