stage

Stage listings are compiled by Cheryl Eddy. Performance times may change; call venues to confirm. Reviewers are Robert Avila, Sima Belmar, Rita Felciano, Brad Rosenstein, and Lara Shalson. See 8 Days a Week for information on how to submit items to the listings.

theater

Opening

Killing My Lobster's 'Tango Dell'Amore' ODC Theater, 3153 17th St; 558-7721. $10-15. Opens Fri/2, 8pm. Runs Fri-Sun, 8pm. Through Aug 18. The sketch comedy group returns with a new show about love and romance.

Off White Party Weekend Theater Rhinoceros, 2926 16th St; 861-5079. $18-24. Previews Thurs/1-Fri/2, 8pm. Opens Sat/3, 8pm. Runs Thurs-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 7pm. Through Aug 25. The Half Baked Players present Robin Goldsmith, Garret Jon Groenveld, and John Morace's musical send-up of dot-coms and gay circuit parties.

Oleanna Next Stage Theater, 1620 Gough; 248-9371. $15. Opens Fri/2, 8pm. Runs Fri-Sun, 8pm. Through Sept 1. Expression Theatre Ensemble presents David Mamet's tale of sexual misconduct.

The Pirates of Penzance Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater, 700 Howard; 978-2787. $10-38 (Wed/7, pay what you can). Opens Fri/2, 8pm. Runs Wed-Sat, 8pm (also Sat/10, Aug 17, 2pm); Sun, 2pm. Through Aug 18. The Lamplighters Music Theatre presents the Gilbert and Sullivan classic.

Ongoing

American Buffalo Shelton Theater, 533 Sutter; 433-7875. $20 (Thurs, pay what you can). Extended run: Thurs-Sat, 8pm. Through Aug 24. Three small-time crooks plan a robbery and philosophize on the nature of friendship in David Mamet's 1977 play. The action (if we can call a prolonged failure to do anything "action") takes place in a junk shop owned by Donny (Charles Brumm), where he and his buddy "Teach" (Richard Harder) plot to steal a valuable coin. Bobby (Joseph Silva), Donny's gofer, wants in on the action, but the two older men exclude him, half suspecting he might be trying to cheat them himself. Much of the emotional nuance is lost in this production because of a rather flat relationship between Donny and Bobby. However, Harder is excellent as Teach and really carries the play. (Shalson)

Are We Almost There? Shelton Theatre, 533 Sutter; 345-7575. $12-15. Thurs-Sat, 8pm. Open-ended. Travel is the theme of this musical comedy revue.

Augustine (Big Hysteria) Exit on Taylor, 227 Taylor; 999-8870, www.theshee.org. $15-20. Fri-Sat, 8pm. Through Aug 17. Augustine, a 15-year-old housemaid admitted to Paris's Salpêtrière Hospital in 1875, became the "star" of neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot's famous lectures. But Charcot and his staff seem never to have given much attention to Augustine's claim that she was raped at 13, a trauma she identified as the spur of her violent psychic attacks. This cycle of male obliviousness and exploitation is the primary target of British playwright Anna Furse's Augustine (Big Hysteria), making its U.S. premiere as the first production of the Shee Theatre Company. The play is reminiscent of The Elephant Man, but Furse never transcends a certain neo-Brechtian archness, failing to render the hearts of her characters with anything but an outsider's gaze. Director Virginia Reed maintains a sepulchral tone that dampens some of Furse's sharp humor, although she clearly relishes a witty pas de deux with cigars. In the end, despite all the craft and intelligence at work here, the evening seems to get stuck in a monotone of hysterical ravings and self-serving intellectualism. (Rosenstein)

Beyond Therapy Bulldog Theater, 965 Mission; 778-4050. $12-17. Fri-Sat, 8pm. Through Aug 24. OneHeart Productions presents Christopher Durang's relationship comedy.

The Ghost of Molly Malone Venue 9, 252 Ninth St; 289-2000. $12-15. Thurs/1-Sat/3, 8pm. Playwright Aoise Stratford adopts elements of the tale of "The Tart with a Cart" for her own purposes in The Ghost of Molly Malone, currently premiering in a coproduction by Three Wise Monkeys Theatre Company and Footloose @ Venue 9. The legendary Irish figure is incarnated variously by Old Molly (Michaela Greeley), who has survived the centuries to become a bag lady in current-day Chicago, by Young Molly (Arwen Anderson) in 17th-century Dublin, and by Lois (Lillian Oglesby), a contemporary troubled teen. Ghost has admirable ambitions, and it's a pleasure to see a small theater tackling a play of this scope. But unfortunately the play doesn't make much of a case for its emotionally isolated main characters, tending to schematize rather than dramatize their plights. The odd result is that the script winds up presenting the women much as the repressive male characters in the play see them: as angry and opaque rather than as whole people. (Rosenstein)

Greater Tuna Curran Theatre, 445 Geary; 551-2000. $25-56. Wed/31-Sat/3, 8pm (also Sat/3, 2pm); Sun/4, 2pm. See "Fish Story," page 156.

The Ken and Andy Show New Conservatory Theatre Center, 25 Van Ness; 861-8972. $15-25. Wed-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. Through Sun/11. This two-person "metaphysical comedy" by performers Ken Taylor and Andrew Barrett kicks off the New Conservatory Theatre Center's Twist and Shout Festival.

Ladies and Gentlemen ... It's B Movie Night! Exit Theatre, 156 Eddy; 387-3163. $12-15. Fri-Sat, 8pm. Through Aug 17. Ironworkers Local 202 Theater Company presents four short plays inspired by low-budget genre films.

The Last of the Red-Hot Dadas Exit Cafe, 156 Eddy; 673-3847. $10. Fri, 8:30pm. Through Fri/9. Christine Augello performs as "the mother of Dada," Baroness Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven.

Of Mice and Men Actors Theatre of San Francisco, 533 Sutter; 296-9179. $15-20. Thurs-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 7pm. Through Aug 31. Actors Theatre of San Francisco presents the John Steinbeck classic.

*'Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam' Theatre on the Square, 450 Post; 433-9500. $25-40. Extended run: Tues-Thurs, 8pm; Fri-Sat, 7 and 10pm; Sun, 5pm. Through Sun/11. Following on the heels of the HBO series Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry, this evening of performance poetry features nine rising stars of the slam poetry scene. Among them are Steve Colman, with his scathing sociopolitical commentary, and Mayda del Valle, Black Ice, Georgia Me, and Suheir Hammad, who speak eloquently to issues facing Americans of Latin, African American, and Palestinian descent, to name a few. The evening rocks with energy and passionate intensity, and it's inspiring to see young people tackling major social ills with artful, uncompromising language and Whitmanesque fervor. (Rosenstein)

*San Francisco Mime Troupe's 'Mr. Smith Goes to Obscuristan' (415) 285-1717, www.sfmt.org. Free. Sat/3, 2pm, Mosswood Park, MacArthur at Broadway, Oakl; Sun/4, 2pm, Willard (Ho Chi Minh) Park, Hillegass and Derby, Berk. Through Sept 2; check Web site for full schedule. Written by Josh Kornbluth (Haiku Tunnel) in collaboration with the troupe, Mr. Smith Goes to Obscuristan is a smart and humorous look at what happens to democratic ideals when profits are at stake. Jeff Smith is a Sept. 11 firefighter who's been sent to supervise a tiny desert nation's first democratic elections. However, it turns out that the elections are fixed ("Only an American could mistake a fixed election for a real one," candidate Ralif Nadir quips) and that the United States is supporting the corrupt government in order to gain control of Obscuristan's oil resources. On opening weekend the performance fell short of the troupe's usual polish, but there are plenty of much needed laughs and at least a few moments (Ed Holmes as Barbara Bush!) approaching brilliance. (Shalson)

South Pacific Golden Gate Theatre, 1 Taylor; www.bestofbroadway-sf.com. Runs Wed-Sat, 8pm (also Wed and Sat, 2pm); Sun, 2pm. Through Aug 18. See "Fish Story," page 156.

The Stone Trilogy A Traveling Jewish Theatre, 470 Florida; 820-1460. $7-20. Thurs/1-Sat/3, 8pm. Three one-acts by local playwright Ian Walker explore oppression and forgiveness. Topics include the conflict in Ireland, apartheid in South Africa, and hate crimes against homosexuals, and the pieces interconnect in their depiction of lives destroyed by racism and hatred. The variety of locales gives the actors the chance to show off their versatility, and those who appear in all three plays rise to the occasion. Walker manages to bring out the complexities of his topics and avoids the overarching generalities that might easily come from lumping such disparate events together. However, the stories tend to be overdrawn, with all three ending in violent tragedy. By the time one of the characters bursts onto the scene, revolver in hand, for the third time, one feels either utterly defeated or apt to call it melodrama. It's a thought-provoking and ambitious work, but at three hours, the evening runs long. (Shalson)

Stories by Tobias Wolff Magic Theatre, Fort Mason Center, Marina at Laguna; 437-6775. $25 (Wed, pay what you can). Tues-Sat, 8:30pm; Sun, 3pm. Through Aug 25. Word for Word stages three Wolff stories: In the Garden of the North American Martyrs, Lady's Dream, and Bullet in the Brain.

'Summer Shorts: Days and Nights' Exit Stage Left, 156 Eddy; 863-7707, www.ticketweb.com. $10-20. Fri-Sat, 8pm. Through Aug 17. Isis Arts Collective presents an evening of short plays, including five world premieres by Bay Area writers and three lesser-known works by Christopher Durang and Wendy Wasserstein.

The Vagina Monologues Geary Theatre, 415 Geary; 433-9500. $20-60. Tues-Thurs, 8pm; Fri-Sat, 8:30pm (also Sat, 3pm); Sun, 3 and 7:30pm. Through Sun/11. Eve Ensler reprises her wildly successful series of stories and reflections, culled from more than 200 interviews with diverse women on the subject of their vagina. What sounds like an earnest graduate thesis in a department of public health is saved by Ensler's considerable charm and humor. After an obligatory review of terminology that effectively banishes phallocentrism to the wings, the evening consists of impersonations of her favorite subjects, some relevant facts and asides, and one or two (less successful) meditations in free verse, including a finale on witnessing the miracle of birth. Characterizations range from a celibate old woman reminiscing about her youth to a young Bosnian rape victim recounting her story. The heavier material can seem jarring given the predominately lighthearted tone of the evening. At these moments it's not the subject matter that makes one uncomfortable so much as the clunky showmanship, together with conventional theatrical effects, that attempts to mediate it for us. The show (which has raised admirable sums on behalf of women's health worldwide) remains only partially satisfying as theater despite an infectious atmosphere. (Avila)

We're Going Down the Pub Edinburgh Castle Pub, 950 Geary; 885-4074. $10. Thurs/1-Sat/3, 8pm. The Edinburgh Castle Pub hosts a live, multimedia comedy show about pub life.

Bay Area

Benefactors Aurora Theatre, 2081 Addison, Berk; (510) 843-4822. $26-35. Wed-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2 and 7pm. Through Aug 18. A successful architect and his do-gooder wife dutifully adopt the troubled and less advantaged couple next door. In a series of flashbacks, David (David Arrow) and Jane (Nancy Carlin) take increasing responsibility for the welfare of Colin (Ron Campbell) and Sheila (Araxi Djian), driving a rift between their charges that strains their own marriage. British playwright Michael Frayn penned this lightly sardonic comedy at the height of the Thatcher years but aimed his political blowgun at the patronizing if well-intentioned idealism of the liberal bourgeoisie. Joy Carlin directs a capable cast, though partly owing to Frayn's insistence that his characters declaim at least as much as they converse, their relations feel a little too stolid throughout. (Avila)

The Heidi Chronicles Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 528-5620. $10. Fri-Sat, 8pm (also Aug 8, 8pm). Through Sat/10. Actors Ensemble of Berkeley completes its 45th season with a performance of Wendy Wasserstein's Pulitzer-winning play.

Mata Hari Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant, Berk; (510) 558-1381. $8-18. Fri-Sat, 8pm (also Sat, 5pm); Sun, 5pm. Through Aug 24. Central Works and Women in Time present an original work, developed by Central Works, that explores the life of the famous female spy.

Measure for Measure Highway One at Calle del Mar, Stinson Beach; (415) 868-1115, www.shakespeareatstinson.org. $13-23. Fri-Sat, 7pm; Sun, 6pm. Through Aug 18. Shakespeare at Stinson presents Shakespeare's comedy about hypocrisy.

*Pericles, Prince of Tyre (415) 567-1758, www.womanswill.org. Free. Fri/2, 7pm (indoor show): Leo Ryan Park, Hillsdale and Shell, Oakl; Sat/3, 1pm: Memorial Park, 24176 Mission, Hayward; Sun/4, 1pm: Rengstorff House, 3070 N. Shoreline, Mountain View. Through Aug 18; check Web site for full schedule. Of all the Shakespeare plays being offered this season only one is entirely produced and performed by women, and only one incorporates a new translation of the work into American Sign Language. Woman's Will, the all-female Shakespeare company, brings the Bard's rarely produced romantic Greek epic to a hearing and deaf audience. The all-women cast is a refreshing twist on the practices of Shakespeare's time (all actors were male in those days), but this production succeeds primarily because of its fine acting. (Shalson)

Troilus and Cressida John Hinkel Park, Southampton between San Diego and Somerset, Berk; (510) 704-8210. Pay what you can. Sat-Sun, 5pm. Through Sept 1. The Shotgun Players present Shakespeare's post-Trojan War tale.

The Winter's Tale Amador Community Park, near Santa Rita and Black, Pleasanton; www.sfshakes.org. Free. Fri-Sun, 7:30pm. At this location through Sun/4. The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival celebrates 20 years of Free Shakespeare in the Park with a performance of the Bard's tale of jealousy and forgiveness.

dance

Ballet Counterpointe Rep Dance Mission Theater, 3316 24th St; (510) 604-7063. Fri-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. $10-20. The newly formed company presents "Works in Motion," an evening of work by local choreographers, including Michael Lowe, Amy Seiwert, Laura Derosier, Sarah Clagett, and Erica Hartono.

Flamenco music and dance Union Española, 2850 Alemany; 584-6917. Sun, 5pm. $5-15. Dancer Omayra Amaya, singer Jose Manuel Blanco, members of Arte y Compás, and others perform.

Sri Manoranjan Pradhan, Asako Takami, Chaitee Sengupta Noh Space, 2840 Mariposa; (510) 530-4621. Sat, 8pm. $15. (Also Mills College, Lisser Hall, 5000 MacArthur Blvd, Oakl; (510) 430-3250. Sun/4, 4pm, $15). Originating in the Orissa region of northeast India, Odissi dancing traces its origins back to ancient temple dancing but was codified and revived in postcolonial India in the middle of the last century. In the Bay Area, Japan-born Asako Takami is one of the art's most highly regarded practitioners; she is an exquisite, delicate performer of exceptional musicality. Joining her for this concert is Sri Manoranjan Pradhan, one of a small but growing number of 21st-century male Odissi dancers. Both were last seen together in a very contemporary context, Ralph Lemon's Tree: Part 2 of the Geography Trilogy. Also appearing with them is their pupil, Chaitee Sengupta. (Rita Felciano).

Bay Area

Etherealize Temescal Arts Center, 511 48th Ave, Oakl; (510) 918-2057. Fri-Sat, 8pm. $10. Choreographer Leyya Tawil and composer Christopher Keyes present "Useless," a show featuring three premieres that marks the company's fifth season of dance and music collaborations.

performance

'Fourth Annual DykeDrama Festival: Short Plays by and about Dykes' Luna Sea Theater, 2940 16th St; 863-2989, www.lunasea.org. Part Two, Fri-Sat, 8pm. Through Aug 10. $11-14. The second part of the festival features Cherry Blue by Shirleen Holmes; Sex in the City by Karen X; and Pussy Envy and Butterfly by Trish Cole.

'Live Yo' Life!' Bindlestiff Studio, 185 Sixth St; 974-1167. Thurs-Sat, 8pm. $10. Filipino American performing arts space Bindlestiff presents a sketch comedy show performed by members of the Overseas Artists and Bindlestiff Players.

'Playwright's Stew' Theatre Rhinoceros, 2926 16th St; 861-5079. Thurs-Sat, 8:30pm; Sun, 7:30pm. Through Sun/11. $10-12. Theatre Rhinoceros presents its sixth festival of queer works. This weekend: What to Do With Dennis, by Dave Morrison; Communication is a Bitch! Or What? by Michael Haven; Friends and Neighbors, by John Arnold; and Cracked, by Dorothy Adams.

'Sex Worker Literati' The Marsh, 1062 Valencia; 826-5750. Wed, 8pm. $10-15 sliding scale. See 8 Days a Week, page 162.

Bay Area

'Bata Kenu' Alice Arts Center, 1428 Alice, Oakl; (510) 849-2568 or www.lapena.org. Sat, 8pm. $20. Music, dance, and folklore weave together in this performance, which tells the story of how the Yoruban people were uprooted from Africa and transplanted to Cuba and Brazil. Presented by La Peña Cultural Center.

'Putting It Together' Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph, Berk; (510) 642-9988. Thurs, 7pm. Free. See 8 Days a Week, page 162.

'That Takes Ovaries!' play and open mic Open Secret Bookstore, 923 C St, San Rafael; (415) 457-4191. Sat, 7:30pm, $15. Woman's Will performs a play drawn from the anthology That Takes Ovaries! Bold Females and Their Brazen Acts; after, audience members are invited to share their own stories.

comedy

Bayfront Theater Fort Mason Center, Marina at Laguna; www.BATSimprov.org. "BATS Improv Eighth Annual Festival": Thurs, 8pm: "Aussie Rules Theatresports," $8. Fri-Sat, 8pm: "Summer Games Semi-Finals," $12. Sun, 8pm: "Micetro," $6. Mon, 8pm (potential participants, show up at 6:45 for workout/audition): "Theatresports RAW," $8. Festival through Aug 26.

The Mock Café 1074 Valencia; 826-5750. Sat, 9pm: "No 'Y' Chromosome" women's comedy showcase hosted by Sue Mell, $7.

Punchline 444 Battery; www.punchlinecomedyclub.com. Thurs-Sat, 9pm (also Fri-Sat, 11pm): Sarah Silverman, Doug Benson, and John Hoogasian, $12-15.

San Francisco LGBT Community Center 1800 Market; 865-5633. Mon, 8pm: "Monday Night Gay Comedy," with host Mike Uryga, $8-15.

spoken word

Open mics take place almost every night in cafés throughout the Bay Area. If you want to perform, show up about half an hour before start time to put your name on the list. A day-by- day guide to word events and featured readers:

Wednesday: Cody's Books 2454 Telegraph, Berk; (510) 845-7852. "Poetry Flash," with Cathy Park Hong and Joshua McKinney, 7:30pm, $2. La Peña Cultural Center La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 849-2566. Café Poetry with host Rain the Poetess, 7:30pm, $2.

Friday: Café International 508 Haight; 552-7390. Open mic with featured reader Jehanan Wedgewood and host Ramu, 8pm, free.

Saturday: Great American Music Hall 859 O'Farrell; 1-866-468-3399. "An Evening with Jello Biafra," spoken word show also featuring Darryl Cherney, 8:30pm, $9-10.