The Stranger

14/48 is like Russian roulette. You never know what you're going to get. And booze is usually involved. Dozens of artists bang out 14 short plays in 48 hours, seven performed on Friday, another seven performed on Saturday. This weekend's participants include some quality writers (Brendan Healy, Stephanie Timm, et al.), directors (Brian Faker, Paul Budraitis, et al.), actors (Brandon Whitehead, Imogen Love, et al.), plus designers and the 14/48 band. It's fast, sloppy fun under the gun. (Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, www.brownpapertickets.com. 8 and 10:30 pm, $20. Through Aug 7.) by Brendan Kiley

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Ahamefule Oluo had one hell of a bad year (involving family, love, and disease), and to try to feel better, he did a lot of things he shouldn't have. It's over now, but in its honor comes Reverie (Now I'm Fine), an hour-long experimental pop opera to make its debut tonight with okanomodé (the musician responsible for lyrics and vocals) and the New Seattle Brass Ensemble (a group formed expressly for this piece). Oluo selected the musicians from the worlds of classical, jazz, and indie rock in Seattle, and he could do that because he's a gigging fool around this city—chances are you've heard him, too, just never knew his name. Finally, the sideman comes up front. With Spekulation. (Lo-Fi Performance Gallery, 429 Eastlake Ave E, 849-6082. 9 pm, $10 adv/$12 DOS, 21+.) by Jen Graves

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There's something about puppets—from the Muppets to ventriloquist's dummies to the venerable old Sharpied sock puppet—that triggers someplace weird in our brains. All weekend long, Puppet-O-Rama takes over Seattle University, with classes for puppeteers and affordable open-to-the-public puppet shows. Today's events include The Amazing Mysto's Magic Show and a family-friendly play about Beatrix Potter, but there are adults-only shows on Friday and Saturday night, too, ensuring a weekend full of entertaining, slightly creepy thrills for cheap. (Seattle University, 901 12th Avenue, www.puppet-o-rama.org. Various times, $8–$10.) by Paul Constant

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The first sentence of this Stranger Suggest was going to be "Gary Shteyngart was recently named by the New Yorker as one of the 20 best writers under 40 inches tall," because I think it's important to point out that famous writers have their limitations, too, even writers with cool-looking last names and mystical immigrant-y backgrounds and awesome, best-selling novels to their credit (his latest is Super Sad True Love Story). But then I thought: Nah, that's too cruel. He will be joined onstage by the band Orkestar Zirkonium and interviewed by The Stranger's Paul Constant. (Hey, Paul: Don't mention the short thing!!) (Sunset, 5433 Ballard Ave NW, 624-6600. 8 pm, $5, 21+.) by Christopher Frizzelle

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For years, South Park's Muy Macho has been the old-school Mexican joint beloved by lunch-breaking Boeing workers, with food so good it didn't matter that they didn't sell beer. Thanks to the closure of the South Park Bridge, the lunch crowd has evaporated, but Muy Macho soldiers on, now armed with a beer-and-wine-enabling liquor license. Believe me when I tell you that this is food worth traveling for, even if it means an extra 10 minutes to cross the First Avenue South Bridge. (Muy Macho, 8515 14th Ave S, 763-3484. 10 am–9:30 pm.) by David Schmader

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As last month's Freaks and Geeks party made clear, watching great TV on the big screen in a room full of fellow fans is heaven on earth. This month, Central Cinema showcases the greatest TV moments of the Muppets, from their earliest appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show to golden-era Sesame Street to last year's viral video for "Bohemian Rhapsody." And yes, the Muppet Show episode starring Alice Cooper will be shown in its entirety. (Central Cinema, 1411 21st Ave, www.central-cinema.com. 7 pm, free—reserve a seat by purchasing a $5 food-and-beverage voucher.) by David Schmader

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