There's an odd little lot of theatre opening this weekend. From screwball comedy to political puppeteering, you've got more than enough to choose from. We particularly like the looks of The Assumption, brought to you by the good folks at Refraction Arts. With a comedy-fusion format that includes Japanese hillbillies and a little Hamlet thrown in for good measure, this show sounds like too good a time to pass up. Plus the performance includes raucous live music and...teddy bears. This we have to see. To check out our Pick of the Week, call 927-1118 or head over to the Refraction Arts handy new ticket site. Th/Fr/Sa at the Blue.

Here's the sampler tray of other new offerings this week:

Ring Rip Rent is dark comedy done burlesque, 3-ring circus style at the Vortex. Featuring the work of several favorite local actresses as well as a multi-award winning design team (Jason Amato and Ann Marie Gordon, anyone?), it should prove to be a feast for all senses. Th/Fr/Sa at the Vortex. Tix by calling 478-5282.

The End of Words: An Evening with Eugene Ionesco includes three of Ionesco's works via round robin schedule: an arranged marriage, an "absurd study of the shortcomings of language", and the world's oldest couple can all be had, depending on which performance you attend. From the Coda Project. Check the schedule at their website. Th/Fr/Sa eves/Su matinees at the play! Theatre. Tix by calling 468-5546.

It Runs in the Family, Ray Cooney's screwball comedy, features all the necessary components: mistaken identities, illegitimate children, long lost lovers, and some poor sop scrambling around to keep it all straight...when you know he'll never succeed. Brought to you by Oracle Theatre Company. Fr/Sa/Su at the DAC. Tix online.

Beauty for the Sake of Beauty, Dance for the Sake of Dance is a premiere work from the new Shay Ishii Dance Company. This weekend only, Saturday 8pm and Sunday 5pm at the Boyd Vance Theatre. Tix door only, but you can email or call (791.9496) for more info.

The creators of last year's Frontera fave, Puppet Government, are presenting a final, encore performance of their show, one night only, in the form of a political fundraiser for John Courage. We loved this appliance puppet theatre the first time around, so if you're in the mood for some politickin', check it out while you still can. Saturday 7pm at Ventana del Soul. $20 suggested contribution at the door.

For the rest of Austin's theatre goodness, cozy up to last week's TWIT.

*Photo of Melissa Rentrop and Amanda Butterfield in We Are Normal, Cha Cha Chaaa, taken by Dennis Fagan.