Alice in Underwear
A bitter and abusive Manhattan theater critic lands an exclusive interview with a star and finds out that things are not always what they seem. 8 p.m. Monday, Thursday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Through July 30. Natural Theatricals at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, 101 Callahan Drive, Alexandria. $19-$22. 703/739-9338.
All the Great Books (Abridged)
Three actors combine 83 of the best books in history into a 98-minute comedic play. 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, July 29-30. The Reduced Shakespeare Company Kennedy Center Terrace Theater, F Street and New Hampshire Avenue Northwest. $40. 202/467-4600.
The Arabian Night
A play that follows the interweaving fantasies, crossed paths and conflicting desires of five persons trapped in an apartment tower on the hottest night in history. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. Through July 30. Rorschach Theatre at Calvary Methodist Church, 1459 Columbia Road NW. $12-$18. 202/452-5538.
Assassins
Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning musical that looks at the lives, loves and lunacy of nine American assassins and would-be assassins. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Through July 30. Signature Theatre, 3806 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington. $31-$55. 703/820-9771.
The Complete History of America (Abridged)
The RSC covers 600 years of history in 6,000 seconds. 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday. 7:30 p.m. Friday. Through July 28. The Reduced Shakespeare Company at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater, F Street and New Hampshire Avenue Northwest. $40-$45. 202/467-4600.
Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead
An unauthorized parody of the “Peanuts” comic strip. 8:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Through Aug. 6. Studio Theatre Secondstage, 1501 14th St. NW. $25. 202/332-3300.
Ellington: The Life & Work of the Duke
An evening of pop-jazz songs from the legendary Duke Ellington. 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday; 3 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Through Aug. 6. Metrostage, 1201 N. Royal St., Alexandria. $30-$35. 800/494-8497.
An Enemy of the People
In Ibsen’s classic drama, Dr. Stockman discovers high contamination levels in his hometown’s water supply and everyone pressures him to keep quiet. Running in repertory as part of the Potomac Theatre Project. 7:45 p.m. Tuesday; 8:15 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 2:15 and 8:15 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 7:45 p.m. Sunday. Through Aug. 27. Olney Theatre Center for the Arts, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney. $34-$44. 301/924-3400.
Love’s Labor’s Lost
Four noblemen renounce the world’s pleasures for the world of academia, only to fall helplessly in love. 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Through July 30. The Shakespeare Theatre, 450 Seventh St. NW. $14-$71. 202/547-1122.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
The story of a mental ward in the early 1960s — based on the novel by Ken Kesey. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Through Aug. 6. Firebelly Productions at Theatre on the Run, 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington. $5-$15. 703/908-8520.
Picasso at the Lapin Agile
A comedic look at a chance meeting between the young and undiscovered versions of Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Through Aug. 19. The Keegan Theatre at Clark Street Playhouse, 601 S. Clark St., Arlington. $20-$25. 703/527-6000.
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 Northwest. $34. 202/467-4600.
3 Mo’ Divas
Three female musical stars perform music created specifically for the female voice. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday; 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 2 and 8 p.m. Sunday. Through Aug. 13. Kreeger Theatre, Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St., SW. $60-$75. 202/488-3300.
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 improvisational 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
Buddy — The Buddy Holly Story
A musical featuring 20 of Buddy Holly’s greatest hits. Through Sept. 3. 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday; 12:30 and 8:15 p.m. Wednesday; 12:30 and 7:15 p.m. Sunday. $27.50-$46. 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.
A Murderous Matrimony
Blair Mansion Mysteries performance. 7:30 p.m. July 29. Blair Mansion Inn Restaurant, 7711 Eastern Ave., Silver Spring. $52.95. 301/588-6646.
The Night That Disco Died
Blair Mansion Mysteries performance. 7:30 p.m. July 28. Blair Mansion Inn Restaurant, 7711 Eastern Ave., Silver Spring. $52.95. 301/588-6646.
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. Mondays. $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. $9.
Dance party. 7:30-8:30 p.m. group class, 8:30-11 p.m. dance party. Saturdays. $12.
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.
Irish ceili and set dancing
Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann: Ceili. 8 p.m. second Saturday (September-June). John C. Wood Center, 3730 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax.
Cherry Hill Park Conference Center, 9800 Cherry Hill Road (north of Interstate 495), College Park. $12 adults, $8 seniors and students, $5 ages 11-15, $30 family maximum. Band members vary. 301/294-3568.
Bogwanderers Ceili Band. $6-$12. 703/521-4340.
Greater Washington Ceili Club: Ceili. 5-9 p.m. last Sunday of month (September-June).
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.
DANCE
Dance Place
Opera House, F Street and New Hampshire Avenue Northwest. 202/467-4600.
Gravity Optional. 8 p.m. July 29, 7 p.m. July 30. $7-$20.
George Washington University
Lisner Auditorium, 21st and H Streets Northwest. 202/397-SEAT.
I Tango: The Best of Argentina. 6 p.m. July 30. $28-$48.
Joy of Motion Dance Center
Jack Guidone Theater, 5207 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202/276-2599.
Jazz Dance: An American Original. 8 p.m. July 29, 7 p.m. July 30. $12-$15.
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