How do you know if a Polack has been using a computer? There's whiteout on the screen. Did you hear about the Polish man that locked his keys in his car? He had to use a coat hanger to get his family out. Did you hear about the Polish family that froze to death outside a theatre? They were waiting to see the show "Closed for the Winter." Young Jaisu, the hero of David Ives' Polish Joke, opening its world premiere at Seattle's A Contemporary Theatre July 12, is desperate to escape the ancestry that leaves him the butt of exactly such jokes. He changes his name and moves away from home, but he still discovers, in this comedy from the author of Mere Mortals and All in the Timing, that you can never run away from who you really are.

Jason McConnell Buzas directs. He formerly worked with Ives on All in the Timing at Primary Stages.

Polish Joke features John Aylard, Nancy Bell, Ted de Chatelet (as Jaisu), Leslie Law and Richard Ziman. Ziman appeared on Broadway in Epic Proportions, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Lost in Yonkers and Not About Nightingales.

Designing the show are director and Broadway designer Loy Acenas (sets), Rose Pederson (costumes), ML Geiger (lighting) and Dominic Cody Kramers (sound). Anne Kearson is the production stage manager.

Performances began July 6 with A Contemporary Theatre is located at Kreielsheimer Place at the corner of 7th Avenue and Union Street. For tickets (25-$42), call (206) 292-7676. ACT is on the web at http://www.acttheatre.org.

— By Christine Ehren