Bracing ‘Merchant of Venice’ comes to City Lights Theater
“The Merchant of Venice”: Shakespeare’s works feature themes that are so universal and observations so sharp and pointed that they seem to garner new urgency with every change in the sociopolitical landscape. That is certainly the case with his controversial 16th-century play “The Merchant of Venice,” with its mix of comedic observations and depictions of love, greed and malice. “This Venice is a world of people who are rich, exclusive, xenophobic and generally speaking illequipped and ill-prepared to fulfill their own potential as human beings,” says Kit Wilder, who is directing a revival of the work for City Lights Theater Company in San Jose. The production plays in previews tonight and Friday, with the main run opening Saturday.
DETAILS >> Through April 22; City Lights Theater, San Jose; pay what you can tonight, $19 Friday, main run tickets are $21$44; 408-295-4200, cltc. org.
Catapult: This Connecticut troupe, a finalist in Season 8 of “America’s Got Talent,” is all about finding new ways that human movement can create stories. The ridiculously athletic group performs in shadow, using a variety of theatrical devices, to create a spellbinding family-friendly show. It comes to Livermore’s Bankhead Theater on Sunday. DETAILS >> 3 p.m.; $40-$80; 925-373-6800, lvpac.org.
“Dance of the Holy Ghosts”: Ubuntu Theater Project is presenting this early work from Oakland native Marcus Gardley (whose “black odyssey” was one of the best things I’ve ever seen at California Shakespeare Theater) about a young
boy’s relationship with his curmudgeonly grandfather.
DETAILS >> Through March 31; Oakland Peace Center; $15-$45; www.ubuntutheaterproject.com
Sing-and-shoutalong “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”: Anyone who’s seen the British sketch troupe’s film is familiar with its outrageously funny assault on the King Arthur legend. Now there’s an audience-participation version that allows you to take part in some of the nastiest put-down lines ever uttered by a French person and in other unforgettable bits. It’s being screened at San Jose’s 3Below this weekend.
DETAILS >> 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday; $15; 3 belowtheaters.com.
“A Number”: Caryl Churchill’s brilliant two-person play uses the prospect of cloning to explore a range of issues that are more about human vulnerabilities than scientific conquest. Aurora Theatre Company in Berkeley is staging the play in its intimate Harry’s Upstage theater.
DETAILS >> Through May 6; $33-$65; 510-843-4822, www.auroratheatre.org
“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live”: The popular PBS kids show produced by the Fred Rogers Company (the folks who created “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”) now has an interactive, lively stage show, which comes to San Francisco’s Orpheum Theatre on Saturday. DETAILS >> 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; $52-$118; 888746-1799; www.shnsf.com. ChoreoProject: sjDANCEco’s recurring project focuses on works by young Bay Area choreographers and dancers. It’s back this weekend.
DETAILS >> 4:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday; Dance Theatre at San Jose State University; $30; www.sjdanceco. org.
Diablo Ballet: The Walnut Creek troupe celebrates its 24th year with a one-night, wide-ranging program featuring selections from “Swan Lake,” Salvatore Aiello’s mournful “Solas” as well as works by Sonya Delwaide, Trey McIntyre and Robert Dekkers.
DETAILS >> 6:30 p.m. today; Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek; $59; 925-943-7469, www. lesherartscenter.org, diabloballet.org.
California Pops Orchestra: The South Bay institution is back with a show celebrating the “golden age of radio” with its Pops Singers and guest pianist Frederick Hodges. Expect an afternoon of classic mid-20thcentury pop tunes, comedic bits and more at this family-friendly show.
DETAILS >> 3 p.m. Sunday; Flint Center, Cupertino; $20-$55; www.calpops.org.
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Bob Saget: The actor and comedian (“Full House,” “America’s Funniest Home Videos”) is a clean-cut-looking guy who can uncork some truly raunchy jokes; it’s a schtick that’s been working for him for years. He headlines this weekend at San Jose Improv.
DETAILS >> Five shows Friday through Sunday; $27; sanjose.improv.com.