September 4, 2002

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

And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank New Conservatory Theatre Center, 25 Van Ness; 861-8972. $7-10. Opens Tues/10, 10:15am. Runs Tues-Thurs, 10:15am; Sept 21 and 28, 8pm; Sept 22 and 29, 2pm. Through Sept 29. The New Conservatory Theatre Center's 2002-2003 YouthAware Program presents James Still's play about the young author.

'San Francisco Fringe Festival' Exit Theatre and Exit Stage Left, 156 Eddy; Exit on Taylor, 277 Taylor; plus various other S.F. venues. All shows $8 and under. Runs Sept 4-15. Show times Mon-Fri, 7, 8:30, and 10pm (also Fri, 11:30pm); Sat, 1-11:30pm; Sun, 11:30am-8:30pm). 673-3847, www.sffringe.org. See 8 Days a Week, page 44.

Hairstory Theatre Rhinoceros, 2926 16th St; 861-5079. $15-25. Previews Thurs/5-Fri/6, 8pm. Opens Sat/7, 8pm and Sun/8, 7pm. Runs Wed-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 7pm (also Sept 15, 22, and 29, 3pm). Through Oct 5. Theatre Rhinoceros presents Doug Holsclaw and Johari Jabir's new gospel-soul-jazz-pop musical about people and their hair.

Bay Area

The House of Blue Leaves Berkeley Rep's Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison, Berk; (510) 647-2949. $10-54. Previews Fri/6-Sat/7 and Tues/10, 8pm; Sun/8, 7pm. Opens Sept 11, 8pm. Runs Tues and Thurs-Sat, 8pm (also Sept 14, 19, 21, 28, Oct 3, 12, 17, and 26, 2pm; no performance Sept 20); Wed and Sun, 7pm (also Sun, 2pm). Through Oct 27. Berkeley Rep presents John Guare's comic and cautionary examination of the pursuit of fame.

Julius Caesar LaVal's Subterranean Theatre, 1834 Euclid, Berk; (510) 234-6046. Call for price. Opens Thurs/5, 8pm. Runs Thurs-Sat, 8pm. Through Oct 12. Subterranean Shakespeare performs the Bard's tale, set in this version in 1935 Italy.

Macbeth Forest Meadows Outdoor Amphitheater, Grand at Acacia, Dominican University, San Rafael; (415) 499-4488. $12-22. Opens Fri/6, 8pm. Runs Fri-Sat and Sept 22, 8pm; Sun/8 and Sept 15, 4pm. Through Sept 28. The Marin Shakespeare Company presents Shakespeare's drama.

The Music Lesson Marin Theatre Company, 397 Miller, Mill Valley; (415) 388-5208. $24-40 (Tues, pay what you can). Opens Thurs/5, 8pm. Runs Tues and Thurs-Sat, 8pm; Wed, 7:30pm; Sun, 2 and 7pm; Sept 19, 1pm. Through Oct 6. Marin Theatre Company performs Tammy Ryan's play about two Bosnian music teachers who flee to Pittsburgh.

That Ugly Month in September La Val's Subterranean Theatre, 1834 Euclid, Berk; (510) 704-8210. $10. Opens Mon/9, 8pm. Runs Mon-Tues, 8pm (through Sept 17); Sept 23-24, 10pm. Through Sept 24. Shotgun Theatre Lab presents two new plays by Dana Vinger.

Ongoing

Are We Almost There? Shelton Theatre, 533 Sutter; 345-7575. $15. Sun, 2pm. Open-ended. Travel is the theme of this musical comedy revue.

*Attempts on Her Life 312 Connecticut Theater, 312 Connecticut; 1-866-GOT-FURY. $15-20. Extended run: Thurs-Sun, 8pm (no show Thurs/5). Through Sept. 14. 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)

Dreamlandia Thick House, 1695 18th St; 401-8081, www.thickdescription.org. $15-25. 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.

Let's Talk about Me Theatre Rhinoceros, 2926 16th St; 861-5079. $16-18. Thurs-Sat, 8:30pm; Sun, 7:30pm. Through Sept 22. This show includes three world premiere one-acts: Behind the Candelabra: My Life with Liberace; Simply Stunning: The Doris Fish Story; and Jennifer Blowdryer's White Trash Debutante.

My Dinner with Lunatique Fantastique New Conservatory Theatre Center, 25 Van Ness; 861-8972. $15-25. Wed-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. Through Sept 15. Liebe Wetzel and her collaborators in Lunatique Fantastique can wed a disarmingly artful technique – marvelous illusions spun from everyday objects like newspapers, clothes, and bare feet – to dramatic narratives of subtlety and force. The company's latest show delivers its trademark humor, compassion, and riveting theatrical magic, offering an assortment of characters made from normally inanimate materials on or around the dining table. In one winning vignette, for example, a dish towel, baguette heel, menu, and pair of white gloves suffice to conjure a stuffy French maître d'. Equally compelling is the risqué sketch "Hand Job," a romantic encounter between (Wetzel's) right and left hands that will breathe new life into onanists everywhere. Here, Lunfan intentionally seems to be blurring the line between "puppet theater for adults" and "adult theater." The show also features more serious parts excerpted from three works in progress, together conceived as the "War Trilogy." These pieces evince a marvelous simplicity with truth at the core, but they lack the dramatic force and sophistication of the company's more specific narratives of the past. But since they are still-evolving parts of larger works, future productions may well revise this impression. (Avila)

PINS Walker Theatre, New Conservatory Theatre Center, 25 Van Ness; 861-8972. $18-38. Wed-Sat, 8pm; Sun/8, Sept 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.

Rebel Without a Pause Brava Theater Center, 2789 24th St; 647-2822. $24-28. 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.

*Stories by Tobias Wolff Magic Theatre, Fort Mason Center, Marina at Laguna; 437-6775. $25 (Wed, pay what you can). Extended run: Thurs-Sat, 8:30pm (no show Sat/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. Wed/4-Sat/7, 8pm (also Wed/4, Sat/7, 2pm); Sun/8, 2pm. 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)

The Winter's Tale Golden Gate Park, West of the Conservatory of Flowers, www.sfshakes.org. Free. Sat-Sun, 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

Beatbox: A Raparetta Black Box Theater, 1298 Telegraph, Oakl; (510) 451-1932. $7-10. (510) 451-1932. 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. Fri/6-Sat/7, 8pm; Sun/8, 7pm. (Sept 13, show moves to the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College, Berk. Through Sept 21). Impact Theatre performs their take on the Shakespeare classic.

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.

dance

'House Special' ODC Theater, 3153 17th St; 863-9834. Fri-Sun, 8pm. $15. See Critic's Choice.

FatChanceBellyDance Victoria Theatre, 2961 16th St; 431-4322. Fri-Sat, 7:30pm (also Sat, 2pm). $15-20. The San Francisco troupe performs Beledi, with special guests Mark and Elizabeth Bell of Middle Eastern folkloric music group Helm.

Bay Area

Georgian State Dance Company Marin Center, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael; (415) 472-3500. Sun, 3pm. $18-30. See 8 Days a Week, page 44.

performance

'Desire and Creation: An Anti-Oppressionist Dream of Motherhood' Jon Sims Center for the Arts, 1519 Mission; 554-0402. Fri, 8pm. $5-10 (sliding scale, no one turned away for lack of funds). As part of the Jon Sims Center's Fall 2002 AIRspace artists-in-residence series, Saun-Toy Latifa Trotter performs her new show about motherhood and queer parenting.

'Night of the Rising Stars' Chinese Culture Center, Holiday Inn-Chinatown, 750 Kearny, Third St; 928-2456. Sat, 6:30-9pm. $10. The San Francisco Taiko Dojo, San Francisco Wushu Team, Chinese Folk Dance Association, and other groups perform.

'Slow Art' Union Square, Powell at Geary; 923-1338. Sat, 1:30pm. Free. This ongoing series features free concerts (this week: San Francisco Jazz performs), plus exhibits mounted by Red Umbrella designed to "slow the world down."

'Til Friday' Club Rendez-Vous, 1312 Polk; 309-CLUB. Fri, 10:30pm and midnight. Free. A cast of drag performers – including Cockatelia, Gypsy Calabrese, Sonfondaboyz, Manley Lennox, and Karen Kill – takes the stage; this week's theme is "Rodeo Queens: The Country Show II."

'Welcome to the Welfare Line' Jon Sims Center for the Arts, 1519 Mission; 554-0402. Sat-Sun, 8pm. $7-12 (no one turned away for lack of funds). Erika Lopez and Mr. Amy Simpson perform their original "food stamp opera."

'Women's Work' Venue 9, 252 Ninth St; 289-2000. Tues, 8pm. Through Sept 24. $8-10 (sliding scale). This week's performances in the ongoing series: Beneath Sita's Belly, by the Weird Sisters (Patty Gallagher, Jane Chen, and Janaki Ranpura); FanTOYsmical Dreams, by Splash Circus; and The Rape Poems, by Ambit Theater Co.

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.

Eureka Theatre 215 Jackson; 921-2051. Sun, 8pm: "San Francisco Comedy College Graduation Showcase," $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.

The Mock Café 1074 Valencia; noychromosome@yahoo.com. Sat, 9pm: "No Y Chromosome Comedy Showcase," an all-female comedy show, $7.

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

The Stud 399 Ninth St; stoodup@hotmail.com. Wed, 8:30pm: "Stood Up!," comedy with hosts Pippi Lovestocking and Ronn Vigh, plus special guests, $5.

Bay Area

Black Box 1928 Telegraph, Oakl; (510) 595-5597. Thurs, 8pm: The Oakland Playhouse improv troupe performs improv comedy, $5. Sat, 2pm: "Zamfoo! Improv Comedy for Kids," $5 (no one turned away for lack of funds).

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 hosts from Youth Speaks, 7:30pm, $2. Mama Bears Women's Bookstore 6536 Telegraph, Oakl; (510) 506-3717. "SheSpeaks," open mic night for women 18 and up, 7:30pm, $5. Starry Plough 3101 Shattuck, Berk; (510) 841-2082. "Chicken Grease!," with hosts Nazelah Jamison and Karen Ladson, 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. San Francisco State University Humanities Auditorium (Humanities Bldg, Rm 133), 1600 Holloway; 339-2227. Poetry reading to welcome new dean of humanities Paul Sherwin, noon, call for price. Dalva 3121 16th St; 647-6542. "Poetry Mission" open mic, 7pm, free.

Friday: Escape from New York Pizza 333 Bush; www.poetryandpizza.homestead.com. Sarah Menefee and Gail Ford read, 7:30pm, $5.

Saturday: Martin Luther King, Jr. Park MLK Way at Center, Berk; (510) 526-9105. "Watershed Environmental Poetry Festival" poetry and environmental activism event, noon-5pm, free. Berkeley Public Library West Branch, 1125 University, Berk; (510) 527-9905. The Bay Area Poets Coalition hosts an open reading, 3-5pm, free.

Sunday: Cody's Books 2454 Telegraph, Berk; (510) 845-7852. "Poetry Flash," with Ivan Argüelles and Carolyn Grassi, 7:30pm, $2.

Monday: Rasselas Jazz (Fillmore) 1534 Fillmore; 346-8696. Open mic for instrumentalists, singers, and poets, featuring the Dee Spencer Trio, 8pm, free.