This Week in Theatre: Necromancy Abounds!

For this Week's TWIT, we're revealing the contents of our crystal ball—lurking on the horizon are a one-night-only you do not want to miss, and remounts of two box-office smashes. Jambi says, "Get your tickets now!"

The Vortex is hosting, an irresistible, oddball of a show; three German actors, two American actors, and two Austrian video artists (collectively GTA’s Road Theater) are driving cross country (track 'em here), performing Roland Schimmelpfennig's Start Up. In this fast-paced farce, a group of pranksters pitch their million-euro idea: to sell German culture to Americans. G'suffa! One night only, Tuesday 11/13, 8pm. Tickets: 478-5282.

The specter of superb productions past visits Hyde Park Theatre, which will soon see the return of Thom Pain (based on nothing). Opening 11/29 and running Th/Fr/Sa thru 12/22, this award-winning show garnered critical praise from all fronts, not to mention a cover article in the Austin Chronicle. Don't be a fool (like us) and miss it this time! Tickets: 479-7529.

A show that should expect serial visits is Refraction Arts' The Assumption. The comedy that swept the Critics Table Awards runs Th/Fr/Sa, 12/7-22. With at least two possible endings (who knows? maybe they added more?), this story of "a music-worshiping, cousin-kissing, kung fu-fighting, high-loving, Japanese/White Trash Royal family" is the most fun we've had at the theatre in a very long time. You just have to see it. Tickets: 927-1118.

For more immediate theatre listings, see this week's Ist List.