opening this week

Proof
Michael Griggs' 2001 smash hit Pulitzer and Tony-winning play about a mathematician's daughter trying to cope with her brilliant father's death. Artists Repertory Theatre, 1516 SW Alder St, 241-9807, Opens Sun, runs Thurs, Sun, Tues-Wed 7 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, through Feb 23, $15-30

closing this week

Double Feature
Local good actor Song Kim presents two random one acts, including one called DEAD, a zombie play that supplements George A. Romero's Living Dead film trilogy!! Office K Entertainment, at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, 5340 N Interstate, 777-6929, Fri-Sun 8 pm, through Jan 12, $10-$15

Darkstep and Dawning
Darkstep opens with two men bitching at each other in a modernistic living room. Flashbacks of a relationship between Aaron and a girl named Fanny (Michelle Seaton) ensue. It's an intriguing mystery how the flashbacks connect to the present action, but the solution is not so intriguing, though much effort is put into making it seem as such. JWS Stark Raving, at the Coho Theatre, 2257 NW Raleigh, 232-7072, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, through Jan 11, $10-$15

Hi!
House of Cunt member Amber Martin's one woman show is a song-and-dance riddled multi-character parade of burnt out has-beens from the entertainment industry. Martin exhibits a stage presence of such power that even her costume changes are interesting. Stark Raving, at the Coho Theatre, 2257 NW Raleigh, 232-7072, Fri-Sat 10:30 pm, through Jan 11, $12

dance/other

Compagnie Marie Chouniard
A Montreal company famous for its savage energy and animalistic movement. Insects, puppets, and birds are all evoked at various times. White Bird, at PSU/Lincoln Hall, SW Park & Market, 224-4400, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, $12-24

Busted@Crush
Tracy Broyles brings lounge-themed dance works to this cool wine bar. Drink wine, eat vegan chocolate cake and enjoy the shakedown. Crush, 1412 SE Morrison, 235-8150, Sun 8 pm, free

Holy Goats!
More improvisational movement, sound, and bagels featuring, this month, interpreter/composer Holly Blackwell, instructor/respector Joseph Bradshaw, sound artist Seth Nehil, and injured poet Bethany Wright. Performance Works NorthWest, 4625 SE 67th Ave, 777-1907, Sun 2 pm, $7