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

Let's Talk about Me Theatre Rhinoceros, 2926 16th St; 861-5079. $16-18. Opens Thurs/29, 8:30pm. Runs Thurs-Sat, 8:30pm; Sun, 7:30pm. Through Sept 22. See 8 Days a Week, page 54.

Rebel Without a Pause Brava Theater Center, 2789 24th St; 647-2822. $24-28. Opens Tues/3, 8pm. Runs Tues-Sun, 8pm. Through Sept 29. New York-based comedian Reno brings back her popular show, a firsthand account of the events of Sept. 11.

Bay Area

Beatbox: A Raparetta Black Box Theater, 1298 Telegraph, Oakl; (510) 451-1932. $7-10. (510) 451-1932. Opens Wed/28, 8:30pm. Runs Wed, 8:30pm. Through Sept 18. Felonious: One Love Hip-Hop and DJ Raw B remount their acclaimed hip-hop theatrical production.

Henry IV: The Impact Remix Eighth Street Studio, 2525 Eighth St, Berk; (925) 798-1300. $10-15. Opens Fri/30, 8pm. Runs Fri-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 7pm. Through Sept 8. (Sept 13, show moves to the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College, Berk. Through Sept 21). See 8 Days a Week, page 54.

Ongoing

Are We Almost There? Shelton Theatre, 533 Sutter; 345-7575. $12-15. Thurs-Sat, 8pm (starting Sept 8, shows only Sun, 2pm, $15). Open-ended. Travel is the theme of this musical comedy revue.

*Attempts on Her Life 312 Connecticut Theater, 312 Connecticut; 1-866-GOT-FURY. $12-25 (Sunday, pay what you can). Thurs/28-Fri/30 and Sun/1, 8pm; Sat/31, 10pm. English playwright Martin Crimp's fascinating patchwork portrait of a (somehow familiar) nonentity makes its San Francisco debut in a smart and lively production by foolsFURY. Subtitled "17 Scenarios for the Theater," the unconventional narrative revolves around a mysterious no-show named "Annie" who, by all accounts, may be anything from a backpacking college grad to an international terrorist, perhaps even a sleek new car. In fact, Annie, variously interpreted by nameless associates, is a cipher around which swirls a kaleidoscope of prepackaged identities, an ominous mixture of victims and perpetrators. This inescapably Western vacuum of personality, while mocking a sense of giddy possibility, actually suggests something more akin to a postmodern prison cell, or Max Weber's "iron cage." FoolsFURY makes the most of its considerable strengths in plumbing this rich material. Ben Yalom's consistently intelligent staging and playful yet intense performances by the six-person cast well serve Crimp's penetratingly sardonic humor, offering much to chew on from start to finish and for some time after. (Avila)

Carved in Stone Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson; 778-4077. $17-20. Fri/30-Sat/31, 8pm. In Jeffrey Hartgraves's new comedy, Carved in Stone, Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams, Oscar Wilde, and Quentin Crisp all reside in a tasteful afterlife lounge. Joining these gay literary icons is the newly deceased Gryphon Tott (David Tenenbaum), a hot young writer who at first seems an ideal match for their company. But Gryphon is not all that he appears, and as successive layers of his true nature are revealed, the question of exactly why he has been elected to this exclusive club drives the play. This literary No Exit makes for a delectable premise, and Hartgraves has great fun eavesdropping on the tart bon mots of these überqueens as they enjoy an eternal happy hour. Director John Fisher shows admirable restraint, staying in tune with the play's piquantly playful wistfulness and providing an unshowy staging on Stephen Drew Ritchings's handsome clubby set. (Rosenstein)

Dreamlandia Thick House, 1695 18th St; 401-8081, www.thickdescription.org. $15-25 (previews, audience members paid $1 to attend). Thurs-Sun, 8pm. Through Sept 15. Thick Description opens its season with Octavio Solis's contemporary spin on Calderon De La Barca's Life is a Dream.

My Dinner with Lunatique Fantastique New Conservatory Theatre Center, 25 Van Ness; 861-8972. $15-25. Wed-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. Through Sept 15. See "Yankee Panky," page 44.

PINS Walker Theatre, New Conservatory Theatre Center, 25 Van Ness; 861-8972. $18-38. Wed-Sat, 8pm; Sun/1, Sept 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2pm. Through Oct 13. The New Conservatory Theatre Center continues its Pride Season with Jim Provenzano's drama set in the world of high school wrestling.

Of Mice and Men Actors Theatre of San Francisco, 533 Sutter; 296-9179. $15-20. Thurs/29-Sat/31, 8pm. Actors Theatre of San Francisco presents the John Steinbeck classic.

Oleanna Next Stage Theater, 1620 Gough; 248-9371. $15. Fri/30-Sun/1, 8pm. Expression Theatre Ensemble presents David Mamet's tale of sexual misconduct.

*Stories by Tobias Wolff Magic Theatre, Fort Mason Center, Marina at Laguna; 437-6775. $25 (Wed, pay what you can). Extended run, starting Sept 5: Thurs-Sat, 8:30pm (no show Sept 7); Sun, 3pm. Through Sept 29. Under this unassuming title, Word for Word triumphantly stages three tales from the oeuvre of the masterful short story writer. In the Garden of the North American Martyrs, directed by Sheila Balter, follows a frumpy, undistinguished academic (Susan Harloe) through a humiliating job interview at a snooty East Coast university. In a wonderful send-up of academic pomp, Wolff allows his underdog the last word and affirms the individual against vain intellectualism. Next, Stephanie Hunt directs Lady's Dream and Bullet in the Brain. The first explores love's necessary illusions, as a Southern belle (Nancy Shelby) and her overbearing husband (Joel Mullennix) reflect separately on their courtship many years before. In the final piece, a snide and pompous book critic named Anders (Paul Finocchiaro) is toppled in a bank line by his own uncontrollable penchant for sarcasm. The audience partakes of his final moments courtesy of Anders's corpus callosum. Throughout, intelligent, imaginative staging and fine ensemble performances (led by Word for Word stalwarts Harloe, Shelby, and Finocchiaro) mesh with Wolff's crystalline prose and playful wit to elicit our lively and unflagging interest. (Avila)

The Tale of the Allergist's Wife Curran Theatre, 445 Geary; 551-2000. $30-68. Tues-Sat, 8pm (also Wed, Sat, 2pm); Sun, 2pm. Through Sept 8. Straight from Broadway, Charles Busch's new farce features Valerie Harper as Marjorie, a New York Jewish housewife in the throes of a midlife crisis. In a posh Riverside Drive apartment, ceiling-high bookcases display weighty tomes to contrast with Marjorie's lightweight existence, while her successful allergist husband (Tony Roberts), who hasn't slowed a bit since retirement, devotes himself to a sinus center for the homeless. Meanwhile, from down the hall comes her mother (Shirl Bernheim) with an irritable bowel and a penchant for sharing. A series of funny if ribald jokes ensues (centered around the tail of the allergist's mother-in-law), which comically competes with Harper's high-tragedian self-flagellation and Roberts's faux-Albert Schweitzer. Enter Lee (Michele Lee), a long-lost childhood friend. A vivacious libertine and shameless name-dropper who takes credit for casually influencing the 20th century's more significant trends, Lee proves a temptress worthy of the maxim "Be careful what you wish for." The winning cast, under Manhattan Theatre Club's Lynne Meadow, makes contagious the fun they're clearly having. But Busch's script has a tossed-off feel, despite a steady stream of one-liners and one or two worthy twists. (Avila)

Unhampered by Sanity Phoenix Theater, 414 Mason; 841-1262. $15 (Thurs, pay what you can). Thurs/29-Sat/31, 8pm. Kerry Reid's play stages a meeting between one of punk rock's most infamous widows and the ghost of the "mother of American dada." The eccentric Baroness Elsa Von Freytag-Loringhoven, often ignored in earlier accounts of the dada movement, has received renewed interest in recent years (even the New York Times Magazine recently featured a photo spread of Elsa-inspired fashions). In Reid's play she returns from the dead to counsel a suicidal Courtney Love-inspired character by offering accounts of her extraordinary life and recitations of a few of her poems. Linda Ayres-Frederick's portrayal is quirky and fun despite a faulty German accent, and Erin Blendu's costume design is an apt admixture of undergarments and kitchen utensils. But the character of Carlotta Monti (conspicuously based on Love), falls short. She rails against the media's abuse, but is so completely formed from its images that she remains as shallow as they paint her as being. (Shalson)

The Winter's Tale Golden Gate Park, West of the Conservatory of Flowers, www.sfshakes.org. Free. Sat-Sun and Mon/2, 1:30pm. Through Sept 29. 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.

Bay Area

*San Francisco Mime Troupe's 'Mr. Smith Goes to Obscuristan' (415) 285-1717, www.sfmt.org. Free. Thurs/29, 7:30pm, Sebastiani Theatre, 476 First St East, Sonoma (this indoor show only, $15; call 707-996-9756 for more information). Sat/31, 2pm, Peacock Meadow, Golden Gate Park (between McLaren Lodge and the Conservatory of Flowers), S.F. Sun/1-Mon/2, 2pm, Dolores Park, 19th St at Dolores, S.F. 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)

The Seagull Bruns Memorial Amphitheater, Gateway Blvd exit off Hwy 24, Orinda; (510) 548-9666, www.calshakes.org. $13-46. Wed/28-Thurs/29, 7:30pm; Fri/30-Sat/31, 8pm (also Sat/31, 2pm); Sun/1, 4pm. After a stumbling season to date, the California Shakespeare Festival has come roaring back to life with an inspired production of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull. The hardest thing to capture in Chekhov is the tone, a slippery blend of passion, humor, sadness, irony, and wisdom that is fiendishly difficult to get right. But director Jonathan Moscone and his excellent cast nail it, putting an emphasis on the humor that is neglected in far too many Chekhov productions. They are helped immeasurably by Tom Stoppard's deft translation, which brings a crisp wit and immediacy to scenes that are often muddily rendered. Riding the crest of that style are Susannah Schulman's superb Nina, traveling from youthful idealism to mature pragmatism in deft, moving strokes, Charles Dean's self-amused Sorin, Dan Hiatt's wry Dorn, Kandis Chappell's wily Arkadina, James Carpenter's devouring Trigorin, and Emily Ackerman's often hilariously frustrated Masha. (Rosenstein)

Triumph of Love Larkspur Café Theatre, 500 Magnolia, Larkspur; (415) 924-6107. $15-30. Fri/30-Sat/31, 8pm. Hoochi-Doo Productions presents a musical adaptation of the Marivaux comedy.

Troilus and Cressida John Hinkel Park, Southampton between San Diego and Somerset, Berk; (510) 704-8210. Pay what you can. Sat/31-Sun/1, 5pm. It's not exactly surprising that this is one of Shakespeare's least popular plays. With more than 20 characters and several loosely intertwining plotlines that often seem unmotivated – partly due to gaps in the text and partly due to the fact that the characters themselves are unsure about their reasons – it's a difficult play to follow, to say the least. The love affair between Troilus and Cressida is straightforward enough, but it's almost a side note to the story of the Trojan War and some of its most celebrated warriors (the Greek Achilles and the Trojan Hector among them) that's also being told. Brushing up on the text beforehand (or at least reading the notes in the program), is worth the effort. The play does provide food for thought, making some valid points about the tragic absurdities of war, and the Shotgun Players' production is generally solid and enjoyable. (Shalson)

Twelfth Night Highway One at Calle del Mar, Stinson Beach; (415) 868-1115, www.shakespeareatstinson.org. $13-23. Fri, 7pm; Sat-Sun, 6pm (Oct 5-6, shows at 5:30pm). Through Oct 6. Shakespeare at Stinson presents Shakespeare's gender-bending comedy.

performance

'Capture/Release' Gallery OneZero, 10 Vinton Court; www.galleryonezero.com. Fri, 7:30pm. $5. Butoh dance is the focus of this event, which features performance, a photography exhibit, a short film, and a discussion.

'Francis Ford Coppola's Zoetrope: Live Story' Café Niebaum-Coppola, 916 Kearny; 788-7500. Tues, 6pm. $10. Literary magazine Zoetrope: Live Story hosts a dramatic reading of Spurs, the Tod Robbins story that inspired the 1932 film Freaks.

'Porch Light' Hemlock Tavern, 1131 Polk; 551-1492, aklatte@sbcglocal.com. Wed, 8pm. $8. See 8 Days a Week, page 54.

'The Red Blanket Vignettes' Shotwell Studios, 3252-A 19th St; 467- 6782. Fri-Sat, 8pm. $10. Rubber Match Seriez#5 presents three new one-act plays by Rey Carolino.

'Strombolli's Island of Donkeys and Dolls' Kimo's, 1351 Polk; 885-4535. 10pm, $5. See 8 Days a Week, page 54.

'Waiting for the Podiatrist' Venue 9, 252 Ninth St; 289-2000. Wed, 8pm. $8-15. Footloose presents Terry Baum's solo comedy about a woman dealing with her aging parents.

'The Wild Party' Potrero Hill Neighborhood House Theatre, 953 De Haro; 1-877-350-3606, www.jericaproductions.com. Fri-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. $15. Jerica Productions and the Royal Underground perform the musical fable set in 1928 Manhattan.

Bay Area

'Guys 'R Dolls' Glenview Performing Arts Center, 1318 Glenfield, Oakl; (510) 551-9785. Sat, 8pm; Sun, 3pm. Ongoing. $39.95. A cast of drag divas performs, led by MC Brian Keith.

comedy

BrainWash Café 1122 Folsom; 861-3663. Thurs, 8pm: Comedy open mic hosted by Tony Sparks, free. Fri, 8:30pm: "All Women's Comedy Open Mic," with host Aundré the Wonderwoman, free.

Caffe Sapore 790 Lombard; 474-1222. Fri, 8pm: "Comedy at Caffe Sapore," with host Melissa Gans, $10.

The Field 524 Union; 377-1662. Wed, 8pm: "Comedy Club," with host Ian Jensen, $5.

Java Source 343 Clement; 387-8025. Fri, 10:30pm and Sat, 10pm: Comedy open mic hosted by Tony Sparks, free.

Luggage Store 1007 Market; 255-5971. Tues, 8pm: Comedy workshop with Tony Sparks, $3.

New Pisa 550 Green; 207-0285, www.northbeachimprov.com. Fri, 9pm: "North Beach Improv," with host Uncle Vinny Rizzo, $10.

Bay Area

Black Box 1928 Telegraph, Oakl; (510) 595-5597. Thurs, 8pm: The Oakland Playhouse improv troupe performs improv comedy, $5.

Talk of the Town 4481 International, Oakl; (510) 534-8255. Sat, 10pm: Comedian Miracle Malone and special guests perform, free.

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: La Peña Cultural Center La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 849-2566. "Café Poetry," with open mic and host Paradise, 8pm, $3-5. Mama Bears Women's Bookstore 6536 Telegraph, Oakl; (510) 506-3717. "SheSpeaks," open mic night for women 18 and over, 7:30pm, $5. Starry Plough 3101 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 841-2082. "The Berkeley Slam," with hosts Charles Ellik and dani eurynome and featured reader Victor Harris, 8pm, $7. BrainWash Cafe 1122 Folsom; 864-3842. "Spoken Word Salon," open mic with host Diamond Dave Whitaker, 8pm, free.

Thursday: Café 1428 1428 Alice, Oakl; (510) 239-2239, ext 2899. "Poet Skool," open mic with host Paradise, 7pm, donations accepted. Coppo D'Oro 3166 24th St; 821-1618. Barbara Bennett hosts an open mic and featured reader Diamond Dave, 6pm, free.

Friday: Café International 508 Haight; 552-7390. Open mic with Gesela Gtangui and friends, 8pm, free. Presentation Theater 2350 Turk; (650) 355-4857. "Philip Whalen Memorial Reading," with Michael McClure, Diane di Prima, and other poets, 7pm, free.

Saturday: Café Espresso Brava 663 Valencia; 386-9020. "SF Antislam! Worst Poem Contest," 7pm, free.

Sunday: Cody's Books 2454 Telegraph, Berk; (510) 845-7852. "Poetry Flash," with William Minor and James Schevill, 7:30pm, $2. La Peña Cultural Center La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 849-2566. Chilean poet and musician Maurico Redolés performs as part of La Peña's September Chilean artist series, "La Memoria Colectiva," 8pm, $10.

Monday: Rasselas Jazz (Fillmore) 1534 Fillmore; 346-8696. Open mic for instrumentalists, singers, and poets, featuring the Dee Spencer Trio, 8pm, free. Live Oak Park Walnut at Rose, Berk; (510) 527-9905. Bay Area Poets Coalition hosts a Labor Day potluck picnic, noon-4pm, free.