Opening This Week

And Then There Were None
The Northwest Classical Theatre Company brings you Agatha Christie's nail-biting mystery about 10 strangers on a deserted island who, one by one, meet untimely deaths. Shoe Box Theater, 2110 SE 10th, 274-4771, Opens Fri, runs Thurs-Sat 7 pm, Sun 2 pm, $12-18

One Week Only

Live Wire
This month's Live Wire lineup is as star-studded as ever, featuring Storm and the Balls, slide guitarist Pape Mali, and Dark Horse founder Mike Richardson. Aladdin, 3017 SE Milwaukie, 233-1994, Thurs 7 pm, $10-12

Current Runs

Biglittlethings
Imago's whimsical, crowd-pleasing Biglittlethings is back again, with a few new twists on the usual cute skits about hitchhiking rabbits, glowing snakes, and the like. Imago Theater, 17 SE 8th, 221-5857 ex 3, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 1:30 pm, $16-31

Herringbone
If you missed Taylor Askman's virtuosic performance in Herringbone the first time around, you're in luck: Arts Equity is bringing back the show for another month. Don't let the fiendishly talented Askman pass you by again. Main Street Theatre, 606 Main Street, Vancouver, (360) 695-3770, Fri-Sun 7:30 pm, $8-24

Inspecting Carol
ART's holiday show is on the cheese-ball side; it features the mishaps of a dysfunctional theater troupe as they try to put on a production of The Christmas Carol. The audience loved it, on the night I saw the show, and if you can stomach a lot of self-referential theater jokes, you'll probably love it too. AH Artists Repertory Theatre, 1516 SW Alder, 241-1278, Tues-Thurs 7 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm, 7 pm , $15-40

Mutt
Many Hats' new show, Mutt, is one of the most ambitious productions I've seen in this town. Based loosely on writer/performer Lava Alapai's own experiences as a bi-racial woman, Mutt aims to shake up the way Portlanders talk about race, and to engage multicultural actors and audience members in what is currently a predominantly white theater scene. Not only that, but Many Hats hopes to accomplish all of this via a production that includes '80s-inspired choreography, a girl-on-girl romantic subplot, and a Whoopi Goldberg puppet. Whether they succeed or not is for the audience member to decide—this one is worth seeing, and worth talking about. Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, 5340 N Interstate, 235-1101, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, $12

This Wonderful Life
Matthew Floyd Miller stars in this humorous homage to the holiday classic It's a Wonderful Life, back for a second year after 2005's successful run. Gerding Theater, 128 NW 11th, Tues-Sun 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm, $16.50-59.50

Closing This Week

I Am My Own Wife
I Am My Own Wife tells the story of playwright Doug Wright's attempt to write a play about the controversial German transvestite Charlotte von Mahlsdorf. Wade McCollum plays every role in the show, from the meticulous and kindly Mahlsdorf to the American Wright to the Nazi thugs who tormented Mahlsdorf when she was a boy. It's a testament to McCollum's prodigious talent that each character is clearly defined, each accent distinct, and the narrative momentum never muddled nor lost. Throw in deft direction and top-notch light and sound, and the result is one hell of a production. AH Gerding Theater, 128 NW 11th, Tues-Sun 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm, through Dec 17, $16.50-$59.50

Comedy/Improv

...and STAY Out!
The Brody Theater is closing its doors after this show, so join the Brody crew as they bid farewell to their home of 10 years with a night of, what else, improvised comedy. Don't miss this one—the Brody is an institution. Brody Theater, 1904 NW 27th, 224-0688, Sat Dec 16, 10:30 pm, $6

Antiques Improv Show
The crew at the Brody presents an improv'd version of the popular TV show. A team of "experts" appraises items brought in by audience members, and the cast improvises a background story for each object. Brody Theater, 1904 NW 27th, 224-0688, Sat 8 pm, $7-10

A Squirrel Xmas Party
Kick the Squirrel busts out two new improv formats for their Christmas show. Get half off admission if you bring a wrapped Christmas present for donation to Doernbecher Children's Hospital. Pyramid Brewery, 2730 NW 31st, 228-5269, Sun Dec 17, 7 pm, $8

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

Hot Buttered Butt
Local sketch comedy legends the 3rd Floor are clearly amped to be playing a new show in Portland, and judging by the number of people lined up in the freezing cold trying to get into a recent sold-out show, Portland is happy to have them back. Their "holiday" show (which promises to contain only two references to the holidays—I forgot to count, because of the laughing), Hot Buttered Butt, finds the 3rd Floor in great form, freewheeling through sketches about topics as diverse as bullfighting, weight loss, and the band Coldplay. It's hard to write about sketch comedy, especially good sketch comedy. I want to convince you to attend this show, without ruining any of the jokes. Let's just say that of the thousands of minutes I've spent in Portland theaters, the 90 that I spent with the 3rd Floor last weekend were some of the sweetest, and I didn't look at my watch once. AH The 3rd Floor, at the Miracle Theatre, 525 SE Stark, 627-9847, Fri-Sat 8 pm, $10