Sex and paranoia

Two noteworthy “one-night-only” performances are coming up:

—The spunky Katie Rubin (who’s currently appearing in Foothill Theatre Company’s production of Urinetown) will give an encore performance of Insides Out, her popular one-woman show that features many, many characters. The autobiographical show mixes stand-up monologue, poetry and song, outlining Rubin’s effort to regain control over her life after overindulgence with food, drugs and sex. The show had a nine-week run at the Sacramento Theatre Company, followed by an engagement at the Geery Theatre.

—The Mondavi Center marks April Fools’ Day in a dark manner with a touring show based on George Orwell’s dystopian tale of totalitarian government and mind control: 1984. If it’s been a few years since a high-school teacher compelled you to read this story of Winston Smith, toiling in the grim Ministry of Truth (where slogans like “Ignorance is Strength” prevail), this play is worth a look. The script’s by Michael Gene Sullivan (head writer for the San Francisco Mime Troupe); the director is activist actor Tim Robbins (who has many film credits). The production has toured worldwide and is visiting Sacramento for the first time. And remember, Big Brother is watching (to see if you buy tickets).