Symphony of Rats

The president is going bonkers, hearing voices and visiting other planets. That’s the premise in this decidedly untraditional play by Richard Foreman, a leading proponent of experimental theater in New York for nearly 40 years. Symphony of Rats is not a logic-driven show moving sequentially from A to B. It’s more about surprises, textures and tableaus that engage the viewer at an intuitive level. Director Nick Avdienko of Beyond the Proscenium Productions has modified Foreman’s 1988 script to suit his own resources and goals. While highly unconventional, this 75-minute show captures attention with stylized movement, pungent language and varied, layered sound.
California Stage, 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with 2 p.m. matinees on April 15 and 22; $12-$15. 25th and R streets, (916) 456-1600, www.beyond-pro.org. Through April 21. J.H.