Cannery Row

City Theatre presents John Steinbeck's classic in Sacramento City College's impressive remodeled auditorium, taking advantage of the large stage to include more than 35 actors, the town of Monterey and a musical quartet. This production, directed by Christine Nicholson, is an admirably ambitious undertaking with some good performances, imaginative staging, and handsome sets and costumes. There are times, however, when all the production elements seem to swallow up the story, and we lose the intimacy of this tale of a Depression-era seaside town and its memorable characters. But overall, it's a sweet, sentimental 112th-birthday salute to Steinbeck. F, Sa 8pm; Su 2pm; Sa 3/22 2pm. Through 3/23. $12-$15. City Theatre in the Main Auditorium, Performing Arts Center at Sacramento City College, 3835 Freeport Blvd.; (916) 558-2174; www.citytheatre.net.