Stage Reviews
Fully Committed Think of this one-man “comedy of interruptions” as a high-speed endurance run. Your heart goes out to Sam, the stressed-out reservations specialist manning the constantly ringing phones in the basement of a popular, upscale restaurant. The frantic customers are desperate to get a table, while the staff upstairs keeps barking contradictory commands. It’s also a test for versatile actor Gary Alan Wright, who constantly shifts between portraying the long-suffering Sam (running between three phones and an intercom) and the three dozen other characters who pound him with demands. Wright rises to the occasion. Foothill Theatre Company; 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday; $19-$23. 401 Broad Street in Nevada City, (530) 265-8587. Through August 15. J.H.
The Producers The Broadway Series brings us the musical version of Mel Brooks’ 1968 movie of the same name. The story remains the same: A failed Broadway producer realizes that, with the right financial high jinks, he could make more money with a flop than with a hit. He comes up with Springtime for Hitler, featuring singing Nazis and a dancing Führer. Brooks expanded the story by adding a slew of clever songs and funny scenes. The result is a good old-fashioned song-and-dance Broadway musical with a twisted sense of humor. The two leads are up to the daunting task of making the roles their own. The supporting cast is also a font of musical talents, singing and dancing with energy and enthusiasm aplenty.
Community Center Theatre; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, 8 p.m. Friday, and 2 p.m. Sunday; $15-$69. 1301 L Street, (916) 264-5181. Through July 4. P.R.
Sugar As a male musician who witnesses a gangster murder and then hides in disguise as a female bass player, Daniel Slauson simply steals the show. The whole cast in this sweet, silly musical version of the classic movie Some Like It Hot is a fun, kooky crew. Much effort went into this production, from the great 1920s costumes and clever sets to fun sound effects and creative dance numbers, all under the skillful direction of Bob Irvin. The Fair Oaks Theatre Festival is housed in the small, outdoor Veterans Memorial Amphitheatre—a comfortable theater under the stars, complete with backed benches and a cool river breeze.
Veterans Memorial Amphitheatre; 8:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday, with Thursday shows on July 8, 15, 22 and 29 and no show on July 4; $10-$12. Plaza Park, California Street and Fair Oaks Boulevard in Fair Oaks; (916) 966-3683. Through August 1. P.R.
The Trials and Tribulations of Staggerlee Booker T. Brown This comedy features the devil’s emissary (Asian-American actor Larry Lew, having a blast) vs. a headstrong black American named Staggerlee (Brandon Rubin, who plays the part as both a sexy young stud and a withered old pastor). Comic relief also comes from Bertha Butt, played by an overripe and breathless Elise Reese. Kwesiu Jones plays a charming drunk. Several scenes are quite funny, but this community production also gets bogged down in prolonged set changes and top-down tongue-in-cheek commentary from playwright Don Evans.
Celebration Arts; 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, with no show on July 10; $10-$12. 4469 D Street, (916) 455-2787. Through July 11. J.H.
The Underpants There’s a lot of Steve Martin in this broad comedy filled with sexual innuendoes, crazy characters and slapstick humor. Martin adapted a classic 1910 German farce about a young wife who loses her knickers just as the king rides by, creating a social scandal and marital upheaval. Underwear humor becomes a running gag and sets an over-the-top tone. Adding to the madcap mayhem are a nosey neighbor, a couple of randy roommates and the king himself. There isn’t an ounce of subtlety or a smidgen of sophistication to be found, but amusing absurdities abound.
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; $18.50-$23.50. 2711 B Street, (916) 443-5300. Through August 15. P.R.
