Stage Reviews

Cinderella Back again this Christmas, this show belongs to evil, monumentally avaricious stepmother Mrs. Baden-Rotten (tall, deep-voiced actor Mark Brey, in an escalating series of outrageous outfits), with an assist from her incredibly spoiled daughters. The show also features some winning songs by Sacramento composer Gregg Coffin.
Sacramento Theatre Company , 7 p.m. Tuesday; Wednesday Thursday, Friday, Saturday; 12:30 p.m. matinee Wednesday, Thursday; 2 p.m. matinee Saturday, Sunday, $10-$32. 1419 H St., 443-6722. Through December 30. J.H.

A Lot of Life This new Buck Busfield play involves an old Italian hardware store owner who’s about to lose his sputtering business and his daughter. The first half plays like situation comedy, but in the second half, fate arbitrarily intervenes, as everyone in the play experiences a personal setback, and then moves on.
B Street Theatre , 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, $10.75-$20.50. 2711 B St., 443-5300. Through January 6. J.H.

The Secret Garden This is a new, dramatic interpretation of the classic children’s book by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Director Carolyn Howarth draws on grim Victorian class distinctions, images of nature and regeneration, and even a bit of Hindu karma.
Nevada Theatre , 7 p.m. Thursday, 8:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, $5-$20. 401 Broad St., Nevada City. (530) 265-8587 or (888) 730-8587. Through December 30. J.H.

Sisters This African-American comedy involves a highly educated advertising professional and a worldly wise cleaning lady, who get trapped by a snowstorm in an Atlanta office tower.
Celebration Arts Theatre , 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, 4469 D St., Sacramento, 455-2787. $10-$12. Through December 29. J.H.