Footloose: The Musical
The Northwest Children's Theatre presents this movie-to-stage adaptation (almost never a good idea), which we saw the debut Broadway touring production of in 1999, and found unrelentingly terrible. Artists Repertory Theatre , 1516 SW Alder St, 222-2190, Opens Fri, runs Thurs-Fri 8 pm, Sun 2 pm, through Aug 7, $14-18
Much Ado About Nothing
The reliable Quintessence company is back for another go-around with Shakespeare's old standard about pretty much exactly what the title implies. Mago Hunt Center, at the University of Portland , 5000 N Willamette Blvd, 943-7287, Opens Fri, runs Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm, through Aug 7, $10-15
The Last Days of the Day to Day King
Local performer Anis Mojgani begins his description of this one-man show as follows: "I've made a machine that kills the sun." Couch Gallery , 328 NW Broadway, #117, 538-4661, Fri-Sat 8:30 pm, through July 23, $2
VERB: Literature in Performance
Portland Arts and Lectures presents another summer installment of its stage adaptations of short stories. This year features works by Russell Banks (The Moor), Grace Paley (Love), and Charles Baxter (The Eleventh Floor). Theater! Theatre! , 3430 SE Belmont, 227-2583, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, through Aug 7, $16-22
Amber Martin: Alone and Together
The chameleon-like Amber Martin presents a pretty damn huge performance party with a ton of local acts: choreographers Linda Austin and Mike Barber, House of Cunt-er Angela Campbell, "Hiphop Freak-A-Zoids" Koto Y Soto, Andrew Ox, and a bunch more. Wonder Ballroom , 128 NE Russell, Sat 8 pm, $12-15
Emergence
The lovable Radiant company presents the third year of its playwriting festival that celebrates all things woman. Readings include Bob Kerr's Francesca Goes to Pluto (Fri), Kaycheri Rappaport and Cynthia Schwell's Opening the Veils (Sat), Sandra Hosking's Romeo & Juliet, Part 2 (Sun), and Judith Pratt's Spiraling (Mon). Community Music Center , 3350 SE Francis St, 502-8261, Fri-Sat, Mon 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm, FREE
Faust. Us. (Version 2.0)
Stark Raving Theatre presents a remount of its modern update of Goethe's classic, with a remixed script and new music. Coho Theatre , 2257 NW Raleigh, 232-7072, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, through Aug 6, $10-20
The Rocky Horror Show
This Wade McCollum-helmed vehicle has been extended all the way through August 20, which we guess means it's popular or something. Triangle Productions , Theater! Theatre!, 3430 SE Belmont, 224-8499, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, extended through Aug 20, $30-35
Tao Soup
Scott Kelman steps up to the directorial plate again after what feels like years of doing nothing but providing free, quirky experimental theater workshops to the community. For Tao Soup, he's utilized a process called "kelmanworks" to create a piece of "serendipitous events and entertainment." Brooklyn Bay , 1825 SE Franklin, Bay K, 777-5879, Fri-Sat 8 pm, through Aug 6, $10-14
