Rosalba y los llaveros: I have to read subtitles? ¡Qué asco!

The Brody Theater, Portland's finest improvised comedy troupe, has finally found a new home, and will be open for a housewarming this weekend with performances of Human Textuality, a new work in progress. Check out the new digs at 3314 SW 1st Ave., through the side entrance on Southwest Gibbs Street, at 7:30 pm Friday and Saturday, April 13-14. Call 224-0688 for reservations.

STAGE

Beyond the Fringe

[OPENS THURSDAY] The Tragedies present Peter Cook's classic, 1960s British comedy revue. Crimson Theater, 700 NE Dekum St., 367-2100. 8 pm Thursdays-Fridays. Closes May 5. No performances April 26-27. $10.

Buried Child

[CLOSES SATURDAY] This shoestring production of Sam Shepard's Pulitzer Prize-winning take on incest and murder in the American Midwest would be merely mediocre, despite static blocking and the Back Door Theatre's pervasive odor of mildew, were it not for the truly abominable acting of Maggie McOmie. Best known for her role in George Lucas' 1971 film THX 1138, McOmie chants her lines shrilly, with almost liturgical cadence. Third Eye claims to bring "new vision for theater in Portland," but it sure feels like we've seen this histrionic mess before. Didn't like it then, either. BEN WATERHOUSE. Back Door Theatre, 4219 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 970-8874, thirdeyetheatre.org. 8 pm Thursday-Saturday. Closes April 14. $15-$18.

The Fall of the House

[CLOSES SATURDAY] This late-night, improvised soap opera from the Bluestockings is, believe it or not, one of the most exciting and sincere performances I've seen this year. Set in a house in Southeast Portland, populated with characters you've met at the Goodfoot, and done up with all the trappings of a TV serial, from the recap to an accelerated intro sequence, the show describes the collapse of a group of friends over the course of four weekly episodes. The ad-lib dialogue keeps the interactions on stage fresh, entertaining and sometimes terribly awkward. BEN WATERHOUSE. Bluestockings at Theater! Theatre!, 3430 SE Belmont St., 274-9309. 9:30 pm Thursday, 10:30 pm Friday-Saturday. Closes April 14. $10, $24 for all four shows. Thursday is "pay what you can."

The Feminazi

[CLOSES SATURDAY] A feminist comedy about sexist pigs and the pain of suburbia. Fun! Portland Center for Performing Arts, 1111 SW Broadway, 248-4335. 8 pm Friday-Saturday. Closes April 14. $26, $15 students.

Fences

[OPENS FRIDAY] Portland Center Stage takes on August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning take on sports, family and racial inequality in the '50s. Portland Center Stage at the Gerding Theater, 128 NW 11th Ave., 445-3700. 7:30 pm Tuesdays-Saturdays, noon Thursdays, 2 pm Sundays, 7:30 pm April 15 and 29, 2 pm April 21 and May 5. Opens April 13. $16-50-$59.50.

Flaming Mountains

[SHORT RUN] A puppet adventure starring the Monkey King, performed by Portland puppet masters Yuqin Wang and Zhengli "Rocky" Xu. Dragon Art Studio of Portland at the Winningstad Theater, 1111 SW Broadway, 223-3388. 7 pm Saturday, 3 pm Sunday, April 14-15. $21.75-$41+ (Ticketmaster).

Frogz

The most successful production ever to come out of Portland opens for its last run before heading off to tour the world. If you haven't seen this lovable creature comedy yet, this will be your last chance for a long while. Imago Theatre, 17 SE 8th Ave., 231-9581. 7:30 pm Fridays, 1:30 and 7:30 pm Saturdays, 1:30 pm Sundays. Closes April 29. $16-$27.

Indecent Exposure!

[ONE NIGHT ONLY] Performance artist Felicity Artemis presents a "mytho-poetic manifesto" that "unravels and reweaves the fabric of our culture." Whee! Lincoln Hall at Portland State University, 1620 SW Park Ave., 236-6521. 8 pm Saturday, April 14. $10 advance, $15 at the door.

The Light in the Piazza

[CLOSES SUNDAY] A cast of golden-throated actors sings what is certainly one of the most tuneful and lovely Broadway scores to be heard in several seasons. Broadway Across America at the Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay St., 241-1802. 7:30 pm Wednesday-Saturday, April 10-14. 2 pm Saturday, April 14. 1 and 6:30 pm Sunday, April 15. $23-$70.

The Long Voyage Home

Four short plays about life at sea by Eugene O'Neill. Llewellyn J. Rhoe directs. Arts Equity at the Main Street Theatre, 606 Main St., Vancouver, 360-695-3770. 7:30 pm Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 pm April 1 and 22. Closes April 22. $8-$24.

The Mail Order Bride

[OPENS FRIDAY] An old man orders himself a bride over the objections of his grown daughters in Charles Mee's MoliÉre-inspired comedy, written in verse. Portland Actors Conservatory at the Firehouse Theatre, 1436 SW Montgomery St., 274-1717. 7 pm Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 pm Fridays-Saturdays. Opens April 13. $12-$25.

New Plays from the New South

[SHORT RUN] Five new, short plays from the Southern U.S. Readers Theatre Repertory at Blackfish Gallery, 420 NW 9th Ave., 295-4997. 8 pm Friday-Saturday, April 13-14. $8.

Other Women

[CLOSES SUNDAY] The West Coast premiere of (male) playwright Jonn Jorgensen's take on the odd women of the world, performed by "actresses...of fierce quality" (from the Bluestockings comedy troupe), is a collection of 10 occasionally funny, occasionally boring monologues on everything from marriage to quitting smoking. But, hey, it's way better than Menopause the Musical. BEN WATERHOUSE. Theater! Theatre!, 3430 SE Belmont St., 274-9309. 7 pm Wednesday-Thursday, 8 pm Friday-Saturday, 3 pm Sunday. Closes April 15. $12-$15, Thursday is "pay what you can."

Repeat After Me

[OPENS THURSDAY] See feature, page 27. Hand2Mouth Theatre at Goldsmith Performance Lab, 20 NW 5th Ave., 235-5284. 8 pm Thursdays-Sundays. Opens April 12. $10-$15.

The Retreat from Moscow

Edward (Keith Scales) is trapped in a horrible marriage with the barely sane Alice (JoAnn Johnson). Unable to bear it any longer, he departs abruptly, leaving their son, Jamie (Alex Moggridge), to deal with the aftermath. BEN WATERHOUSE. Artists Repertory Theatre Main Stage, 1516 SW Alder St., 241-1278. 7 pm Tuesdays-Thursdays, 8 pm Fridays-Saturdays, 2 and 7 pm Sundays. Closes April 29. $20-$42.50.

Romeo & Juliet

[CLOSES SUNDAY] You know the story. Northwest Children's Theater tackles the lost love, the suicide and the rest, but without eyeliner this time. NW Neighborhood Cultural Center, 1819 NW Everett St., 222-4480. 7 pm Friday-Saturday, 2 pm Sunday. Closes April 15. $16-$20.

Rosalba y los Llaveros

[NEW REVIEW] If I Love Lucy had taken place in Mexico, the plot would have looked a bit like this Spanish-language comedy set in late 1940s Veracruz. In this case, Lucy is Rosalba, a spirited young woman from the big city whose exuberance ruptures her rural relatives' relationships and then, olé!, puts them back together again. The action is fast-paced, zany and enjoyable, but the English supertitles manage to keep up with the actors, who are clearly enjoying themselves. With brightly colored costumes, quick jokes and hidden secrets popping up like daisies, you'll almost forget that the entire play takes place in one room of the Llaveros' home. BETH SLOVIC. Teatro Español at Milagro Theatre, 525 SE Stark St., 236-7253. 7:30 pm Thursdays, 8 pm Fridays-Saturdays, 2 pm Sundays. Closes April 28. $15-$18.

The Sisters Rosensweig

This didactic comedy of manners succeeds despite some questionable casting—Pfeni, 40, and Tess, 18, are played by actresses who look about five years apart—and odd sight lines. Warning: The third hour of this early '90s kvetch fest is a long, ass-hardening haul. BEN WATERHOUSE. Profile Theatre at Theater! Theatre!, 3430 SE Belmont St., 242-0080. 8 pm Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 pm Sundays. Closes April 22. $10-$28.

The Star Spangled Girl

Two roommates are torn between their efforts to publish a leftist zine and their attraction to the red-state hottie next door. Neil Simon, you nutball! Ferris Wheel Productions at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, 5340 N Interstate Ave., 616-4791. 8 pm Fridays-Saturdays. 5 pm Sunday, April 15. 8 pm Thursday, April 19. Closes April 21. $16-$20.

The Theory of Love

[OPENS FRIDAY] See feature, page 27. Liminal Performance Group at various locations: See liminalgroup.org or call 890-2993 for details and reservations. 8 and 10 pm Fridays-Saturdays, 8 pm Sundays. Opens April 13. $8-$15. Limited seating.

Who Stole My Dead Husband?

[EXTENDED RUN] Lou Pallotta's comedy about growing up Italian American continues through April. Madison's East Wing, 1125 SE Madison St., 1-800-966-8865. 7:30 pm Fridays-Saturdays. Closes April 28. $57-$67, includes dinner.

COMEDY

Comedy Sportz (Short-form Improv)

Fast-paced, family-friendly and hilarious, CSz is a staple of the Portland comedy scene. It's improvised comedy made to order. Comedy Sportz, 1963 NW Kearney St., 236-8888. 8 pm Friday, 7 and 9 pm Saturday, April 13-14. $12.

CLASSICAL

Chanticleer

America's first all male, all-star orchestra of voices comes to town for two very different, very satisfying programs. April 13 is Love's Messengers, with music by a long list of seemingly disparate composers, including Palestrina, Gesualdo, Poulenc, Tavener, Whitacre, Delius, Stockhausen, Finzi, Vaughan Williams, Messiaen, Brahms and John Corigliano. On the 14th, they perform A Divine Tapestry: A Mass for All Time, which weaves selections from Gregorian chant to contemporary music by conductor Joseph Jennings. Kaul Auditorium at Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd., 224-9842. 7:30 pm Friday, April 13. $27-$37. St. Philip Neri Church, 2408 SE 16th Ave., 224-9842. 7:30 pm Saturday, April 14. $27-$37.

Anima Mea!

Belle Voci Women's Ensemble closes its season with an unusual sacred music program, with GyÖrgy OrbÁn's Mass No. 6 and Canadian composer Ramona Luengen's ethereal Salve Regina, as well as South African sacred music and American spiritual settings by Moses Hogan, Stephen Paulus and Portland's own Joan Szymko. Southminster Presbyterian Church, 12250 SW Denney Road, Beaverton, 360-573-4782. 7:30 pm Saturday, April 14. $10-$15.

Ensemble East West w/Susan Smith

Ensemble East West (flutist Tessa Brinckman, violinist/violist Victoria Gunn and pianist Susan Smith) will give the premiere performance of Tomas Svoboda's latest, "Duo for Flute and Viola," along with a flute solo by Korean composer Isang Yun, a reminiscence of 1940s New York for flute and piano by Brazilian composer Camargo Guarnieri; a sonata by Boismortier (played on Baroque instruments) and a trio by French composer Maurice Durufle, who did, indeed, write more than a requiem. BRETT CAMPBELL. Warner Pacific College-Schlatter Chapel, 2219 SE 68th Ave., 517-1104. 3 pm Sunday, April 15. $7-$10.

Nelson Freire, piano

Brazilian-born Freire, who recently started an exclusive recording contract with Decca (the first CD of which, dedicated to Chopin, is a little gem), is presented by Portland Piano International with a recital of Bach-Busoni chorales, Beethoven and Chopin sonatas, Debussy's Children's Corner and selections by AlbÉniz. Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway, 228-1388. 4 pm Sunday, April 15. $24-$42.

Sinfonia Concertante Orchestra

Stefen Minde's quasi-pro orch offers a concert "for children of all ages," from BartÓk's 14 Little Pieces for Children to Joseph Haydn's Cello Concerto, first movement, which ostensibly has nothing to do with children but is played by a promising young cellist from Vancouver's Mountain View High School, Philipp Kasper. Central Lutheran Church, 1820 NE 21st Ave., 231-1421. 3 pm Sunday, April 15. $10-$40.

DANCE

Jefferson Repertory Company

Portland Public Schools has its own modern dance company. Its members are chosen from throughout the district in a rigorous audition process. For its spring program, there are new dances by students and genius choreographer Gregg Bielemeier. PCC Sylvania Performing Arts Center, 12000 SW 49th Ave., 977-4284. 7 pm Saturday, April 14. Free.

The Tuning Score

Another installment of Linda Austin's improvisatory performance format at her Southeast space—come with an open mind and comfy clothes or don't bother coming at all. PerformanceWorksNW, 4625 SE 67th Ave., 740-0523. Noon-4 pm Sunday, April 15. $5.