Theatre

Mauritius

A dark comedy about stamp collecting? The apparent discovery of an incredibly rare old stamp from Mauritius (an island nation in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar) sets off a string of complex betrayals, involving shady characters and dubious motives. When this script was first staged on Broadway in 2007, playwright Theresa Rebeck said, “I’m interested in what drives people to poor behavior. I do believe that there are monsters out there, and that they are monsters.” This will be the first Sacramento production; Capital Stage specializes in edgier new works.

7 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 2 p.m. Sundays; October 8 through November 7. Capital Stage aboard the Delta King Riverboat in Old Sacramento, 1000 Front Street. $15-$30. (916) 995-5464 or www.capitalstagecompany.com.

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A Different Kind of Cool

Sacramento’s Jack Gallagher broke in as a stand-up comic on The Tonight Show back in the days of Johnny Carson. But Gallagher can do more than just tell a good joke; he can spin a tale in the long form as well. Over the past decade, he’s become the B Street Theatre’s master of the one-man autobiographical show, offering a thoughtful take at life from a personal perspective in Letters to Declan (about fatherhood), Just the Guy (working life) and What He Left (his father’s death). This new show considers how we learn to accept others’ differences.

6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays, 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 5 and 9 p.m. Saturdays. Through November 7. $12-$30. B Street Theatre, 2711 B Street; (916) 443-5300; www.bstreettheatre.org.

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Also

DANCERS ARE IN THE HOUSE AT SAC STATE: Dance House kicks off Sacramento State’s season of dance concerts with performances at 6:30pm, September 29-30; 8pm, October 1-2; and 2pm October 2-3, in Solano Hall 1010 on the campus at 6000 J Street. Directed by professors Lorelei Bayne and Randee Paufve, Dance House features contemporary dance with inspiration from hip-hop, jazz and African-Caribbean dance styles. Tickets are $5-$12 and available at (916) 278-4323 or www.tickets.com. Through 10/3. Sacramento State Solano Hall, 6000 J St., Room 1010; (916) 278-3569; www.csus.edu/dram.

SHINING ON BROADWAY MUSICAL REVIEW: After 36 years of packed houses in Sacramento and Rocklin, Best of Broadway presents its 37th edition of the finest showstoppers in song and dance, from contemporary to traditional Broadway musicals. This show is fast-paced and full of high-spirited energy, overflowing with talent for the young and old alike. Directed by David MacDonald. F-Su, 7:30pm, through 10/3. Opens 9/17. $20 general, $18 seniors/students, $15 children (12 and under). Order online:www.bestofbroadway.org. Mail orders: Best of Broadway, P.O. Box 60832, Sacramento, CA 95860. Veterans Memorial Amphitheatre, 7991 California Ave. in Fair Oaks; (916) 436-6344; www.fairoakstheatrefestival.com.

LADY BUSINESS: Lady Business, Sacramento’s only all-female improv troupe, uses true stories from the audience to create a show with smart humor, unexpected characters and guaranteed laughs. Sa, 10/16, 8pm. $5. Sacramento Comedy Spot, 1050 20th St., Ste. 130; (916) 444-3137; www.saccomedyspot.com.

BREAKING THE LIGHT: A new drama on California’s failing medical services. Throughout the morning, events spiral wildly out of control in this small-town, acute psychiatric ward. Through 10/17. $15-$20. Three Penny Theatre, 1715 25th Street.

CAPITAL CITY CAPER DINNER & SHOW: Enjoy an evening of interactive theater and keep children in crisis safe at the EMQ FamiliesFirst Crisis Nursery. Help raise money for babies and children who are at risk for abuse and neglect. Marking a 10-year anniversary, the EMQ FamiliesFirst Crisis Nursery relies on community support. Sa, 10/23, 6pm. Table sponsorships starting at $1,500. Individual tickets are $125. Tsakopoulos Library Galleria, 828 I St.; (530) 747-3122; www.capcitycaper.org.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST: Oscar Wilde’s sparkling comedy of mistaken identities, frothy wit and a million laughs comes to the Sacramento Theatre Company’s main stage. 10/6-10/31. $25-$36. Sacramento Theatre Company, 1419 H Street; (916) 443-6722; www.sactheatre.org.