January 7, 2003

stage

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

theater

Opening

American Buffalo Geary Theater, 415 Geary; 749-2228, www.act-sf.org. $11-61. Previews Thurs/9-Sat/11, Tues/14, 8pm (also Sat/11, 2pm). Opens Jan 15, 8pm. Runs Jan 21, 7pm; Wed-Sat, Jan 28, Feb 4, 8pm (also Jan 22, Feb 5, Sat, 2pm); Sun, 2pm (also Jan 19, Feb 2, 7pm). Through Feb 9. American Conservatory Theater presents the David Mamet classic about three scheming thieves.

The Colossus of Rhodes Zeum Theater, Yerba Buena Gardens, Fourth at Howard Sts; 749-2228, www.act-sfbay.org. $14-24. Previews Fri/10-Sat/11, 8pm. Opens Sun/12, 7pm. Runs Tues-Thurs, 7pm (also Jan 16, 30, 1pm); Fri-Sat, 8pm (also Jan 18, 25, 2pm; Feb 1, show at 2pm only); Sun, 2pm. Through Feb 1. American Conservatory Theater presents a new play by artistic director Carey Perloff, a drama about 19th century Englishmen involved in the South African diamond industry.

Grease Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market; 512-7770, www.ticketmaster.com. $40-75. Opens Tues/14, 8pm. Runs Tues-Sat, 8pm (also Wed, Sat, 2pm); Sun, 2pm. Through Jan 26. Frankie Avalon reprises his role from the movie (the "Beauty School Dropout"-singing angel) in this production of the popular musical.

Mammoth under the Bathmat Next Stage, 1620 Gough; 541-5678, www.ripetreats.com. $15-20. Opens Thurs/9, 8pm. Runs Thurs-Sat, 8pm. Through Jan 25. Ripe Theatre presents a new collection of darkly comic short plays that delve into secrets both concealed and revealed.

Mother's Milk The Marsh, 1074 Valencia; 826-5750. $10-15. Opens Fri/10, 7:45pm. Runs Fri-Sat, 7:45pm. Through Feb 22. Wayne Harris performs his solo show, a reflection on his mother's death from breast cancer.

X Spanganga, 3376 19th St; 826-1202. $12. Opens Fri/10, 8pm. Runs Fri-Sat, 8pm. Through Feb 15. African American sketch and improv comedy group Oui Be Negroes present their tenth anniversary show.

Bay Area

The Distribution of Empathy Berkeley Rep's Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison, Berk; (510) 647-2949, www.berkeleyrep.org. $25-30. Opens Tues/14, 8pm. Runs Tues-Fri, 8pm; Sat-Sun, 7pm (also Sat, 9:30pm). Through Jan 19. Karen Finley performs her solo show, an exploration of the emotional state of New Yorkers following Sept. 11.

Fugitive Kind Marin Theatre Company, 397 Miller, Mill Valley; (415) 388-5208. $25-43. Previews Thurs/9-Sat/11, 8pm; Sun/12, 2 and 7pm. Opens Tues/14, 8pm. Runs Tues, Thurs-Sat, 8pm (also Jan 23, 1pm; Feb 1, 8, 2pm); Wed, 7:30pm; Sun, 2 and 7pm. Through Feb 9. Marin Theatre Company performs a rare early Tennessee Williams play (written in 1937, and not performed since) that follows the colorful occupants of a transient hotel in St. Louis.

Ongoing

Are We Almost There? Shelton Theatre, 533 Sutter; 345-7575. $15-18. Thurs-Sat, 8pm. Open-ended. Travel is the theme of this musical-comedy revue.

Body Familiar Magic Theatre, Fort Mason Center, Marina at Laguna; 441-8822, www.magictheatre.org. $17-37 (opening night, $50). Previews Wed/8-Thurs/9, 8pm. Opens Fri/10, 8pm. Runs Wed-Sat and Jan 28, 8pm (also Feb 1, 2:30pm; no shows Jan 22-25); Jan 19 and Feb 2, 7:30pm. Through Feb 2. Choreographer Joe Goode created this "play with movement" – the tale of a group of interlinked characters grappling with love, memories, and ghosts – for the Magic Theatre.

*Hedwig and the Angry Inch Victoria Theatre, 2961 16th St; 863-7576. $20-40. Wed-Sun, 8pm (also Sat, 11pm). Open-ended. Kevin Cahoon assumes the title role originated by John Cameron Mitchell in his 1998 Obie-winning glam musical, later a celebrated film, now making its long-anticipated San Francisco debut with a sizable cult following ready and waiting. And while die-hard fans show up prepared to sing along, the show is so instantly contagious that no homework is necessary on the part of the uninitiated. An East Berlin girlie boy named Hansel becomes Hedwig after a sex change – but the operation is botched, leaving Hedwig with just an "angry inch" of her former self. Heart in tatters but spirit intact, she plays out her story as a nightclub act. For all its value as camp, Hedwig is a cabaret act of subtle sophistication; the story, like the best glam rock, has a quiet force that is the undercurrent of its self-conscious banality and cutting humor. (Avila)

R. Buckminster Fuller: The History (and Mystery) of the Universe Project Artaud Theater, 450 Florida; 626-DOME, www.foghouse.com. $20-40 (first Wed of each month, pay what you can). Wed-Sat, 8pm (also Sat, 3pm); Sun, 2pm. Open-ended. D. W. Jacobs's R. Buckminster Fuller: The History (and Mystery) of the Universe is bursting with so many ideas that it's almost impossible to contain them within the confines of the stage. Fuller was one of the great brainiacs of the 20th century, a philosopher, mathematician, inventor, and idealist who devoted his life to finding the best fit between nature and humanity. In Jacobs's fitful, two-hour monologue based on the life and writings of Fuller, actor Ron Campbell dexterously pings from one of the visionary's obsessions to another. Whether rattling through a dense explanation of atomic structure, proselytizing about how famine will become extinct as humans do "more and more with less and less," or espousing the joys of parenting, Campbell inhabits Fuller's eccentric soul with physical and verbal intensity – at times so much so that the margins between performance and lecture blur. (Veltman)

7 Sins Shelton Theatre, 533 Sutter; 820-3947. $20-25. Starting Sun/12, begins extended run: Sun, 5 and 8pm. Through Jan 26. A revolving cast of seven perform comedy monologues drawn from real-life experiences; special guests include Alex Borstein (Jan 19) and Teri Garr (Jan 26).

Bay Area

*The Play about the Baby La Vals Subterranean, 1834 Euclid, Berk; (510) 704-8210. $12-18. Extended run: Fri-Sat, 8pm; Sun/12, 7pm. Through Jan 18. Shotgun Players presents the West Coast premiere of Edward Albee's lively and provocative play, a gleeful stripping away of willful delusions. A Boy (Brent Rosenbaum) and Girl (Katie McMahon) enjoying the Eden-like bliss of first love appear to have given birth to a child, when an older couple, Man (Richard Louis James) and Woman (Trish Mulholland), arrive and complicate the picture considerably. With a dazzling, frequently hilarious perfusion of asides, direct addresses, and mischievous wordplay, Man and Woman worm their way into the youngsters' quaint paradise, inviting the audience along for the ride. An identity game ensues that shatters the complacency of clichés both psychical and theatrical. Albee has a knack for making such blood sport terrific fun and sobering all the same, like a host who plies you with drinks just so he can lay into you with a few honest truths. Director Reid Davis revels in the approach, and his actors rise to the occasion. In particular, Mulholland twitches with a marvelously spastic comic energy, while James's deft turn as the serene sophisticate with a hint of malice exerts a gravitational pull that makes the close surroundings seem all the more intimate. (Avila)

*The Two Gentlemen of Verona San Jose Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose; (408) 367-7255. $20-48. Wed/8-Sat/11, 8pm (also Sat/11, 3pm); Sun/12, 2pm. Best friends Valentine (Andrew Heffernen) and Proteus (T. Edward Webster) travel from a Midwestern backwater called Verona to the imperial Hollywood of the silent-film era in Jeff Steitzer and San Jose Rep's ingenious, rollicking adaptation of Shakespeare's comedy. The young men have their friendship sorely tested when Proteus dumps hometown sweetheart Julia (Amanda Duarte) for Valentine's new girl Silvia (Jennifer Lee Taylor), a Hollywood starlet. Valentine's manservant Speed (Andy Murray) intervenes with faithful wit to secure his master a livelihood among cowboy outlaws when things go south. Meanwhile Proteus's man Launce (John Altieri) gives us Hollywood Babble On and some Chaplinesque clowning doggedly pursued with four-legged sidekick Crab (Charley). Proteus's ferocious determination to have Silvia at all costs lends a dark undertone to Shakespeare's otherwise jubilant tale that can strain the happy ending, but director Steitzer makes Proteus's transformation to villainhood and back feel finally like a youthful escapade at the whim of Hollywood grandeur. To this end, Roberta Carlson's grand score and Drew Boughton's delightful sets seem right off the Universal lot, while B. Modern's costumes deck the actors in aptly outlandish period attire, and a wonderful supporting cast adroitly balances Shakespearean meter with lilts Americana in a fresh production that pulls out all the stops. (Avila)

dance

Dance Theatre of Gospel Alice Arts Center, 1428 Alice, Oakl; (510) 645-9822. Sat-Sun, 8pm (also Sun, 3pm). $10-18. The group performs "Free to Dance," including 4 Women, Masquerade, and What Love.

performance

'Fauxgirls!' Marlena's, 488 Hayes; 864-6672. Sat, 10pm. Free. Anjelica Devarox and Victoria Secret host a drag cabaret.

'Norton I (The Fall and Rise of the Emperor of the United States)' Noh Space, 2840 Mariposa; 621-7978. Mon-Tues, 8pm. $10-15. See 8 Days a Week, page 56.

'Richter 858' San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Wattis Theater, 151 Third St; 357-4000, www.ticketweb.com. Sat, 6:30 and 9pm. $25-30. Musician Bill Frisell and other artists present an evening of music and readings inspired by SFMOMA's current exhibit of Gerhard Richter paintings.

'Velvet' New Langton Arts, 1246 Folsom; 626-5416, www.newlangtonarts.org. Fri-Sat, 8pm. $6-8. Inspired by the work of visual artist Michelle Rollman, the film National Velvet, and the book Black Beauty, composer-performer David E. Johnson and writer-performer Philip Horvitz use dance, music, video projection, and live performance to tell the story of a girl who wishes she is a horse.

Bay Area

'Circus Fun' Showcase Theater, Marin Center, San Rafael; (415) 457-4878. Wed-Thurs, 9:30 and 11am. $7. Youth in Arts Performing Arts Series presents a performance by the Walden Marionettes.

comedy

BrainWash Café 1122 Folsom; 861-3663. Thurs, 8pm: Comedy open mic hosted by Tony Sparks, free.

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

Fort Mason Center Marina at Laguna (check daily events sandwich board to see exact location); 453-9092. Sat, 1-4pm: Improv workshop with Jim Crenna, $10. Ongoing.

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; 820-3237. Fri, 9pm: stand-up comedy with host Tom Smith, followed by improv troup Too Many Larrys!, $7. Through Jan 31.

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

San Francisco LGBT Community Center 1800 Market; 865-5633. Mon, 8pm: "Monday Night Gay Comedy" with host Dana Cory, $8-15 (no one turned away for lack of funds).

*'SF Sketchfest: The Second Annual San Francisco Sketch Comedy Festival' Eureka Theatre, 215 Jackson; 1-866-468-3399 (tickets), 487-6443 (info). Jan 2-26. This week: Lester McFwap and White Noise Radio Theatre (Wed, 8pm, $15); Bald Faced Lie and the Sniffs (Thurs, 8pm, $15); The Sniffs and White Noise Radio Theatre (Fri, 8pm, $17); Bald Faced Lie and Latino Comedy Project (Fri, 10:30pm, $17); Fred Willard's Hollywood Players and Latino Comedy Project (Sat, 8pm, $25); Fred Willard's Hollywood Players and White Noise Radio Theatre (Sun, 2pm, $20); Fred Willard's Hollywood Players and Some Kind of Cult (Sun, 6pm, $20). For the month of January, the Eureka Theater has transformed itself into a vaguely policed laugh riot, an almost nightly showcase of group comedic talent from across North America, as well as a meeting ground where aspiring comedians and comedy writers visibly lurk, rubbing elbows with the pros, the semipros, or merely with the help. The second annual SF Sketchfest kicked off a month's worth of eclectic sketch comedy with master of ceremonies Joe Klocek and four local favorites from last year: the Meehan Brothers, White Noise Radio Theatre, Kaspar Hauser, and Totally False People (who with Thomas Sawyer produced the festival). They were joined the next night by the weekend headliners: New York-based improv champs the Upright Citizens Brigade. In an ambitious expansion of last year's six-act inaugural, the festival will feature 19 sketch groups in all, at least one from as far away as Montreal, and including no less than Fred Willard and his Hollywood Players. Happily, all this forward-looking hasn't diminished the laid-back feel of the event, which offers a great opportunity to watch the group mind at work. (Avila)

Sweetie's Bar and Café 475 Francisco; 820-3237. Sat, 8pm: Too Many Larrys! perform improv comedy, call for price. Through Jan 25.

Bay Area

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

Café Eclectica 1309 Solano, Albany; (510) 527-2344. Sat, 8pm: S.F. Improv performs improvised comedy and musical theater, 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 spoken word events and featured readers:

Wednesday: BrainWash Café 1122 Folsom; 440-5530. "Spoken Word Salon," open mic, 8pm, free. 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. "The Berkeley Slam!" with hosts Charles Ellik and dani eurynome, 8pm, $7.

Thursday: Coppa D'Oro Cafe 3164 24th St; 821-1618. "Poetry on the Patio," spoken word and acoustic music open mic with host Barbara Bennett, 6:30pm, free.

Saturday: Berkeley Art Center 1275 Walnut, Berk; (510) 644-6873. "Rhythm and Muse" featuring Kira Allen, plus open mic, 7pm, free.

Sunday: Cody's Books 2454 Telegraph, Berk; (510) 845-7852. "Poetry Flash" with Ruth L. Schwartz and David Groff, 7:30pm, $2 (free workshop with the poets precedes reading, 5:30-7pm).

Monday: Rasselas Jazz (Fillmore) 1534 Fillmore; 346-8696. Open mic for instrumentalists, singers, and poets, featuring the Dee Spencer Trio, 8pm, free. Perry's Joint 1661 Fillmore; 931-5260. "Celebration of the Word" with featured reader Christopher Bernard and open mic, 7pm, free.