Closer

Where: Bathhouse Theater, 7312 W Green Lake N, Seattle, 524-9108 When: Fri 8/30, Sat 8/31, Sun 9/1 What: Patrick Marber's vicious slugfest tells the story of four selfish, sadistic, sarcastic Brits with whom you wouldn't care to share a drink. But that's just it-you would share drinks with them, because they're just like you, dammit. Closer is a terrifically squirmy play: Its nastiness is surpassed only by its familiarity. ReAct's performers manage to convey most of Marber's mordant wit, but more importantly, director David Hsieh unearths the script's p uzzling nuances and explores all of Marber's trademark pauses and digressions. If you go with a date, make sure to take someone who's already seen you at your worst (this isn't a play for romantics), and be prepared to spend the entire ride home debating which character is the most pathetic. It's not a pleasant way to spend an evening-but you probably deserve it. CHRIS JENSEN Bathhouse Theatre, 7312 W. Greenlake N., 325-6500. $6-$12. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sun. Ends Sun. Sept. 1.