Tilly No-Body: Catastrophes of Love

Russian/British actress Bella Merlin sings, plays the lute, manipulates puppets and even does a circus trick in this piece about the complex (and often painful) relationship between 20th-century German playwright Frank Wedekind (Spring Awakening, Lulu) and his wife/leading actress, Tilly, 22 years his junior. It’s told from Tilly’s point of view, as the demarcations between her onstage image and private life blur. W, Th, F, Sa 8pm; Su 2pm. Through 10/24. $15-$30. Vanderhoef Studio Theatre, Mondavi Center, UC Davis: (530) 754-2787 or toll-free (866) 754-2787; www.mondaviarts.org.