Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park in San Diego. (619)234-5623 or www.theoldglobe.org. Tue-Wed, 7; Thur-Fri, 8; Sat, 2 & 8; Sun, 2 & 7. Ends June 12. $29-$85.
Winner of the 2008 Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. When their father goes missing, the huge, sprawling and completely dysfunctional Weston family reunites and sparks fly. Violet, the take-no-prisoners matriarch, struggles for control over a family set to implode over secrets, lies and betrayals.
Barbra’s Wedding
The Broadway Theatre, 340 E. Broadway in Vista. (760)806-7905. Wed-Sat; 7:30; Sun, 2. May 20-June 11. $17.50.
Barbra Streisand Homewrecker? While that fact isn’t listed on her resume, her 1998 wedding to James Brolin has certainly put a wedge between the couple living next door to her. Buzzing helicopters, paparazzi and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Humvee blocking the driveway finally puts this young couple over the edge.
Blithe Spirit
Presented by Grossmont College Theatre Arts Dept. in El Cajon. (619)644-7234 . Wed-Fri, 7:30; Sat, 2 & 7:30. May 12-21. $15.00.
In Noel Coward's ghostly comedy, Charles Condomine, a cantankerous novelist, is haunted by his first wife Elvira after the "happy medium" Madam Arcati goes into a trance. His current wife does not take well to the situation.
The Book of the Dun Cow
Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave. in Coronado. (619)437-6000 or www.lambsplayers.org Tues-Thur, 7:30; Fri, 8; Sat, 4 & 8; Sun, 2. Ends May 15. $28-$58.
An epic ‘good vs evil’ tale in the tradition of Tolkein and C.S. Lewis. This imaginative adventure is set in a time before humans when the animals could talk. Featuring amazing costumes, mesmerizing choreography, haunting music, and aerial combat!
Cabaret
Presented by Cygnet Theatre Company at Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St in San Diego. (619)337-1525 or cygnettheatre.com. Wed-Thur, 7:30; Fri, 8; Sat, 4 & 8; Sun, 2 & 7. Ends May 22. $29-54.
The classic Kinder & Ebb musical depicts the interlocking stories of a cabaret singer, an American writer and the denizens of Berlin, all caught up in the swirling maelstrom of a changing society on the eve of Hitler’s rise to power.
A Chorus Line
Presented by San Diego Musical Theatre at Lyceum Theatre, Horton Plaza in San Diego. Thur-Sat, 8; Sun, 2. 858-560-5740 or www.sdmt.org. May 28-June 12. $30-$60.
The stunning musical-verite about a chorus audition for a Broadway musical. It tells of the achingly poignant ambitions of professional Broadway gypsies to land a job in the show, and is a powerful metaphor for all human aspiration.
Dooley
Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd. in San Diego. (619)220-0097 or www.diversionary.org. Thur; 7:30; Fri-Sat, 8; Sun, 2. Ends May 29. $31-33.
Dr. Tom Dooley was a man who delighted in his sexuality, paid consequences, and yet refused to be defeated. He died young, but was cited by John F. Kennedy for his humanitarian work in Southeastern Asia as an inspiration for the start of the Peace Corps.
A Dram of Drummhicit
Presented by La Jolla Playhouse at Mandell Weiss Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Dr. in La Jolla. (858)550-1010 or www.lajollaplayhouse.org. Tue-Wed, 7:30; Thur-Fri, 8; Sat, 2 & 8; Sun, 2 & 7. May 17-June 12. $35-$56.
In Arthur Kopit’s new play, an American entrepreneur has found the perfect Scottish island on which to build his new golf course. But as secrets - and bodies - are unearthed, the true nature of the island wreaks comic havoc in this new supernatural comedy
The Great American Trailer Park Musical
Coronado Playhouse, 1835 Strand Way in Coronado. (619)435-4856 or www.coronadoplayhouse.com. Thur-Sat, 8; Sun, 2. Ends May 15. $15-25.
WARNING: This show contains strong language, adult situations, agoraphobia, adultery, bad perms, tacky outfits, road kill, strippers, flan, country rock, blues, and disco--it’s everything a trash-talking Off-Broadway musical should be!
Let Me Down Easy
Presented by San Diego Repertory Theatre at Lyceum Stage, Horton Plaza in San Diego. (619)544-1000 or www.sdrep.org. Wed, 7; Thur-Fri, 8; Sat, 2 & 8; Sun, 2 & 7. Ends May 15. $39-53.
For the past eight years, Anna Deveare Smith has interviewed hundreds of Americans to create a virtuosic and moving show about the power and vulnerability of the body, the price of health, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Life of Riley
Presented by the Old Globe Theatre at Sheryl & Harvey White Theatre in Balboa Park in San Diego. (619)234-5623 or www.theoldglobe.org. Tue-Wed, 7; Thur-Fri. 8; Sat, 2 & 8; Sun, 2 & 7. $29-$67. Ends June 5.
U.S. Premiere of Alan Ayckbourn’s hilarious new comedy. George Riley’s closest friends discover that he has just a few months to live and they each deal with the news in their own very surprising way. George has deeply affected each of their lives and he is now plotting one last final farewell, which could upset all of their futures.
Mamma Mia!
Presented by Broadway San Diego at Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave. in San Diego. (619)570-1100 or www.broadwaysd.com. Tue-Wed, 7; Thur, 7:30; Fri, 8; Sat, 2 & 8; Sun, 1 & 6:30. May 31-June 5. $33.50-$102.50.
A show the whole family will want to dance to returns for one week only.
Mixtape
Presented by Lamb’s Players Theatre at Horton Grand Theatre, 444 Fourth Ave. in San Diego. (619) 437-6000 or www.lambsplayers.org . Thur, 7:30; Fri-Sat, 8: Sun 2 & 7. Ends July 17. $28-58.
Remember the mixtape? The cassette that held that just right mix of your favorite music.
It was the perfect way to remember a feeling, celebrate a moment, make a statement or share your heart.
Much Ado About Nothing
Presented by the Old Globe Theatre, Festival Theatre in Balboa Park in San Diego. (619)234-5623 or www.theoldglobe.org. In rotating repertory, May 29-Sept 24. Tue-Sun, 8: $29-$62.
While Beatrice and Benedick hide their infatuation beneath witty barbs, Hero and Claudio race to the altar in Shakespeare‘s romantic comedy. But will false accusations and misunderstandings prevent their happy endings?
The Music Man
Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave. in Coronado. (619)437-6000 or www.lambsplayers.org Tues-Thur, 7:30; Fri, 8; Sat, 4 & 8; Sun, 2. May 17-July 10. $28-$62.
Meredith Willson’s masterpiece set a new standard of how musicals tell stories, and in the process gave us a classic love story and one of the most iconic American characters of all time in the lovable rake Harold Hill.
Shotgun Wedding Anniversary
Presented by Mystery Café Dinner Theater at Imperial House Restaurant, 505 Kalmia St. in San Diego. (619)460-2200 or www.mysterycafe.net. Fri-Sat, 8, indefinitely. $59.50 includes 4 course dinner.
Pedals has planned a nostalgic tribute to her nuptials with Basil and instead finds herself wearing black and seeing red! After all, the family fortune is at stake. Help solve this hilarious mystery!
Ten Cent Night
Moxie Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd, Suite N in San Diego. (858)598-7620. Thur-Sat, 8; Sun, 2. May 27-June 26. $20-$40.
Dad's shot himself in the head and failed musician Roby Finley is on her way home to Burkeville, TX, with a suitcase full of stolen cash to save her heart-sick sister. Full of pathos and humor, heartbreak and joy, Ten Cent Night is a dark comedy from a time when a dime could buy you a phone call home.
Vicki Lawrence and Mama: A Two Woman Show
Welk Resort Theatre, 8860 Lawrence Welk Dr. in Escondido. (888)802-SHOW or www.welktheatresandiego.com. May 19-22, 1 pm. $65, $80 with brunch buffet.
The Carol Burnett Show’s Vicki Lawrence chronicles those remarkable years and beyond by allowing Vicki to sing and do stand-up comedy, while also performing as Mama, the cranky, acid-tongued curmudgeon with politically incorrect observations about life. Both Vicki and Mama ought to spin you out of life's doldrums and ensure that you can appreciate the true place of a woman in a man's world!
