Curtain call

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Keeping her distance: Art historian and inveterate loner Heidi Holland, central figure in the late Wendy Wasserstein’s Pulitzer- and Tony-winning The Heidi Chronicles, brings a book with her to dances, just in case. That’s probably a good move, as she likely doesn’t get that many requests to take the floor while she bobs and weaves her way between women’s issues and cultural trends of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Unfortunately, her aloofness ruins her portrayal as well in this New Village Arts entry—she doesn’t realize that she’s responsible for her unhappiness, but that’s because Wasserstein never bothers to tell her. Kristianne Kurner does her best in a criminally underwritten lead role, and Brian Mackey’s a joy as an overachieving gay pediatrician. I suppose everybody else is fine, although the show’s precarious balance is further upset by Linda Libby’s breathtakingly average singing voice. I’ll recommend this Amanda Sitton-directed piece, but only because I’m basically a pretty nice guy. It plays through April 25 at New Village Arts, 2787 State St. in Carlsbad. $20-$40. www.newvillagearts.org.

Now playing

* Alive and Well: A big-city reporter from the North gets more than she bargained for as she researches a story about a Civil War freak from the South. Through April 25 at the Old Globe’s Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. $29-$58. www.oldglobe.org.

Boeing-Boeing: An American businessman living in Paris juggles affairs with three female flight attendants. Through April 18 at The Old Theatre mainstage, 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. $29-$59.www.oldglobe.org.

* Ghosts: A widow comes to terms with the fact that she’s sacrificed her life for a husband she despised. Through May 2 at North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987-D Lomas Santa Fe Drive in Solana Beach. $30-$47. www.northcoastrep.org.

* Night of the Laughing Dead: A bunch of crazies gear up for the world’s first live broadcast of a full-length horror film. Ongoing dinner theater at The Imperial House Restaurant, 505 Kalmia St., west of Balboa Park. $59.50, $10 off on Fridays. www.mysterycafe.net. See our review on this page.

* Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street: Murderous barber Todd and a quirky proprietor combine efforts to prepare some meaty delicacies. Produced by Cygnet Theatre Company, it runs through May 9 at Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St. in Old Town. $17-$27. www.cygnettheatre.com.

* The Rivalry: The nation’s destiny hangs in the balance as Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas get ready to rumble. Through May 23 at Lamb’s Players Theatre, it runs through May 23 at The Ione and Paul Harter Stage, 1142 Orange Ave. in Coronado. $26-$48. www.lambsplayers.org.