Arts Listings
Stage-East Bay Through August 1
ALTARENA PLAYHOUSE
"Steel Magnolias," by Robert Harling, through Aug. 8, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.; Jul. 29, Aug. 5, 8 p.m. Truvy's beauty salon in small-town Louisiana is the social nucleus for a close-knit circle of women. $19-$22.
1409 High St., Alameda. (510) 523-1553, www.altarena.org.<
BERNAL COMMUNITY PARK
OPENING -- "Two Gentlemen of Verona," by William Shakespeare, July 24 through Aug. 8, Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 p.m.; Jul. 31, 6 p.m. Julia conspires to win back Proteus by dressing up like a boy.
Off Valley Ave. south of Bernal Ave., Pleasanton. <
CALIFORNIA SHAKESPEARE THEATER
"Mrs. Warren's Profession," by George Bernard Shaw, through Aug. 10, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Forthright Cambridge student Vivie Warren comes home to discover a shocking secret about her mother and the source of her family fortune.
$112-$220 for series. Bruns Memorial Amphitheater, 100 Gateway Blvd., Orinda. (510) 548-9666, www.calshakes.org.<
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, EAST BAY (HAYWARD CAMPUS)
"New Works Showcase," July 26 through July 27, 8 p.m. Featuring women empowering women by taking on their relationships with the opposite sex.
"Halie!," by Wendy E. Taylor, July 29 through Aug. 1, Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m. The life and legacy of Mahalia Jackson is recreated onstage. $5-$15.
25800 Carlos Bee Blvd., Hayward. www.csueastbay.edu.<
CASA PERALTA Once the home of descendants of the 19th-century Spanish soldier and Alameda County landowner Don Luis Maria Peralta, the 1821 adobe was remodeled in 1926 as a grand Spanish villa, using some of the original bricks. The casa features a beautiful Moorish exterior design and hand painted tiles imported from Spain, some of which tell the story of Don Quixote. The interior is furnished in 1920s decor. The house will be decorated for the holidays during the month of December. Call ahead to confirm hours.
OPENING -- "Earth vs. Altair, Queen of Outer Space! Episode II, the Deadly Ray," by Daniel Dickinson, July 24 through Aug. 22, Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. San Leandro Players Theatre Company presents the saga of Pilot Craig Domer. $10-$15. www.sanleandroplayers.org.
Free but donations accepted. Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 384 Estudillo Ave., San Leandro. (510) 577-3474, (510) 577-3491, www.ci.sanleandro. ca.us/sllibrarycasaperalta.html.<
CONCANNON VINEYARD
"Romeo and Juliet," by William Shakespeare, through Aug. 7, Jul. 10-11; 18, 24, Aug. 1, 6-7. Featuring Patrick Jones, Jennifer Le Blanc, Hope Mirlis, Ryan Taster, Joseph Salazar, Ashley Wickett, William Wolak and Tiffany Hoover. $25-$39.
OPENING -- "The Real Thing," by Tom Stoppard, through July 31, Jul. 16-1, 23, 25, 30-31. Featuring Patrick Jones, Jennifer Le Blanc, Hope Mirlis, Ryan Taster, Joseph Salazar, Ashley Wickett, William Wolak and Tiffany Hoover. $25-$39.
4590 Tesla Road, Livermore. <
DIABLO ACTORS ENSEMBLE THEATRE
"Laughter on the 23rd Floor," through Aug. 7, Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. A team of writers vie for the approval of Max Prince, the star of '50s TV variety show. $10-$25.
1345 Locust Street, Walnut Creek. (925) 482-5110, www.diabloactors.com.<
JULIA MORGAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS
CLOSING -- "The Mothers of Ludlow," through July 25, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Youth Musical Theater Company presents a world premiere musical drama about the massacre of striking coal miners and their families in Ludlow, Colorado in 1914. $12-$22.
OPENING -- "Chicago," July 30 through Aug. 1, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Stage Door Conservatory's Teens on Stage Ensemble presents this musical
2640 College Ave., Berkeley. (510) 845-8542, www.juliamorgan.org.<
LA PENA CULTURAL CENTER
"La Esquinita USA," through July 23, 8 p.m. Ruben C. Gonzalez presents a solo performance about a town whose main source of employment has gone to China. $8-$10.
3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 849-2568, www.lapena.org.<
LESHER CENTER FOR THE ARTS
"The Pirates of Penzance," July 29 through July 31, 8 p.m. Lamplighters Music Theatre presents a comedy by Gilbert and Sullivan. $17-$50. (925) 943-7469.
1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. (925) 943-7469, www.lesherartscenter.com.<
LIVE OAK THEATRE
OPENING -- "Blithe Spirit," by Noel Coward, July 23 through Aug. 21, 8 p.m. A medium and his two wives vie for his attention. $12-$15.
1301 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 841-5580.<
THE MARSH BERKELEY
CLOSING -- "East 14th -- True Tales of a Reluctant Player," through Aug. 1, Jun. 18, 20, 26-27, Jul. 2-3, 9, 11, 16, 18, 24-5, 31, Aug. 1; Friday, 9 p.m.; Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 7 p.m. Hear the true tale of a young man raised by his mother and ultra-strict stepfather as a middle class, straight-A, god-fearing church boy. $20-$50
The Gaia Building, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. Info: (415) 826-5750, Tickets: (800) 838-3006, www.themarsh.org.<
WILLARD PARK
"Possibilidad," July 24 through July 25, 2 p.m. San Francisco Mime Troupe presents a modern song and tango about politics in the workplace. Free. (415) 285-1717, www.sfmt.org.
Hillegass Avenue and Derby Street, Berkeley. <
WILLOWS THEATRE COMPANY
CLOSING -- "Avenue Q," through Aug. 1, Wednesday, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m. This "adult Sesame Street'' romp features puppets and live actors in highenergy, naughty fun. $25-$30.
Willows Theatre, Willows Shopping Center, 1975 Diamond Blvd., Concord. (925) 798-1300, www.willowstheatre.org.<
