Three Ways Home

This New York story—related through monologues and dialogues—features a 30-something, low-income black mom, her emotionally unstable teenage son and the 40-ish, childless, white woman from Greenwich Village who volunteers as their social worker. Mostly, the story focuses on the two women as they establish a relationship, despite their very different backgrounds. There are ups and downs—plus one devastating loss—yet in the end, they understand each other pretty well. That summary sounds sweet, but the show conveys dramatic heft due to the absorbing chemistry that director James Wheatley develops between performers Georganne Wallace (as the white social worker) and Brenda Cepeda (as the black mom). Production values are very basic; it’s the acting that counts here.
Celebration Arts Theatre; 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays; 13-$15 ($8 Thursdays). 4469 D Street; (916) 455-2787, www.celebrationarts.net. Through November 10.