Polish Joke, David Ives' comedy on ethnic stereotyping, ends its world premiere run at Seattle's A Contemporary Theatre Aug. 5. The production, directed by Jason McConnell Buzas (All in the Timing), began performances July 6 with an opening July 12.

Young Jaisu is desperate to escape the ancestry that leaves him the butt of, yes, Polish 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.

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