Opening This Week

The Gimmick
Dael Orlandersmith's searing one-woman show about life in Harlem. Portland Center Stage, 1111 SW Broadway, 274-6588, Wed-Sun 8 pm, through May 19, $10-$17

When Pigs Fly
A musical grab bag of song, dance, and running gags, with a touch of Vaudeville. Triangle Productions! at Theater! Theatre!, 3430 SE Belmont St, 239-5919, Fri-Sat 8 pm, through May 19, $23-$25

One Week Only

Holy Goats
Improvisational dance pieces from various Portland dancers and choreographers. Performance Works NorthWest, 4625 SE 67th Ave, 777-1907, Sun, 2 pm, $7, includes bagels and coffee

Merce Cunningham Dance Company
Seminal choreography featuring sets by Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein, and Andy Warhol. White Bird, at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, SW Broadway & Main, 224-8499, Wed 7:30 pm, $18-$33.50

Spill It!
Works in progress from some of Portland's finest choreographers and dancers. Backdoor Theater, 4319 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Sun, 7 pm, $5 donation

Closing This Week

9 Red Steps
New dance piece by Mary Oslund based on a story about sudden incidents which leave their distinct mark on twin lives. Conduit Studio, 918 SW Yamhill, 4th Floor, 221-5857, Fri-Sun 8 pm, through April 29, $12-$13

The Goddess Perlman
A musical about one funky bad-ass mama. Back Door Theater, 4319 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Fri-Sat 10:30 pm, through April 28, $15

The Swan
A nurse from Nebraska is transformed by a swan that crashes in her living room. Sowelu Theater at the Back Door Theater, 4319 SE Hawthorne Blvd, 230-2090, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm, through Apr 29, Thurs, Sun $7-$15, Fri-Sat $14

* The Weir
Conor McPherson's masterpiece about ghost stories in an Irish pub. Artists Repertory Theater, 1516 SW Alder St, 241-1278, Tues-Thurs, 7 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm Sun 2 pm, though Apr 29, Tues-Thurs, Sun, $22, Fri-Sat, $26

Two by Four
An evening of thematic improv from Brody veterans, Tom Johnson, Brian Kameoka, Kerry Leek, and Kate Poland. Brody Theater, 1904 NW 27th Ave, 224-0688, Fri-Sat 8 pm, through Apr 28, $8

Current Runs

Frogz
Frogs, worms, cowboys, giant paper bags, crazy cats. Imago Theater, 17 SE 8th Ave, 231-9581, Thurs-Sat 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, through May 27, $9-$18

a Kind of Surrender
A man gets lost in his own apartment and a woman, not surprisingly, mocks him. The Engaged Theater, at It's A Beautiful Pizza, 3341 SE Belmont, 788-6670, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, through May 5, $1-$6

Brutality of Fact
Keith Reddin's effort to shed a ray of artistic light on the cause and effect of religious extremism. Theatre Vertigo at the Russell Street Theater, 116 N Russell, 306-0870, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, through May 5, $12

Head-Crazy Brain Girl
An epic tale of a Nazi vixen, a plucky schoolgirl, and Captain Nemo. The Gunhappy Theatrical Ensemble, at Theater! Theatre!, 3430 SE Belmont, 258-1681, Fri-Sat 10:30 pm, through May 5, $7

References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot
Gabriela's reality is the moon's music, coyote voices from the desert, and vampires. Miracle Theater Group, 525 SE Stark St., 236-7253, Opens Fri, runs Thurs 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, through May 19, $12-$16

The Ride Down Mount Morgan
A man with two wives who don't know about each other finds himself in the hospital, with both wives about to come for a little visit... Profile Theater Project, at Theater! Theater!, 3430 SE Belmont St, 242-0080, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm, through May 6, $12-$15

Tongue of a Bird
A search-and-rescue pilot searches for her abducted daughter. Theatre Imagine, at the IFCC, 5340 N Interstate Ave, 780-1886, Opens Fri, Thurs-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm, through May 12, $10-$12

Veronica's Position
It's actually not a porno, but a sex farce. Unfortunately, there is a difference. Triangle Productions! at Theater! Theatre!, 3430 SE Belmont St, 239-5919, Thurs 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, through May 19, $17-$19

Blue Sky Benefit Dance Concerts
Dance Coalition fundraiser featuring modern, Japanese, and swing dance. Type of dance depends on what day you go, so call for details. Dance Coalition of Oregon, at St. Johns YWCA, 8010 N Charlston, 293-6195, Fri-Sat 7:30 PM, Sun 2 PM, $5-$10