Silk purse

Old Globe Theatre artistic director Darko Tresnjak likes the challenge involved in setting faulty scripts to rights—and maybe that’s why he chose to helm All’s Well That Ends Well, the opening production in The Globe’s summer Shakespeare festival. It’s not that All’s Well is a terrible play or anything; it’s just not extraordinarily interesting in terms of its story or characters. Helena (Kathryn Parker Green), a lowly doctor’s daughter, jumps through a series of hoops to win the nobleman Bertram (Graham Hamilton)—and she finds that there’s a lot more to this marriage crap than meets the eye. The dialogue’s a mite too fanciful, even amid the play’s fairytale setting—but Tresnjak has a way of smoothing over the excess through his talent for containment of the action. In other hands, this pleasant entry could have been a lot worse. It runs through Sept. 26 at The Globe’s Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. $56-$64. 619-23-GLOBE or www.oldglobe.org.
—Martin Jones Westlin

Opening

Romeo and Juliet: Two crazy kids from Italy fall in love, only to die amid a pointless family feud. Now in previews, it opens July 3 at The Old Globe’s Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. 619-23-GLOBE of www.oldglobe.org. $56-$64.

The Merry Wives of Windsor: Falstaff seeks to capitalize on his celebrity by seducing two happily married chicks. Now in previews, it opens July 6 at The Old Globe’s Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. 619-23-GLOBE or www.oldglobe.org. $56-$64.

Now playing

* Golden Boy: A classically trained violinist has a unique attribute—the skill and strength to become the lightweight champion of the world. Through July 13 at New Village Arts Theatre, 2787-B State St. in Carlsbad. 760-433-3245 or www.newvillagearts.org. $20-$26. See our review on this page.

* 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.

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.