Theater and Dance

THEATER

The Beauty Queen of Leenane

• Set in Connemara in Ireland’s rugged west, Martin McDonagh’s play tells the darkly comic tale of Maureen Folan, a plain and lonely woman in her early 40s, and Mag, her manipulative aging mother. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Through July 23. The Keegan Theatre at the Church Street Theater, 1742 Church St. NW. $20-$25. 703/527-6000.

Central Park West/Riverside Drive

• Two of Woody Allen’s comedic one-act plays about life in New York City. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Through July 24. Theatre J at the D.C. Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St. NW. $10-$36. 800/494-8497.

The Children’s Hour

• A malicious youngster starts an unfounded rumor about two women who run a school for girls. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. July 21-Aug. 7. Firebelly Productions at Theatre on the Run, 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington. $5-$15. 703/409-2372.

The Clean House

• A Pulitzer Prize finalist play in which the act of cleaning a house transforms the lives of two unlikely friends. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Through Aug. 14. Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, 641 D St., NW. $30-$48. 202/393-3939.

Cinderella

• A young girl under the heel of her cruel stepmother is doomed to lifelong drudgery until a fairy godmother comes along, setting in motion a string of adventures that leads to a classic “happily ever after” ending. Noon, Saturday-Sunday. Through Aug. 24. Classika Theatre, 4041 S. 28th St., Arlington. $12-$15. 703/824-0660.

Crowns

• Regina Taylor’s musical adaptation of Craig Mayberry and Michael Cunningham’s book about the legendary “hat queens” of the South. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Through Aug. 7. Arena Stage, Kreeger Theater, 1101 Sixth St. SW. $54-$69. 202/488-3300.

The Emperor Jones

• Eugene O’Neill’s thriller traces the amazing rise and bloody fall of a Pullman porter who becomes a powerful despot on a jungle island. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. Through July 23. American Century Theater at Gunston Arts Center, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington. $18-$26. 703/553-8782.

Hairspray

• A comedic portrayal of 1960s segregation, dance, love and hair. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Through Aug. 21. Kennedy Center Opera House, F Street and New Hampshire Avenue NW. $35-$93. 202/467-4600.

The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow

• Jennifer Marcus and her robot replica, “Jenny Chow,” face off when she discovers that her creation has a mind of its own. 8:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Through Aug. 7. Studio Theatre Secondstage, 14th and P Streets NW. $25. 202/332-3300.

Lady Windermere’s Fan

• One of Oscar Wilde’s first social comedies, a shrewd satire of Victorian high society. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Through July 31. The Shakespeare Theatre, 450 Seventh St. NW. $12.75-$68. 202/547-1122.

The Last Five Years

• A bittersweet love story about a successful novelist, a struggling actress and their unraveling marriage. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Through July 24. Metro Stage, 1201 N. Royal St., Alexandria. $25-$35. 800/494-8497.

Les Liaisons Dangereuses

• The Vicomte de Valmont and the Marquise de Merteuil form an unholy alliance and turn seduction into a game — until they discover mysterious rules they cannot understand. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday. Through Aug. 14. Actors’ Theatre of Washington at the Source Theater, 1835 14th St. NW. $20-$30. 800/494-8497.

The Lion King

• The Tony Award-winning production of the Disney animation, with music by Elton John and Tim Rice. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Through Sept. 4. France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St., Baltimore. $26.50-$76.50. 410/547-7328.

The Persians

• A modern version of Aeschylus’ play, where the action shifts from Persia to modern-day Iraq and asks Americans to question their views of a recently defeated foe. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. Through Aug. 15. Scena Theatre, 14th street and Park road, NW. $10-$20. 703/684-7990.

Peter Pan

• In her farewell tour as Peter Pan, Tony nominee and Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby takes flight in the 100th anniversary of this immortal tale. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Through July 24. Wolf Trap Filene Center, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna. $18-$65. Information, 703/938-2404. Tickets, 703/218-6500.

The Royal Hunt of the Sun

• Spanish conquistadors, led by a fanatical, disillusioned Francisco Pizarro, set out to conquer the majestic Inca empire in the name of God while on a quest for gold. 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. July 21-Aug. 21. The Washington Shakespeare Company at The Clark Street Playhouse, 601 S. Clark St., Arlington. Pay-What-You-Can $30. 703/418-4808.

Shear Madness

• The long-running whodunit comedy continues indefinitely. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 9 p.m. Friday, 6 and 9 p.m. Saturday, 3:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Kennedy Center Theater Lab, F Street and New Hampshire Avenue NW. $34. 202/467-4600.

Somewhere in the Pacific

• On a troop ship off the coast of Okinawa towards the end of World War II, the sailors and their commanders confront loss, dignity and the effects of the military’s denial of human desire. 7:45 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 2 and 7:45 Thursday-Friday, 1, 4:30 and 7:45 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Through Aug. 7. Potomac Theatre Project at the Olney Theatre Center for the Arts, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney. $29-$34. 301/924-3400.

Take Me Out

• The 2003 Tony Award-winning comedy that takes a hilarious, hard-hitting look at celebrity, homophobia and the love of baseball. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Through July 24. Studio Theatre, 14th and P streets NW. $25-$48. 202/332-3300.

STAGE

The Capitol Steps

Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 202/397-SEAT.

• The musical and political satire troupe. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday. $31.50.

Comedy Sportz D.C.

Ballston Common Mall, Old Vic Arena, 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. 703/294-LAFF

• Teams of comedians battle each other in competitive improv comedy sketches. 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Saturday. $8-$12.

Under the Beltway

Stage Door Restaurant and Bar, 1324 King St., Alexandria. 703/798-1064.

• Improvisational comedy. 8:30-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. $7.

DINNER THEATER

Grease

• The story of the Class of ’58 at Rydell High, where the Burger Palace boys and the Pink Ladies’ defined what was cool. Through Sept. 4. 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday; 12:30 and 8:15 p.m. Wednesday; 12:30 and 7:15 p.m. Sunday. $25.50-$44. Toby’s Dinner Theatre, 5900 Symphony Woods Road, Columbia, Md. 301/596-6161.

Murder Upon Request

• The interactive comedy-mystery group performs plays at two locations: “A Deadly Private Party” at Alfio’s La Trattoria, 4515 Willard Ave., Chevy Chase, and “Just Killing Time” at the Arlington Hilton, 950 N. Stafford St., Arlington. 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday; 1 p.m. Sunday. $55. Both run indefinitely. 703/379-8108.

One Life To Lose — A Deadly Nighttime Soap

• Blair Mansion Mysteries performance. 7:30 p.m. July 22-23. Blair Mansion Inn Restaurant, 7711 Eastern Ave., Silver Spring. $52.95. 301/588-6646.

DANCE

Dance Place

3225 Eighth St. NE. 202/269-1600.

• Holly Bass. 8 p.m. July 23, 7 p.m. July 24. $6-$18

SOCIAL DANCING

Adelphi Mill Recreation Center

8402 Riggs Road, Adelphi. 301/699-1477.

• Square Roots square-dance-teaching club presents a series of dance lessons. 8 p.m. Monday. $32.

Avalon Studio

15 Mellor Ave., Catonsville, Md. 410/869-9771.

• Swing dancing second and fourth Saturdays. Beginners workshop 8-9 p.m., dancing 9 p.m.-midnight. $10.

• Swing dancing 8:30-10:30 p.m. Thursday. $5.

Dance Factory

954 N. Monroe St., Arlington. 703/528-9770. www.dancefactory.com.

• Beginning-to-advanced ballroom, Latin and swing classes. 7-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Four weeks. $59.

• Ballroom, Latin, swing combo dances. 7-10:30 p.m. Friday. $10-$11; admission includes lessons.

• Country and swing dance every second Saturday. 8:30 p.m. lesson, 9 p.m.-midnight dance. $10.

• Contemporary ballroom dances and practice parties. Saturday nights. $9-$10. Call for times.

• Social ballroom dancing. 7-10 p.m. Sunday. $9.

Dance Studio Lioudmila

18 Roth St., Alexandria. Private lessons and group classes, beginning-to-advanced ballroom, Latin and swing; no partners necessary. 703/751-8868.

• Tea dance, includes lesson and refreshments. 1-3:15 p.m. Fridays. $8.

• Dance party. 7:30-8:30 p.m. group class, 8:30-11 p.m. dance party. Saturdays. $10.

Friday Night Swing Dance Club

Several locations. Free refreshments. No smoking, no alcohol, no partners necessary. Dance workshops at 8 p.m. 410/583-7337. $12 admission, $10 for members.

Hollywood Ballroom

2126 Industrial Parkway, Silver Spring. 301/622-5494.

• Singles dance party. 8 p.m. lesson, 9 p.m. dance. Friday. $10-$15.

• Social ballroom dancing. 8 p.m. Wednesday, 9 p.m. Saturday. $10-$15.

• Contemporary ballroom dancing. 7 p.m. lesson, 8 p.m. dance. Sunday. $10-$15.

Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia

8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. 703/982-0937.

• Israeli dancing with Ethan Halpern. 8-10 p.m. Tuesday. $4-$6.

Knights of Columbus Hall

6111 Columbian Way (state Route 3), Bowie.

• LA Singles Friday Dance. Large wood dance floor accommodates up to 300 singles. Music is top-40s and old favorites. Suits or dressy casual. 8:30 p.m.-1 a.m. every Friday. $9. 410/721-6666 or 410-674-3737

The Shark Club

4915 Elmo St., Bethesda. 301/718-4030.

• Swing dance with Tommy Barrick and Friends. Swing lesson during band break. 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. every Tuesday. $7 singles, $10 couples.