Stage Reviews
AAH! Abandon Productions’ physical-theater troupe wrestles with the evolution of human interaction, casting a critical and sometimes comical look at the progress we’ve made as a society. Through its unique blend of dance, movement, a cappella singing, acting and miming, the group continues to captivate. All action occurs within two A-frame construction scaffoldings, where performers loop, leap, slither and snake through the pipings. Even when the concepts haven’t quite gelled, the performers’ sheer joy and enthusiasm have you rooting for them. The miracle is witnessing an experimental theater production that lacks pretension and cynicism. The show lasts one hour.
The Space, 8 p.m. Saturday, $10-$13. 2509 R Street, (916) 737-2304. Through February 28. P.R.
Around the World in 80 Days Phileas Fogg has 80 days to go around the globe. B Street Theatre has two hours to capture Fogg’s amazing and colorful journey on stage. Both succeed brilliantly. This production of Jules Verne’s classic adventure tale is imaginative, creative and enjoyable. Even more impressive, the play is done without props, scenery or a large cast. Five actors portray more than 30 characters. It’s hard to determine who’s having more fun—the talented cast or the appreciative audience.
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, with matinees on February 18 and 25; $17.50-$21.50. 2711 B Street, (916) 443-5300. Extended through March 21. P.R.
Fat Men in Skirts Synergy Stage’s Fat Men in Skirts is for those who like dark humor. Be forewarned: We’re talking really dark humor. Think midnight-in-a-mine-with-your-eyes-closed dark. (And even that audience may find this audacious comedy creeping over the edge.) If you’re willing to take the plunge into a surreal world of overbearing mothers, dallying fathers, mental breakdowns, cannibalism, rape and incest, you’ll discover a darkly disturbing but highly entertaining look at one family gone way wrong. This story of a mother and son who survive a plane crash on a deserted island explores family dynamics, social taboos, the search for love, and a lot of wayward affections.
Geery Theatre, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $10-$15. 2130 L Street, (916) 448-9019. Through February 14. P.R.
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change The Delta King Theatre has revived its revival of this long-running revue. The cast is a composite of the first two productions. This revue is about dating, courtship, marriage and what comes after. The songs are sometimes obvious, but they have a way of sticking in your memory. At this point, this reviewer is losing the urge to go down this road again, but there still seem to be plenty of people wanting to see this show.
Delta King Theatre, various times Thursday through Sunday, $18-$25 for the show and $38-$52 for dinner and the show. 1000 Front Street in Old Sacramento, (916) 995-5464. Through February 29. J.H.
Two for the Seesaw Some of the dialogue in this romantic comedy from the 1950s is dated, but the situation between the two lovers in this story is timeless. Jerry, from Nebraska, is recently divorced and filled with doubt. He’s starting over in New York. Gittel, a wannabe dancer, has been used by a string of serial boyfriends. They’re both carrying emotional baggage but trying (sometimes unsuccessfully) to avoid repeating past mistakes. Director Ken Kelleher manages good performances by Matt K. Miller and Stephanie Gularte.
Sacramento Theatre Company; 12:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday; $16-$32. 1419 H Street, (916) 443-6722. Through February 15. J.H.
