Opening This Weekend

Two Into War - Different Stages
Double feature: Fraser Grace's The Gifts of War highlights a "tipsy Neapolitan woman...muses on the recent war in Troy, the cleverness of the Greeks, and the stupidity of the Trojans in falling for the wooden horse." The Retreating World is Naomi Wallace's "moving tale...of a gentle pigeon-fancier, conscripted into Saddam's army, who has had to sell his birds for others to eat and his books for food and medicines."

Opens tonight and runs through February 11. Thursdays-Saturdays @ 8pm, and one matinee Sunday January 29 & 2pm.
Play! Theatre, 1204 Cedar, 474-8497.
$5-20.

Dark Goddess - Vortex Repertory Company
"Thirteen dynamic goddesses...create a brand new theatre ritual, similar in genre, but entirely different in content than the previous four productions of Dark Goddess. Live original music, dance, and text blend to bring forth the essence of each goddess. In a magical ritual setting, these dark Goddesses explore the mysteries and stories of their cultures and their roles in their own mythologies."

Opens Saturday and runs through February 25. Thursdays-Sundays & 8pm.
The Vortex, 2307 Manor Rd., 478-5282.
$10-30.

Urinetown: The Musical - Zach Scott
"A depletion of the earth's water supply leads to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The privilege to pee is regulated by a single, malevolent corporation, 'Urine Good Company', which forces the poor citizens to pay ever-escalating fees." Austinist caught the original Broadway production of this show a few years back, and trust us...it's hysterical!

Opens Saturday and runs through March 12. Thursdays-Saturdays @ 8pm, Sundays @ 2:30pm.
Zachary Scott Theatre Center Kleberg Stage, 1421 W. Riverside. 476-0541 x1.
$31-$40.

And two ongoing shows....

House and Garden - Austin Playhouse
From playwright Alan Ayckbourn, two separate plays that are "performed simultaneously by a talented cast. Both take place in, yes, the house and garden of an English estate on the same afternoon. The plays are quintessential Ayckbourn, offering a hilarious and touching look at life."

Both shows run through Feb 19. Thursdays-Saturdays @ 8pm, Sundays @ 5pm.
Austin Playhouse, 3601 S. Congress, Bldg. C, 472-2787.
$20-25 (two-show discounts available).

Frontera Fest Long Fringe - Blue Theatre (produced by Hyde Park Theatre and Austin Script Works)
Eleven different shows, at different times throughout the day. Check the site for details and schedule.

Through January 29. Tuesdays-Fridays starting @ 7pm, Saturdays-Sundays starting @ noon.
Blue Theatre, 906 Springdale Road, 479-7529.
Pay-what-you-can - $10, depending on the show.

* Image (c) tspauld on Flickr