Second time's a charm
North Coast Rep's Old Wicked Songs and the rest of the region's theatrical offerings
I attended a substandard production of Old Wicked Songs exactly 103 years ago this week in another city—but seeing it again at North Coast Repertory Theatre makes me fairly glad I gave it another try. At its core, this is a decent Jon Marans piece about youth, age and the tragic consequences of war, with a young pianist coming of age at the hands of an indefatigable teacher. I still think the role of pianist Stephen Hoffman (Tom Zohar) lacks lots of expositional depth, but David Ellenstein’s direction is eminently deliberate, and the chemistry between Zohar and Robert Grossman as aging teacher Josef Mashkan makes this entry worth a look. The show runs through May 31 at North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987-D Lomas Santa Fe Drive in Solana Beach. $35-$39. 858-481-1055, www.northcoastrep.org.
Opening
The Price: A watchful wife looks on as two brothers relive the memories of their deceased father while going through his possessions. Produced by The Old Globe Theatre. Now in previews, it opens May 14 at Copley Auditorium Arena Stage, 1450 El Prado in Balboa Park. $39-$59. 619-23-GLOBE, www.oldglobe.org.
Now playing
Bed and Sofa: A Russian housewife shacks up with a third party, then breaks it off with him and her husband, leaving the men to decide who gets the bed and who gets the sofa. Through May 31 at Cygnet Theatre’s Old Town venue, 4848 Twiggs St. in Old Town. $30-$42, 619-337-1525, www.cygnettheatre.com.
The Glass Menagerie: A jaded St. Louis family implodes amid its members’ failure to adapt to the outside world. Produced by Lamb’s Players Theatre, it runs through May 24 at the Ione and Paul Harter Stage, 1142 Orange Ave. in Coronado. $22-$48. 619-437-0600, www.lambsplayers.org.
The Good, the Bad and the Udderly Ridiculous: The Hooter County Fair turns into a battleground and site of a hunt for a sack of gold. Produced by Mystery Café Dinner Theatre, it’s ongoing at The Imperial House restaurant, 505 Kalmia St. in Bankers Hill. $59.50. 619-544-1500, www.mysterycafe.net.
The Hit: It’s anything but business as usual as an unlikely hit-man seriously screws up an assignment. This revival produced by Lamb’s Players Theatre is ongoing at The Horton Grand Theatre, 444 Fourth Ave., Downtown. $26-$48. 619-437-0660, www.lambsplayers.org.
The Little Dog Laughed: A Hollywood semi-star wonders discovers it might be better to keep his curiosity about the gay world under wraps. Through May 31 at Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd. in University Heights. $29-$33. 619-220-0097, www.diversionary.org.
