NMLK

Excellent

Very Good

Interesting

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

A Time for Hawking Indra's Net Theater's show about a young Stephen Hawking is best taken as a lecture rather than a play. It's a bit like reading one of the Socratic dialogues: side characters exist only to give Hawking an excuse to expound on physics. Through Jan. 13. One hour, 50 minutes. $25-$30. Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., Berkeley. 415-6139210. www.indrasnettheater.com.

— L. Janiak

LVolta

Cirque du Soleil’s street sports-themed show is propelled by exquisitely defined moods that give each acrobatic sequence a motive for existing beyond “Here’s an amazing feat!” Here, BMX biking, unicycling, ballet and Double Dutch aren’t just thrilling; they’re emotionally moving. Through Feb. 3 at the Big Top at AT&T Park, 74 Mission Rock St., S.F.; Feb. 13-March 23 at Big Top at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Road, San Jose. Two and a half hours. $54$290, subject to change. 877-9247783. www.cirquedusoleil.com.

— L. Janiak

NThe Waiting Period The subject is suicidal depression, but there’s nothing depressing about this brilliant solo from Brian Copeland. The 70-minute tale of waiting to get the gun he bought to kill himself is brutally honest, astonishingly funny, urgent, courageous and charmingly told. Select Sundays through March 17. Free$100. The Marsh, 1062 Valencia St., S.F. 415-283-3055. www.themarsh.org. — L. Janiak

NNot reviewed

Avenue Q New Conservatory Theatre Center presents the Broadway hit incorporating adult Sesame Street-style puppetry in the story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. Ends Sun., Jan. 13. $38$65. Decker Theatre, 25 Van Ness Ave., S.F. 415-861-8972. nctcsf.org

Border People The Marsh presents Dan Hoyle’s new solo show based on on his conversations with immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and border crossers of all kinds in the wake of the 2016 presidential

Below Average