opening this week

Child of Pleasure
Directed by the talented Angie Lawless, this eclectic-sounding play delves into the life of 17th century philosopher-courtesan Ninon de L'Enclos. Call me a philistine, but I have never heard of that person. Coho Theatre, 2257 NW Raleigh, 220-2646, Opens Fri, runs Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm, through Mar 1, $16-$18

I Think About Life
This inanely titled play is based on a series of workshops and interviews with people who have faced life-threatening illness, death, and loss. OHSU Auditorium Theater, 5340 N. Interstate, 750-1439, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm, through Feb 8, $12-$15

Living Newspaper
Improv inspired by material ripped from the headlines Brody Theater, 1904 NW 27th Ave, 224-0688, Fri-Sat 8 pm, through Mar 1, $10

The Posture Queen
The last time this play showed was summer 2001, at the Rose City Ballroom, which that night happened to be the hottest, muggiest theatrical venue in the Western Hemisphere. Fortunately, the show about real life sailor-turned-drag-queen-turned-junkie-turned-AIDS-addled Zen Buddhist Master Tommy Dorsey is so beautiful and moving that not even hellish farenheitical excess could bring it down. It should be even better this time, with heightened physical comfort courtesy of Performance Works and Portland winter cool. Hand 2 Mouth Theatre, 4625 SE 67th, 235-5284, Fri-Sat 8 pm, through Feb 1, $8

closing this week

Alma de Cuba
A tale of love and revenge involving a mother searching for her lost daughter amidst a surrealistic landscape of mythological orishas. The Miracle Theater, 525 SE Stark Street, 236-7253, Fri-Sat 8 pm, $12

one week only

Improvisational Comedy
A little improv goes a long way... Brainwaves, at the Hollywood Theater, 2257 NW Raleigh, 796-9550, Sun 7 pm, $10

Mariana Sadovska
Ukrainian-born singer, actress, and musician Sadovska will cast a spell on you with a slew of theatrical, quivering incantations, chants, calling songs, laments and ballads. Lightbox Studio, at the Old Church, 1422 SW 11th Ave, 231-0839, Sat 8 pm, $15

current runs

sixth Annual Portland Comedy Competition
It's the semifinals, and the five comics will each get one eight-minute set to throw the best jokes they have. A comic emcee and a feature act round out the festivities. Worth seeing simply for the competitive element, which adds a whole new addition to stand-up. It's also fun to drink and hear people say funny things. VENUE CHANGES NIGHTLY; CHECK WEBSITE FOR DETAILS, Fri-Sat 8 pm, $8

And Then I Did This, And Then I Did That
A son teaches his father to read in Raymond J. Barry's new play. Triangle Productions, at Theater! Theatre!, 3430 SE Belmont, 239-5919, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun 5 pm, through Feb 2, $15

Anything Goes
Cole Porter's 1920s musical about love on an ocean liner. Lakewood Theatre Company , 368 S State St, 635-3901, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm & 7 pm, through Feb 16, $21-$23

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

Search and Destroy
The story pulp-lover Brian Young has chosen to direct about a down-and-out schmoe (Saunders Beckel), who gets in all sort of trouble to raise money for a film, is interesting, and his cast, though amateurish, is goofily endearing. Paula Productions, at the Jack Oakes Theater, 2820 NE Sandy Blvd, 450-9939, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm, through Feb 1, $8-12

Seascape
Edward Albee's play about two couples on the beach, one human and one... REPTILIAN!? The Profile Theatre Project at Theater! Theatre!, 3430 SE Belmont, 242-0080, Thur-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm, though Feb 16, $12-$25

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
The premise is simple: older married couple George and Martha invite younger couple Nick and Honey over for drinks. The night passes, the drinks fly, and the overwhelming dysfunction in George and Martha's relationship begins to emerge. The most amazing thing about Edward Albee's play is that he draws it out for three-and-a-half hours, and it never grows boring or tiresome. This is in large part thanks to his scathing wit (the insults George and Martha hurl at each other are brilliant), but in equal part due to his ability to slowly peel away the layers of George and Martha like an exquisite banana. That said, this is a pretty good production of the play. The set (the interior of George and Martha's house) by Douglas Smith is gorgeous, with just enough clutter to imply a touch of latent chaos. The performances are equally good, with Margo Skinner's desperately sultry, hoarse-voiced Martha leading the charge. JWS Portland Center Stage, 1111 SW Broadway, 274-6588, Tues-Wed, Sun 7 pm, Thurs 12 pm, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm, through Feb 9, $12-47

dance/other

Conduit Benefit
Come support one of the most prolific and creative dance companies in Portland at their annual benefit featuring emcee Lyndee Mah, the Matt Wayne Band, food, booze, and special performances by rad dancers Gregg Bielemeier, Theresa Mathern, Jae Diego, and more! Conduit Studio, 918 SW Yamhill, 4th Floor, 221-5857, Sun 7 pm, $15-$25