It's a miracle

Miracle Theatre Productions, San Diego’s only for-profit theater, closed up shop in December of 2006 and left open the possibility of its re-emergence maybe 18 months later. Not only were producers Jill Mesaros and Paul Kalustian true to their word, they haven’t lost their knack for exploiting finely crafted commercial fare. They and Carson Stages are behind Robert Dubac’s Male Intellect: The 2nd Coming!, sequel to Dubac’s The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron?, which Miracle mounted at Theatre in Old Town in 2005. Whereas the first show explored the us-versus-them mentality behind male-female relationships, the current one-man piece morphs into an us-versus-us oratorio, complete with eight characters who think they have life and mind-body balance figured out. None of them does, of course, as Dubac hints through his cutting-edge sense of parody. This show’s a lot deeper than the first, which is to say it’s a whole lot more satisfying. Robert Dubac’s Male Intellect: The 2nd Coming! runs through July 13 at The Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, Downtown. $35-$40. 619-544-1000 or www.miracletheatreproductions.com.
—Martin Jones Westlin

Now playing

* A Number: A look at the relationship between fathers and sons unfolds around the topic of human cloning. Through June 29 at Cygnet Theatre’s Rolando venue, 6663 El Cajon Blvd. in the College Area. 619-337-1525 or www.cygnettheatre.com. $22-$29.

In the Blood: Hester la Negrita raises her five children while dealing with individuals that constantly victimize her in this take on The Scarlet Letter. Through June 29 at North Park Vaudeville and Candy Shoppe, 2031 El Cajon Blvd. in North Park. 610-220-8663 or www.northparkvaudeville. $15.

* Request Programme: An evening in the life of a troubled woman takes center stage—it’s a very quiet evening, as the play is performed without dialogue. Produced by Ion Theatre Company. Through June 14 at The Lab, Academy of Performing Arts, 4580-B Alvarado Canyon Road in Mission Valley. 619-374-6894 or www.iontheatre.com. $20.50-$23.50.

* The Hit: Susan and Steve run a San Francisco antiques shop, where a case of mistaken identity sets off an intriguing string of events. Produced by Lamb’s Players Theatre. Through July 13 at the Paul and Ione Harter Stage, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. 619-437-0600 or www.lambsplayers.org. $20-$56.

Three Days of Rain: A brother and sister discover their late father’s sparse diary and use it to create a story that will explain away the present and make sense of their parents’ passionless marriage. Through June 16 at Compass Theatre (formerly 6th@Penn Theatre), 3704 Sixth Ave. in Hillcrest. 619-688-9210 or www.compasstheatre.com. $20-$23.


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 Cafe Dinner Theater at Imperial House Restaurant, 505 Kalmia St. in Bankers Hill. 619-544-1600.