Opening This Week

Orestes
Brush up on your Euripides at Classic Greek Theatre's production of Orestes, which includes costumes based on styles of the Trojan War era (whatever that means) and music by Sarah Dougher. Reed College , 3203 SE Woodstock, Opens Sat, runs Thurs-Fri noon, Sat-Sun 4 pm, $10-20

Second-Hand Smoke
defunkt theatre presents the third part in Mac Wellman's four-play cycle, The Crowtet. This segment promises to be a comedy about "sincerity and dreams amidst plain old American orneriness," taking place in a world much like our own, yet somehow... different. Back Door Theater, 4319 SE Hawthorne, 784-7316, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, $10-15; Thurs "pay what you will"

One Week Only

Macbeth
Shakespeare and the library. Does it get any better than that? Speak the Speech is a rad little company dedicated to making free recordings of Shakespeare available on the internet, and here they present a taste of Macbeth for your listening pleasure. Hollywood Branch Library, Sun 2 pm, free

Savion Glover
Tap dancing! Tap dancing! And world-class tap dancing, at that. Don't miss it. Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, 248-4335, Tues-Wed 7:30 pm, $20-54

Societas Insomnia: The King Cycle
Subculture dwellers Societas Insomnia present an epic cycle of initiation, death, and rebirth, via their nightmarish, movement-based theatre style. Someday, 125 NW 5th, 248-2900, Sat 9 pm, $13

Closing This Week

Looking for Olivia
The third show in La Bodega's four-show, four-month blitzkrieg of Portland theater, Looking for Olivia suffers from just one problem: the cheesy script, about a screenwriter who falls in love with his beautiful neighbor. No matter what stops the cast and crew pull out, they are still fundamentally limited by the writing. However, Paul Angelo and Summer Dawn Arnett make the best of their situation: the two have enough chemistry to make scenes between the two of them almost fun to watch, especially during the dialogue-free make-out scenes. AH Theater! Theatre!, 3430 SE Belmont, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm, $12-15

Murder at the Howard Johnson's
La Bodega Productions presents this comedy about infidelity, revenge, and HoJos. Theater! Theatre!, 3430 SE Belmont, Fri-Sat 10:30 pm, $10

Current Runs

City of Gold
Don't miss this chance to see one of last season's funniest and most exciting productions: Hand2Mouth's City of Gold, back for a limited run. This wildly inventive take on the gold rush features conquistadors, cross-dressing, and a hilariously raunchy orgy scene involving bananas. Goldsmith Building, 20 NW 5th, 233-4420, Thurs-Sun 2 pm, $10-15

Wicked
Based on the best-selling novel by Gregory Maquire, Wicked goes behind-the-scenes of The Wizard of Oz, telling of the unlikely friendship between Glinda the Good Witch and Ephelba the Wicked Witch. Megan Hilty's sexy, bubblegum performance as Glinda pretty much justifies the cost of admission; if that's not enough for you, Wicked also features flying monkeys, an enormous dragon, and some of the cutest shoes I've ever seen onstage. Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay, 222-5538, Thurs-Sat 7:30 pm, Sat 1 pm, Sun 1 pm, 6:30 pm, $35-74

Comedy/Improv

My Own Private Improv at the Clinton
My Own Private Improv returns to the Clinton with an evening of fast-paced, short form improv. Clinton Street Theater, 2522 SE Clinton, 238-8899, Thurs 9 pm, $6

Run That By Me Again
The Brody crew improvises the life story of a character, and then examines how that life might change under different circumstances. Hilarity ensues. Brody Theater, 1904 NW 27th, 224-0688, Sat 8 pm, $7-10

Superego: Believe It or Awesome!
Sketch comedy troupes are a dime a dozen, but Superego's smart, pop culture savvy writing is better than most-and the Fez Ballroom is a great place to grab a drink, sit back, and enjoy the show. Fez, 316 SW 11th Ave, 221-7262, ex. 41, Fri 8 pm, $7 (includes admission to Shut U