Sarah, Sarah

Playwright Daniel Goldfarb’s Sarah, Sarah comes in two acts, set 40 years apart. Act I takes place in 1961, with Jewish mother Sarah (Amy Resnick) inviting her son Arthur’s fiancée over—to try and derail the marriage. It’s a character study of a Jewish immigrant with strong views on family, class, nationality, religion and upward mobility—and it’s funny, insightful, and thoughtful. Act II is set in China, 40 years later, where Sarah’s son and his daughter are adopting a baby from an orphanage. Though there are some memorable scenes, the second act answers few questions and veers off into a contrived ending. The saving grace is a strong first half and compelling performances, under the direction of Director Buck Busfield.
B Street Theatre, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday; $25-$30. 2711 B Street; (916) 443-5300; www.bstreettheatre.org. Through August 12.