Double trouble
Two plays in one review and the rest of this week's theater listings
There’s still time to catch The Old Globe Theatre’s The Glass Menagerie and North Coast Repertory Theatre’s Mornings at Seven, although both pieces suffer from the same malady. You already know Menagerie, the Tennessee Williams soap opera about the Wingfield family and its despair in the St. Louis of the 1930s—mother Amanda (Emmy Award winner Mare Winningham) wants the best for her kids Laura and Tom, but only on her terms. Winningham plays Amanda too detachedly, more like a martyr than the control freak she really is. The same missteps dog Mornings, also set in 1930s middle America, wherein two adjoining houses set the scene for a tale about two families, their losses and their hopes. A dreamlike quality settles over this show, to the point that it’s hard to distinguish the families’ triumphs from their potential tragedies. Both shows play through May 11. Menagerie is at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. 619-23-GLOBE or www.oldglobe.org. $47-$54. Mornings is at 987-B Lomas Santa Fe Drive in Solana Beach. 858-481-1055 or www.northcoastrep.org. $31-$35.
Opening
Beethoven, As I Knew Him: The life of the great composer is recounted by a friend who accompanied him during his final two years. Now in previews, it opens May 8 at The Old Globe Theatre mainstage, 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. 619-23-GLOBE or www.oldglobe.org. $57-$62.
The Pillowman: A fiction writer is interrogated about the gruesome content of his short stories and their similarities to a number of bizarre child murders. Opens May 8 at the Statehouse Theatre, Grossmont College, 8800 Grossmont Drive in El Cajon. 619-644-7234 or www.grossmont.edu/theatre. $10.
Now playing
* A Little Night Music: A lawyer and his trophy wife experience a series of events that reflect the pain and pleasure of romantic love. Through May 11 at Cygnet Theatre’s Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St. in Old Town. 619-337-1525 or www.cygnettheatre.com. $24-$35.
* Corpus Christi: Here’s a look at what Jesus’ life might have been like if he were gay and growing up in 1950s Texas. Through June 1 at Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd. in University Heights. 619-220-0097 or www.diversionary.org. $20-$33.
Funny Bones: Four writers examine death in four short plays and from four very different perspectives. Through May 11 at 6th@Penn Theatre, 3704 Sixth Ave. in Hillcrest. 619-688-9210 or www.6thatpenn.com. $12-$15.
* Holy Ghosts: The circumstances and the stories of members of the Southern Pentecostal Sect culminate in a snake-handling scene. Produced by Sullivan Players, the show runs through May 25 at Swedenborg Hall, 1531 Tyler Ave. in University Heights. 858-274-1731. $12-$15.
* Hysterical Blindness: Three working-class women try to build relationships and find meaning in their lives within the cultural boundaries of 1980s Bayonne, N.J. Produced by Backyard Productions, the show runs through May 11 at Cygnet Theatre’s Rolando venue, 6663 El Cajon Blvd. in the College Area. 619-995-2225 or www.sdbackyardproductions.com. $15-$25.
* La Gaviota: A family retreats to the East Mexican coast of 1910 as a nation prepares for war, only to face the fiercer battles of the human heart. Presented by Ion Theatre Company, the show runs through May 17 at The Lab at the Academy of Performing Arts, 4580-B Alvarado Canyon Road in Mission Valley. 619-374-6894 or www.iontheatre.com. $23.50-$27.50.
* Prelude to a Kiss: An uninvited guest at Rita and Peter’s wedding congratulates the bride with a kiss, fueling a journey of hidden longings. Through May 18 at New Village Arts, 2787-B State St. in Carlsbad. 760-433-3245 or www.newvillagearts.org. $22-$26.
* The Voysey Inheritance: A London family calls its values into question when a financier discovers that his father’s been speculating with client money. Through May 18 at Lamb’s Players Theatre’s Paul & Ione Harter Stage, 1142 Orange Ave. in Coronado. 619-437-0600 or www.lambsplayers.org. $25.50-$54.
Dinner theater
Chalk it Up to Murder: HIT Productions features a cavalcade of new clues for a terrible crime. Fireside Steakhouse, 439 W. Washington Blvd. in Escondido. 619-561-8673. $16-$29.50.
Joey & Maria’s Comedy Italian Wedding: The fortunes and foibles at the heart of an Italian wedding are laid on the table. Holiday Inn on the Bay, 1355 N. Harbor Drive. 800-944-5639. $49.50.
Where There’s a Will... There’s a Wake: Gangland figure Sonny Shoehorn is heir to the family fortune unless his siblings have their way. Presented by Mystery Café Dinner Theater at Imperial House Restaurant, 505 Kalmia St. in Bankers Hill. 619-544-1600. $54.50-$59.50.
Published: 05/06/2008
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