Stage Reviews
The Colored Museum This is a series of clever vignettes that delves into various aspects of black history and culture. Each of the 11 “exhibits” comes alive with sharp observations, memorable characters and a wry sense of humor. The good news about this production is that the talented five-member cast not only has obvious affection for the material, but also has an incredible “show-must-go-on” spirit. The latter attribute is imperative to this production, which on opening night was plagued with so many technical glitches it looked like the first run-through with the tech team. Here’s hoping they can get these acts together.
Celebration Arts Theatre, 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, $13-$15. 4469 D Street, (916) 455-2787. Through September 25. P.R.
Lobby Hero Lobby Hero is a clever, quirky morality play. Under a slick veneer of comedy, the play slyly looks at the sliding scale of personal morals and ethics. This tale of a likeable loser is also laugh-out-loud funny with clever writing, memorable characters and a winning cast. It’s a story of two security guards and a couple of cops in a swank Manhattan apartment lobby who face personal dilemmas during a murder investigation. Jeff the security guard is an inspired central character—a lonely, charming schlump with absolutely no filter on his mouth. In a nonstop faucet of words, he innocently bumbles into verbal minefields while being wise by complete accident. 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 Wednesday matinees September 15 through October 13; $18.50-$23.50. 2711 B Street, (916) 443-5300. Through October 24. P.R.
The Music Man It’s a big community effort at Garbeau’s Dinner Theatre, with more than two dozen people in the cast; a nine-piece band; and costumes, costumes, costumes. The stage can barely contain all the activity! One dancer almost lost his balance and narrowly avoided toppling onto a dinner table laden with dishes at the performance we reviewed, but don’t let that scare you. The bottom line is that if you enjoy songs like “76 Trombones” and “Ya Got Trouble,” you’ll almost certainly find yourself tapping your toe and enjoying this energetic dinner-theater revival. Actress Kitty Kean shines as Marian the librarian, and John Philpott does just fine as the opportunistic “Professor” Harold Hill. Director Ed Brazo of California State University, Sacramento, marshals his large forces effectively.
Garbeau’s Dinner Theatre; 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday with dinner at 6 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Sunday with brunch at 1 p.m.; $24-$39 for show and meal or $20 for show only. 12401 Folsom Boulevard in Rancho Cordova, (916) 985-6361. Through November 7. J.H.
