Italian Opera

Local playwright Leslie Lewinter-Suskind wrote Italian Opera as a graduate student in the late 1990s. The story of two well-to-do couples and a wisecracking maid is presented as an operetta with numerous ingenious references to famous, classical operas—though appreciated even by those with a passing familiarity of the musical art form. Director Ray Tatar gathers together a talented five-member cast that hits all the right notes, both dramatically and musically. F, Sa 8pm; Su 2pm. Through 3/22. $15-$20.California Stage, California Stage Theatre at the R25 Arts Center, 1721 25th St.; (916) 451-5822; www.calstage.org. Through March 22. P.R.