Stage Reviews
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change This audience-friendly musical revue features an appealing, energetic cast, including Equity actor Eric Wheeler (last year’s Gunfighter). The show is in a cozy, 115-seat theater, which creates more intimate, un-amplified dynamics than you get with touring, big-venue musicals. The topics include dating, marriage, parenthood, divorce and death. Some of the lyrics (by Joe DiPietro) and music (by Jimmy Roberts) are superficial, but they go down easy and touch on everyday experiences; the off-Broadway production of this show has been running for years. Delta King Theatre ; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday; $18-$22 for the show only or $38-$49 for a meal and the show. Onboard the Delta King, 1000 Front Street in Old Sacramento, (916) 995-5464. Through March 8.
My Fair Lady This story of poor flower girl Eliza being transformed into a linguistically perfect lady is a Nescafé frothé—sweet, light and bubbly. There’s no pretense in this classic musical. It’s not experimental. It’s not existential. It’s simply lovely—or loverly, if you’re into Cockney flower-seller speak. Though sparse in props, staging and flash, it’s lush in heart and enthusiasm. Runaway Stage’s production has first-rate talent in the lead roles, earnest performers for the backgrounders and one of the best musical scores ever created to work with. After a strong beginning, the second half loses steam, with the cast lagging in energy and the live orchestra misplacing timing and notes. But, in the end, this Lady is a collaborative effort by true musical lovers for true musical lovers.
24th Street Theatre , 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, $12-$14. 2791 24th Street, (916) 207-1226. Through February 23. P.R.
The Sunshine Boys This production of Neil Simon’s 1972 comedy features a strong performance by past Elly winner Dick Mangrum as an aging vaudeville comedian who’s lured reluctantly out of retirement for one last reunion with his erstwhile stage partner. Don Zastoupil’s elaborate set is also a plus. However, the chemistry between Mangrum and fellow actor Bill Powers isn’t always right, and the show generates more genial giggles than big belly laughs.
Woodland Opera House , 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, $7-$14. 340 Second Street, Woodland, (530) 666-9617. Through February 23. J.H.
The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife The allergist’s wife is in a terrible dilemma. She lives in beautifully appointed $900,000 New York apartment, she’s got a loving husband, and she supports good causes. But she’s a nervous, frustrated wreck because she can’t write a big intellectual book. Then suddenly, a mysterious stranger arrives—a long-lost childhood friend who’s led the most amazing life, traveling the world and hobnobbing with the rich and famous. But is the friend genuine? Playwright Charles Busch crams in many references to heavy-duty philosophers and artists, but the guts of this light-footed comedy are less innovative than the name-dropping implies. However, the cast—Amy Resnick, Richard Winters and Gigi Bermingham—and director John Lamb get this slightly flimsy script to handle like a sporty two-seater on a fast racetrack.
B Street Theatre ; 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday, with 2 p.m. matinees Wednesday and Sunday; $14.50-$20.50. 2711 B Street, (916) 443-5300. Through March 9. J.H.
Talking Bones Shay Youngblood’s intriguing script features three generations of women who run an obscure African-American bookstore and respond to inner voices—the voices of their ancestors. A good-natured delivery boy and a self-serving con man who’s bent on property acquisition via romance go into the mix. The combination of cultural pride and matriarchal mysticism is appealing, but this well-intentioned production moves in fits and starts, and it doesn’t always manage to deliver the goods.
Celebration Arts Theater , 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, $10-$12 (or $6 Thursday), 4469 D Street, (916) 455-2787. Through March 7. J.H.
Waiting for Godot This quintessential Samuel Beckett play is an eclectic journey of existential theater, one that breaks conventional theater rules by throwing out plot, character and story arcs and pat endings. A warning: This comedy/drama is not for everyone, with its unconventional approach, layered meanings, quirky conversations and intellectual wanderings. With its talented cast, this production never bores, and the lush language and philosophical ramblings take the audience along on the two main characters’ trip to nowhere while providing just the right touch of humor.
Actors Theatre , 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, $12-$14. 1616 Del Paso Boulevard, (916) 925-6579. Through February 23. P.R.
