Stage Reviews
Johnny Tremain The classic novel about a Boston teenager during the onset of the Revolutionary War is successfully transferred to the stage in this new musical. Sacramento playwright Richard Hellesen retains the danger in the colonists’ struggle for independence. Those Americans were taking a gutsy stand, and this show doesn’t sweeten the sometimes bitter, bloody consequences of the rebellion against Imperial Britain. Composer Noah Agruss skillfully adapts songs from the era, costumer Nancy Pipkin gives characters the right look, and director Buck Busfield guides 300-plus pages of novel into 90 minutes of performance. The cast, six professional actors plus three community actors, portrays a cavalcade of characters in this ambitious production. The show is primarily geared toward teens and their parents, but savvy youngsters will get it.
Children’s Theatre of California; 7 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday; $15-$20. 2711 B Street, (916) 443-5300, www.bstreettheatre.org. Through March 11. J.H.
Les Liaisons Dangereuses Depraved minds are celebrated in this wickedly witty and lascivious look into the demented sexual parlor games of 18th century French aristocracy. Capital Stage unveils this delicious tale of debauchery, lust, treachery and revenge—all shrouded under the deceptive cloak of romance and love. Two nobles spar by using seduction as sport, daring each other in sexual conquests, with true love being a deal breaker. The production glows with memorable performances, handsome French salon sets and gorgeous period costumes and hair. This show contains brief nudity though, absurdly, only the actresses appear au naturel.
Capital Stage; 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday; $20-$24. Delta King, 1000 Front Street in Old Sacramento; (916) 995-5464; www.capitalstagecompany.com. Through March 11. P.R.
The Mai The Mai is a fine modern Irish play featuring four generations of Irish women, varying from feisty 100-year-old Grandma (Shirley O’Key, who’s “only” 87) to the teenage beauty Millie (Carissa Meagher). The central figure is the Mai (Bonnie Antonini), a good-looking, resourceful 40-ish woman who’s successful at almost everything in life except her heartbreaking marriage. This production is not as continuously sustained as playwright Marina Carr’s script. But there are many marvelous scenes, particularly in the play’s second half, like the late-night gathering of the Mai and two sisters, discussing love’s disappointments over drinks and breaking into song.
The Space at California Stage, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday; $12-$20. Special St. Patrick’s Day performance on March 17 at 7 p.m., $25. 25th and R streets, (916) 451-5822, www.calstage.org. Through March 25. J.H.
Nunsense A-men! Nunsense A-men! keeps the drag on the nuns and not on the audience. The nuns are a little butch, but the whirlwind of energy and jokes that are never more off-color than, say, ecru, keeping things hopping in this well-paced giggle-fest. Jerry Lee’s turn as Sister Amnesia is a short-term-memory exercise in scene stealing and all the nuns are in fine voice. A balm for the soul of parochial school survivors, Center Stage Productions’ Nunsense A-men! is theatrical cotton candy—but it’s really good cotton candy.
The Studio Theatre, 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday; $22-24. The Studio Theatre, 1028 R Street, (916) 446-2668; www.centerstageca.com. Through April 15. K.M.
Three Messiahs Walk into a Bar This new musical is based on the Bible; Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus; and vaudeville with a Jewish tilt. The Angel Gabriel tells corny jokes. Gabby God nibbles snickerdoodles. The Virgin Mary, frustrated with her inept suitor, Joseph, sings “Men Are Dumb”—a song that could become an anthem. The music by Matt Hanf and Brian Jebian flirts with blues, gospel and flamenco. Hanf’s script is enthusiastic and ingratiating, even when it’s sophomoric. Three Messiahs isn’t stunningly original and this small production is uneven, but the show connects at a people-pleasing, feel-good level. Pretty successful for a rookie effort. The show also reflects artistic director Thomas Kelly’s decision to use his club-like venue to showcase new scripts by emerging local writers.
Thistle Dew Dessert Theatre, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $24 includes dessert. 1901 P Street, (916) 444-8209. Through March 10. J.H.
Translations Brian Friel’s Translations honors not only the lyrical language of the Éire, but also uses it to illustrate powerful political points in Irish history. The British have arrived in a small Gaelic-speaking community in County Donegal to re-culture the area by converting everything Irish to English. Friel successfully tweaks the essence of language, communication and miscommunication. This is a complex story, made even more challenging by the use of dense language, Gaelic dialect and sign language. Though the energy level lags at times, City Theatre does an admirable job with a complicated play, bringing out memorable performances by the cast, aided by Karyn Garnica’s handsome set.
City Theatre, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, with 2 p.m. matinees on March 10, 15, and 17; $10-$15. Art Court Theatre, Sacramento City College, 3835 Freeport Boulevard; (916) 558-2228; www.citytheatre.net. Through March 18. P.R.
The Vagina Monologues SacActors.com revives its long-running show. Reviewing it in 2005, Patti Roberts wrote, “This play with the gutsy title takes a taboo subject matter—a basic body part of every woman and makes it acceptable to talk about. For this production by SacActors.com, three actresses trade off monologues in front of deep-red velvet panels. The performances examine not only the word, but also the body part, and all the shame, power, fear and beauty that vagina owners carry with them. The play is great fodder for after-show conversations.”
Geery Theater; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday; $14.50-$17.50. 2130 L Street, (916) 451-4152. Extended through March 31. P.R.
