THEATER
Arcadia Set in an English manor in 1809 and the 1990s, as professors in the latter era are trying to disentangle literary mysteries that nobility are living through in the earlier one, Tom Stoppard’s play capers from Fermat’s Last Theorem to rivaling aesthetics for landscape gardening, from free will and determinism to waltzing and sex. Through Jan. 27. Three hours, 10 minutes. $7-$22. Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., Berkeley. 510-841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org
Beach Blanket Babylon Steve Silver’s fast-paced, topical musical. Ongoing. $25-$130. Club Fugazi, 678 Green St., S.F. 415-421-4222. www.beachblanketbabylon.com
Big City Improv Improvised comedy. Ongoing. $15. Shelton Theater, 533 Sutter St., S.F. 510-595-5597. www.bigcityimprov.com
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 election. 8 p.m. Thursdays; 5 p.m. Saturdays. Through Feb. 23. $20-$100. The Marsh S.F., 1062 Valencia St., S.F. 415282-3055. www.themarsh.org
Deathtrap Ross Valley Players present Ira Levin’s comedy thriller about a playwright willing to go to great lengths for a Broadway hit. Directed by Chloe Bronzan. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Jan. 18-Feb. 17. $22-$27. Barn Theatre, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross. 415-456-0555 Ext. 1. www.rossvalleyplayers.com
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
Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead Bay Area Zeta Players present a comedic look at what happens when beloved comic characters grow up as “CB” and his friends cope with the rabies-induced death of his beloved beagle. 7 p.m. Fri.Sat., Jan. 18-19; 1 p.m. Sat.., Jan. 20. $10-$15. The Flight Desk, 1540 broadway, Oakland. www.theflightdeck.org
Dragon in the Drop-Off Lane: A Fairytale About Wise Parenting The Marsh presents Lisa Rothman’s solo show describing her Oakland-raised kids’ adventures in the fairy-tale world of Marin County. 5 p.m. Saturdays. Jan. 19-Feb. 23. $20-$100. The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. 415-282-3055. www.themarsh.org
Frost/Nixon Theatreworks Silicon Valley presents Peter Morgan’s political drama in which, with America caught in the riptides of Watergate and Vietnam, the former leader of the free world and a lightweight British talkshow host clash in a series of TV interviews that determine the President’s legacy. 7:30 Tuesdays-Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays; 7 p.m. Sundays. Through Feb. 10. $40-$100. Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. 650-4631960. www.theatreworks.org
A History of World War II: The D-Day Invasion to the Fall of Berlin For the Marsh, John Fisher writes and performs a solo show about the second World War from an unusual lens, focusing on the cutest generals who fought the battles and the hottest actors who played them in the movies. Through Feb. 2. $20-$100. The Marsh San Francisco, 1062 Valencia St., S.F. 415-282-3055. www.themarsh.org
How I Learned What I Learned Marin Theatre Company, Lorraine Hansberry Theatre and Ubunto Theater project present August Wilson’s autobiographical oneman show performed by Steven Anthony Jones, looking back at Wilson’s days as a young poet. Through Feb. 3. $10-$52. Marin Theatre Company, 397 Miller Ave., Mill Valley. 415-388-5200. www.marintheatre.org
Late Company Theatre Center New Conservatory presents Jordan Tannahill’s drama in which parents invite their son’s bully and his family over for a dinner party in an attempt to find closure after a family tragedy. 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Jan. 18-Feb. 24. $25-$55. NCTC Walker Theatre, 25 Van Ness Ave., S.F. 415-861-8972. www.nctcsf.org
Magic at the Rex Magic and comedy. 8 p.m. Saturdays. Ongoing. $25. Hotel Rex, 562 Sutter St., S.F. 415-8950090. www.magicattherex.com
The Magic Bus Antenna Theater, an experimental troupe of the ’80s and ’90s, returns with Chris Hardman’s 85-minute tour through the hippie ’60s and the Beat and Cold War past, on a bus ride through the city. Ongoing. $40-$50. Meet at Union Square, Geary Street, S.F. 855-969-6244. www.magicbussf.com
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. $45. Marrakech Magic Theater, 419 O’Farrell St., S.F. www.san franciscomagictheater.com
Moving Off The Land Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture presents multimedia artist Joan Jonas’ performance in conjunction with the opening of her exhibition “They Come to Us Without a Word.” The multilayered performance focuses on the power of the ocean. 6 p.m. Sun., Jan. 20. $20. Cowell Theater, Fort Mason, S.F. fortmason.org/event/jonas
Paradise Square Berkeley Rep’s world premiere musical centers on the Five Points neighborhood of Manhattan in 1863, as the intensifying Civil War threatens the racial harmony between black and Irish Americans. Through Feb. 17. $40-$115, subject to change. Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 2015 Addison St., Berkeley. 510-647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org
Secret Improv Society Comedy improv. Ongoing. $15. Shelton Theater, 533 Sutter St., S.F. 415- 699-8744. www. improvsociety.com
S.F. Magic Parlor Stories and conjuring. Ongoing. $40. Chancellor Hotel Union Square, 433 Powell St. www.sfmagicparlor.com
The Skin of Our Teeth Actors Ensemble of Berkeley presents Thornton Wilder’s 1943 play about a family who traverses time and space in an exploration of the human experience. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays.; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Jan. 26. $15-$20. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. 510-6495999. www.aeofberkeley.org
The Speakeasy An immersive, interactive theater experience re-creating a Prohibition-era speakeasy. Resumes January 31. $85-$130. S.F. location given with ticket purchase. www.thespeakeasysf.com
That Don Reed Show A solo sketch variety show by actorcomedian Don Reed. 8:30 p.m. Saturdays; 5:30 p.m. Sundays. Through Feb. 2. $20-$100. The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley.415-282-3055. www.themarsh.org
A Time for Hawking Indra’s Net Theater presents Bruce Coughran’s world premiere about a very young Stephen Hawking as he makes the crucial decisions that will lead to his extraordinary life. Ends Sun., Jan. 13. $30. Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., Berkeley. 415613-9210. www.indrasnettheater.com
Tourettes Without Regrets The long-running Oakland variety show hosted by Jamie DeWolf mixes stand-up, storytelling, circus, slam poetry, burlesque, freestyle rap and that which defies category. First Thursday of every month. 3½ hours. $15. Oakland Metro Operahouse, 522 Second St., Oakland. touretteswithoutregrets.com
Volta 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 Rd., San Jose. Two and a half hours. $54-$290, subject to change. 877-924-7783. www.cirquedusoleil.com
The 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.the marsh.org
When We Were Young and Unafraid Custom Made Theatre Co. presents Sarah Treem’s story set in the early ’70s about a woman who turns her bed and breakfast into a refuge for victims of domestic violence. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays. Through Feb. 9. $20-$45. Custom Made Theatre, 533 Sutter St., S.F. 415-798-2682. www.custommade.org
Why Would I Mispronounce My Own Name? Irma Herrera’s solo show at the Marsh weaves history and comedic insights into stories about names, shedding light and throwing shade on societal prejudices and assumptions. Through Jan. 26. $20-$100. The Marsh San Francisco, 1062 Valencia St., S.F. 415282-3055. www.themarsh.org
Wonderland: Alice’s Rock & Roll Adventure Bay Area Children’s Theatre presents a musical reimagining of Lewis Carroll’s beloved stories. Through Jan. 27. $17-$28. Children’s Creativity Museum, 221 Fourth St., S.F. www.bactheatre.org