THEATER

Angels in America Berkeley Rep’s revival of Tony Kushner’s epic two-part masterpiece set in the height of the AIDS crisis gives reminders both timeless and timely for our own era of identity politics: We can commune with people with whom we seem to share nothing. We can forgive. Sick and despised, we can nonetheless be warriors for life. Acknowledging what it costs us to move in the world and change it and always desire more than what we have, we can still choose to be alive. Through July 22. “Part One: Millennium Approaches,” three hours, 35 minutes. “Part Two: Perestroika,” three hours, 45 minutes. $40-$100, subject to change. Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 2015 Addison St., Berkeley. 510-647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org. —L. Janiak

Beach Blanket Babylon Steve Silver’s effervescent revue of send-ups and showstoppers in which Snow White looks for love in an onslaught of pop-culture lampoons and fantastic hats. Ongoing. $25-$130. Club Fugazi, 678 Green St., S.F. 415-421-4222. www.beachblanketbabylon.com. — R. Hurwitt

Dry Land Ruby Rae Spiegel’s play is set in the locker room of a high school girls’ swim team, but that’s only cover for the terrifying and very real shadow world its teenage girls live in, when you have all the problems of womanhood with none of its power. Shotgun Players’ production lets mean girls be less mean and nice girls be less nice than in most other portrayals, and it gives female biology and sexuality their sopping, smelly due. Ends Sun., June 17. 85 minutes. $25-$42. Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., Berkeley. 410-8416500. www.shotgunplayers.org. —L. Janiak

An Entomologist’s Love Story If the notions of femininity on display in Melissa Ross’ San Francisco Playhouse world premiere are as black-and-white and as retrograde as those in Woody Allen’s “Husbands and Wives,” director Giovanna Sardelli nonetheless makes the chemistry between two American Museum of Natural History entomologists into a kind of love. It’s a love the pair — exes, co-workers and best friends — can no longer consummate. But it’s a love all the same, and one they have to redefine as they meet new partners. Ends Sat., June 23. 90 minutes. $20-$125. San Francisco Playhouse, 450 Post St., S.F. 415-677-9596. www.sfplayhouse.org. —L. Janiak

Playwright Joe Gilford recreates his actor parents’ courtship and marriage beneath the cloud of the 1950’s Red Scare and HUAC investigations. The uneven comedy drama awkwardly mixes tones but has a knowing intimacy of its subject. With Donna Vivino and Jim Stanek. Giovanna Sardelli directs. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 7 p.m. Sundays through July 1. $40 - $100. Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. (650) 463-1960. theatre works.org. —M. Crowder

Hamlet Particularly if you’re on your umpteenth iteration of Shakespeare's tragedy, Marin Shakespeare's casting of the youthful Nate Currier in the title role gives the Danish prince's angsty mood swings new credibility. But especially in the play's second half, Currier too often defaults to a twitchy disdain, and other performances, such as a blocky Claudius from Rod Gnapp, also fall short. Through July 8. Two hours, 45 minutes. $16-$38. Forest Meadows Amphitheatre, 890 Belle Ave., San Rafael. 415-4994488. www.marinshakespeare.org. —L. Janiak

The Humans To hear the Irish Catholic family of Stephen Karam's Tony-winning play yammer over each other at a Thanksgiving meal, heedlessly injuring and then immediately apologizing, is to think that this is what family is. If the touring Broadway production at SHN's Orpheum Theatre makes for a standard but unexceptional example of classic American drama, it features ace performances, especially from Richard Thomas and Pamela Reed as enervated Baby Boomers just one health care crisis or layoff or vice away from destitution. Ends Sun., June 17. 100 minutes. $40-$150. SHN’s Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market St., S.F. 888-746-1799. www.shnsf.com. —L. Janiak

A Lesson From Aloes Director Timothy Near delivers a meticulous production of this little-seen Athol Fugard gem with outstanding performances from the trio ensemble. Through June 29. $10-$50. Z Below, 470 Florida St. San Francisco. (415) 626-0453; www.alessonfromaloes.com. —M. Crowder

The Magic Bus Antenna Theater presents Chris Hardman’s magical mystery tour through the hippie ’60s and the Beat and Cold War past, on a bus ride through the city. Veterans of the era might nitpick, but it’s hard to resist the old clips and ’60s music. Ongoing. $40-$59. Meet at Union Square, Geary Street, S.F. 855-969-6244. www.magicbussf.com. — R. Hurwitt

Marrakech Magic Theater Jay Alexander’s mien throughout his card tricks, mind reading, number games and feats of extraordinary coincidence is that of a nerd with overweening enthusiasm — enthusiasm you can’t help but share. And descending the venue’s mysterious steps into an all-arabesque lounge (with drinks and appetizers available for purchase) for preshow close-up magic and then entering a tiny jewel box theater for the actual show are experiences in and of themselves. Ongoing. 90 minutes. $45. Marrakech Magic Theater, 419 O’Farrell St., S.F. www.sanfranciscomagictheater.com. — L. Janiak

Scapegoat William Bivins’ new script for PlayGround offers another proof of an old truism — that an artist’s biography is often the least interesting part of his art. It follows a comic book artist whose strip takes on racism, but his own origin story, both two-dimensional and credulity-straining, pales in comparison to the story he draws. Ends Sun., June 17. 85 minutes. $6$41. Potrero Stage, 1695 18th St., S.F. 415-992-6677. http://playground-sf.org. — L. Janiak

The Speakeasy It’s “Sleep No More” without the masks in this walk-through, Prohibition-era theater experience; audiences can play craps and blackjack, sneak through secret passages, quaff period cocktails, take in a dance at a cabaret, then spy on those dancers in their dressing room, via a two-way mirror. A feast for the adventurous — don’t try to get in without period attire of your own — “The Speakeasy” deserves to be a fixture in the Bay Area theater scene. Ongoing. Three hours, 30 minutes. $85-$130. Secret venue near North Beach and Chinatown, S.F. www.thespeakeasysf.com. — L. Janiak

The Waiting Period The subject is suicidal depression, but there’s nothing depressing about this brilliant solo from Brian Copeland. The 70minute tale of waiting to get the gun he bought to kill himself is brutally honest, astonishingly funny, urgent, courageous and charmingly told. Through July 29. Free$100. The Marsh, 1062 Valencia St., S.F. 415-282-3055. www.themarsh.org.

— R. Hurwitt What the Constitution Means to Me For all its sweeping imagination, cutting intellect and conspiratorial warmth, Heidi Schreck’s exploration of our founding document isn’t quite sure what kind of play it is, even if it has potential to become something great. Directed by Oliver Butler for Berkeley Rep, faux-spontaneous scenes barge in with seemingly no more thought behind them than, “Hey, here’s something that could fill the stage for a while.” Ends Sun., June 17. 95 minutes. $30-$97, subject to change. Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 2025 Addison St., Berkeley. 510-647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org.

— L. Janiak

NOT REVIEWED

Antigone The third play in Sophocles’ Oedipus trilogy in which Antigone’s love of her family triggers the ultimate destruction of the city of Thebes. Direced by Gaby Schneider. June 22-July 1. $15. Royce Gallery, 2901 Mariposa St., S.F. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3417629

As You Like It Silicon Valley Shakespeare presents Shakespeare’s romantic comedy following Rosalind as she flees persecution in her uncle’s court to find safety — and eventually, love — in the Forest of Arden. Ends Sun., June 24. Free. Willow Street Park, 1320 Willow St., San Jose. www.svshakespeare.org BATS Improv Improvised comedy ranging from sketch to full-evening works. “The Hand Crafted, Gluten-Free, Free-Rage, Fair-Trade, DairyFree, Non-GMO, Compostable, Locally Sourced, Certified Organic, Artisanal Games,” competitive improv shows. 8 p.m. Fridays through July 27; “Make Your Own Musical,” An improvised evening-length musical. 8 p.m. Saturdays through June 30. $17-$20. Bayfront Theatre, Building B, Fort Mason, S.F. 415-4748935. www.improv.org Broadway and the Bard: An Evening of Shakespeare & Song Tony Award-winner Len Cariou’s one man show combining Shakespeare and Broadway songs. Thurs. through Sun., June 21-24. $20-$40. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. 925-943-7469. www.lesherartscenter.org Broadway Under the Stars: Stairway to Paradise Transcendence Theatre Company presents an outdoor musical revue featuring classical and contemporary material. Through July 1. $45-$150. Jack London Historical Park, 2400 London Ranch Rd., Glen Ellen. 877-424-1414. transcendence theatre.org/single-tickets

Can You Dig It?: The ’60s Don Reed’s solo show recounts his entertaining and at-times outrageous comingof-age journey, focusing on his formative years in a 1960s Oakland grammar school. 5 p.m. Saturdays and 5:30 p.m. Sundays, June 23-July 29. $20-$100. The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. 415-282-3055. www.themarsh.org CubaCaribe Program Two A program of Caribbean theater, dance and music exploring migration throughout the Carribean diaspora. 8 p.m. Tues. and Wed, June 22-23. $12-$30. Brava Theater Center, 2781 24th St., S.F. www.cubacaribe.org

Dinner Detective Murdermystery dinner show with audience participation. Ongoing. $74.95. Hyatt Fisherman’s Wharf, 555 North Point St., S.F. 877-252-9307. www.thedinnerdetective.com

Diva or Die Burlesque A voyeuristic journey allowing the audience a sensuous peek at the bold women and times of burlesque. 8:30 p.m. Sat. and third Saturday of every month. $15. Exit Theatre, 156 Eddy St., S.F. www.theexit.org/diva-3

Dry Powder Aurora Theatre Company presents Sarah Burgess’ comedy skewering the world of high finance. June 22-July 22. $22-$65. Aurora Theatre, 2081 Addison St.CA 94704, Berkeley. 510-8434822. auroratheatre.org

Each and Every Thing The Marsh Berkeley presents Dan Hoyle’s solo comedy about how the media and the digital experience impact human relationships. 8 p.m. Fridays and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays, June 22-Aug. 25. $25-$100. The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. 415-282-3055. www.themarsh.org The Fantasticks Cinnabar Theater closes its 45th season with the Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt musical telling a timeless fable of love that manages to be funny and romantic, nostalgic and universal. Ends Sun., June 24. $25-445. Cinnabar Theater, 3333 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma. 707-763-8920. www.cinnabartheater.org Flyin’ West Project 1 Voice presents a staged reading of Pearl Cleage’s story, set in 1898, of four courageous African American women pioneers who take advantage of the Homestead Act and travel West to build new lives for themselves and their families against tremendous odds. 7 p.m. Mon., June 18. $25. Buriel Clay Theater, 762 Fulton St., S.F. www.lhtsf.org Fool La La! Over the Rainbow Unique Derique returns to the Marsh with a new bag of tricks, side-splitting physical comedy and a free 20-minute Hambone and juggling workshop after each family-friendly performance. Through June 30. $15-$100. The Marsh, 1062 Valencia St., S.F. 415-2823055. www.themarsh.org Freaky Friday Center Rep presents the musical adaptation of Mary Rodgers’ 1972 novel about a body swap between an overworked mother and her teenage daughter. Through June 30. $38-$79. Lester Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. 925943-7469. www.centerrep.org Good. Better. Best. Bested. Custom Made Theatre presents Jonathan Spector’s comedy about a one-night journey down the Las Vegas strip while the rest of the world is on the brink of disaster. Through July 7. $25-$42. Custom Made Theatre, 533 Sutter St., S.F. www.custommade.org Hattie McDaniel: What I Need You To Know! Rich-Rey Productions presents Vickilyn Reynolds’ one-woman look at the life and career of the groundbreaking African American actress. Thurs. through Sun., June 21-June 24. $25$100. Cowell Theater at Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Blvd., S.F. 415-345-7500. www.hat tiewhatineedyoutoknow.com Hedwig and the Angry Inch San Jose Stage Company presents the Obie-winning musical about Hedwig, a fourth-wall smashing genderqueer East German rock ’n’ roll goddess. Through July 8. $32-$72. San Jose Stage Company, 490 S. First St., San Jose. 408-283-7142. www.thestage.org

Honky Left Edge Theatre presents Greg Kalleres’ dark comedy navigating the murky waters of race, rhetoric and basketball shoes. Through July 1. $25-$40. Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Rd., Santa Rosa. www.leftedgetheatre.com Illyria 6th Street Playhouse presents Peter Mills and Cara Reichel’s musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” Through July 8. $28$38. 6th Street Playhouse, 52 W. Sixth St., Santa Rosa. www.6thstreetplayhouse.com In Braunau San Francisco Playhouse resents Dipika Guha’s story of a pair of idealistic progressives who move to Austria and embark on a plan to turn Adolf Hitler’s house into a bed-and-dinner. Through July 7. $30. The Reuff at ACT’s Strand Theater, 1127 Market St., S.F. 415-677-9596. www.sfplayhouse.org/sfph/ 2017-2018-season/in-braunau The Infinite Wrench San Francisco Neo-Futurists present an evening of two-minute plays exploring the irrepressible, the honest, the odd and the new. 9:30 p.m. Fridays. Ongoing. $14-$19. PianoFight, 144 Taylor St., S.F. www.pianofight.com

Keith Moon: The Real Me 3Below Theaters & Lounge presets Mick Berry’s solo show following the life and career of the legendary drummer of the Who. Ends Sun., June 24. $20-$40. 3Below Theaters and Lounge, 288 S. Second St., San Jose. 408-404-7711. www.3belowtheaters.com Oh, Coward! Pear Theatre presents Noel Coward and Roderick Cook’s two-act musical comedy featuring four performers accompanied on piano, performing songs and sketches June 21-July 15. $10-$35. Pear Theatre, 1110 La Avenida St., Mountain View. 650-254-1148. www.the pear.org

Pete the Cat Bay Area Children’s Theatre presents the story of an ill-mannered rock ’n’ roll cat who helps his new owner to pass second grade. Saturdays and Sundays, Through August 5. $22-$27. Bay Area Children’s Theater Center, 2055 Center St., Berkeley. bactheatre.org

Mamma Mia! For its 105th season on top of Mount Tamalpais, Mountain Play presents the musical featuring the jubilant songs of ABBA. 2 p.m. Sundays Ends Sun., June 17. $20-$175. Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre, Mt. Tamalpais State Park, Mill Valley. 415383-1100. www.mountainplay.org

The Man Who Came to Dinner Eighteen Bay Area actors star in Palo Alto Players’ production of the 1939 Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman comedy about an egotistical tyrant who, recuperating from a fall, wreaks havoc on all he touches. Through July 1. $28$46. Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto. 650-329-0891. www.paplayers.org

Million Dollar Quartet Broadway by the Bay presents the musical set in 1956, when in a small Memphis recording studio, four musical icons — Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins — had a jam session that changed rock ’n’ roll forever. Ends Sun., June 24. $44-$66. Fox Theatre, 2215 Broadway, Redwood City. 650-579-5565. www.broadwaybythebay.org

The Mushroom Cure The Marsh presents Adam Strauss’s solo show following his vigilante psychopharmacology experiment medicating his OCD with psychedelics. 8 p.m. Fridays and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays through July 7. $20-$100. The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. (415) 282-3055. www.themarsh.org

Pint Sized Plays: The Gang’s All Queer An evening of short, mostly comedic plays set in a bar, and written by Bay Area playwrights. The only rule is that each play can’t run longer than it takes one of its character to finish a beer. 8 p.m. Mondays through June 25. $0-$20. PianoFight, 144 Taylor St., S.F. 415-816-3691. www.pianofight.com

Pippin Los Altos Stage Company presents the Roger O. Hirson and Stephen Schwartz musical about a young prince who eventually learns to eschew the glories of the battlefield, the temptations of the flesh and the intrigues of political power in favor of the simple moments that happen every day. Ends Sun., June 24. $18-$38. Bus Barn Theatre, 997 Hillview Ave., Los Altos. 650-941-0551. www.losaltos stage.org

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert — The Musical Theatre Rhinoceros presents Stephan Elliot and Allan Scott’s stage adaptation of the hit film following the adventures of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they could have ever dreamed of. Through June 30. $15-$45. Gateway Theatre, 215 Jackson St., S.F. www.therhino.org

Ragtime Contra Costa Civic Theatre presents the Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens musical weaving together three American stories — of a determined Jewish immigrant, a daring Harlem musician and a stifled woman of privilege — united by their courage, compassion and belief in a better tomorrow. Through July 22. $15-$36. Contra Costa Civic Theatre, 951 Pomona Ave., El Cerrito. 510-524-9012. www.ccct.org

San Francisco, I Love You! For Footloose Presents, Mary Alice Fry directs a series of vignettes about the City by the Bay. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through June 28. $20-50. Shelton Theater, 533 Sutter St., S.F. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3357555

Scapegoat PlayGround Festival of New Works presents William Bivins’ new play, blending the real and comic book words, in which one man tests art’s ability to create change in the face of another police shooting of an unarmed black man. Ends Sun., June 17. $6-$41. Portrero Stage, 1695 18th St., S.F. 415-992-6677. playground-sf.org

Secret Improv Society Comedy improv. Ongoing. $15. Shelton Theater, 533 Sutter St., S.F. 415-699-8744. www.improvsociety.com

Sense and Sensibility Town Hall Theatre Company presents Kate Hamill’s rollicking adaptation of the Jane Austen

novel about the misadventures of the Dashwood sisters — sensible Elinor and hypersensitive Marianne — in gossipy Regency England. Ends Sat., June 23. $18-$30. Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School St., Lafayette. 925-283-1557. www.townhalltheatre.com

ShortLived VII One of the nation’s largest audiencejudged theater competitions in which 48 short plays compete for a $5,000 prize. 8 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., June 14-Aug. 4. $20-$40. PianoFight, 144 Taylor St., S.F.. www.pianofight.com/ shortlived-vii

The Siegel City Lights Theater Company presents Michael Mitnick’s new romantic comedy that starts off with Ethan asking Alice’s parents for her hand in marriage, even though Ethan and Alice broke up two years ago. Ends Sun., June 17. $19-$44. City Lights Theater Company, 529 S. Second St., San Jose. 408-295-4200. www.cltc.org

Soft Power The Curran presents

a "play with a musical," a contemporary musical comedy rewinding recent political history through a Chinese lens. Through July 8. $39-$175. The Curran, 445 Geary St., S.F. sfcurran.com

Sprint Nana Duffour and Indigo Mateo present a performance blending film, music and dance to tell the coming of age story of Nana D., a queer black child of Ghanaian immigrants, discovering herself and her dignity in White America. 2 and 7 p.m. Sun., June 17. $12-$20. The Flight Deck, 1540 Broadway, Oakland. qcc2.org/sprint

Stop Stopping the Unstoppable The Marsh presents Ross Everett’s interactive parody of the the selfimportant inspirational tactics of spiritual gurus and self-help evangelists exploring topics such as relationships, manifestation, and harnessing energy. 8 p.m. Fridays and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays, June 22-July 28. $20-$100. The Marsh San Francisco, 1062 Valencia St., S.F. 415-2823055.

www.themarsh.org

Straight White Men Marin Theatre Company presents Young Jean Lee’s story of a man and his three adult sons confronting issues of identity and privilege when they come together for Christmas. Through July 8. $22-$60. Marin Theatre Company, 397 Miller Ave., Mill Valley. 415388-5200. www.marin theatre.org

Three Days of Rain Dragon Theatre presents Richard Greenberg’s 1998 Pulitzer Prize finalist about an architecturally significant home and how its authorship and legacy get contested both in the moment and in future generations. Ends Sun., June 17. $27-$35. Dragon Theatre, 2120 Broadway, Redwood City. 650-493-2006. www.dragon productions.net

Un-Scripted Theater Improvised Comedy “Intimacy Issues,” an hour-long improvised play about intimacy and oversharing. 10 p.m. Saturdays through July 7; “Dash Improv,”

an hour of improvised comedy. 10 p.m. Saturdays, ongoing. $10. 533 Sutter St., S.F. 415332-8738. www.un-scripted. com

A Walk On the Moon ACT presents the world-premiere of Pamela Gray and Paul Scott Goodman’s musical based on the 1999 film of the same name, a story of music, romance and self-discovery set against the backdrop of Woodstock and the first moon landing. Through July 1. $15$110. ACT’s Geary Theater, 415 Geary St., S.F. 415-749-2228. www.act-sf.org

Yes to Everything Footloose presents a series of new solo and group works performed by their creators. Julie Drucker with Kathleen Denny, Sat., June 23; Ron Jones with Bob Ernst and Aldo Della Maggiora, Fri., June 29; Bob Ernst and Della Maggiora, Sat., June 30. All performances 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through June 30. $15-$25. Exit Stage Left, 156 Eddy St., S.F. ftloose. com