Trying to out-do real-life White House drama, the Seattle Repertory Theatre begins previews Oct. 26 with Nixon's Nixon, the two- character fictional account of a meeting between President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, on the eve of Nixon's 1974 resignation.

The satire by Russell Lees -- which has power games aplenty, with Kissinger assuming roles of Chairman Mao, JFK and others -- officially opens Nov. 2 at the Rep's smaller space, the Leo Kreielsheimer Theatre, for a run through Dec. 6.

Michael Butler directs David Pichette as Nixon and Peter Van Norden as Kissinger, reprising their roles from a hit San Jose Repertory Theatre production. Butler also directed the San Jose Nixon's Nixon.

Designers are Scott Weldin (sets), B. Modern (costumes), Rick Paulsen (lighting).

Butler is a regional theatre director who co-wrote the music and lyrics to the so-called "bluesical," Thunder Knocking on the Door, which he also directed at San Jose Rep and co-directed at Seattle's A Contemporary Theatre. Tickets are $10-$39. The "Leo K" space, as it's called, is at 155 Mercer St. Call (206) 443-2222. -- By Kenneth Jones