Current Runs

Glengarry Glen Ross
EXTENDED. Set in the white-collar shark tank of 1980s real estate brokers, the characters in David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross speak in bullets of terse ranting. In a world where Rule Number One is ABC (Always Be Closing), salesmanship has to be virtuoso and totally manipulative. For this reason real estate brokers make a perfect target for high drama, but the performers should first of all be convincing as salesmen. Cygnet's actors make a good go of it, but the rapid-fire dialogue gets tripped over fairly often, robbing the hard sells of precious momentum. Only Jeff Gorham as the hard-ass office manager John Williamson seems completely prepared for Mametspeak, shadowboxing with demons and deal makers, and wearing a three-piece like a suit of armor. The play's seedier, more fragile supporting characters are treated with too much hesitance, too much eggshell walking. Listen up, gentlemen, this is David Mamet; pussyfooting is not an option. TP Cygnet Theatre, 403 NW 5th, the Magdelyn space, 493-4077, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun 5 pm, through July 18, $12-15

Jekyll & Hyde
A musical about the epic battle between good and evil with a modern pop score. Broadway Rose Theatre Company, at the Deb Fennel Auditorium, 9000 SW Durham Rd, 620-5262, Various days 8 pm, Sun 2 pm, through July 11; Call for tickets and schedule , $19

The Merry Wives of Windsor
The NW Classical Theatre Company presents their annual outdoor Shakespeare production. Always a pleasant experience, this year you can stretch out in the sun downtown to Windsor, one of Shakespeare's looser comedies starring the inimitable Falstaff, falling in love with TWO women at once. Back in the day,the fat drunk was so popular, Queen Elizabeth demanded a play solely about his love life. So Shakespeare complied, spitting out one of his most uneven plays in just two weeks. Terry Shrunk Federal Plaza, SW 3rd & Jefferson, 274-4771, Sat 3 pm, through July 17, free

* Original Comedy Acts
Stand-up comedy open mics are fun. You can get loaded and listen to comics--frequently loaded themselves--try out new material, most of which is awful. A few of them are always entertaining, though, so you're at least guaranteed something, which is pretty good considering you pay nothing to get in. The Wooden Chicken presents a fairly new weekly comedy night. The Wooden Chicken, 12500 NE Sandy, Wed 9 pm

* Superego: Your Life is In Danger
An evening of sketch comedy that actually seems like it might be funny. Ego Productions recently relocated to Portland from Chicago, bringing with them a host of acting and writing talent. Tonight's sketches feature superheros, serial killers, gangsters, politicians, etc., the show lasts one hour (points for brevity!), and admission gets you a free pass to DJ Gregarious' dancetastic Shut Up an Dance, which breaks out directly after the performance. You have very little to lose here. Ego Productions at the Fez Ballroom, 316 SW 11th, 503-784-4904, Fri 9 pm; runs every Friday in July, $7